Our world has changed drastically . We live in two kinds of worlds the real factual one which is where we live in and coexist and the other being the virtual one where we escape to explore the mysteries of the universe , where there are no boundaries , where we all have different identities . This virtual world has encompassed our lives and without its constant background subtle presence we all feel incomplete. It is estimated that on an average a person spends thirteen hours /per week online. Online here does not mean the person becomes horizontal or is plugged into a circuit . Tamar Lewin , author of " If your kids are Awake, they are probably online" says that they are online around seven and a half hours consuming media. And this does not include the hour and a half that youth spend texting or the half hour they talk on their cell phones. And as they are surfing the internet listening to music that packs an average eleven hours of media context into that .We all dream and envisage an ideal utopian world where there would be no problems, no ills of society ,a Ram-Rajya ,a satyug of sorts and this is what we strive to achieve at all times.
Initially we used to all sit around the corner tree , a platform raised where everyone would come close to discuss all city , town ,village matters concerning socio-economic matters to one and all. In fact this has got translated to the virtual world where groups are made keeping in mind a common characteristic which binds them together . It could be regional,local, food based , fashion , jewelry , a love for ethnic wear , selling produce to the world . The social groups aim to make the world into an utopian world by discussing what ails us , not realizing that it is us humans which make the real world too, by trying to change the world in the virtual world but ignoring and procrastinating in reality we just sink deeper into the mire. The social groups which are created are all for a purpose. Facebook taking advantage of social connections has started Facebook groups which easily facilitates the start of a group ( Formation). This is aimed at keeping social circles more closely bonded on the site than ever before.
Google's Paul Adams had posted on a slideshow that social networks don't adequately bridge the gap between online and real life. The new Facebook group is a great communication tool which is better than any other thing as it is a SOCIAL SOLUTION that takes advantage of real world connections and has a common attraction to join the group ; so as to be heard to voice an opinion. Thanks to the networking sites we have seen governments fall like Egypt, Tunisia , Libya where revolutions sparked and democracy has flourished.
Coming closer home in Punjab keeping in mind the mood , a group was started by Dr Nirmal Dhallu, an NRI from England ( we see here there are no barriers , physical or geographical ) called Punjab Siasat .. It as he defines ,' An all party group where like minded people come together to discuss amicably socio political discussions without mudslinging or taking strong sides . In keeping with his british background his wit comes forefront and he says" Lets keep the Pigs clean '.
According to him he started this group keeping in mind the love he has for his homeland , his state to which he has ties and feels that much needs to be down to bring it out from nepotism , and evils of corruption and to address the real issues rather than get spiraled down to vote based politics. His group is represented by people from all walks of life and is a curious mix of bureaucrats, farmers, a large number of NRI's who are the strongest vocalists and a motley mix of Punjabis. As one of them puts it ,'that Facebook is the 118th constituency of punjab aptly won by one party.
What is interesting is the humor of the group where satire in the form of one liners, puns on the election symbols, and hijacking of the newest jingle is foremost ; there is also a serious thought over the ails of punjab.
In fact , if the procrastination translated into action ( real -life ) we would see a beginning to the end of the ill -wills ; rather than just the loud bashing and the empty promises.
Face book groups are a social movement which are slowly and slowly becoming a revolution , a sign of the times.
Ravneet Sangha
:)............
ReplyDeletejugraj