Cell Phone Nation: How Mobile Phones Have Revolutionized Business, Politics and Ordinary Life in India (27 page)

Illus. 8: ‘I have the touch’, Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, brand ambassador for Samsung, tells buyers. The handwritten notice makes clear to newcomers to capitalism: ‘Fixed Prices, No Bargaining’. October 2009. (Photo: Assa Doron).

Illus. 9: The art of retail, Part 1. Ravi’s privileged Samsung Mobile Outlet. Banaras, June 2010. (Photo: Assa Doron).

Illus. 10: The art of retail, Part 2. Sales promoters explain features in Ravi’s shop. Banaras, June 2010. (Photo: Assa Doron).

Illus. 11: The art of retail, Part 3. Nokia display at Samir’s modest shop. Banaras, October 2009. (Photo: Assa Doron).

Illus. 12: Seasonal work. Sumit came to Samir’s shop to promote Nokia mobiles prior to Diwali in October 2009. (Photo: Assa Doron).

Illus. 13: ‘Make Distance Vanish’. Cheap calls made long-distance romance possible. 50-paise-per-minute (one US cent). October 2009. (Photo: Assa Doron).

Illus. 14: Three towers out of 400,000 across India. North Delhi. July 2012. (Photo: Assa Doron).

Illus. 15: Road-side fixer. Lucknow’s Hazratganj. June 2010. (Photo: Assa Doron).

Illus. 16: Pavement paraphernalia. Mobile-phone gear includes batteries, chargers, cases and more. Delhi. February 2011. (Photo: Assa Doron).

Illus. 17: Mushrooming industry. Diploma from a mobile-phone repair institute. Banaras. February 2011. (Photo: Assa Doron).

Illus. 18: ‘Choreography of consumerism’. Nokia’s classy service centres may alienate poor customers. Banaras, October 2009. (Photo: Assa Doron).

Illus. 19: ‘Nokia life tools. Valuable information—within your reach’. New Delhi. January 2010. (Photo: Assa Doron).