Scapegoat of Indian Media – Orkut June 20, 2007
Posted by Ken in after thoughts on articles, complaints, opinion.Tags: News, opinion, Review, View
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Lately Orkut is being consistently finding space in world of lurid Indian news and media. Idle political leaders and party workers, heads of religious groups, and news papers/ channels have made Orkut scapegoat to gain TRPs, attention and highlight in media. People, not having great idea about Orkut, always think of it as devilry Internet phenomenon and spoiling the Indian youth. The kind of news stories floating in media will definitely raise eye brows of traditional Indian parent. Stories of girls facing abuse, people blackmailed, hate communities against India, political leaders and parties, and religion make people think that it is definitely some evil of modern day technology.
Recently Mumbai police has forced cyber cafes to block Orkut. I am sure this pressure comes from political circles and so called leaders. Thankfully these forces can not block or ban paper, TV and radio. Thankfully we can not be denied from our right to speak and hear. Our constitution gives us the freedom of expression. The MPs and MLAs we chose are stopping us from expressing ourselves.
If our country can have people performing plays which raise questions against the ideology of Ghandhi; why we can not tolerate a community which is against a particular political party and its leader. This party and leader are afraid as there is probably some truth in those allegations and anger. Followers of Ghandhi could ignore those plays as they knew that ideology of their great leader will not perish or images can not be tarnished with some play.
Other day there was hullabaloo over some “Hate India” community on Orkut. Media and the government went frenzy, they started raising voices and suggestions came to block the website or close it. Why does the country with more then thousands year old civilizations has to worry about the opinion of few hundred people on some website. People had tribulations due to some derogatory reference made against Maratha warrior king Shivaji.
Over all these issue people want to ban the website. How much more idiot one can be? If one news paper reports abusive content against a leader or country, we do not ban the making paper. We do not stop the manufacturing of television and radio stations are not closed. We may stop particular writer of the news paper or stop the show on television and radio.
People who have asked the ban on Orkut have set up the new standards of stupidity. Orkut is medium like any other medium of communication; paper is used by newspaper, books and letters, TV is used by news channels and radio by RJs. The medium can never be evil; the use can be.
First of all why a country or leader has to be worried? The only reason I see is that either the derogatory reference are correct or we are so fragile that we have fear of being perished. I am sure of India as country and Shivaji as leader are not fragile to be worried of few hate communities. I am not sure about the new political parties and their leaders.
If the Indian democracy does not allow freedom of speech, what kind of hypocrisy is this? We talk so much about tolerance but it disappears when a contrasting or conflicting idea comes to challenge us. What worth is tolerance if its not for something we don’t necessairly agree in?
Banning is a product of fear and insecurity. Orkut is just the scapegoat here.
I find this very funny, news coming out from the largest democratic country of the world. If not Orkut, there are definitely other mediums too. So rather shutting down a particular social networking site more effort should be lead towards developing communal harmony. I’m surprised by the software they plan to develop to filter words like “I hate” or “I despise”: Now can’t I even write I hate my bad habits?
Nepali Akash/Prajwol,
Indian Constitution and Democracy definitely allows the freedom of speech. Some of the “Hate Communities” are really derogatory and they are babies of frustrated minds. These are the people who are frustrated with their own existence and life. They curse everybody else for that.
But again why to waste valuable energy for such people? Why to blame Orkut for it? It is just platform where people can share their views and opinions about different things. It is place where people with common likes and passion meet each other.
There are new political parties and religious groups cropping up and taking entire community on ride. They want to enforce relgion, ethics and they want to decide what is good and bad. Sena protesting Valentine’s Day is one such example. While common man is busy in his life; these groups are taking full advantage of the ignorance.
Coming back to same point, Indian democracy defintely give its people freedom of speech, but constitution can not do anything if people do want to use that power. We do not fight against these extremist group. More we tolerate this nonsense; more powerful these groups will be. I see nothing but the rise of another Taliban or Maoist group in the form of Hindu Terrorism in the country.
