INDIA SHINING: Upwardly 'mobile' in the new mantra of success

For 58-year-old Ram Babu, who runs a small shop dealing with old newspapers and other scrap from residents in Dwarka, a satellite city on the outskirts of the capital, business has witnessed a considerable rise ever since he purchased a cell phone. Babu, who previously cycled through the by-lanes of this rapidly developing suburb, frequently entering into arguments with security guards of the numerous housing societies there, life is a lot more comfortable. Now, he takes calls on his cell phone sitting comfortable in his tiny shed that has newspapers stacked in neat rows.

"I am happy because earlier I used to cover only five societies, but with the phone I am doing ten societies now. People call me on the phone and I have no problem with the security guards as they are instructed to let me in, says Babu with a smile.

With prices of handsets dipping and tariffs becoming more affordable, even those in the lower income bracket are buying mobiles. Be it the next door chaiwala, the dhobi, the milkman, the sabziwallah or the canteen boy, all sport the ubiquitous instrument.

Deepak Gupta, who lives in Ber Sarai and is preparing for civil services exams, says, "My sweeper is a busy guy. He works in 10-15 buildings and if you need him, you have to call him on his mobile."

"I save lot of time because of this mobile. Now there is no need to go in every house looking for work. I have circulated my number to every household and they call me in advance, if there is work," says Vinod, a sweeper.