Virtual Campaigning and Tigers

Source : Wikipedia.

 

Do you remember the Pink Chaddi Campaign ????  It was a protest movement launched in February 2009.  When a group of women were attacked in a pub in Mangalore and when the Sena leader threatened to marry off young couples found together on Valentine’s Day, this non-violent movement was launched to protest against such threats.

This protest was started by four young women and they urged people to join in this protest, by sending pink underwear to the leader’s office on Valentine’s Day.  It was initiated by Nisha Susan.  Over 500 pink underwear was sent by courier and more kept pouring in from all the corners of India.   All hell broke loose in that span of Feb 6th to 14th and the Campaign was a great success.  Never have I seen so many people coming together for a single cause.  And almost everyone joined in this Campaign fever, to make some difference.

The Pink Chaddi Campaign received widespread media coverage, had a Facebook group where the members kept growing in huge numbers.  Later this group was deleted by Facebook admin, as the trolls exceeded more than the members.

On 9th Feb 2009,  our Home Minister said that the Centre is watching all the activities with great concern and will take necessary steps.  WOW !!! Such a fast response, thanks to the Virtual campaign.

Why am I talking about this Campaign, a year later ????  Why does that Campaign need to be mentioned now ????

Now, my focus is not this Pink Chaddi Campaign, but the effects of media coverage and having a group in a Public Forum for invoking public interest and awareness on crucial problems.  This Pink Chaddi Campaign did help a lot of Indians to know the extent of abuse on women in a public place. So, I am all for this kind of public awareness groups and I also feel that media coverage is crucially important.  It helps in getting results, quite fast.  Don’t you think so ????

Do you remember the “Save the Tiger Campaign” ?????  Yes, this news made to the headlines some weeks back, Facebook groups were formed, Fan club for tigers were created, everyone blogged about the dwindling tiger numbers, Aircel asked people to join in this awareness program as a part of their public awareness program and many such things happened.

And one can also pledge support for this cause at Save our Tigers.

And slowly and steadily, I feel that this news has taken a backseat.

So, what happened ???? 

While the FB groups and fan clubs for Tiger Preservation is shouting hoarse, and while people are talking and pledging support in websites, what is really happening in the forefront ????

Is there any step taken forward for this cause, apart from virtual participation from lakhs of people ????

Have we strengthened the Forest Patrolling to avoid poaching ????

Do the declared Wildlife sanctuaries in India, provide protection to the animals and the little ones ????

The Virtual Campaign was a great success with Pink Chaddi.  Is the Virtual Campaign for Tigers helping us, now ?????

Apart from roaring for the tiger, what better things can we do ????  How can we help more ????

Can anyone shed light on this issue ?????   I am really worried at the tiger numbers. Its our national animal and it’ll be a huge shame if we let them die like this.