Listening to music can be dangerous

Sixteen-year-old Kaushlendra Pal, a Delhi student, was crushed to death by a speeding train as he failed to hear the sound of it approaching and people shouting, since he was listening to music on his headphones. This is not the first time that such an incident has happened. In Jaipur too, there was a similar incident in which a girl was injured while walking on the road with her earphones plugged in. But youngsters seem to be unaffected by these incidents, since they're still seen with earphones plugged in, out on the road. Be it a walk to school or to the neighbouring house, music toh chahiye boss. Some say it has become a fad of sorts to be wear your earphones all the time and others cite peer pressure. We spoke to some students, parents and psychologists and asked them whether they're aware that the trend is a dangerous one. Is it actually cool? Twenty two-year-old Palak Gupta, who is a music lover, says, "Whenever I step out of my house, I check whether I am carrying my mobile and earphones. It might sound bizarre, but whenever I am travelling, be it in a car or walking on the road, I need music." Sumit Dhaddha seconds that as he says, "After college, I go for my MBA coaching and since it is near my house, I walk down. But, it has become a habit for me to carry my music player and earphones because I can't do without music. Once, I was walking on the road while listening to music when a car started honking behind me, but oblivious to the sound of the horn, I kept walking till the driver came out and shook me. This was a reality check for me and now, I am more careful while walking on the road while listening to music." However, some are of the opinion that music is the best way to kill time and battle boredom. Says Kunal Kapoor, a CA student, "I need to go for my coaching daily for which I need to travel two hours by bike. I know it is risky, but it gets boring and music is the only resort. I almost had an accident once due to this and though I continue to plug in my earphones while riding, I am more attentive now." Kanika Dhawan, a 25-year-old, says, "I usually take the bus to college and it has happened with me many times - I have my earphones on, and forget to get out of the bus at the college bus-stand, travelling ahead instead. The reason is obvious." It is a growing concern Though the youth doesn't give a hoot, parents feel that it's high time their children realise the dangers of listening to music while driving and walking, and take it seriously as it can cause accidents. Ankita Jain, a housewife, shares, "My son, Nakul, was hit by a motorcycle as he was walking on the road listening to music. He was bedridden for a week as his back was severely hurt. I feel that children should always be alert." Likewise, Sunita Bangar, an entrepreneur, believes that movies are responsible for triggering this trend of listening to music 24x7. "I remember watching "Saathiya" where Vivek Oberoi had his headphones plugged in while he was riding a bike. Yeh toh sach hai that jo bhi screen par dikhta hai, woh bikta hai. After watching Vivek in the film, my son started doing the same," says Sunita. The doctors say Music has become so integral a part of the day that youngsters now feel they can't do without it. Dr Ratan Singh, a psychologist, says, "Listening to music while driving or walking has become a trend only in the past five years or so. Yeh ek fashion sa ho gaya hai." Another psychologist, Mala Airun, says, "Music should play in the background or should be heard at leisure, not pounding in your ears to the exclusion of all else. Youngsters plus in their headphones anywhere and everywhere more for reasons of appearing 'cool' than actual enjoyment of music. I think counselling them would work better than laying down the law."