Moga – Dhudike has become the first village in Punjab to offer free Wi-Fi to the general public. Dhudike is also the birth place of freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai.
Dhudike just missed an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records as Eraviperoor village of Kerala became the country’s first digital village on September 30.
The free Wi-Fi service, however, does not provide for unlimited downloading.
Dhudike was home to martyrs of the Ghadar movement, including Ishar Singh, Roodh Singh, Pakh Singh and Sham Singh, all of whom are still remembered by the villagers. Punjabi writer Jaswant Singh Kanwal, who has authored many Punjabi novels and short story books, resides in this village.
Sponsored by the Digital India Mission and Punjab National Bank, the facility has enabled the villagers to get free access to the internet.
District Magistrate Parminder Singh Gill, who inaugurated the service, revealed that the network allowed unlimited downloads and access to all websites. The students, in particular, are allowed to access all informative websites.
Chander Khurana, DGM, Punjab National Bank, said Lala Lajpat Rai inaugurated their bank on April 12, 1895. He said the bank, which adopted Dhudike village four years ago, had been carrying out skill development programmes for village youth.