Are we again in the 2000s?

The current situation is not unknown to any—the recent internet blackout almost disabled life. The use of the Internet is not a luxury now but a necessity. People faced difficulty in every step being digitally dependent. We do not keep cash at home due to random use of e-banking; since the COVID-19 pandemic, we have forgotten to read newspapers at hand and need to remember how to check our mobile balance without operator applications. Even paying for gas, water, and other depends solely on the Internet. 

When people were asked how they spent their internet blackout days, they had mixed feelings. On the other hand, those three days took them back to their no-internet days, and the perplexing political unrest also occupied their minds with many things. 

Zinat Jahan, a housewife, says, "Curfew initially bemused us, but it seemed like lockdown days just without Internet. It prevented me from paying my bills and hampered my child's studies."

The conditions were harsh for youngsters or families that live abroad. We see them fighting for Bangladesh within their community. Many were tensed because they could not connect with their families via Messenger, Imo, and WhatsApp. 

Ishrat Jahan, a teacher at a private college and mother of two girls, had quality time with family. "Both of my daughters are married and busy in the city life. In these, they all came and stayed. We had a quiet family time and shared opinions on the issue over the roof in the afternoons. These family hours had left us with less tension, but I mourn for those mothers whose families will always remain hollow after losing their child in the movement." 

Adnan Ahmed is a private job holder who had a bitter experience during his curfew days. "Firstly, we went into shock without proper news flow. Watching electronic media is a curse as there are so many advertisements than news. Secondly, the closure of digital banking suffered a lot. Every day, I woke up early to buy newspapers. I used to purchase six to seven to get absolute, supreme, authentic news on the burning issue. Reading a newspaper in hand in the morning once again was the only good thing that happened. 

Users used different mobile operators' apps and needed to remember to dial numbers to buy voice and internet offers. However, the media thoroughly helped with advertisements and TV scrolls. 

Meherun Antora Mou, a private job holder, visited her hometown to meet her parents. She got stuck as the situation got worse with Curfew. "I took only two sets of dresses, carried no laptop, and had little cash. I have been stuck here for almost a week, being cashless and idle. I even forgot to use digital banking manually. I was not even calling too many people since I may not recharge later. I don't know when I shall return to my normal life again." 

Many consider the internet blackout a mishap. According to parents, it was a blessing for their children and a curse for some. 

Eram Hossain, a mother whose toddler is fond of watching YouTube channels for his every activity, like eating thrice daily, suffers a lot. "It's a challenge to tackle my son as he does not understand why there's no internet connection and why his favourite cartoons are not aired anymore. Also, Bangladesh channels lack in developing child-friendly programmes, which makes us YouTube-dependent. I enjoyed texting with my friends and close ones, as it took me back to my youthful days." 

Being a freelancer, Tiasha Idrak had hard days as she had deliverables. "I failed my deadlines and could not deliver my work. This isn't very comfortable. My friends lived near me thanks to Almighty, so I had better past times conversing with them." 

The Internet has made life so easy that it is hard to live without it. Ordering foods, e-shopping, and checking Google Maps all have been stopped.

We now see young boys playing football and cricket on roads and nearby fields. People giving more time to gardening, reading books or other hobbies that have not been nurtured recently.  No matter what, the Internet is a must.

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