AASIM BASHIR BHAT

SRINAGAR: With the internet blackout hitting third month, pen drives have once again emerged as the main carrier of data in Kashmir with students, businessmen and journalists relying on these devices.
These drives, according to many, had remained idle for a long, with people relying on hassle-free data transfer through mails and online transfer.
The accessory shopkeepers here said that pen drives have made comeback and are in demand after communication blockade. These devices, they said, are being used to carry assignments, study materials, news stories, movies and games.
High demand has pushed the price of these devices and many are seeking help from friends living outside to get them.
Dealers say that there is a significant price surge of these devices. A 64 GB pen drive that used to sell for Rs 600, now costs Rs 1200.
Tariq Ahmad, a computer accessory shopkeeper, said that there is a huge demand of pen drives and it has pushed its price.
“I called my friend in Delhi and asked him to bring 64 GB pen drive, and it costs me only Rs 550,” said Adnan Ashraf, a resident of Natipora.
Many students said that they have called relatives and friends in other states to send study material in pen drives.
A pharma dealer, Shaiq Ahmad, said that he now relies on pen drive to send data to his counterparts in Chandigarh.
“All my work was online. But due to internet blackout, I purchased pen drives to send data to dealers,” he said.
Umer Ahamd from Chanapora travelled to New Delhi to download study material and movies for entertainment. He said,” Internet blockade forced me to travel to New Delhi to download study material. I also download some movies and serials for entertainment.”
The journalists have also been forced to use these devices for work. Suhail Ahmad, a reporter, said that all his work is dispatched to office through pen drives.
Moreover, most of the primary schools, high schools and colleges have told students to come and collect their study material in pen drives.

Reader correspondent