Everyday I come across noise pollution almost everywhere. Noise is ubiquitous in Indian cities. Even the most peaceful residential areas are cursed with hearing impaired citizens who want their neighbours to know what they are watching on TV or listening to on their music system. Even mobile phones have become a menace. Many people are not even aware of the fact that there is something called as ‘Silent Mode’. While travelling, I hear mobiles ringing at odd hours with egregious ring tones.
There are few areas which are infested with perennial noise pollution – areas near temples. Everyday temple likes to awaken the GOD with loud songs which are expected to reach heaven, but brings down hell for the residents around. Even evenings are not spared. Mosques test your hearing ability when you are in deep slumber – 5:00AM is an amazing time to test someone’s patience with their ‘Allah hoo Akbar’. I come from a small town called Chitradurga – which has about 3 mosques located at different location to give you a kind of 3D fix. When all the three mosques start their daily howling, you get that surround effect – may be Dolby was inspired by this.
Even though students are the major victims, we do have elders and patients who are made to feel that its time for them to leave this world. Society’s apathy is something incomprehensible.
When we talk of privacy, privacy in what form? Confining yourself to a room will not give you privacy when the neighbour is peering into your ears through cacophony. Clamoured markets and main roads can be forgiven for the number of people and vehicles that have the potential to generate noise that could equal the energy dissipated by Sun. But what about neighbourhood? We reach our home hustling through the traffic and we sip a cup of coffee listening to our neighbour’s favourite song – Life is really beautiful.
I am seriously frustrated with my neighbours. They are spreading their innate deafness. My imploring to them has not helped much – just a repreive nothing more. So today I decided to buy an ear plug which would help me lead a unfettered life – sound pollution is the best invented torture – yes – you enjoy the music while your neighbours blood pressure makes the sphygmomanometer burst out. It is very similar to you having sex and your neighbour getting VD.
I searched on Google – buy ear plug Bangalore – I was led to Sulekha.com – there I saw a product marketed by ambience . I clicked on the link – Sales Center – to locate the nearest dealer – LIFE KEN – 9th Cross, 5th Main RPC Layout. I paid Rs.90 and bought a dB Safe reusable ear plug with 25dB noise reduction. Now ear plug has become a part of my body – with so much of superfluous sound around you, ear plugs will soon become fashionable.
The product has the following punch line – Freedom From Noise so true – people need not be subjugated through tangible means.