Communication without any doubt is the heart of human society in all spheres of life. In past few years modes of communication has evolved faster than any other technology in the history of human race.But the fastest growing and evolving mode of communication is the wireless or mobile communication.
The mobile communication has completely restructured the equation between communication, technology, and society by unwiring the networks of our lives.One perfect example of this is mobile phone .Earlier phones used to be a tool to connect with each other.But today Mobiles have become a connectivity gadget ,a fashion accessory and above all an expression of identity for us. We can hardly imagine our life without it.In last few years it has made a irreplaceable corner in our lives. The another example of it is the internet which helps us connect with whole world within fractions of seconds. Through it we gain the access to the entire world out there.The sites like Google has become so much a part of our life that we kind of try to find everything on it.We want everything on internet. Be it information, food ,gadgets , train or air tickets , kind of everything.
The mobile communication has given us the freedom to pursue fairly independent activities and yet be constantly in touch. We can be out of office and can still can reach our working environments from anywhere and at any time. Today students can communicate face to face with their teachers ,classmates without being in classroom, through their laptops and cell phones. We can be anywhere in the world and can still be with our family and friends. Within fraction of seconds money can be transferred from one corner of the world to the other. There is an old saying that World is a small place , wireless technology has actually proved it true.
We all are enjoying this new found freedom of expression and connectivity. But In the race of being connected or stay online 24*7 we hardly ever think of other side of it. We can hardly see that mobile communication has given birth to a virtual society around us. A society which has got it own culture and language which is based on textual communication. The horizons of this society are unlimited .So are its good and bad effects. We all are a part of this virtual society in one or other way.
Cyber crime is also one face of this technology which has been on the rise over the last couple of years. Remember Adnan Patrawala the 16-year-old son, of a businessman from Bombay, who was abducted and killed by his Orkut friends. We all know Orkut is a well known social networking site. Adnan’s case is not an isolated one .There are many such cases. Every now and then we come across cases of hacking, obscenity, e-commerce fraud, Internet-related crimes.
The social awareness is another side of it. Equipped with cell phones and laptops, people have started pitching into the battle to clean up the system and society. Today people float mails on social issues just to make their knowns aware of things happening around us. Many times we get mails on laws and rules. One perfect example i can put here of women and election related laws. if you remember there had been a massive outcry over the murder case of Jessica Lal a fashion model, who was shot in a Delhi bar by the son of a politician. People have come together through Internet,SMS and electronic media and have shown their support. Priyadarshini Matoo case is another example of it. This is a wonderful example in which mobile communication has brought people together and made them stand against injustice. This may not change the verdict but at least we can make sure our voices are heard.
In all, fact is that every technology has its own good and bad points and the same applies to mobile communication as well. What i believe is that nothing is completely black or white in this world. Its our perception and execution thats makes anything black or white. So its us who have to decide that how we have to use this technology to the best so that we can benefit our society and coming generations from it.




















Thursday, 12. February 2009
They say we are headed into the ICE age where Information, Communication and Entertainment comes in from one piece of hardware…that piece of hardware is also in the process of convergence between the computer and the mobile phone. Interesting effects this convergence brings in as you have mentioned…the future looks interesting!
Tuesday, 17. February 2009
It was really interesting to read your article, Ritu.
The cases you mentioned, Adnan, Jessica Lal and Priyadarshini Matoo’s, are relevant but these were only rarest of the rare exceptions due to public outcry through the media and the Internet. Its also important to remember that most police personnel require basic awareness and training in tracking cyber crimes. That’s not happening except in select metro cities. Even the judicial luminaries need to be in sync with the virtual world and step down from glass towers.
Our virtual society can become more meaningful when exceptions like these are overcome. It was great to read your article and your thoughts on communcation, technology and cyber crimes. Keep writing.
Saturday, 18. April 2009
boudin
Thursday, 17. September 2009
i thought it would be in some technical way…..