A village in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state of Gujarat has banned single women from using mobile phones, with elders deeming the technology a "nuisance to society".
Members of the Suraj village council in Mehsana, the premier's home district, passed a resolution in early February outlawing the use of mobile phones for teenage girls and young women.
"Community leaders felt that just like liquor, the use of mobile phones by unmarried women was a nuisance to society," village head Devshi Vankar told AFP, adding that a similar ban would be announced for school-age boys soon.
He said mobile phones were distracting unmarried women from carrying out their studies and household chores in the village, which has a population of 2,000.
If caught owning or speaking on a mobile phone, the violators will face a 2,100-rupee ($30) fine, according to the council, which is also offering 200 rupees to informers for tip-offs.
However, they can talk on their parents' or relatives' phones.
The ban was imposed at a meeting originally called to discuss the community's growing alcohol abuse problem.
It comes amid a nationwide campaign by Modi to spread the use of technology in rural India.
Last year the government launched its "Digital India" initiative to help boost connectivity in India, where nearly a billion people do not have access to the Internet.
AFP
Sat Feb 20 2016
A village in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state of Gujarat has banned single women from using mobile phones.
Bukan tidak cakna gerakan 'Eyes On Rafah'... ini penjelasan Ning Baizura!
Ning Baizura nafi tidak sensitif mengenai situasi semasa di Palestin dan gerakan All Eyes On Rafah.
Seorang maut, lapan cedera serangan udara Israel di kem pelarian Jenin
Seorang penduduk Palestin terbunuh manakala lapan lagi cedera dalam serangan udara Israel ke atas kem pelarian Jenin di Tebing Barat yang diduduki pada Jumaat.
Serangan Balai Polis: Tujuh individu direman hari ini
Tujuh individu, termasuk lima ahli keluarga suspek, akan direman bagi membantu siasatan serangan di Balai Polis Ulu Tiram. Dua anggota polis maut dalam kejadian tersebut.
Kita bersama wakil Astro AWANI Johor, Siti Nur Aqilla Omar, yang akan mengikuti liputan berkenaan hari ini.
Kita bersama wakil Astro AWANI Johor, Siti Nur Aqilla Omar, yang akan mengikuti liputan berkenaan hari ini.
AWANI Pagi: Kapas Marathon Crossing Swimathon 2024
Kerajaan Negeri Terengganu anjur kejohanan sukan renang marathon patuh syariah, yang pertama di Malaysia.
Sistem e-Jamin diteruskan
Kerajaan akan meneruskan penggunaan sistem pengurusan ikat jamin elektronik atau e-Jamin.
Israel pertahan hak serang Rafah di ICJ
Pasukan peguam Israel di ICJ menegaskan ia mempunyai hak mempertahankan diri dari Hamas, walaupun Afrika Selatan memohon hentikan serangan di Rafah.
Bantuan AS untuk Gaza tiba di Cyprus menanti pemindahan
White House mengesahkan bantuan tambahan AS untuk Gaza kini tiba di Cyprus, menunggu pemindahan melalui jeti sementara yang dibina di wilayah itu.
FIFA dapatkan nasihat perundangan sebelum gantung Israel
FIFA akan mendapatkan nasihat perundangan sebelum bersidang pada Julai untuk membincangkan permohonan Palestin menggantung Israel dari perlawanan antarabangsa.
Alami era baharu televisyen dikuasakan AI daripada Samsung
Empat ciri utama diketengahkan: 'AI Image Upscaling', 'AI Sound', 'AI Energy Mode', dan paling penting, 'AI Security.'
ProAIBI2024 anjuran Politeknik dan Kolej Komuniti fokus Kelestarian Alam Bina
ProAlBi 2024 tahun ini memperkenalkan segmen baru dengan kolaborasi antarabangsa dari Kolok Industrial and Community Education College, Thailand.