Reliable electricity a necessity

Reports of six-hour power curtailment in Old Anantnag and other parts of the Valley during the ongoing holy month of Ramadhan have understandably sparked resentment among residents. Ramadhan is not merely a month on the calendar but a period of prayer, reflection and community bonding. Reliable electricity during Sehri and Iftar hours is not a luxury but a necessity that sustains both spiritual observance and daily routine. Extended outages disrupt cooking, water supply, heating arrangements and lighting at mosques, especially during pre-dawn and evening hours when electricity demand naturally peaks. For the elderly, children and the sick, such interruptions add physical discomfort to spiritual devotion. In a region already grappling with erratic weather and economic strain, prolonged power cuts deepen public frustration. Authorities may cite load management challenges or infrastructural constraints. However, predictable and lengthy curtailments during a sacred month point to gaps in planning and prioritisation. If advance scheduling and transparent communication were ensured, residents could at least prepare. Sudden or poorly timed cuts, on the other hand, erode trust and create a perception of administrative indifference. Ramadhan demands empathy as much from the state as from society. Power distribution agencies must explore feasible alternatives, temporary load redistribution, dedicated supply during peak religious hours or targeted relief for densely populated localities. Even marginal improvements can significantly ease public distress. Governance is often tested in moments that require sensitivity. Ensuring uninterrupted or at least fairly managed electricity during Ramadhan would reflect not only administrative competence but also respect for the people’s faith and daily hardships. The discontent in affected people should serve as a reminder that basic services, delivered with foresight and compassion, remain the cornerstone of public trust.