Spare our ears!

Each city is unique in its own ways, one just needs to connect with the culture and get going. Exploring new places, getting along with the culture of the city and analyzing everything with a journalist’s eye has become a part of my life. Travelling to places has always excited me and moving to Jammu for post graduation in IIMC had its own charm too.

Living in this city for more than two months now, I observed various sounds made by horns of vehicles. Stand at any traffic signal or road in the city and you are bound to hear unnecessary honking. Sometimes, I wonder what makes people take out all their anger on roads in the form of honking!

To delve deeper into the issue and to find a valid reason behind the same, I sit back and try to classify these sounds based on my own observations. Though, it would seem non-sensical to some, I would advise the readers to be a little patient and continue reading. You might as well identify with what I observed!

So here I begin. The first and foremost type is the standard honk which is most prevalent in the city. One can hear this type of honk almost anywhere and everywhere from streets to markets. Be it a deserted road or a stuffed market, honking is “cool” especially in the minds of youngsters. Next, is the stylish honk; which rises above the previous one. It is mostly musical or rhythmic; irritating everyone else. Possibly, the reason behind the stylish honk which I can  think of, is that, it is an outlet to show an upbeat mood or a flair for music!

And after the musical stylish honk comes the angry frustrated honk. This one is particularly longer in duration and keeps on rising with time and is normally used in beastly traffic jams. It is possibly applied to show disapproval in the drivers mind when he or she wants to make someone cry for what he or she is feeling and the effect is conveniently reproduced by pressing the horn! I wonder what is so annoying in their lives that they forget that roads are also meant for everyone else to use.

The main purpose of writing on this issue so explicitly is that the rising sound pollution due to needless honking affects health and temperament. Loud noise or continuous exposure to it can increase the irritability of a person, affect hearing ability and may even cause blood pressure to rise. It is high time for people to understand that horn is meant for emergency only. It is not a toy to play with. It is very essential to sensitize them about the impact of their act which is not just disturbing but at the same time irritating and is an inconvenience for all. And with this I conclude, dear worthy citizens spare our ears, and stop honking!

Horn is meant for emergency only. It is not a toy to play with. Spare our ears!