1999 Kargil war: People waited with bated breath to read newspapers every morning to know about the war which broke out after Pakistan-backed terrorists crossed the LoC and seized Indian posts in the icy heights of Kargil mountains. They anxiously read news, views, updates and special stories on how it all began with the infiltration of terrorists into Indian territory, how the infiltrators positioned themselves in key locations to get a strategic advantage and finally how India pushed the intruders back and won all posts by launching ‘Operation Vijay’.
With no 24x7 TV channels and social media tools then, people relied mostly on print media for the 10-week Kargil conflict news. Newspapers were filled with spot stories, press conferences, news analysis and special articles by defence experts. Some of them had scoops.
Patriotic fervor swept the country and animated discussions on Kargil war and its impact were held between friends in street corners and colleagues at offices.
When the Army declared the mission successful on July 26, 1999, the whole country heaved a sigh of relief.
Back in 2019: With majority knowing the use of social media tools —WhatsApp, Hike and Twitter and FB — like the back of their hand, they get news from any corner of the globe immediately.
News of Pulwama attack, India striking back at JeM training camp and wing commander Abhinandan in Pak custody reached citizens on the double.
Post Pulwama attack, residents in Chennai got forwards asking them to light candles in their balconies as a mark of respect for the martyrs. Taking a cue from such information shared online, high-rise residents in the city took to lighting candles and observed two-minute silence to show their solidarity with martyred jawans’ kin. Some of them even organized prayer meets.
When India attacked Balakot terror training camp, stickers like ‘How’s the Jaish’, ‘Karo Ya Maro’ and ‘Jai Hind’ were shared among Hike users saluting the brave IAF heroes. News of crackers burst in some places to celebrate the surgical strike 2.0 was circulated on social media. Members of WhatsApp and Hike groups shared their concern over escalating tension between the two countries and prayed for peace.
Similarly, when Abhinandan’s capture by Pakistan left the country, especially those in Chennai, rattled, netizens shared his photos and videos. From Geneve convention to a similar incident of Indian Flight Lieutenant captured and repatriated during Kargil war, everything was discussed threadbare online. When Pakistan PM Imran Khan announced that Abhinandan would be freed, a sense of relief prevailed.
With TV channels dishing out updates regularly, news websites and social media sharing the latest and newspapers presenting comprehensive reports, people, nowadays, lap up news with excitement.
