Srinagar: There is some serious talent in conflict-ridden, Indian-administered Kashmir when it comes to the technological potential of Kashmiri youth. Tipu Sultan Wani, 29, who hails from Chadoora area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district, has developed an alternative for China-based application SHAREit, which was recently banned by the Indian government following a strained relationship with China. This latest file-sharing app is available on Google Play Store.
Tipu, who has been into website development, is hopeful to have a good response for his efforts from his homeland.
The promising youngster has designed ‘File Share Tool’, claimed by him as the fastest and lightest file-sharing application. He considers its development as part of his voluntary effort towards helping Kashmir’s native people, including students. As of now, Tipu has developed eight applications, including this file-sharing app, under the banner of Travager Wani.
Optimistic developer
“We developed this file-sharing app only for a social cause ... There has been no intention to make money from this application. I myself expect a good response from the locals who have time and again extended support,” optimistic developer Tipu, who completed an MBA from Bharathiar University, told Gulf News.
Besides, Tipu has assured that the latest mobile phone application will not disappoint the tech-savvy consumers. He believes it will be a promising alternative to SHAREit.
“I actually developed this application for Kashmiri people during a recent internet ban. Of late, I have given it the finishing touches and then I had to update the servers and the process goes on ... I had also made tutorials available for this particular app, which will assist those who are new to it,” he added.
Tipu drew inspiration to study about app development and technology from his elder brother, Mohammad Farooq Wani, 32, who assisted Tipu in developing this application.
Tiding over ‘slow-sleep’ internet
Tipu said it took them two-and-a-half-months to release the product and they had to face multiple hurdles, including slow internet speed over the 2G platform.
“I have faced a lot of hardships with slow-sleep internet. However, I managed to access broadband services before coming up with the app. To be honest, it has been a long walk, but a satisfying one — that I was able to do something for my Kashmir,” he added.
Tipu further said that they used to work for extended sessions throughout the day after 59 Chinese applications were banned by the Indian government. An app for multiple platforms
According to the young developer, the new file-sharing application gives leverage to different platforms, including Apple’s iOS. “We are proud to have such geniuses in the turmoil-hit the valley,” said Ibrahim Rashid, a student of Master of Computer Applications. “Tipu’s talent and work are praise-worthy,” said Toufeeq Ahmed, a Kashmiri resident.
Given its decent WiFi range, several users believe it is an instant tool to stay in touch with neighbours when internet connection snaps in different areas of Kashmir.
Minimal ads, maximum response
The app with a sleek interface is supported by dedicated servers, according to Tipu. He remarked that they are fixing bugs instantly and their top-most priority is the privacy of users.
“We have hired dedicated servers. We have designed this app by factoring in the experiences of people in the recent past. More importantly, we have considered everything to develop this secure application. Unfortunately, cloning of applications is on the rise and I strongly oppose this practise, which tends to put users at high risk [of breach of privacy],” Tipu told Gulf News.
“This newly-released application is not just a file-sharing tool, but is also convenient and fast and it is entirely different from other apps that support advertisements in bulk, which tends to slow down apps,” Zaid Farooq, who downloaded the application from Google Play Store, told Gulf News.
Kashmiris in America hail Tipu
Tipu, who had been working 24/7, maintained that he was delighted to see positive response coming from Kashmiris living in the United States. “I believe it is some kind of achievement to be recognised for this effort. It’s my contribution towards society and I would love to continue with this with all my heart,” he observed.
A handy tool amid lockdown
Popular application SHAREit is widely used to transfer large files and documents without any access to the internet.
However, in Kashmir, the prominent file-share tool has pushed locals, especially youngsters, to make new friends, apart from sharing movies and reading material, when extended clampdown disrupted normal life in J&K.
Meanwhile, the development of such a useful alternative application as ‘File Share Tool’ is believed to be quite beneficial for the people of Kashmir.
Until July 3, the application had been downloaded more than 5,000 times from Play Store and Tipu claimed it had garnered a lot of positive reviews. Tahir Ibn Manzoor is a freelance writer based in Indian-administered Kashmir.
