At the times when the Kashmir reels under the ongoing uncertainty and cellular communication gag a business organization from the city center, Lal Chowk has come up with an initiative of ‘Free Phone service” for the general public of the valley just after the restoration of the landline services in Srinagar city.According to wire service– Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the initiative was taken for the convenience of the general public who were left disconnected due to the imposed restrictions, clampdown and under the cellular communication gag since August 5, 2019 in the aftermath of the abrogation of the Article 370 and the bifurcation of the J&K State into two Union Territories (UT).As the Free Phone Service facility was made available to the public by a business establishment situated at Lal Chowk, Srinagar at the times when few opportunists of the civil lines area are taking the advantage of people’s sufferings to earn some more bucks. The initiative gave a huge set back to such opportunists by providing free phone facility to the general public and proved that there are some heroes who are ready to help others even in their own tormenting times. The initiative is widely hailed by the people of the valley and has brought a measure relief in the prevailing uncertainty.
Sohail (name changed), a businessman, a resident of Srinagar, and a great mind behind this initiative told the wire service KNO,” I saw a lot of people roaming on the streets here and there for a landline telephone just to avail an opportunity of few minutes to talk with their loved ones. There desperation gave me an idea to come up with this initiative till the time communication will get restored by the competent authorities.”He told the wire service KNO that his educational consultancy business is suffering through the huge losses due to the prevailing uncertainty and despite of that he still keeps his office open for the general public so that they will avail the free phone services.He further told the wire service KNO, “It really gives me an immense pleasure when I connect a father to his son, a mother to her daughter, a brother to his sister and sometimes their conversation make me emotional. This services helps me to overcome my sufferings whenever I see the pain of others. The purpose of this initiative is just to keep our community connected and nothing else.”Adil Sofi, a free service user told wire service KNO, “I avail the free service several times without any hassle as they staff present here is very kind and polite. They never interrupt or limit the duration of the call during their presence.”Sofi told the wire service KNO, the person who dedicated this facility to the general public is the role model for many of us. His initiate proved that humanity above all no matter what. (KNO)