A Small Bird’s Life in a Cage Full of Technologies

“Where are you, Mummy?”, said little Riya as she had woke up from sleep in the morning. Today was the beginning of her new session at school. She had become the class topper the last session. What a piece of news to share with her friends! With excitement in her eyes, she ran to her mother who was then working in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for the family.

“Good morning Mummy” she said. “Good morning sweety. I heard you calling but couldn’t reply as I was too busy. Anyway, why are you so early this morning? Didn’t I tell you yesterday that your new session’s class will commence from 8:30 pm every morning? Now it is only 6:15. Good that you have woken up early. Your Daddy had installed the video conferencing app through which your class is going to be conducted. ” her mother concluded. “Class through video conferencing app? Don’t we need to the school then?” asked astounded Riya. “No dear. Due to the present pandemic situation the government has imposed lockdown in our country. Hence all the schools have to remain closed. . . . therefore. . . . . ””Then how will we continue our studies?”- Asked Riya before her mother could complete answering her previous question. Even her mother didn’t have enough answers to satisfy her curiosity. ” I can’t disclose anymore, the rest is surprise for you” said her mother as she busied herself in toasting the bread.

Little Riya with lots of enquiries wandering about in her mind, went to the washroom to brush her teeth and proceed with her morning routines. After having her bath and dressing herself in school uniform, she sat on the breakfast table and shared all her tales of excitement with her Grandma who gazed at her curious eyes and seemed to hear every word of her with utmost concentration. She gave a gentle kiss on her Grandma’s cheek. “Bye Grandma, she said as she hurried herself outside the door. “Wait Riya. Wait. Come back I say. ” Said her mother as she tried to run after little Riya. “Here I come. But why Mamma? I will be late to school now. ” “I had already said you in the morning that you will be having classes on video conferencing apps from now onwards. And moreover you even forgot to wear the mask. Don’t you remember that your dad had told yesterday, the Bose Family has tested positive for COVID-19 “Said her annoyed Mother. ” Sorry Mamma, actually I couldn’t control my excitement. So. . . . . . ” replied Riya tearfully.

Next her mother handed over her laptop to Riya and her Dad said,” Here I have saved all the links that your teachers have given. All you need to do is to click on the link and join the class as per the schedule. ” “Ok Papa. I will do it!” said an excited Riya without understanding her father’s words well.

Her father went to sit in another room as it was work from home for him. So did her mother. She was now alone in her huge study room with her laptop whom she started to address as Mr. Lappy. She gave Mr. Lappy, the link through which she had to join the class. She thought to herself “ Before I used to ask our Security Uncle to take me to our class on the first day of our session and now I am telling it to Mr. Lappy Ha! Ha!”. Now she clicked on the link and Mr. Lappy said “Waiting for the Host to join the meeting. ” I seemed as a joke to her and she said to herself” Ha! Ha! I knew that there are hosts in meeting, but in class there should be a teacher. . . . . . . . Anyway. . . . . . let me wait. . ”. After a while she could hear the voice of her teacher Ms. Biswas. Everyone wished her ”Good Morning Ma’am”. She stood up from her chair and wished the same, but she forgot to unmute herself. Actually in the real classes she used to wish her teacher standing.

Anyway, Ms. Biswas began the class. Now it was turn for the attendance. This time Riya was careful enough to unmute and say” Present Ma’am”.

 But this time she completely forgot to mute herself, just then she saw that Miley was in her section this time. ”Uffff. . . . again that Miley. I just can’t tolerate her this time. Miley could also hear her words this time and she started quarrelling with her saying “Why are you so bad? Have I caused anything harm to you. You are very naughty. . . . . ” and so on. Even Ms. Biswas said,”Riya, don’t tell her like this from the next time. You are a good girl na. ” Riya felt very humiliated but what could she do? She couldn’t manage muting and unmuting so many times. Anyway the English class concluded soon.

Maths class, EVS class and Hindi class went smoothly.

But once again something went wrong in the Drawing class. The drawing teacher Kamalesh Sir had asked everyone to take out their drawing copies and follow his drawing. This was the fifth and the last class and moreover watching the laptop screen for such a long time , made her feel a bit sleepy and leaned in her back and went for a nap. She woke up just 10 minutes before the class was supposed to get over. Now it was time for everyone to show their drawings. But Riya hadn’t drawn anything because she had been asleep all the class. Now it was time for her to get a good scolding from Kamalesh sir. Poor Riya, had she been in her real class, she would have seen the drawing from her friend Rajashree and would have somehow managed to complete it.

