Opinion | Kashmir Goes Digital with New Ideas

Kashmir’s Digital Awakening: Breaking Barriers, Building Futures. How technology transformed the valley, empowering women, boosting entrepreneurship, and connecting generations for a brighter, more connected future.

The journey of Kashmir has been a story of deep challenges followed by eventual milestones. Technological development in the valley was way behind that of the rest of the country for decades. While the rest of India embraced digital life, Kashmir faced limited connectivity, frequent interruptions, and a deep-rooted norm of society that restricted the full potential of technology. From skepticism about mobile phones to slow adoption of internet, nothing has gone smoothly for the region in digital transformation.
It was in 2003 that mobile phones were introduced in Kashmir. For long years, the valley had been awaiting this step into the mobile connectivity era, a beacon of hope for communication and technological advancement. The initial years were anything but, though. The restrictions on SMS services because of security issues made even the most basic communication a matter of great challenge. These constraints coupled with the shutdowns of the network connection from time to time made it seem like there was no technology.
The situation began to shift with the introduction of internet services in Kashmir from 2008. While connectivity was improving, the overall adoption rate of digital platforms in the region remained slow and was highly challenged. For many, the concept of the internet was new and hence sparked concern and hesitation. In fact, technology, such as mobile phones and social media, was seen as disruptors of values by families; women were highly restricted in accessing technology. Owning a mobile phone or even keeping an online presence was somewhat stigmatized. A young woman with a Facebook account ran the risk of criticism, since her activities could be seen as inappropriate or even rebellious.
This societal scrutiny led to the existence of a digital divide, which in this case disproportionately hit women. Many families discouraged daughters from using mobile phones or surfing the internet. The reputation in society was a sensitive issue for the family, for actions by a woman could at times be judged very harshly. These taboos, combined with unstable internet services, made the digital journey difficult for Kashmiri women.
This would change over time. With those barriers still, there began some sort of initiation towards filling this gap by 2020 itself. The Government started its flagship Digital India Campaign to turn the nation into an e-literate country, empowered through a digitized system for economy. Digital campaigns helped focus their agenda to better enhance the digital system and availability, making Kashmir realize a way ahead.
Some initiatives were provided for the individual and community levels through the framework of Digital India, initiated in the valley of Kashmir. The project of BharatNet 2017, was rolled out to villages across the nation, enabling the high-speed broadband connectivity into those remote villages. This allowed increasing internet penetration with more resources to be put on the net, further reaching greater portions of its citizens.
The government also started the initiation of e-governance platforms for increasing access to public services. The UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance) app 2017 was released, allowing citizens to get several government services with the help of a single platform. All this inspired the Kashmiri people toward increased access of digital tools to education, health, and commerce.
It was only during the pandemic of COVID-19 in the year 2020 that all these initiatives delivered a transformative impact. The entire world shifted to virtual platforms, and Kashmir witnessed adoption at a phenomenal level of online education, telemedicine, and digital transactions. The government focused on digital transformation by opening virtual learning platforms and encouraging digital payment systems. Programs such as PMGDISHA (Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan) 2017 were designed to provide training in digital literacy, empowering people, including women, to use technology effectively.
The most interesting thing about the digital transformation of Kashmir is the role women have played in this journey. Women in the valley have been able to break societal taboos and take up technology to redefine their roles and aspirations. Take the example of an elderly woman from Srinagar who started a tiffin service using social media platforms. She marketed her business through Facebook and Instagram, getting in touch with customers, making what began as a modest idea into something very successful. One of many similar stories of women in Kashmir using digital platforms to move towards financial independence and empowerment, her story shines above the rest.
It has also revitalized traditional crafts and local entrepreneurship in the valley through online businesses. Kashmiri handicrafts, apparel, and cuisine are now being marketed across the globe using social media by artisans and entrepreneurs. Instagram, among other things, has become a significant means of marketing for small businesses, helping their wares reach customers way beyond the valley.
The digital revolution in Kashmir has not only created entrepreneurs but has also united families. Today, the grandmother video calls her grandchild on the smartphone, orders her grocery online, and attends religious classes on a computer because of the communication and exchange happening across the generations, the family feels close-knit today.
Despite all the barricades, the spirit of the people of Kashmir has seen a silent digital revolution in the region. The new generation has taken up the task to take up the technology and raise its voice for its betterment. From blogging to vlogging, the new generation of Kashmir is taking up digital space to tell stories of their lives, raise social issues, and promote cultural heritage. This act not only brings their voices out into the open but also changes the stereotypical perception of Kashmir.
This change has been due to the improvement of digital infrastructure and digital literacy efforts of the government. The government initiated the program called Start-up India launched by PM Modi Ji in 2016 which promoted innovation and entrepreneurship in Kashmir. Through such initiatives, the ideas of young entrepreneurs are converted into successful ventures with financial support and mentorship.
A very prominent success story is the development of digital payments in the valley. Street vendors and shopkeepers, who previously used to take cash, now use QR codes and mobile wallets to settle payments. It has been more convenient, and trust has also increased on digital platforms.
The continued journey of Kashmir in its digital transformation path is the reflection of power resilience, adaptability, and innovation. Societal taboos did not deter people of Kashmir from accepting new chances. Digital empowerment was not about technology; it was about barriers as a means to break open new possibilities.
Digital platforms today act as a means of self-expression, activism, and economic development in Kashmir. Hitherto, women were considered marginal in the digital sphere. However, they have now emerged as leaders of this shift, pushing back against the limitations of conventional systems and encouraging people to seize the opportunities presented by the digital world. The digital revolution has changed people’s lives and helped them move towards a more optimistic future, whether it be through e-commerce or online education. The digital narrative of Kashmir is one of optimism and perseverance, which results in advancement. Notwithstanding the innumerable obstacles, recent developments show that the region has potential. Although Kashmir’s digital odyssey is far from complete, there is little doubt that this tenacious valley will have an endless future.
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