SMS for dating sets new trend among youngsters

Chennai, Jan 7: Youths in Tamil Nadu, especially those in thestate capital, have now taken to Short Messaging Service (SMS) to datetheir friends and know more about them even without stepping out ofhomes.

The generation next is tapping into the insatiable world of SMS tohook onto Mr Right or Miss Right and it is in a way making each day theValentine Day.

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), Airtel, Aircel, Hutch,Reliance and TataIndicom are helping users find dates, keep in touchwith friends and share photos.

Mobile dating began a year ago when mobile service providerslaunched the SMS special packages in the state. With the mobilesubscriber base of over four million in Chennai alone, the serviceproviders have struck the cupid's arrow right in the hearts ofteenagers.

Even a lower middle class youth has now access to latest hi-techmobiles as they are easily available at affordable prices in thebooming second hand markets.

''You may put something in text which you can't dream of tellingdirectly to someone,'' B Ramkumar, a second year student told UNI,adding that he spent more than Rs 1000 a month on SMSs.

As the popularity of mobile dating soars high, the service providers offer low rates for dating SMSs at 30-90 paise each.

While on the one hand college students are usually seen tappingkeys of their mobiles to fix the text for dating, many people belongingto the older generation are also coming to terms with the new trend.

''If it is decent, I don't mind seeing the young generationgetting hooked to this,'' said Ms T K Lakshmi, a government high schoolteacher and a mother of two.

UNI >