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54 INDIA TODAY JANUARY 14, 2013

POLITICS IN 140 CHARACTERSSocial media is where the battle for freedom of thought will be fought

At 4.58 p.m. on Christmas 2012, Delhistudent Shambhavi Saxena tweeted,All of us women were just brutally at-tacked by police at Parliament StreetPS. Ten minutes later, she tweeted,Woman constable beat me up, pulledmy hair and slammed me into a wall.Three days later, retired Lt-Gen H.S.Panag put out his mobile number onTwitter, sparking a movement wherehundreds are adding their numbers toa list, promising to drop everythingand help a woman in distress. Socialmedia is no longer a world. It is theworld, a matrix of intertwined mes-sages and resultant mayhem. Whatwill trend in this universe in 2013?

FIRSTPORT OFCALLFOR HELP

During the November 17 and 18 lock-down after Bal Thackerays death,

Mumbaikars turned to Twitter to findways back home. In the Octoberdengue outbreak in Delhi, peoplecalled for platelets on Twitter. In2013, Twitter will become the firstport of call for help of all kinds, fromreal help to advice/attention.

POSTATYOUR OWN PERIL

In October 2012, Union Finance MinisterP. Chidambarams son Karti filed a com-

plaint with Puducherry Police against

businessman Ravi Sreenivasan for cer-

tain tweets. On October30, the man was

arrested under Section 66A of the

Information Technology Act. He was re-

leased on bail the next day but the case

against him hasnt been dropped or

withdrawn. The constitutional validity of

the draconian Section 66A is now being

examined by the Supreme Court, which

is expected to make its views known this

month. The Government is already

under pressure to amend the law. In

2013, a lot more litigation for libel and

defamation will arise from what people

say on Twitter or Facebook.

CONFESSION CORNER

On December 29, media professional

Sonika Bhasin was deluged with sup-

port after she announced on Twitter

that she was about to expose her

friends father, a retired Army officer,

who had abused her when she was 13.

She wasnt the first to out a secret on

Twitter, but in 2013 it will become

much more common.

BIG BROTHER STEPS ITUP

Intelligence agencies have been busy

setting up listening posts on social

networking sites. As 2012 ended, there

was talk of a comprehensive social

media policy, which Union minister

Manish Tewari has been quick to say

is to engage, not regulate. This year,

expect much more Big Brother on

Twitter and Facebook.

ENTER THE POLITICIAN

On January 24, 2012, Prime MinisterManmohan Singh made his debut on

Twitter. On August 14, DMK chief M.

Karunanidhi, 89, followed suit. As the

country gets increasingly into election

mode, there will be less social media

snobbery from our netas.

MOST WANTED ON TWITTER10RAJINIKANTH

Even when absent,hes an

epic presence across

Twitter.Guess the joke if he

actuallysigns up.Yes,Twitter

joins Rajinikanth.

RAHULGANDHI

Fewpeople are jeered at more on Twitter

than him.Even Narendra Modi must feel

weird hitting out at someone who just

isn't there. If Rahul reallywants to rep-

resent youth power,he should sign up.

MUKESH AMBANI

Knowing Twitter,heres a sampling ofwhat hed be asked if he ever chooses

to sign up: Howdid you make all that

money? Whats with that house ofyours? Can we come watch a movie

on your iMaxscreen?

RAVI SHASTRI

His sometimes stupefy-

ing commentary makes

him trend often on Twitter.

He should sign up just so

theres somewhere people can

point their mirth.

KAREENA KAPOORHer slightly

snooty,hands-off approach would

worksupremely well on Twitter as well.

She could also convincehusband Saif,the only big

Khan who isnt on Twitter,

to sign up as well.ARUNDHATI ROY Her powerful

opinions make her tailor-made for

Twitter.Its only fair that shes there to

give it backto those who pour scorn on

her everytime she writes or speaks.

But yes,shell have to learn to restrict

herself to 140 characters.

RAM JETHMALANI

The ace lawyers pen-

chant for stirring things

up even within his own

party,his made-for-media firebomb-

ing,and a bit of a reputation defendingthugs like Manu Sharma will onlyen-

sure his follower count zooms.

BABA RAMDEV

Arunning feud on Twitter

has groups attack each

other in the yoga gurus

name.Why doesnt he de-

fend himself?

RAKESH JHUNJHUNWALA A

parody of the stockmarket mogul has

a committed fan base of over 55,000

followers.Could the real Mr Jhunjhun-

wala Twitter handle please stand up?

GEN V.K. SINGHAs the ex-Army

chief intensifies his stir

against UPA, the Generalwill find a readythrong of

supporters on Twitter.

SAURABH SINGH/www.indiatodayimages.com

By Shiv Aroor

FORECAST2013 SOCIALNETWORK

They are huge draws even inabsentia.Time to sign up.