Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jun 17: Online classes are continuing even though corona lockdown is in force. Getting a mobile network poses a huge problem in villages where enough facilities are not available, and also because of rains. As far as Dakshina Kannada district is concerned, Sullia is the taluk where network problem is a grave issue. People have to scale hills and hillocks or trees searching for network.

A photo of a girl from Mogra Ballakka in the taluk striving to capture a mobile network to be able to attend her SSLC online classes, duly photographed by journalist, Mahesh Puchchappady, has become viral on social media.

In the picture, the girl can be seen struggling to catch the mobile network. Her father, with an umbrella in hand, is seen supporting his daughter's efforts. This is not a problem associated with Ballakka village alone. Rural areas of this taluk have this chronic problem.

Being a rural belt, a network of private companies are not generally available. Even though the BSNL tower exists, the network problem persists. The network is not available at homes and hence, the students come out of their houses and roam around, searching for a network. Sometimes, the mobile tower has a diesel supply problem. When the power goes off, the tower suffers from a generator problem.

In meetings, the people's representatives instruct BSNL officials to address the issue and feel happy that they have done their duty. Once the leaders leave the meetings, their instructions also get tossed out of the coverage area.