TECHNOLOGY: A BOON OR A BANE? (1)

The impact of new technology, especially in the developed world, is apparent all around us in the way we communicate, present ourselves, run business and understand the world. Basically, technology has changed the way we live or make a living. Sometimes though, we use technology so much, that we get so busy making a living out of it— that we forget to make a life.

Here are two stories, which show us both sides of technology and how it has altered the lives of people through the ages. And maybe this will change your opinion about technology, forever.

HOW TECHNOLOGY MADE MY LIFE EASY:

Mr. Sudhakar Shetty, working in the cyber he owns.

Mrs. Malathi Shetty, 34, knows it’s not easy to be a mother of three. While running a business in Mangalore with her husband- Sudhakar Shetty, and maintaining a family, Malathi knows that life without technology would be more hectic than it already is. Sudhakar and Malathi Shetty run a cybercafé in Mangalore city. A well settled family now, Malathi looks back at the path she’s walked with her husband. “We were agriculturalists. For a family of 5, including my kids, frankly, it hasn't been an easy journey. I got married in 2001, early 20’s… Yes, I was 21. I didn't have much knowledge about how the world worked, neither did I care. Not once had I thought about my educational qualification, because I thought marriage would fix everything. And it did. My background wasn't all that great. My parents were agriculturalists too, and I attended school till 10^th grade, soon after which I was pulled into the family occupation- farming. So, when I married Sudhakar, I thought I knew it all. Initially, we were economically stable. Growing rice was feeding us well. Even when my first child- Aanand- was born, nothing changed. Responsibilities increased, but economically, we didn't face issues. It was a small family- manageable. But as Aanand started off with his schooling, Sudhakar realized that something was going wrong, because the money he earned wasn't enough. We had to think twice before spending. We had to cut down on our meals, what can I say? We had to cut down on everything. Just when we thought we were getting used to this lifestyle, planning on trying to increase the yield, the twins were born. Today, I’d say my kids are the best thing that ever happened to me. But back then, we were in a crisis. Everything new seemed like a bane. What were we to do? Feed ourselves? Feed them? We didn't know. Sudhakar decided to increase our production, and invested more into that year’s yield. This was in 2008. This was where all our plans failed. The crop had started turning white and no pesticides could save them. I don’t know what it is called in English. But it was bad.” The crops had caught Bacterial blight. “We incurred major losses that year. No food, loans to pay and nobody to help. Family is an important thing, and one should help another at the time of need,” says Malathi, “or you’ll never know when you’ll face the same situation in life. Nobody from our family agreed to help us, telling us that giving us money is the same as throwing it in to a river. Thankfully, Sudhakar’s friend, Manju Saab, he gave us the idea of a cyber. He also gave us some money, which wasn't enough, but something was better than nothing. We sold our lands and rented a small shop in Mangalore. Initially we had just 2 computers. And zero knowledge about it! My nephew helped us set them up, promote the business, and also run it! He still does. He’s from the city Madam, he knows. After computers came into our lives, things began to change. Such technology attracts the present modern generation. They used it to type their projects, or send mails, or ask if they could get printouts. But we didn't have a printer, so we got one. That way, we made reasonable amount of money every month and invested it back. Business started flourishing because this did not catch diseases, and also didn't go out of fashion. It wasn't a trend Madam, it was a revolution. And believe me, there will be no death to it. Today, if Sudhakar and I can feed ourselves and our kids, and send them to English medium schools, it is because of what technology blessed us with. We also rented another shop- next to ours, to expand business Madam!” she says happily, pointing at the new computers. When asked what technology means to her, she didn't think twice before answering, “It was a boon Madam. I don’t know what we would do without it; it’s our living and our life. Technology came into our lives in a time nobody else did, and it changed our lives, forever.”

*Names changed on request.