I’m able to access Blogspot and Typepad blogs now, from AirTel Broadband, Delhi. I cant access those 17 sites which were listed for banning and geocities.com, however. So, it seems the ISPs have got their act right. I dont know about other ISPs but I’m sure they’re going to follow suit. Sigh!

Even though this is a good development, there is much left to be done. First thing, the block on geocities.com is absurd. There are many educative websites on geocities.com and it does no good to block the whole domain. I hope the government takes notice of this as well.

Second, those 17 sites. Most of them are harmless I guess, atleast those blogspot blogs. I’ve seen them. I dont think they have a sound basis for blocking these.

Third, the whole issue of blocking. Does the government have the right to decide what we’re going to read or not? We do have free media but we must also remember that we were the first country to ban The Satanic Verses. The way the present block/censorship is handled can be significant. If the block continues, then we’re going to get a bad name for sure.