Srinagar, January 3  : Keeping pace with the modern technology and its fruits enjoyed by youngsters across the country, the Kashmiri youth too are increasingly making the internet world an integral part of their daily life.

The growing fascination among the Kashmiri youth for emails or SMSes via web-based internet to wish their loved ones in place of greeting cards bespeaks it.

Many of the youngsters in Kashmir today believe that the internet is a cheaper and faster medium to put across one’s message, especially on festive occasions.

"Today, modern technology’s influence has increased in Kashmir. Buying any greeting card of good quality costs at least around rupees 60. It's better to use internet. We can send cards of SMS to hundreds of friends via internet that too within seconds," said Rizvi, a local resident.

With thousands of varieties greeting cards available on the Internet, the youth find it a joy to utilise the medium at negligible cost.

"Today, everybody prefers online cards or SMSes in comparison to traditional cards because traditional cards are costly and we need to send it a week or 10 days before. It is not sure that they will get it on time or not. So it has lost its charm. “Now, we can instantly send e-cards surfing on the internet… and it reaches within a few seconds," said Rouf, another local youth.

Earlier the youngsters used to buy hundreds of varieties of such cards, which used to sell like hot cakes, particularly, during the festive season. Today, the business of greeting cards has been almost eclipsed by e-cards.

"Now when Internet and mobile phones have come, things have become easier. We can easily send our messages. If we want to wish our friends in any part of the world, we can send our wishes through the net. It doesn't take much time and it's very cheap also. If they buy cards here, it is very costly," said Yakub, a shopkeeper. (ANI)