freedom of responsible speech

Just now I read news 'Bloggers can be nailed for views'. In a case the supreme court ruled against a boy, who started a blog against shivsena, ordering him to face a criminal trial in maharashtra court. To many, it may sound ironical. even TOI has depicted the news as if it is a violation of freedom of speech.the users comment also echos the sentiment. so is it really a verdict to limit the 'freedom of speech'? the answer is a big no.

the courts verdict can be easily misinterpreted to 'preventing bloggers from blogging'. however, it is important to note that the court has asked the boy only to 'explain his conduct'. these days we are becoming more and more aware about our rights. but at the same time, it is equally important to remeber our duties. and one such duty is to be a responsible citizen. the matter is not about supporting or opposing shiv sena, but about taking responsibility of your views. when we tout our right to 'freedom of speech', we conveniently ignore the duty of expressing ourself in responsible manner. the blog is being legally challenged, and so the boy should be able to defend it legally in a court of law. if not, the blog bcomes an inlawful activity, which should be duely terminated.

with the advent of citizen journalism in India, the authenticity of claims can often be questioned. this verdict sets a kind of protocol for all such people. it asks them to take responsiblity for their claims. if we are not able to acknowledge what we have expressed, then we are in no position to express. after all it takes strength of character to tell the truth

Be and plan the change you want to see

recently i read an article titled yes we can in BS weekend. it spoke about how some young indians are doing their bit to bring about a change. the article mentions success stories of peopl varied kind. there backgrounds are different, the issues they are working on are different and yet they have few things in common.first of all, these people have passion. that is something you cant bring a change without. they have the desire and courage to ' be the change you want to see'. this is something prerequisite for change. but aprt from this, many of them have planned for it.

feeling angry, or agitated about something is common to most of us. whenever there is an issue, we get agitated over it, discuss it for few days and forget it. that is where these people differntiate themselves. they not only have the fire, but the vision to sustain it and convert it into something constructive.

with the rising number of online groups and communities, which saw a surge after the 26/11 attack on Mumbai, many of us feel that technology is playing a key role in bringin about this change. but with example of all these people, the reality points other way round. an exception could be that of 'jaago re' project, in which technology is playing major part . last checked, nearly 3.5 lakh people have registered on the site. so far it is limited to major cities only. we need to see if it really increases the falling urban voter turnout. the other online initiative by nisha susan ( the pink chaddi campaign ) is too necessant to comment.

earlier people thought, and many of us still think now, that a movement is spontaneous. that is why gandhiji was against having any property for party. in his views, people will fund the cause if they deem it fit. but today, the scanerio is changing. may be it is becaus epeople have become more rational. earlier, they were more emotional. consider, for instance that Vinoba Bhave launches his Bhoodan movement today. even with his personality and respect he commanded , the movement will not be as successful as it was. this is where 'planning for change' comes.

the example of sanjay sondhi mentione d in that article drives this point home. he decided to leave his job when he would turn 45, and made financial planning to make the change ' less painful'. today at dehradun, he is working on few environment protection projects.

so the new motto is 'be and plan the change you want to see!'