ITANAGAR: Nestled in remote Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh, Taksing village stands as one of the last bastions of India’s wilderness. This isolated haven is a sanctuary of unparalleled natural beauty and tranquility, captivating the hearts of adventurous souls who dare to embark on the challenging journey to reach its serene embrace.
As October approaches, the village will commemorate the fourth anniversary of a remarkable achievement – the installation of Prerna Tower in 2019, a mobile tower that connected Taksing to the outside world. Discover the awe-inspiring journey of Prerna Tower – how it reached a location bereft of roads and why the locals affectionately named it as Prerna Tower. This narrative is a testament to unwavering perseverance and resolute determination, sure to inspire all who read it.
In early 2019, the discontinuation of DSPT services severed communication links to remote parts of India yet to be touched by mobile networks. Taksing bore the brunt of this setback, given its remote and inaccessible location – over 60 kilometers of treacherous trails and rickety foot suspension bridges separated it from the rest of the world.
One of the first outsiders to venture into the village was Prerna, hailing from Delhi, who embarked on a courageous hike with her two young children, aged 7 and 5. Enchanted by the breathtaking beauty and the tranquil way of life in Taksing, Prerna was also moved by the plight of the village's residents and the soldiers stationed there, who could not connect with their loved ones due to the communication blackout.
Driven by boundless compassion and an indomitable spirit, Prerna, a graduate of NIFT Delhi, initiated a one-woman mission to link Taksing to the national mobile network. She began by penning heartfelt letters to numerous individuals, including high-ranking officials in the state and central governments. In a short span, Taksing transitioned from an obscure corner of the country to a prominent issue discussed in government offices.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, but Prerna, like the resilient protagonist in Manjhi- The Mountain Man, never wavered in her determination to pen those letters, each one more poignant and impassioned than the last. As summer gave way to autumn, hope for erecting a mobile tower in this remote village seemed elusive. Then, on a fateful morning in October 2019, Prerna’s inbox lit up with an email from the office of the Chief Minister Pema Khandu.
The message conveyed a resounding assurance that the CM’s office had taken note of the issue, and BSNL would soon establish mobile communication in Taksing. Prerna's joy knew no bounds,and true to the words of Khandu, the mobile tower was airlifted to the village, culminating in the historic moment when, on October 20, 2019, Taksing was finally connected to the rest of the country through a mobile network.
Since then, the tower has become a symbol of determination and resilience, a testament to how the persistence of one individual can spark the change they wish to see in the world. In honour of Prerna’s unwavering efforts, both the residents of Taksing and the dedicated Army personnel christened the tower as ‘Prerna Tower’ – a beacon of perseverance and hope.
Also Watch: