4G – ROAD TO SHARE & CARE, OPENS IN KASHMIR
“TEZ TAREEN AUR BEHTAREEN”
The state administration suspended 4G mobile internet services on 04 Aug 2019, a day before the central government nullified article 370. The government also suspended landline and internet services, fearing widespread protests in the restive region. This communication blackout lead to massive business losses shrunk tourism, shutdown startups, rendered IT industries meaningless, impeded bank transactions, increased default installment payments and led to loss of livelihood. Also, education sector received a set back as students and teachers across the valley couldn’t access the internet facilities for online classes. The UT has moved several steps towards normalcy since then, with the gradual restoration of communication. After taking into account the law and order sit of the valley, the government restored to 2G internet facility in the entire region. Over a period of time the restriction on usage of various services provided by the internet were lifted up and later on the government decided to permit 4G services across two districts of J&K. The demand for restoration of high speed mobile internet had been growing in J&K for the past few months with all across the social and political spectrum joining the chorus.
The J&K administration on 06 Feb 21 issued an order allowing the restoration of high-speed mobile internet services in the region, a move that came more than 17 months after 4G facilities were snapped bringing cheers to the residents of the Naya J&K Union Territory. The restoration of 4G Mobile Internet is a welcome move and will ease out issues faced by students, the tourism industry and people at large. The restoration of high speed internet facilities gave the people the much needed relief and a reason to celebrate. Be it a tourist operators, businessman or students, everybody will benefit from it. Restoration of 4G has come at a time when Kashmir is embracing change. A change towards peace, prosperity and positivity after witnessing years of turmoil characterised by wide spread violence and shutdowns. It comes at a time when Kashmir is again opening up to the world. Kashmir is looking at a Bumper tourist season this year after years of dullness in the business. It comes at a time when Kashmir is standing at a critical juncture, after witnessing turbulent times, at first due to terrorist and separatist violence and later on due to COVID-19 lockdown.
Restoration of 4G internet was the need of the hour and will usher in a new era in Kashmir. An era of peace & development in Naya Kashmir. The Kashmiri who stood the test of time, showed his resilience to the world during the COVID-19 lockdown and his willingness for development during the recently conducted Panchayat and DDC elections. It was the, ‘Kashmiri AWAM’ which emerged as a winner in the end. The restoration of 4G internet will not just open up avenues for progress and development in Kashmir, but will also open the hearts of the Kashmiris for the outside world to feel its purity and generosity. Time has come for the world to come and enjoy the natural beauty and abundance of Kashmir and witness the rise of Naya Kashmir which will be again called “A paradise on earth” and “A beacon for peace and Tolerance” where Kashmiriyat is a way of life and its ‘Heart and Soul’.