Sombre Pessimism from an Unapologetic Optimist!!!

As India turns 67 today, its a happy sight to see joyous citizens celebrating, celebs doling out 'so-me' (social media) wishes to their fans, Tv channels running thematic shows and phones ringing with constant pings of Independence Day messages. What hoopla it is, seems as if reel has turned to real. And what really makes an Indian proud would undoubtedly be our National Anthem, from the beautiful lyrics of the Jana Gana Mana to its soulful sound, even if one croaks, one has to sing or hum along. 

Now, although I am an unapologetic optimist, there is a sombre bit of pessimism in the bigger picture that I see, to begin, our leaders and the political class seem to be doing very little in terms of really connecting with the nation and its people, all they focus is on personal vendetta of the opposition, if you have been entrusted with the mandate of governance, then prove your prudence to the people the trusted you and brought you to power. The same with the opposition, your coming to power will not be based on facts, truths and stories you bring forth, it will solely be on how much you inspire and instill faith by works to a development delayed and economically hungry nation. 

Next in line is the business class; now there are a few who stand out and apart. But the majority, toe the line of the herd, the only lobbying that they synergize with, is in which they see bigger top lines and better bottom lines. CSR is more of a viable and economically better PR exercise given that you get a tax relief and the junta to cross sell. 

And finally the aam aadami, somewhere has lost his consciousness in the realm of reality. I received so many texts of Independence Day messages that spoke negatively of our neighbouring country. Does our freedom give us the moral and ethical right to run down those that do us wrong? If so, then how are we any different from them. Add to that, the apathy that the junta shows, not just to politics, but to life in general makes me ponder...

But then again, as I said earlier, sombre bit of pessimism. I guess the 'Independent India' that our freedom fighters fought for will some day shine on.. Till then, we'll perhaps continue the reel to real celebrations of a Happy and Independent India. 

Happy Independence Day !!!

Social Media Blah Blah Blah…

Social Media has been around for some time now, perhaps it all began with a site called Myspace that tried to create a space on the internet wherein it could bring people to socialize online, but this was more in the west, which also led many a techie’s to come up with many a sites especially the mainstream social networking sites of today like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to name a few. 

Back home in India, there was this rage called Orkut a few years ago, which off course was and still is a western development, that turned even the local chaiwala internet savvy in the all good hope of socializing online. With this social space getting crowded and routine, there came an advent of migration and the numbers of the so called happening space of Orkut, now moved the a new identity called ‘The Facebook’ which eventually changed too, just as we know it now, Facebook. And this phenomenon still reins supreme of the social networking arena, with 700 Million registered users, FB (as the referred acronym) has changed the online game, along with other popular Social Networking sites, it has been a major contributor and has created a whole new dimension called Social Media.

So what exactly is this social media? 

Now we all the technical definition of the medium carrying the message, and that’s what exactly Facebook, Twitter and all other social networking site do, they help in carrying a message to its end user. So who are these users; well to begin with, they are people just like you and me. And it’s these people who are spending their time on these sites thus being part in creating value for them. So out of all the habits the modern day man has continued to persist, they very new one seems partaking in this online social extravaganza. To be more precise, sharing what’s on his or her mind, or tweeting a quote that seems close to the philosophy that he or she shares, or perhaps writing a recommendation for a colleague. Whatever is the action, it’s happening in the now and it’s happening on either or any of a social networking site. 

SOCIAL MEDIA: The Real Thing. 

Now in all that’s said above, its sounds more of whatever you’ve probably heard or even know. And for the part that perhaps might be in the known yet for reasons not so obvious be unknown. 

To begin with Social Media is definitive, it exists because you and I want it to exist, and we do it because it gives us that space to say what perhaps we might seldom say otherwise. 

It creates inroads into knowing people’s lives that perhaps might have never been known, like the coming of age of closet poetess, whose regular updates were lines she never would have shared, and in doing so it’s given her acceptance and identity. 

It’s given people the power to connect, that which was out of reach and miles apart is now just a tweet or comment away. And although like many other mediums there will be fatigue and routine, but re-invention like any other from time to time and the human need to say; this is me, proves that social media is more than just tweets, pokes, updates and is here to stay.