Rgds,
Ken
hi ken,
I totally agree that the media and political leaders just want publicity and orkut is just bearing the brunt, cuse this medium gives higher publicity with easier means,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,they irony of the whole thing is they will not even bother to look n protest against the fact that “Bhagat singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev have been referred as terrorists in an ICSE 6th standard class in social science subject text book”……………i wonder when will we wake up and take a voice against false publicity and true need of activism.
reading the comment,,,,,,,i would like to say that its not right to mention the term hindu terrorism,,,,lets face non of the political parties (and this means the people elected by us) are actually bothered about hinduism, hindu nation or anything like that,they r just using the hindu sentiment to strenthen their vote bank and nothin else,,,,,,,if they had a muslim,catholic or a sikh vote bank they would have done the same for that segment.
In the age of globalisation when will we stand up as an Indian and work for our true develpoment (economic and eco-friendly) and not get entangled in this non required,waste of energy controvercies.
Hope very soon……..
Ken this is a good post and I have to say i agree ,,,,, as an Indian any such comments should not cause any insecurity ,,,,we knw wht we have and no one can take it away from us by such small insignificant insecured individuals………..but even though i do not do not approve of forced banning orkut ,,,,,,personally within the site , i will definately fight in my way againts such i hate india communities by reporting them bogus,,,,,,now thats my freedom of expression.
Ken, good post.
even i saw few communities, one includes the one u mentioned. and what i noticed is when so many thousands of communities with many thousands of members in it, the V HATE INDIA kinda communities gained least priority with few hundreds to support them. afte all its their freedom to make comunity if they want.. and its our right to get affected by thsoe knds silly communites or to add as Bogus as darshana mentioned.
the other day i saw a fwding where a girl has been murdered after meeting thru Orkut. and they traced teh killer too from orkut. (thats very rare, and no one is that foolish enuf to go for soembody who is almosta stranger)
anyway I LOVE ORKUTTING.. i got many long forgotten classmates, right from nursery boarding..
but i dont pferfer going for stangers as friends..
may be its how u make use of it..
ken.. this is an interestng post.. adn am sure all r going to njoy it n u r gonna get more comments..wanna bet?
bs
Darshana,
The case you mentioned about ICSE 6th grade social science book is just one of the issues where we should be focusing. Sean is worried about some derogatory comments on Shivaji on website.
There is not much of difference between what is said in textbook and on Orkut community; except the fact that whatever written in textbooks is official statement and if not corrected will become truth in couple of years for the students of class 6. Where as Orkut is unofficial and all the views expressed are personal and do not have approval of any government or authority.
There are definitely more important issues which Sena should ideally be looking at. The condition on energy and water supply is leading farmer to suicide in interiors of Maharashtra should be real concern for Sena workers. But if asked they will say that is responsibility of government. When you formed government what did you do?
After separating Marathi people in the state from rest of the crowd in Maharashtra they are not left with any greater cause now to fight for. They need publicity and what easy way then targeting a one of the most popular website among Indian youth today.
They definitely have cause to fight for the comments made to their leader. But if they think those comments are wrong, why they bother you? If their leader is really great and none of the comments made on that community have any truth, your leader should not have been agitated. It actually tells everybody that you are afraid of truth and want to hide it desperately.
I need another comment for to talk about “Hindu Terrorism”
On Hindu Terrorism
I mentioned this not only in the context of Orkut made scapegoat by Sena and other extremist groups in India. For couple of years VHP, BJP and RSS have continued finding ways to curb the freedom and choice of Indian either on the name of religion or cultural values.
Protest against Valentine’s Day; is best example here. VHP and RSS were born with special mottos and ideology; especially RSS. It was primarily formed with idea of serving the society. It was never created to fight for and protect either the Hindu religion or Indian cultural values. All these groups have established them selves as moral police and uncrowned king of religion and values.
On the name of religion they are accumulating power and strength. If not stopped today they will definitely rise to become Taliban in our country. They committed each and every sin in last decade and more in Afghanistan on the name of Islam, today western world has made Islam synonym for terrorism. Definitely, neither Talibanis are Muslim or VHP, Sena and RSS are Hindus. They are greedy wild animals hungry for power.
These groups have lost the original purpose for which they were created and now acting like wild beast in the jungle. If not controlled and exterminated at earliest they will definitely give rise to Hindu Terrorism.
Thankfully there are already signs of their conclusion. The current so called pseudo secular government has cut the arms of RSS and VHP. BJP has anyways lost the ground due to their blunt Hinduism weapon. Sena is also struggling for couple of years due to lack of second generation of leaders. I wish evils will not rise anymore, as we already have deep rooted social and economic issue to fight for.
