As the prevailing uncertainty and communication gag (excluding landline services) enters 7th week in Kashmir with the authorities remaining tightlipped over the restoration of mobile phone and internet services, GATE aspirants of Kashmir are the “most dejected lot.”According to wire service Kashmir News Observer (KNO), with no access to mobile phone and internet services in the region leaving the valley based GATE aspirants in a state of desperation in order to prepare well for their upcoming exams.As the valley based aspirants are left in a situation where they have limited study material and in order to clear the test it needs the thorough knowledge and practice on certain problems.Shahid Rashid, a GATE aspirant told the wire service KNO, “This is the important phase of my career and clearing the GATE test in my first attempt is my objective of life but I never thought even in my bad dream that I will left to prepare in such condition which we are facing now in Kashmir.”He told the wire service KNO that during the period of post abrogation he was much determined and focused by taking the online mock tests on daily basis and the availability of study material encouraged him to study more and more. He further told KNO,” The state administration helped the GATE aspirants of the valley by providing the internet kiosks for submitting the application form but they ignored the problems that we are facing at the present, as our colleges, libraries, universities are closed and in this kind of situation internet was the only option but that too remains suspended throughout the valley.”Another student SeemaBazaz told the wire service KNO, “ With the ongoing internet and cellular communication gag it’s very hard to prepare for my upcoming GATE test as before the gag was imposed I was able to access various references on internet which were very helpful but unfortunately now I rely on couple of GATE entrance preparation guides.”She said that she was thinking to move to Delhi for availing the online sources but available time is the constraint as she said that, “Shifting to some other place is not as easy as it seems to be.”She further said that “If the state administration restores back the cellular communication and internet services in the valley without further delay, I am sure I will be able to prepare and perform better in my upcoming test.” (KNO)