153. Duel

Someone asked me the other day, “Why don’t you use dual SIM handset?”

That sounded like a good idea.

For more than a year, I am using two cellphones; two handsets and two service providers.

Because one service provider does not provide range to all the places I have to be.

I keep on carrying both the handsets with me.

I went to a mobile shop and explored. Price was not at all an issue.

I liked one and decided to come back for it sometime later.

When I want something, I somehow always come across ‘the other side’.

I cannot and should not throw away things – especially when they are working.

What do I really need cellphone for? For making and receiving calls.

For sending and receiving messages.

I have a digital camera, so I no more use cellphone camera.

I have very few chosen songs, beyond that I don’t listen to anything – so FM (Radio) is not my priority.

And anyway, one of my handsets has all these facilities – including Bluetooth etc.

I am not happy with the idea of creating electronic waste.

 I really don’t need even one mobile, then why throw two and have the third?

I needed a strong argument for purchasing new dual SIM handset.

I did not have that.

So, I did not purchase.

I left early morning at 6.00 from my friend’s house in Mumbai.

Within ten minutes, I received her call.

She informed me that I had forgotten one of the handsets at her home.

I asked the driver to turn back and gott the handset.

I tell myself::  there is an advantage of having two cell phones.

I could get the information on the other phone.

Imagine if I had only one cell phone and I had forgotten that at her home

– she would not have been able to inform me.

So, better not to purchase dual SIM phone  – I tell myself nth time.

Generally I do not read newspapers. But I picked up a copy of newspaper on 10^th November.

The ‘Delhi Times’ supplement of ‘Times of India’ carries a headline:

DOES YOUR MOBILE FUND WARS?

It describes how a film reveals the link between our cell-phones and

the death of 5 million people and 200,000 rapes in Central Africa.

The documentary is ‘Blood In The Mobile’ by Danish director Frank Poulsen.

Well, I don’t know anything about how mobile is produced and how it works.

But better not to contribute even indirectly to so much of pain and horror in the world.

By the same yardstick, I should not be using many more things. I prepare a list.

So, better not to purchase dual SIM phone – I tell myself once again.

I know the argument and the duel would continue.

I realize that as is my wish, I gather evidence accordingly.

Today I do not really want dual SIM handset and so I am collecting all evidence against that sin.

But who knows, tomorrow if my desire for dual SIM handset becomes strong – the same mind and same intellect would keep on collecting information which will suit my decision.

It has always happened like this and it will continue to happen in the same way.

Intellect is just a means for mind to fulfill its desires.

Intellect almost always surrenders.

The duel continues because the desires have no end.