She thought to herself,” This is the worst day I have ever experienced. I don’t like this class at all. ”

After all her classes were over, her Mummy came to her room. “How was your class, dear? “ She asked.

“Horrible” said Riya. She further went on to explain the difficulties she faced in doing her virtual classes.

“Ok, Riya, don’t worry, it happens at times, tomorrow, I will teach you how to manage the different options available in the video conferencing apps. ” said her mother, “Now go to the washroom, refresh yourself and come to the lunch table quickly. I have planned an exciting thing for you. I sure you will be happy. ”

“Ok Mummy coming, but tell me fast once I come. “Said Riya as she headed towards the washroom.

She felt relief in her eyes as she washed her eyes and face. “Ah! What a refreshing feeling!” said Riya. After washing herself she ran to the dining table as she wanted to know what her Mamma had planned for her.

“Yesterday you had told me that you missed your friends. So, I had a talk with Rajashree’s, Somali’s, Emilia’s, Illina’s, and Seema’s parents. They told that you all can meet with each other via video conferencing today afternoon. Are you happy?”

“Yes Mummy!”came a quick reply from her side. ”I am very happy”

“Ok, ok, alright, now have your lunch fast and do all the home works. Fast!” replied her mother.

In the afternoon, she sat on the sofa and said,”I am ready Mummy. Please give me the phone. Will you come along?”

“No dear, I am a bit busy now, I am giving you the phone now, you can have conversation with your friends?” said her Mummy.

Riya was elated to meet her friends after a long time. ” So, how are your online classes going on?” asked Seema. ”Well. . . . . ”said Emilia cheerfully. “Horrible!” said, Riya making her face gloomy. “Anyway, but I am enjoying my online classes in some other ways. I am very very happy. ” Said Ilina “Why?” asked everyone together. ” When I feel bored with the classes, I play my favourite Temple Run, Candy Crush, Subway Surfers and other video games for a long time. Previously my Mom never gave me the mobile phone to play these video games. But now she gives me for doing the classes and I. . . . . . ”

Rajashree replied, “Even I had seen a few parts of the movie Titanic while doing the classes today. ”

“But my mother says that Titanic is not a children film. She also tells that video games should not be played for such a long time. ” said Riya boldly.

“But we are having a lot of fun in doing so. You also do it, you will have a lot of fun. ” replied her two friends.

Soon their Mothers came and told them to end the meeting soon. All of them bade each other goodbye and promised to meet soon.

At night she sat on her bed and thought, “Today I have got a good scolding in the drawing class for sleeping in the class. If I would have played video games, then I would neither get bored nor would I had felt sleepy. ”

Next morning she sat for the class and was eager to execute her friends’ suggestions. At first she wanted to open Youtube to see the film ‘Titanic’, but Mr. Lappy wasn’t allowing her. He was saying, “Switching tabs not allowed. ” She didn’t understand the exact meaning of the term but felt irritated, “Why are you not allowing me to see the film? You are very bad” said Riya.

“Anyway then if you are really not allowing me switch tabs, then let me listen to the class because I can’t waste my time like that. You stupid!” saying so, she started concentrating in the class and starring at the computer screen helplessly.

After completing the lesson, the teacher started to ask questions to everyone. Riya answered the question asked to her promptly and was praised by the teacher. But her friends Rajashree and Ilina couldn’t answer at all and were bitterly scolded by the teacher. The teacher even told that she would complain to their parent’s regarding the same. How humiliating it was! Even much more humiliating than the scolding that Riya had got the previous day.

“Thank you Mr. Lappy , Thank you so much for saving me! If you hadn’t stopped me, then I would also have received such a scolding. ” Said Riya happily.

At night Riya laid on her bed and thought,” I have such aware parents who have taught me how to deal with my digital problems and Mr Lappy, how he saved me today. But there are some children in India like Rajashree and Ilina who neither have a parental support nor a good laptop like Mr. Lappy. But I along with my few other good friends can help them out. What if we start a Digital Literacy class called Digi Intro Learn! By this we can teach them how to deal with Digital problems. Literacy is not enough. Let’s promote Digital Literacy and well being! Let’s be the responsible citizens of Digital India!”