After years of struggle, the Government Primary School is now connected to the internet—an achievement that has breathed new life into the small school. For the teachers and students, this connection is not just about accessing digital resources; it’s about bridging the gap between their world and the vast possibilities beyond. It has ignited a sense of excitement, hope, and transformation that now pulses through every lesson and every day.
For years, the school faced challenges most urban institutions wouldn’t think twice about. One such challenge was marking student attendance. In a world that has embraced digital systems, the teachers in Stok were instructed by the government to submit attendance online. But there was a problem—there wasn’t any internet at the school. To comply, teachers were forced to leave the school grounds daily, laptop in hand, in search of a weak mobile hotspot signal just strong enough to mark attendance. It was an exhausting and inefficient process, one that stole precious time away from teaching and created unnecessary stress.
When we arrived in Stok for an initial survey, we knew that providing internet to this remote village wouldn’t be straightforward. Our team, specializing in connecting some of the most challenging areas in India, quickly realized that the landscape and lack of infrastructure would complicate the installation. At first, we considered installing the internet access point near a large Buddha statue in the village, but upon further inspection, that location proved unsuitable.
Undeterred, we brainstormed alternative solutions and eventually came up with an unconventional idea: installing the device on a tree. From this elevated position, we were able to run cables to the school building, securing a stable connection for the first time. It wasn’t an easy task—routing the cables through the village and ensuring the devices were secure in Ladakh’s harsh environment required precision and creativity. But once everything was in place, the results were transformative.
Now, the teachers at the Government Primary School in Stok can mark attendance from within the school itself, saving valuable time and energy. No more trekking around the village in search of a signal. But this improvement goes beyond the simple act of marking attendance. The government has long intended for schools like this one to introduce digital learning, and now, thanks to the internet connection, that goal is within reach. As soon as the school receives computers and other resources from the government, students will be able to participate in online lessons and access the same wealth of information available to students in more connected parts of the country.
For the teachers, the new internet connection is equally life-changing. Up until now, they had to complete government-mandated training sessions from home, as the school lacked the necessary infrastructure. With the new connection in place, teachers can now access online training materials and resources on-site, giving them the tools they need to improve their skills without leaving the school grounds.
The journey to connect the Government Primary School in Stok wasn’t without its obstacles. From assessing the terrain to securing the infrastructure, our team faced a series of technical and logistical challenges. But the reward—bringing a vital resource to a school that needed it desperately—made it all worthwhile.
This project highlights the importance of bringing digital access to even the most remote regions. With reliable internet now a reality, the Government Primary School in Stok is no longer limited by its location. Students and teachers alike can look forward to new opportunities for learning and development, and the groundwork has been laid for further digital progress in the village. The success of this connection is a reminder that with the right solutions, even the most challenging environments can be bridged to the digital world, bringing lasting benefits to education and the community.
“I believe education empowers you to think in 360 degrees. And in today’s world, that empowerment is incomplete without the internet.”
In the far-flung village of Turtuk, perched on the India-Pakistan border, Dr. Abdul Hameed has become a pillar of education and a source of hope. He is not just the only PhD holder from this small village; he is a symbol of resilience and commitment to the betterment of his people.
Dr. Hameed teaches at the local higher secondary school in Turtuk, despite his many academic qualifications. His story is not one of self-promotion but of selflessness—choosing to return to his roots and give back to the place that raised him. “I was in the first batch of students to complete higher secondary here,” he recalls, noting the severe challenges they faced with a lack of resources, especially teachers. “My 11th grade year was wasted because no teacher was available to teach. I had to take re-admission, and later, I had to leave Turtuk for Jammu to continue my education.”
Yet, the difficulties didn’t end with his determination. The financial strain was overwhelming. “My father made only ₹3000 a month, and the expenses of staying in Jammu for studies were too high. I couldn’t make it work.” But Hameed persisted. He traveled across the country, eventually earning his PhD from Banaras Hindu University (BHU). His journey wasn’t just about personal achievement—it was about paving the way for the future generation of Turtuk.
The Internet: A Missing Lifeline in Turtuk
For Dr. Hameed, the struggle to access education in his youth is eerily mirrored in the experiences of his students today. The pandemic revealed a harsh truth—without internet access, children in Turtuk were falling behind. While most students across India adapted to online learning, Turtuk’s students were left stranded.
Dr. Hameed took matters into his own hands. He traveled to Delhi and pleaded for educational technology to be provided to his school’s 11th and 12th-grade students. “You can never predict unforeseen circumstances like the pandemic, but children shouldn’t suffer because of them,” he explains. His voice carries the weight of someone who has seen too much wasted potential due to circumstances beyond control.
Yet, it’s not just about overcoming the obstacles of a global health crisis. Dr. Hameed emphasizes that internet access is critical for students to stay competitive—not just regionally or nationally, but globally. “To learn any skill today, it’s important to have the internet. The world is moving forward, and if our children don’t have access, they’ll be left behind.”
The Bigger Battle: Cultural Challenges for Female Students
In Turtuk, the battle for education isn’t just about technology. Cultural norms present an additional layer of difficulty, especially for female students. “In Asian culture, girls are expected to help with household chores—carrying water, cooking, cleaning. By the time they’re done, they’re too tired to focus on their studies,” Dr. Hameed explains, his voice heavy with concern. These young women, who should be inspired to pursue their dreams, often lack role models and the encouragement they need to persevere in their education.
The internet, Dr. Hameed believes, could be a powerful tool for these girls, offering them exposure to ideas, stories, and opportunities beyond the limitations of their village. “They need to see that there’s a world out there where they can compete, where they can excel.”