Thx,
Ken
Beena,
I fully agree with you on the fact that every individual has the right to express their opinion. We may start any “Hate Communities” we want, and people have their right and moral responsibility to report them bogus or abuse.
I would love to bet and loose. So let us bet.
I have too met some few of my old school friends which I had thought I would never meet even in dreams. It is so easy to keep in touch, and make new friends. You may have your reason to stay away from strangers and reserve your right to avoid them. It is very simple and wonderful tool on the web.
Long live Orkut!!
Ken
more than 13 comments , i amthe winner. Ok.
everybody pls.. sent more of ur views.. and make ken lose the game.:)
bs
Beena,
I am in complete agreement with you. More then 13 comments and you are the winner.
Thx,
Ken
hello beena,,,,,,,,,well you better decide wht u r gonaa win once ken looses,,,,,,,,,another virtual dairymilk or something like that?????????
ken, i agree to most things mentioned on hindu terrorism and that makes for a post in itself,think abt it,,,,,,,,,,,,,lots of scope for a sepetare discussion on that issue.
best wishes
darshana
Lets make teh competition always for DIARY MILK.. coz who knows how many games still on the way. ..if not for this post.. other posts, and may be from our other fellow bloggers.
jsu though of sharing this too.. ORKUT coz of its wide publicity its getting blocked everywhere..and one was my ex-office. not only mine, but many others too.
how abt urs ken, darshana, Prajwol and N Akash?
anybody answer this , i become the winner. ooh lala.. i liked this game as i can almost assure i am going to win.
(Ken, get ready with the DM)
hello ken,
Your DM is gone.
Congrats Beena on your winning,,,,,,,,and i am sure u r not gonna deny me a share for the 13 comment.
About orkut being banned many of my friends face this problem,,,, thankfully for me its no issues,cause i don’t have a boss
best wishes
darshana
hellow KEN..
why this silence??
shud we (darshana too deserves half of it) sent teh adress..
R YOU CRYING..
BS
THANX a LOt darshana.. Of course u deserve a half of it
Interesting. I wanted to have condition that there should be 13 people commenting. I was lazy to mention that now I have 13 comments from 4-5 readers. No worries, I was lazy, so I loose here.
Rgds,
Ken
Don’t be such a miser,,,,,,its an added advantage that u get 13 diff ppl commenting,,,,,but any comment on a comment is a new coment in itself,,,,,,,,,confusing ????
And the cost u pay for your laziness isn’t too much,so where do we send our postal adresses,,,,,,,now that beena has agreed to share it with me
best wishes
darshana
Beena/Darshana,
Send me your address here and I will send the DMs.
Rgds,
Ken
I am surprised at media hype. Media makes people hero and zero.
I watched some channels that exaggerated the misuse of orkut.
It is like pen; you can hurt other’s eye with your pen or write beautiful poems.
Miss Million,
I agree Orkut is like pen, it is tool and medium. There is not reason to blame it when people missuse it. Again, “Hate communities” are not always missuse.
If somebody hate a country for any damn reason, they have all the right to start a community and express their view and opinions. It can be his/her on country or some one elses.
Thx,
Ken
Miss Million,
I visited your blog couple of time with intentions to read, but always failed and could read single post. I also wanted to comment but learnt that you have closed that option.
Rgds,
Ken
nice information!keep informing…
Johnson,
Thank you for reading and comments. Continue to stop by and comment.
Rgds,
Ken
Aren’t you goint to update your site Ken?
Mission Million,
I want to definitely update something. I am also toying with idea, but have not reached to stage write and post.
Thank you for taking interest. Lately I did not had much time to read too.
Thx & Rgds,
Ken
Ach, sorry for the mistake. Nice to see that you corrected it.
All the best
I guess I have to start reading mid-day online version….to catch the latest happenings in aamchi mumbai
:D:D
People just need to grow up little bit…not much just a little bit
You can read the epaper of Hindustan Times.
http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/login.aspx
People have grown up, but we do not raise voice against such non-sense activist.
Did you read my comment on your blog?
Rgds,
Ken
hi ken
long time,,,anything new comming up?????????
best wishes
darshana
Hey……..the nominee has won
Madam,
Please elaborate. Thank you!!
Ken
What more one needs to elaborate here……..ORKUT is the mtv uth icon of the yr
best wishes
darshana
The great fool me.
I thought Abhishek Bachchan will win. He was leading with huge majority when I last saw it on MTV.
Ken