Ishfaq works for Jammu and Kashmir’s taxman. His routine is typical of a government official – early breakfast, quick movement to office and return home by evening. He spears weekends for relaxation, plays cricket, chills out with his peers. Since August 5, his routine is seriously obstructed.
Fearing a violent response to the rollback of autonomy and stripping of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, authorities imposed a communication blackout. Phones, internet, public transport is as good as dead, more than three fortnights later.
The change in routine is a crisis for everybody. With businesses suffering enormous losses and closure of educational institutions creating a new benchmark in knowledge deficit, the real big question for the young generation is: how to kill time? The communication clampdown has actually made the situation worse for the new generation because it was hugely dependent on the internet, even for education. So, what they do to the time?
In uptown Srinagar, a shop-keeper who has been downloading entertainment, mostly movies, as part of his personal collection is reportedly selling a movie for Rs 50. An eye witness said that the mobile accessory seller is routinely having a long line, every day.
Another provision store owner said he has 350 GBs of films. “When my clients make purchase, I offer them my bank, if they require,” the retailer said on the condition of anonymity. “I do not charge anything but a few show interest and come with their pen drives.”
“I had around 70 movies in my laptop; I watched them all in these days. Now I have nothing to watch,” said Tawheed, a college student. “As far as my studies are concerned, I mostly rely on the internet. So there is nothing to study.”
Denne historien er fra September 22-28, 2019 ; Issue 25 Vol 11 ; ‘OUT OF CIRCULATION’-utgaven av Kashmir Life.
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Denne historien er fra September 22-28, 2019 ; Issue 25 Vol 11 ; ‘OUT OF CIRCULATION’-utgaven av Kashmir Life.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Before The Kabul Retreat
Described as the ‘Graveyard of Empires’, Afghanistan was always termed to be at peace when it was at war. But the land-locked desert country that was always in turmoil and one of the worst targets of the Great Game suffered immensely throughout, especially in the last 40 years, Masood Hussain writes
FINGERS CROSSED
Almost everybody in academia and politics that Khalid Bashir Gura spoke to, the response over Kabul happens was simple – wait and watch
Parliamentary Committee In Srinagar
The visiting 28-member Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs have had detailed interactions with top civil administration and discussed developmental scenario and people’s welfare measures in Jammu and Kashmir. It is on a 4-day visit. Congress leader and MP Anand Sharma is heading the committee.
MUSIC IN MUD HOUSE
Deep into north Kashmir, Faheem Mir meet a small community that sings and lives on folk music but is facing a tense situation in the last few years
THE KABUL SPILLOVER?
Security experts are divided over the possible impact of the Kabul situation on Kashmir. But the dramatic Taliban triumph has altered the region’s geopolitics, for the time being, writes Riyaz Wani
Durga Bhawan At Katra
To enhancing facilities for the convenience of the Vaishno Devi pilgrims, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha laid the foundation for the Durga Bhawan, a high utility pilgrim-centric facility worth Rs 24.4 crore. The facility will accommodate 4000 pilgrims.
Women Empowerment
In the first, 480 talented girls from Jammu and Kashmir were included in the degree and diploma courses of the Pragati Scholarship. Jammu and Kashmir has also got nine scholarships under the Saksham Scheme for Persons with Disabilities.
‘SOME HISTORIANS BELIEVE THAT AFGHANISTAN CONFLICT IS THE OUTCOME OF INDIA AND PAKISTAN KASHMIR STAND-OFF'
Foreign policy expert and editor of HardNews magazine, Sanjay Kapoor believes that Taliban 2.0 has more legitimacy unlike in the past as it had signed a deal with the US and negotiated with other countries of the region, but the final verdict can be passed only after it manages ticklish issues involving half of its population, the women
Boredom Is Creative?
Getting bored is not as boring as it gets, writes Azra Hussain
LG In Bangus
Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha inaugurated the Bungus Awaam Mela amidst grand arrangements for village games, exhilarating local performances, and other activities to celebrate the 75th year of Independence.
