Think twice before taking that call

We will discover the demerits of gadgets after a long time 
A large number of people cannot do without mobile phones, because there is an excessive need to communicate and incessantly message. People are so attached to their phones that it has become an extension of themselves and they cannot even bear a moment of separation. When the TV was invented, we found it useful, but today the research reveals the amount of damage — both physical and psychological that the device is creating in our lives.

Today it is the turn of the mobile phone. Once we get used to something, humans find it difficult to do without it. In fact, in retrospect we start wondering how we could ever do without that particular thing. Mobiles have come and changed our life forever — because today you can contact anyone, anywhere, anytime. If this facility is misused, it can cause extreme harm. Hence, the gadget needs to be used appropriately.    
Narendra Kinger, clinical psychologist and psychotherapist

Use of speaker, ear phones may mitigate the risk factor for some
The study by World Health Organisation is on the ball. This is because when we talk on the cell phone its high frequency waves interfere with the functioning of the brain. Earlier also some study has been done which shows that if a man keeps his mobile in his trouser pocket, then his sperm count may decrease. As mobiles function with electro-magnetic waves, so these waves affect our health.

Even mobile usage is the necessity for us nowadays, but still we need to avoid unwanted use. We must keep our conversation short and use the gadget only when it is urgent. We must try to keep the mobile at a distance from the body. If our usage is high, then people must use the speaker, ear phone facility as much possible. There are also some mobiles which emit less electro-magnetic waves, so we should use such kind prototypes. While it is too early to say, some other studies are shedding more light on the same subject.   
Nitin Dange, neurosurgeon & associate professor KEM Hospital

Schemes induce many to switch from landlines
I don’t think many people take such studies seriously, probably because they are conducted frequently and have long term implications. I surely use my cell phone for almost three to four hours everyday for serious conversations. It’s just that there are many schemes available for cell phone users that despite having a landline, everyone would use a cell phone today, not just youngsters. One can talk on the move and save a lot of time. Hence I don’t see any harm in using the gadget for a couple of hours everyday. One can only cut it down but can’t restrict it totally from our daily existence.       
Aslam Merchant, proprietor

Certainly need gadgets during unexpected crisis
Of course, I can’t imagine life without a cell phone. This is because one can have a private conversation with anyone at anytime. Everyone is used to being connected with friends and family. In fact people feel restless if they have to switch off their phones. Despite all claims, we certainly need gadgets during unexpected emergencies and crisis. However people are getting stressed because they continually have someone reaching out to them for work or just to ‘keep in touch’. So yes, we can do without mobile phones, but we just refuse to do so since we are used to hearing our phones beep.     
Karishma Menon, student

Mobile phones have become inseparable accessories 
While there is a landline connection in my office. I need my mobile phone since I receive and make a lot of calls, especially when I'm travelling. Not just urgent ones, but I also make calls where one can talk to friends for hours about anything. And then there is the text messaging facility, which I find convenient and cheap. I'm getting addicted to accessing the net and dictionary on my phone. However the only time I promise myself to reduce usage is when I get the bill every month. On a holiday, I love to switch off the cell phone and be with myself. But I can’t afford to do it everyday.    
Ornella D'souza, feature writer

More people should be sensitised about hazard
We cannot overlook the long term complications of going overboard with using cell phones. There isn’t much awareness about cell phone usage and its connection with cancer, but we need to be cautious from now on. It is not difficult to stay away from cell phones. We just need to get back to using our landline phones. Also when not required we could just send text messages rather than calling. But too much texting and playing games is also not good for the fingers. Also people use their cell phones for checking emails and other things, so tomorrow there might be some study against excessive use of cell phones.       Krishna Mehta, student

Will try to reduce the usage now
The research study may be correct since it is done by WHO. I will definitely try to reduce my cell phone usage, by not calling people unnecessarily and talking for a long period of time. I will also try to communicate through Google Chat on the internet or meeting my contacts in person, if possible. But as the mobile phone has become a necessity for people today, it is not easy to avoid it completely when somebody calls or wants to talk. But to some extent we can avoid it by short conversation or communication through short messaging service. I normally talk for an hour in a day. We can also use landlines, instead of mobiles when we are in office or at home.   
Aniket Pawar, designer

Reduce dependence on the gadget
I’m habituated to talking to my friends for a long time, but now I will reduce my conversation. I will make use of text messages and avoid calling people frequently. I will definitely try to reduce my mobile usage. However in today’s world we can’t think about living without our mobile phone, because it has become a part and parcel of our life, it is needed to stay connected to people around. During an emergency the importance of a mobile phone is realised by most of us. But looking at the survey, we can reduce our dependence on mobile phones, which will give us a chance to meet our close friends in person. I think it is also a good idea to stay healthy and connected.  
Rima Kale, media professional

Not many will take it seriously
In our daily life, communication is an important aspect. Today the fastest medium of communication is a mobile phone. As we all know each and every object has their own merits and demerits. It’s upto us how we can make them useful to us in our everyday life. After publishing this issue in the newspaper, how many people have taken it seriously? I’m sure many will take it lightly. The purpose of use depends upon an individual, everyone will have different yardsticks for the same. For example, some use it to connect with friends, others use it to generate business. I prefer a cell phone as an emergency tracker, so that our loved ones keep in touch with us everytime.                    
Sonal Arekar, design engineer