The internet is rapidly becoming a vital part of many people’s lives (*some usage stats). Among the quarter of a million eligible voters for the 2013 election about two-thirds would have been born after 1970s (between the ages 18 to 43). A generation that not only uses mobile phones extensively but also the advantage of internet using smart phones and computers in their homes/offices/schools/libraries. While the other one-third older citizen’s children also require access. There exist also a few hi-tech ipad owners in the current regime whose understanding of Internet may be limited to sending emails and occasional surfing of websites for pleasure. 

There has been much reference to the digital divide, which is a reality. the knowledge divide between the most favoured and the developing countries, particularly the least developed countries (LDCs), is liable to widen without effective government policy. 

The idea of the information society is based on technological breakthroughs. Since the “information age” knowledge societies differ from older knowledge societies because of the focus on human rights and the inclusive participatory character they inherited from the Enlightenment, the importance of basic rights as enshrined in Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Internet played a crucial role in overthrowing the previous regime, but thanks to no one in the current government (except for the ones that got caught up in the recent sex scandal). Perhaps they are too scared that by giving the citizens the gift of Internet, it may ultimately lead to their own downfall. However it must be highlighted that Internet is a vital in order to consolidate and strengthen the fledgling democracy. Grassroots movements are discovering that it’s not necessarily law or force, but culture and ideas that bind communities, identities, and nations.

But what about the younger population? the children studying at schools? surely they deserve more. Worldwide, the Internet is transforming the way people access knowledge and thus education. 

What about small businesses who rely on Internet to keep overhead costs low? The Internet is also revolutionizing the way government and businesses are run and commerce conducted. Notable local e-commerce initiatives include: ibay, Wataniya e-learning, badhige.com, MvLeads, Maldives e-government -gov.mv and maldves e-banking – Keesa. Yet the country still remains deprived of an affordable internet payment gateway for small and medium enterprises. It is as simple as BML negotiating with PayPal to enable payment processing for its accounts.

What about the dying Dhivehi culture? Which is experiencing an underground renaissance, and is flourishing once again as witnessed by the resurgence enabled by digital technology specially on the Internet, reinforcing a cultural community that cuts across national borders. Internet is vital for cultural transmission and Thaana script remains the very essence of it, being the most integral yet unnoticed element. Thaana typography having missed the phase of movable-able type, experienced a short stint on typewriter and has managed transition into the digital realm – though in an unkempt state. The Government needs to fulfill its duties as sovereign safe guarder of national identity by negotiating with relevant international bodies. Thus ensuring successful migration of our heritage to cyberspace before we fall victim to climate change and become stateless refugees in the real world. The fate of Dhivehi culture depends on the ability of Maldivians to preserve and carry on their script into the future.

While the government is busy carbon neutralizing, installing solar panels, dreaming up wind-farm projects, holding cabinets meetings underwater to highlight the plight of the nation and setting up ferry systems; they are not yet aware of the full potential of the Internet and ignoring  the real connectivity issue at large which will make the people connected, rich, knowledgeable and the nation carbon neutral.