The Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdowns directly resulting out of it is continuing to teach the world quite a number of lessons. Even the most advanced countries, in terms of economic and medical infra might, had little idea that in their so-called ‘everything superlative’ settings, so many deep strains of superficialities also exist. For India, the pandemic, as if like a most capable tutor checking answer scripts with a red-inked pen, has exposed scores of socio-economic, health and other ‘faults’, which any government-initiated effort by its appointed vehicles might take years. Qualitative and quantitative aspects of these shortcomings do require assessments specific to the states where they have been prevalent and are too conspicuous to overlook. Deficiencies are everywhere, throughout the length and breadth of the country and while discussing about Arunachal Pradesh, hope, without much debates, it should be agreed upon that besides the wide-ranging infrastructural lacunae, it is the shabby state of affairs of the internet delivery apparatus that is tormenting the state in an acute degree.
Internet, by now, is a worldwide phenomenon that has become an intrinsic aspect of human life having an emphatic presence in majority of undertakings, including the most-vital ones. And during the past four months when the pandemic altered everything like never before, its essentiality has assumed a new meaning. It is now a fact that it is the internet factor that has kept the world moving amid the unprecedented and engulfing state of motionlessness. Ranging from video calls that have replaced all face-to-face interactions, to exchange of communications to online classes that have replaced traditional concepts of teaching-learning, it is a realisation  for a further more time that without internet, and more exactly quality internet, it will be the steps in  a backward direction for any nation or state. And in the present pandemic-determined way of existence which means staying indoors, it is the internet that is the rescuer.
That the state is a perennial underperformer in delivering quality internet services is a fact and the lockdown has underlined this once more. When e-learning is the only option to stay in touch with education, students of the state, by and large are not getting this vital tech support. This will mean an extra academic burden when the normal classroom-based academic activities resume. Not only education, it must have been deeply felt that had the internet facilities got that desired outreach and quality, things touching over a host of vital sectors would have been much easy in functioning.
Taking the lesson the pandemic is teaching, it must be the singular endeavour for Arunachal to rebuild its internet infra. It must be admitted, brightness or gloominess of the state’s future will be directly dependent on this factor greatly.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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