Happy Deepawali to you and your loved ones.
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In this festival season, may you also find your purpose of life.
Let's make the “Platform’ed” community even stronger! Feel free to post it on your social media accounts too, and inspire others to join our journey. Together, we can go the distance!
DTW
During the Week, I attended India Today Roundtable Telangana hosted by Rajdeep Sardesai and Rahul Kanwal. It was a nice introduction to Telangana politics as all the top political leaders shared their views on current challenges and opportunities in one of the youngest state in India. I was also impressed by the media and specially social media savviness of the current cohort of political leaders.
You can watch the whole video on YouTube. One of the focus area for almost all political parties is FTV (First Time Voter) and like all marketing campaigns, it is one group which can change the results. For first-time voters, the political landscape can be daunting, filled with complexities and nuances. Understanding this, platforms play a pivotal role in illuminating the path to an informed and empowered electorate.
In the digital era, democracy finds new power through the LIGHT acronym. Leveraging Information ensures transparency, allowing citizens to scrutinize governance. Increasing Citizen Participation brightens political discourse, making voices heard. Guaranteeing Electoral Integrity safeguards the core of democracy through tech-driven solutions. Harnessing Digital Tools promotes inclusivity, ensuring diverse voices shape decisions. Transforming Civic Education enlightens citizens, fostering an informed electorate. In the LIGHT of these principles, platforms become standard bearers of democratic ideals, guiding nations toward a brighter, more participatory future.
Let's break down LIGHT to shed light on how platforms contribute:
Leveraging Information for Government and Honest Transparency (L): Digital platforms act as catalysts for transparent governance, disseminating critical information to citizens. These platforms ensure that governments operate with integrity, allowing citizens to access real-time data, policies, and decisions.
Increasing Citizen Participation and Awareness (I): Platforms foster an environment of active citizenship, enabling individuals to engage in political discourse, share opinions, and stay informed. Social media platforms, in particular, empower citizens to participate in democratic processes, amplifying their voices on a global scale.
Guaranteeing Electoral Integrity Through Technology (G): Technology-driven platforms play a crucial role in ensuring the integrity of electoral processes. From secure voter registration systems to electronic voting solutions, these platforms contribute to fair and transparent elections, maintaining the essence of democratic principles.
Harnessing Digital Tools for Inclusive Governance (H): Platforms contribute to inclusive governance by providing diverse channels for citizen engagement. Online forums, feedback mechanisms, and e-governance initiatives create spaces where voices from all sections of society can contribute to decision-making processes, fostering a more inclusive democracy.
Transforming Civic Education with Technology (T): Digital platforms revolutionize civic education, offering accessible resources to educate citizens about their rights, the democratic process, and the impact of their participation. Online courses, webinars, and informational content contribute to a well-informed citizenry, strengthening the foundation of a democratic society.
In embracing LIGHT, First-Time Voters (FTVs) embark on a journey illuminated with knowledge, transparency, community engagement, simplified processes, and thoughtful participation. As these FTVs navigate the democratic landscape, platforms serve as beacons, ensuring their path is well-lit and accessible. These platforms may be fostering a generation that not only votes but actively shapes the democratic narrative. Through informed choices, community involvement, and seamless registration, FTVs become architects of a brighter political future, where the radiance of their participation propels democracy forward.
OTW
Over the Weekend, we celebrated Deepawali with family and friends. I have written about the changing nature of festivals as platforms have been leveraged for keeping the spirit of festivals alive through three essential facets of Display, Consumption and Exchange.
Thanks for your lovely wishes over phone, messages and social media. Festivals evoke nostalgic childhood memories, a time of carefree joy. Interestingly, the word "festival" finds its roots in the Latin term feria/feriae, signifying "abstinence from work in honor of gods." In essence, festivals offer a break from routine, and it's the childlike spirit that truly comprehends the art of unwinding and immersing oneself in the present moment.
Keep the child in you alive.
I Love You
Shailendra
OTM
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The Centre of Excellence for Digital Transformation (CeDT) at the IFHE has been established with an agenda of leveraging the information and communication technologies for the benefit of the underserved.
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The activities through which we plan to engage with key stakeholders include research, consultancy, training/teaching and outreach. The tools that we plan to use for the aforementioned activities include experiments (both field and laboratory), surveys, digital gap analysis, content creation and curriculum design.