To the government with a voice,
Issues of national concern being reduced to tweets has come to be the new found convention for addressal. However, I feel it is virtually impossible to accommodate the tolerance of our country in 140 characters – or less. Presently, our country is bearing natural calamity coupled with political brunt, invoking a little more tolerance than appropriate, in response. Selfies, social media, and advert banners have gained increasingly popularity during the Modi reign to the point of reliance. Every international and national tour involving the Prime Minister and the Cabinet are elaborately celebrated and highlighted on various media platforms – Gaining Mr Modi the image of the most tech savvy prime minister our country has ever witnessed.
Browsing the prime ministerial statements and social media uploads, PM’s recent update delivered congratulations to Dipa Karmakar on her selection as the nation’s representative for Gymnastics at the Rio Olympics 2016. Scrolling further to reveal photographs of his homage to Dr B R Ambedkar, along with Mann ki Baat uploads and festive wishes delivered to all Indian citizens. Regardless of whether one agrees or disagrees with Modi’s governance, they invariably follow him on at least one media platform – for the media accounts for his primary mode of communication. This transparency is claimed to be the winning point of the Centre.
25% of our population is currently drought hit – the figure that is anticipated to account for the tip of the ice berg if natural relief is not received this monsoon. States like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Telangana, and Modi’s own little country of Gujarat have been hit. However, Modi’s twitter and Facebook are relatively devoid of the announcement of both the disaster itself, and the relief strategy – an act relatively odd for a government that popularized the selfie and is constantly known to encourage social interaction through all mediums available.
Further, if it is unreasonable to expect an express of concern on the modern platforms invariably – it is at least sane to expect some form of public addressal to the calamity that is adversely affecting and depriving 1/4th the country’s total population of the most basic need to aqua. PM’s innovation, Mann Ki Baat – a voice that reaches the remotest of Indians in rural areas hooked to their radios and transistors, was devoid of the mention just as much.
While the buzz centered around the IPL ground water works has flashed as headlines several times in the papers concerned, social awareness regarding the gravity of the situation has hardly been highlighted as a national issue. No prominent statement issued by the State ministers or the Central body has helped create an impact enough to instill the realization nationally, or even locally. With sparse divided residences governing voluntary water cuts, and drought displaying images circulating online inadequately, the government must rise and perform to instill awareness in the people and unite them over the issue. Apart from taking isolated measures it is crucial to involve the public in a situation which safely qualifies for a disaster. The plight of farmers, or residences is not theirs alone.
As a teenager who is constantly updated through various forms of media, I hope to receive elaboration from our government about an issue that deserves coverage. It will not only allow me to exercise my responsibility of spreading the word, but will also allow me to facilitate necessary relief measures and appreciate those already being implemented.
