Cell-ing a mobile idea
Byline: Pallavi Chakravorty

Keeping pace with advancement in technology in every field, our men in khaki too will now be better equipped. The government has decided to provide them with sim cards and for this it has already ordered remittance of 2821 cards to a private service provider. Even as most police personnel up to the cadre of sub-inspector already are in possession of mobiles, Lucknow Times tried to find out what kind of sets they would like to possess.

Shashi Ghidiyal, circle officer, Alambagh, could not hide her willingness to own a trendier set, as the one she possesses now is relatively a simple one. "Earlier I intended to buy a camera phone for myself but one of my seniors suggested not to waste money on such stuff. In fact I think a camera phone can be handy and help us in clicking criminals for identification later," she opines. Although she refuses to reveal the special ringtone she has chosen for her boss, she does agree some of her colleagues had selected some funny ones for their seniors.

Says CO Gomti Nagar, Man Singh Chauhan, "Although I have a set, I am planning to go in for one with camera and video recorder, that can be of great help in detecting vital clues. With mobile phones getting cheaper, more policemen will sure opt for trendy sets." He further adds laughing, "I personally do not approve of loud and trendy ringtones, but I have a loud one for my boss."

What SP (East), RKS Rathore has to say, is no exception to the views aired by others."Recently I saw a set which had bluetooth technology and is amazingly handy. If used properly it can surely be of help to us," he says. He also expresses his fascination for the polyphonic ringtones and caller tunes, although he agrees that most of his colleagues go for sets with easy functions. "The reducing rates of camera phones might prompt more people like us to go in for advanced mobile sets to ease our work," he says.

Even as policewallahs seem inclined towards the latest gizmos, most agree to the fact that the monthly amount of Rs 500 sanctioned for the purpose is insufficient. Whether or not the initiative by the government succeeds in bringing down the crime graph is still to be seen, though the move has surely given policemen the chance to think on the kind of sets they would like to purchase!