The Internet: Tool or Distraction?
However, Dr. Hameed is not blind to the darker side of internet use. He frequently warns his students about the dangers of wasting time on social media, drawing a powerful analogy: “The internet is like a knife. You can use it as a tool, or it can become a weapon against you.”
It is his dream to spread awareness about using the internet wisely. He advocates for counseling sessions not just for students but for parents, urging them to understand their children’s unique needs and potentials. “Every child is different,” he often tells parents. “You can’t apply the same parenting style to each one.”
A Teacher’s Pride and a Vision for the Future
Like any dedicated educator, Dr. Hameed feels a deep sense of pride when his students succeed. But he is quick to point out that his role is as much about learning as it is about teaching. “I am constantly learning from my students,” he says with a smile.
His vision for Turtuk is clear—he wants to see the students compete on a global stage. And for that to happen, the village must have access to the internet. “Education isn’t just about acquiring knowledge. It’s about empowerment, about thinking critically and creatively. And in today’s world, the internet is a key part of that process.”
Change is inevitable, Dr. Hameed says, but Turtuk, like many other remote villages in Ladakh, lacks exposure. It’s not that people resist change; they simply haven’t seen what’s possible. For him, the internet represents that exposure—the window to a world of possibilities that his students have yet to fully grasp.
As the village’s only PhD holder, Dr. Abdul Hameed’s mission is far from over. He’s not just fighting for internet access; he’s fighting for the future of Turtuk, where every child can dream of competing not just with their neighbors, but with the world.
“First, we used to think, what is this thing called internet? Now it is such an essential in life that I have to go to Turtuk from Thang every morning to get some kind of connectivity,” says Goba Ali.
In the shadow of the imposing Karakoram mountains, where the Shyok River carves its way through a rugged landscape, lies Thang, the last village on the Indian side of the India-Pakistan border. This remote hamlet, often forgotten by time and progress, is home to Goba Ali, a man whose life has been marked by separation, survival, and an unwavering hope for connection.
Thang’s isolation is more than just geographical; it’s a place where the digital age has yet to fully arrive, where the internet is a luxury rather than a given. For Goba Ali, a farmer, botanist and self-taught innovator, the quest for connectivity is not just about convenience but a bridge to a world beyond his village’s confines.
The story of Thang and Goba Ali unfolds like a thriller, with a journey that begins in a place steeped in history and sorrow. In 1971, when the Indian army captured Turtuk and three other villages from Pakistan during the Bangladesh Liberation War, the border moved, and with it, the lives of many, including Ali. Separated from his parents, he and his brother were left behind with their ailing grandfather in a land that was suddenly foreign yet familiar.
Ali’s childhood was shadowed by the pain of loss and the longing for reunion. For decades, he dreamt of seeing his parents again, a dream that came true in 2014 when he finally received a passport. Crossing the Line of Control into Pakistan, he was greeted by a stranger who embraced him with tears of joy. The stranger’s emotion stemmed from a shared history—Ali’s father who had served water to the Pakistani army, and it was this memory of him using borrowed binoculars to catch a glimpse of his sons across the border was still vivid in the stranger’s mind.
For ten months, Ali lived with his parents in Pakistan, cherishing the time they had lost. But the reunion was bittersweet. Before his return to India, his mother made a poignant request: to visit the border every Friday, dressed in white, and exchange glances through binoculars. This ritual, filled with hope and despair, continued for years until his mother’s passing. The grief of separation, it seemed, was too much for her to bear after the reunion. Ali’s father followed her soon after, leaving Ali with the heavy burden of guilt, believing he was the reason for their untimely demise.
Despite the sorrow, Ali never let his spirit falter. Back in Thang, he became a man of the land, tending to his fields and innovating eco-friendly products in Leh, Ladakh, a dry and arid region. He learned the value of hard work, honesty, and resilience—traits he attributes to his upbringing by the Indian army officers who raised him and his brother. These officers, who belonged to different faiths, provided not just shelter but lessons in discipline, ensuring that the boys were never defenseless against the world’s cruelties.
Ali’s life in Thang, however, remains a story of contrasts. While he works tirelessly to improve living standards in his village, his sons have chosen different paths, leaving him to carry on alone. Yet, he doesn’t complain; he sees his work as a duty, one that is guided by the hand of a higher power. “Everything is possible when he is looking out for you,” he says, reflecting on his life with a quiet sense of gratitude.
In the winter months, when the fields lie dormant, Ali travels to Delhi or Himachal Pradesh, seeking respite from the harsh Ladakhi climate. It’s during these times that he reconnects with the world outside, yet the lack of internet in Thang remains a constant thorn in his side.
After the 2020 Galwan Valley clash between India and China, there was a glimmer of hope. A prominent telecom company was set to connect the border towns, and a site near Ali’s home was deemed feasible for a network tower. But the dream was shattered when local complaints and political agendas derailed the project. The village, along with the tourists who visit, continues to struggle with connectivity, a vital link to the outside world that remains elusive.
Ali is not just a man of the land; he’s also a man of ideas, with a YouTube channel where he hopes to share his life and work. From vlogs about his agricultural practices to workshops on eco-friendly products, Ali’s channel is a window into a world that few get to see. However, the lack of reliable internet in Thang has made it challenging for him to upload content regularly. Having consistent connectivity would not only help him share his story with the world but also inspire others who face similar challenges.
As we continue our work, we aim to make this a possibility. We are committed to bringing the internet to Thang, ensuring that Ali and others like him can connect, share, and thrive in this digital age. The journey is far from over, but with perseverance and support, we believe that the last village of India can soon be a beacon of connection and hope.
