While the first social movements occurred through protests and civil disobedience, the rise of the internet ushered in numerous online social movements. Since then, online social movements gained momentum into the early 21st century and are now one of the most prevalent forms of social movement.
We still cannot fathom how internet’s power alone has salvaged several cases in the past.
The demonstration triggered by Uttarakhand government’s decision to seek the National Wildlife Board’s approval for transfer of 243 acres of forest land to the Airport Authority of India (AAI) has brought huge support with the decision inviting massive backlash.
If granted, over 10,000 trees could be cut in the Thano range for expansion of Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport.
Did this ring a bell?
Yes, This is Uttarakhand’s Aarey moment where thousands till now have successfully raised their voice against the government’s decision. Not to forget, This moment can’t be shunned or marred down in future for the amplification of our rights as common citizens rests only in our hands.
What do we have at our disposal? How can you and I save Thano? How can we contribute?
We don’t need hefty hulking, for that might be too far-fetched a goal. What we do need is constant conscience.
We don’t have to stop and here is what you can do irrespective of where you are. Just Like Mumbai, Uttarakhand needs all of us right now.
We tend to underestimate the power and the capacity of raising our voice thinking the result might not be in favour. But when has the struggle to achieve something magnanimous ever been cozy and comfortable? There are fair share of massive blows in the journey but the result,if not in favour, is always something that gives assurance of one very important thing and that is……that “we atleast tried”.
If not in Uttarakhand Physically, you still can speak up. Go out on your social media platforms by not backing down by the amount of people who follow or subscribe to you. Whether or not you have loaded followers on your Social media, go ahead and write, upload, create content that spreads the cause to as many people as possible. While you are at it, don’t forget to use the hashtag #SaveThano to ensure you get recognized. Tag multiple activists, Environmental groups, associations, NGO’s and people from the Mainstream media.
The country has seen some revolutionary decisions being taken through this heavy loaded weapon called “Twitter Trends” . Do you realize the power of a single tweet? Incase you need more light as to what Twitter alone can do then you have to start considering it as a platform that gives you a voice…equivalent to the ones in power. The country still hasn’t discovered the ways to make use of it in a full-fledged manner. To give you some reference, #JusticeforAsifa, #Keralafloods were hashtags that made the whole nation come together.
We’ve had political parties who have won elections, all thanks to digital activism so to say.
Change.Org is running a petition where almost 24,000 people till now have signed to avert the government’s decision. More people need to step in to sign the petition and contribute in whatever capacity they can to ensure there are significant voices that can be heard. The number has to boom from the present one.
This is the time to volunteer if you haven’t already, If nothing mentioned above floats your boat, you still can Volunteer on the Facebook and Instagram page of the Initiative by the name “Save Thano” and part their noble work with others.
Have you heard about an environment NGO by the name “Vanashakti” in Mumbai? This NGO came as a game-changer in reversing the decision of the BMC. Any amount of mounting pressure from the citizen groups, environmental activists, NGO’S and almost all political outfits can put this proposed move on halt.
For if you happen to be in the Devbhoomi, There are replete things at your end. Make use and exploit your advantage of being in close proximity of the area in question. Make Human Chains and protest silently without hampering the public property because that will completely damage our set purpose.
Let us join hands and minds, creatively and collaboratively to show how common voices make the biggest of differences.