By : Basharat Rashid
Kashmir Valley has been witnessing frequent Internet gags from last one year , after the killing of former Hizb ul Mujahideen Commander Burhan Wani, in an encounter with security forces at Bamdoora Kokernag on 08 July 2016 , which sparked voilent protests in valley and unrest for around six months.
Unfortunately, from that day Internet blockades are common and nothing new to Kashmir Valley as the vicious cycle of militant and civilian killings followed by strikes and bans continues till the date.
Since last one year , Internet services have been blocked so many times, almost in all encounters and other incidents , after the Burhan Wani incident but if we see the situation from ground level, it ( Internet gag ) has not helped in improving the situations so far and is only giving tough time to the customers of different telecommunication companies like Airtel , Aircel , Jio and others , as their business and other work is wholly and solely dependent on high speed Internet services.
In this modern era , Internet services are very important for day-to-day life. It should always be available for the customers like other basic facilities as it helps people to meet their needs. It is the only service which can help the people in all possible ways like It helps us to pay our electricity bills , gas and other bills , It also helps us to recharge our mobile phones , DishTv’s , and other things. The use of internet is not limited merely to pay bills or recharges. With help of this internet, We can do a full-fledged online shopping anytime, anywhere . On popular e-stores , one can find almost anything that he needs to buy. These e-stores are reliable and you can find out quality products at most competitive rates on them and all this can be done without even stepping out of your home.
Internet also helps us to manage our Bank accounts through E-banking. Banking was never so easy and convenient before, Right from opening an account to operating it, E-Banking has really been a big boon for everyone. Not only can one view his account activities but he can also execute online transactions from the comfort of the home.
Blocking the flow of information cannot be a solution to the problem. Its Blockade in Valley is only giving tough time to masses and is creating tizzy among them and nothing else, as the situation in Kashmir was also tense before the Internet era. The situation here was critical in 90’s as well , when there was no Internet system here. So keeping in view the past era, services like Internet should not be blocked.
If we remember past years , First it was the SMS service which was banned by the authorities some years back and now it is the internet services. It is ironical, as it goes totally against the much hyped Digital India movement wherein the government of India is pushing to connect the entire country digitally as Indian PM is always mentioning “digital India” in his speech but when we see the things related to it in Kashmir such things were not witnessed so far by people here.
In an age when most businesses and other services depend on the internet, the gag on it is not fair as it becomes a hurdle in many developmental projects going on in state for the welfare of people.
If we talk about the education system, that too is dependent on Internet services as the students get whole information regarding their education on it , whether it their syllabus, notices, results or anything else. Gone are the days , when students were reading number of books to get the answers of their questions , now a days that is being done in seconds through Internet. If you are not sure about something, then one of the easiest way to know more about it is by searching it on internet. Internet has got a huge database of information on almost every subject and one can easily find out lots of information on any topic using internet.
So , We can say frequent ban on Internet is a problem not a solution to anything and It should always be upgraded with new features not be blocked in coming time.
[ Author is Kashmir based Journalist , who contributes the stories for several national cum local newspapers, magazines and portals. ]
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