Cyber Activism has the potential to ensure that lost voices of the citizens are heard loud and clear. But are we really doing enough to use this valuable tool?

The Pink Chaddi campaign rocked the entire country. Started by an online petition it soon grew into a full-fledged reform, a revolt and a powerful social tool.

The world of Internet is in fact full of activism – from child abuse, to corruption and from voting to women rights. Imagine if Facebook and Orkut existed during the revolt of 1857, may be India would have then put in a more organised protest and bought freedom for the country at least 100 years before. That would have been like re-writing history.

But Facebook exists now and life is totally different today. If one Googles up to find the number of ‘social activism’ communities, the results are mind-boggling – 75,000 plus people are actually involved in social activism. But then where are the signs of protest? And where are the actions? And where are the cries and petitions of distress? Clearly, it is unheard and unknown. Vijay Bhambhwani who sports a profile that has around 10 causes, from Stop Animal Abuse to Stop Plastic Bags saya, “ I was very fascinated when I joined these networking sites. Being a socially active person, I thought I might be able to make a difference. But I was really disappointed. Most people are all fizz and excited for 5- 10 minutes and then back to square one. The passion just slips away. I am an animal activist and I joined these communities to be able to do something concrete but nothing ever happened.” Vijay’s community has around 1500 members, but it’s an irony that they haven’t been able to come up with anything substantial at all.

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