When terrorists struck the city on November 26, 2008, they shook a nation out of its somnolence.
When terrorists struck the city on November 26, 2008, they shook a nation out of its somnolence. The siege ended an agonising three days later, and Mumbai needed an outlet — for its anguish, for its need to fix blame and accountability — and found it in on the internet.
Communities and groups sprang up on social networking websites, all with the same agenda — to fight terrorism, demand accountability, and bring about change.
While some online communities died a natural death, others have managed to keep the cause alive. Rise Up Mumbai, Rise Up India is one such Facebook group. Started by Kaizad Bhamgara, it has 8,000 members. “The idea was to make a group that would get things organised in a better way,” Bhamgara says.
The group organised a candle march in which thousands walked from Churchgate to the Gateway. They also tied up with city colleges and conducted first aid and self-defence workshops.
Another Facebook group, In Memory Of All Those Who Died In The 26th-27th November Mumbai Massacre, was initiated by 14-year-old Shubham Kanodia. The group has 95,873 members and hosts regular discussions. “I will convert the group into an NGO,” Kanodia says.
Bangalore student Apurv Prakash started the NSG (National Security Guard) community but was disheartened by the limited response. “It’s just the initial anger or enthusiasm; as months pass, it slowly fades away and so does the community,” he says.
Tweeter Netra Parikh updated information second-by-second during 26/11 and helped raise Rs33.47 lakh for victims’ families. “I felt so good contributing to society, I want to do more, but lack resources,” Parikh says.
New-media activist Harish Iyer says frequent events are needed to attract members. “You need interesting and innovative methods to keep people hooked to your blog or community,” explains Iyer. Post-26/11, he initiated the Hugs For Peace campaign in which 50 participants went around the city hugging strangers. “Any online activity needs to have some relevance to the present scenario as well as a high level of people participation,” Iyer states.
Iyer is planning to organise a street event on November 26, in which he will ask people questions like: “Where were you on the night of November 26?”
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