Ganderbal, Nov 14: Baba Daryadin, a small and scenic village in the Nagbal area of central Kashmir's Ganderbal district, has seen major changes in recent years.
Once known for its difficult life and lack of basic facilities, the village today enjoys road connectivity and regular Sumo transport services. However, even with these improvements, one major problem continues to trouble the residents: the absence of proper mobile network connectivity.
In an age where mobile phones, internet services, and online communication have become an essential part of daily life, the people of Baba Daryadin still struggle to make simple calls or access basic internet. Locals say the village feels "cut off" despite the developments around them.
Residents recall that almost two to three decades ago, the village had no road, no transport, and no basic services. "We lived a very hard life in those days," said a local elder. "Today, things have changed. We have a proper road, Sumo services, and most of the facilities we once dreamed of. But the biggest problem now is the lack of a proper mobile network. In today's modern world, this is a basic need."
Villagers say that whenever they try to use the internet, the phone shows "slow network", and when they try to make calls, it often displays "network error." Many residents walk from place to place searching for a signal.
Students are among the most affected. With online classes, digital assignments, and exam-related information, they say studying becomes difficult. "Whenever exams come or online classes start, the low network becomes a big problem for us," said a student from the village.
Baba Daryadin is not only a residential area but also a spiritual and tourist attraction. The famous shrine of Baba Daryadin (RA) is located here, and thousands of devotees visit the village during the annual Urs every year. Locals believe the poor connectivity is also a hurdle for visitors who struggle to contact their families or access online services.
The village, known for its natural beauty, attracts people in all seasons. "In summer, the village looks beautiful, and in winter, its charming scenes bring many people here," a local said. "But even visitors complain about the poor network."
The residents of Baba Daryadin have now appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to look into the matter. "We request the CM to kindly intervene and help us get a mobile tower. This is our genuine demand, and it will change the life of our village," the locals said.
Despite progress and development, Baba Daryadin continues to wait for something the modern world considers basic: a stable and permanent mobile network. The villagers hope that their long-pending demand will finally be fulfilled.