Ravi Nitesh
Monday, 06 Aug 2012 at 02:29
Published at Rising Kashmir
Also featured at Youth Ki Awaaz at http://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2012/08/the-rise-of-the-e-activist-a-new-trend-of-activism/
Since the time immemorial, world has witnessed many revolutions, movements and patterns of social changes. However one thing was common in all of these changes. New discourses were always preceded by books, speeches, stories, slogans, poems, reports. Russian revolution is said to be based on ‘thoughts’ of equality and ‘fraternity’; Indian freedom movement includes great importance of patriotic poems and stories. We have examples where written reports led the movement, and we also have reports where movements get written and documented to make its effect wider. In all this way, thought process is always in flow which starts/supports social change and movements.
The author can be mailed at ravinitesh@gmail.com
Monday, 06 Aug 2012 at 02:29
Published at Rising Kashmir
Also featured at Youth Ki Awaaz at http://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2012/08/the-rise-of-the-e-activist-a-new-trend-of-activism/
Since the time immemorial, world has witnessed many revolutions, movements and patterns of social changes. However one thing was common in all of these changes. New discourses were always preceded by books, speeches, stories, slogans, poems, reports. Russian revolution is said to be based on ‘thoughts’ of equality and ‘fraternity’; Indian freedom movement includes great importance of patriotic poems and stories. We have examples where written reports led the movement, and we also have reports where movements get written and documented to make its effect wider. In all this way, thought process is always in flow which starts/supports social change and movements.
In present contemporary world, everyone seems to be pre-occupied with one thing or the other. We are witnessing a plethora of technologies in our daily lives. We have become paperless and moved towards kindles, e-books and internet systems. Because of this shift, our thoughts have got a new place. This place is internet. Yes, a place with a larger group of readers, a place that extended your family, a place that can be helpful in getting/sharing ideas/feedbacks etc. The shift was obvious, why will anyone deny to join this change? Is there any harm? Probably not. But it is not completely true, there is some harm.
One social activist says, “All these facebook and blackberry users can not bring the change, they all are useless, they just talk on internet about the change, but they never come on streets.” Today’s world puts a real question upon us particularly the youth because it is the youth who represents the ‘generation of change’ and others have expectations from them. Youth are the most affected with these new inventions of gadgets.
One social activist says, “All these facebook and blackberry users can not bring the change, they all are useless, they just talk on internet about the change, but they never come on streets.” Today’s world puts a real question upon us particularly the youth because it is the youth who represents the ‘generation of change’ and others have expectations from them. Youth are the most affected with these new inventions of gadgets.
A youth counters the argument saying, “Infact, no change occurred by crying too. This is a time of internet and thus we must have to use the medium. Why will we leave anything that can help to bring some change? And even, if a person cannot come on street, at least s/he is helping through this medium. We should not forget the jasmine revolution, we should not forget the Arab springs and sensitive you tube videos of social change.”
Now, with these exchanges of arguments, the thing is some what clear, that is the requirement, target group and objective. If youth can spread awareness through e-ways, it can bring an effective change. The main objective is to ‘change the mindsets’ and when your thoughts can affect people in anyway, you must use that. It is just like present form of revolution that was previously sought from books, stories and poems. It may be true that very few can get effected with views and can help in real social change, but then it is also suspected that all who joins protest on streets can become a person of changed mindset or a person who read a book of revolution can become always a part of revolt internally or externally.
Hence, change is not with show off’ instead, change is a matter of your internal feelings, matureness of thoughts and interest for change. A young activist who used to be active on social media and on streets both believes that even those who complaint about social media role in change, could not isolate themselves. At the same time, if we are fast enough to use these media as carriers of thoughts and we used to utilize it with our busy schedule of work then we must encourage the youth towards it.
E-activists may write a new phase of change that can become a trend of generation.
Hence, change is not with show off’ instead, change is a matter of your internal feelings, matureness of thoughts and interest for change. A young activist who used to be active on social media and on streets both believes that even those who complaint about social media role in change, could not isolate themselves. At the same time, if we are fast enough to use these media as carriers of thoughts and we used to utilize it with our busy schedule of work then we must encourage the youth towards it.
E-activists may write a new phase of change that can become a trend of generation.
The author can be mailed at ravinitesh@gmail.com
