So, we have a question from Mr. Piyush from Yamunanagar, Haryana. He wants a smartphone at the age of eleven. Now, if we look at this from the perspective of education and learning, then my friend, this is not the right age for you to be using a phone. At this age, you should not be making friends with a phone, but rather with your teachers. That is, you should be building a bond with your educators — your teachers or mentors — not with a mobile phone. Although today’s generation has changed so much that even four- and five-year-old kids are using smartphones — that’s undeniable. These days, when a child cries, the parents hand over a phone with a game or a cartoon show running on it to calm them down. Gradually, this creates a kind of imprint on the child’s mind, and they start getting attached to mobile phones. Still, if you want to own a phone, you should be at least 17 or 18 years old. You say you are in class 10 at the age of eleven — that part is unclear to us. Are you studying through open schooling, or are you in regular school? Because typically, no one is in the 10th grade at the age of eleven — it’s just too young. Anyway, whatever your study method is, we’re not able to fully understand it. But if you are in class 10 and really need a phone, then contact your local Department of Social Welfare office, or register on the Arjun Portal, which is an official portal (LMS portal). You might be able to get a phone through this system. Earlier, Mr. Ashok from Haryana had already guided you all very well on this topic. But still, you people keep asking the same question over and over again, which takes up our speaking time. You had also previously asked how to get educational devices like Digi-players, etc. Mr. Ashok had explained it to you very clearly and helpfully. Think about it — such good guidance is being given to you all, and still, you say you don’t understand? Just like you get Digi-players, you will also get a phone — but you need to have all the proper documents. So we hope this message reaches all the way to Yamunanagar in Haryana. And we request the people of Haryana: if this child is around you, please help him. Help him get a phone, because we live in a digital age now, and these children should also get opportunities to move forward.
