Emergency Climate Mobilization

We are in the midst of a climate impasse. The Developed world wants to address Climate Challenge and the Developing world does not want to give up on progress & enhancement of life. The Developed world has inflicted damage mercilessly, so when it takes on a holier than thou attitude on climate challenge and carbon mitigation then the Developing nations bristle with resentment. And to my simplistic mind this is exactly where the problem lies. The friction today is delicately poised and requires an urgent attitudinal shift in both Developed and Developing economies, where both need to agree, to a common agenda to curb mitigation and harness this fast spiraling, all consuming climate change.

It is necessary to secure significant cuts in emissions in the growing nations of the Developing world. And yet, nobody dare tell the Developing nations to stop progress because it costs heavy damage to the climate! What is also very surprising is all these negotiations and talks taking place at international summits and conferences, don't get one thing straight!

i.e. "Change or Perish" has got to be mantra

Isn't that alarming? Shouldn't it scare all of of us into action and mobilization? Should this not bring the decision makers to the table to agree on a common minimum prog agenda? To be sensible and courageous and collaborate with each other rather than play stereotypical roles of yore??

The way forward out of this macabre dance is to recognize that the right of development adheres not to nations but to people. This development must be sustainable and cannot ever be the right of the already rich and powerful!

All communication can reflect this mindset and insight and pave the way through interesting stories to take pride in a tomorrow which can be a bright future, if, and only if, this Climate challenge is licked by immediate corrective action by individuals and nations rather than be in its current debacle viewed with cynicism and inaction

Youth leading the change

Never has one seen such hype and hoopla around the elections than the 2009 general elections has generated. It’s unprecedented. The upcoming elections have generated tremendous enthusiasm among the nation, especially the youth, who seem to show an overt curiosity to be participative than be mere observers like in the past.

Hence noticeable is their involvement in voicing opinion across platforms and issues. For many of us this is a welcome change. It is indeed encouraging for a nation like India whose future will be youth dependant, to see this awakening, in its one third large constituency i.e. the youth.

The recent past witnessed a slew of incidents that rocked India. Insurgency, J&K unrest, national security concerns, more importantly the many disturbing incidences that took place within India itself- viz. The Jessica Lal case, the BMW accident, the new year eve incident outside the JW Marriot Hotel, Mumbai where young women were molested by a mob, the multiple blasts that rocked Bangalore, the brutal murder of a young TV journalist in Delhi, the Nithari exposés, the Mangalore pub incidence, the beating up of nuns and women in Kandhamal in the name of religion - have shook the youth. These incidences have compelled many young people to realize their own collective power, and also realize that if change has to be brought about in the nation then they need to move off the fence and join hands to generate one voice - one goal.

Timely was the 26/11 Mumbai attack. It not only galvanized the young in Mumbai but rage and horror of that incidence rippled through the entire country, with one sentiment echoing loud and clear- “ no more can we be a silent spectator”.

These incidents have definitely touched the chords, made the young of our nation aware and conscious to realize their true potential.

The more I speak to the young across cities, the more they replay their frustration at the inability of the government to tackle national civic and social issues. This has got them collectively thinking of action, to make a perceptible difference in the country. Couple this with the fact that there are many young people who went abroad for higher studies, it’s a welcome movement one sees today with many in their mid twenties and late 20’s returning to India to start their own ngo’s or work at grassroots with skills, expertise and in depth use of technology to bring upliftment in the lower cities/rural India
Celebrities have always played a big persuasive role within India. Today it is encouraging to see them willingly engaged with the social movement in India. Youth icons like Aamir Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Deepika Padukone…have taken the lead to get youngsters to exercise their right to vote. Many young people have volunteered to get their friends registered for voting, many have led from the front to see their vision of involving the youth to exercise their ballot come true with the persuasive power of Ideas and advertising, many young people have in their small but meaningful ways overcome all hurdles in their path registered for the first time to vote.
The people’s movement has truly begun and it’s all about sustaining the momentum. Walking shoulder to shoulder and communicating to the world, that We are here to change!!! We are the Change!!!

How socially conscious are we?

Large Indian cities define the rich and poor rather starkly. Sleek sedans, good living, wining- dining- gaming-partying-working hard and being fiercely ambitious are some qualities that define The Upper Cities. Inhuman conditions where people live on the streets, undernourished, lack of hygiene and health, water deprived defines The Lower Cities. In many ways our large megapolis’s are representative of this great divide in our nation. The Upper City needs the Lower City to thrive and get richer, and the Lower City feeds off the Upper City to develop, grow and sustain itself.

While viewing the James Bond movie Quantum of Solace I learned about a place called Cochabamba in Bolivia. In 1999 the Bolivian government sold Cochabamba's water rights to Bechtel Corporation in San Fransisco, (USA). There was a massive uprising, and after much violence, including the loss of human life, the people succeeded in stopping the privatization of their water rights. This story brought a stark reality to me viz. there can be no social transformation without a personal transformation. People must join hands to make a difference.

Do you see a perceptible difference in our world today? Is the old mindset of apathy giving way to a rising sensitivity amongst people in our nation, our cities, our communities? Do we understand our social duties and responsibilities any better today?

The number of blogs have multiplied manifold in the online world, initiating new conversations and activism. A tv channel (the source of information and a vehicle that sways public sentiments) aired a 24 hour live megathon to awaken consciousness amongst its viewers to go solar and green! At an individual level some labour over beautifying their building block localities with green saplings and some work hard to keep the area clean. Some co-workers cycle to work, pool car to offices and some prefer to run in the gardens rather than use the tread mills! Some segregate wet and dry waste, composite waste, and recycle waste, while some others have started saying no to plastic bags and instead use cloth carry bags. Some prefer to conduct meetings over conference calls instead of flying miles and some march to candle light to mobilize opinions on issues!

There definitely is purpose to today’s social agenda. There is more sensitivity than the past. Apathy is slowly giving way to responsibility. There are definitely more questions being asked aloud!

An added weapon in this armoury, is the power of conversations generated by communications. Creative ideas lend movement and ferocity and energy to such mobilization. Communication provokes people to think, ask questions, wonder, be alert, be empathetic and above all be more sensitive to one’s role in society. Let’s use the power of communications and the right vehicles for dissemination, to guarantee a social revolution in India.