BY: PRATHAM GOLCHA

One of the worst habits of a human’s personality is ignorance, that has persisted since mankind, and that still forms the root of most of modern day’s issues and problems. The demographics are changing, and so are the equations and numbers. We all know the urgency posed by climate change and the need for sustainability, but rarely do we come across any substantive action ‘for’ it, most of the action is ‘against’ it nowadays. And this is where the Sustainable Development Goals come into focus. Out of the exhaustive and inclusive 17 Global Goals comes the goal of ‘Life Below Water’ (SDG 14) that bats for marine life and ecosystem that is often neglected and given little to no attention. As is known, anything in excess is harmful, in the same way; excessive usage of fossil fuels, coupled with a lack of awareness of climate change and its subsequent impacts on the oceans is disastrous. There has been little progress, especially in this part of the world for the implementation of renewables and efficient technology. An ever-expanding coastal development, especially in terms of artificial land reclamation and infrastructure has led to an urgent need to address the pertinent issue at hand. It ultimately leads to a loss of ecological resilience. Simply put, the nature has its own natural way of being in co-existence and we humans are unfortunately (or rather, fortunately for the mother earth) bearing the brunt of upsetting the cycles and nature’s rhythms. Every small act and deed against the nature and, earth in totality, would lead to even more severe impacts in the future. Climate change impacts have already begun to be seen, through forest fires, typhoons, floods, epidemics, droughts, etc. Sea and ocean conservation are amongst the most important aspects to be focused on. Water is one of the most important elements of all.

The ocean produces more than half of the world’s oxygen and stores more than 50 times more carbon dioxide than our atmosphere. More than 75% of the world’s transportation takes place through seas and oceans and it sources vital medicines, minerals, gems, food, recreation, etc., aside from being a major source of economy pathway for countries. It would be shocking to reveal that, according to some studies, marine pollution is found in 100% of turtles, 59% of whales, and 36% of seals globally. Additionally, more than 500 marine locations, equating to the size of the United Kingdom, are now recorded as ‘dead zones’ across the world. Also, in terms of plastic, 8.3 million tons are discarded in the sea annually. All these statistics reveal the urgency and graveness of the issue at hand, about why oceans and seas are so necessary in order to fulfill the SDGs and make this world a better place to live in, not only for us, but also the future generations. Every year, the sea level rises in India by 1.33 mm/year on coasts, of which 13.36% of the Indian population lives in the coastal districts. The deadly impacts include, foremost, a threat to marine and aquatic life. Ocean acidifications, coral bleaching, drowning wetlands, are the deadly impacts amongst others. SDG 14 talks specifically about ‘Life Below Water’, which enunciates and expands scopes about certain targets that need to be met in order to draw parity. Issues and problems such as oil spills, discharge of toxic waste into the oceans, excessive sea mining, littering, etc., need to be dealt with as soon as possible, and at the grass root level primarily.

Here then now, having discussed the issues at length, we need to bring about certain solutions at hand to tackle them. Here’s what we, yes, you and me, can do at our individual level to support the cause. First of all, we need to reduce the footprint of carbon into the seas and oceans. A reduction in the use of chemical fertilizers and its dumping into the seas directly can bring about a substantial change. Eating sustainable seafood, too can help the cause. What is also required is holding awareness and cleanliness drives to clean up the trash and plastic remains on the beaches; because we all know we get all that back in return some time or the other. Strict rules should be set so that there could be no litter and subsequent cleanliness drives, to keep the environment healthy and ecosystem n place. It’s high time we start looking for alternatives to plastics (Styrofoam and single-use, especially) and stop using ocean-harming products.

All of this may seem overwhelming at large, and one might think about how one could individually make a difference or impact to such a cause that has ‘gone out of hand’ currently. But, we can always reverse our wrongdoings, before the time seizes and things severely get out of hand. We can #TurnItAround and together make this world, a better place to live in.

BY: PRATHAM GOLCHA

One of the only city-states of the world, Singapore is a very technologically superior and developed island nation tucked off in South-East Asia, bordering Malaysia, Indonesia and in the South China Sea. Having separated from Malaysia in the 1960s, the name ‘Singapore’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Singha’ and ‘pura’, meaning ‘lion city’. Singapore too, was a colony of the British back then, but today, enjoys the tags of having the world’s second highest GDP (PPP), lowest infant mortality rates in the world, fastest internet connections, amongst various others. Singapore, thus, is one of the best getaways in Asia, especially for Indians, looking at a huge Tamil diaspora and community residing since ages. We reached Singapore in even less than an hour’s flight straight from Kuala Lumpur. Notably, the Changi Airport of Singapore has been ranked one of the best and busiest in the world, which was quite apparent. We resided in the sweet area of Rangoon Street, close to the ever-famous Mustafa Mall outlets in Singapore. A stroll through the contrasting hustle and bustle and quietness of the lanes and roads during the sunset showed the essence of Singapore. The Little India area made me very much reminisce the not-so-little original India, vibrant, full of colors and flavors and cultural diversity. The following night we set off for the Night Jungle Safari. The nocturnal animals of varied species are put on display and visitors like us, were just required to hope on the tram for a delightful yet scary ride of the munchkins. The safari also hosts a special show where they interact with the audience and give chances to hold snakes and other animals that one usually cannot or is scared about. The animals, unlike being chained and drugged, are very much in their natural habitat and it’s the humans who have to adjust themselves and not the other way round. After a midnight thriller, next morning was our turn to check out the majestic and gigantic, Singapore Flyer, that offered breath-taking views of not only the landscape and buildings but also the faraway islands of Malaysia and Indonesia and that goes up to a humungous height of 541 feet up in the air, which became the highest Ferris wheel when it opened in 2008. Overlooking the Central Business District, the flyer offered stunning glimpses of the Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, the Merlion, etc. From there on, the next one ticked off the list was ‘Gardens by the Bay’, which is easily an amazing specter to the eyes as the plants and trees leave you mesmerized and this place shall not be missed at all as it houses the world’s tallest indoor waterfall and the sustainability is of a whole different level. It has 3 garden sections, each having its own essence and moreover, this garden has been built on the reclaimed land from the sea. The world’s most expensive building built at a whopping cost of US$ 5.7 billion is a grand icon next to it. Close by, the ambassador of the city of Singapore, the merlion statue stands tall overlooking the city scape. The figure of a mythical creature has the head of a lion and the body and tail of a fish. The beauty can be gauged by the location and one can also take a ferry by the sea to take a view up-close. Shops become all-the more lively during evenings and there’s a lot to shop in Singapore, although it’s one of the world’s most expensive cities.  The Buddha Relic Temple is one of the most ancient temples in Singapore, and a little distance from the hustle and bustle of the town was amazing, Buddhism being one of the dominant religions there. Clarke Quay, the historic 19^th century marvel is one of the great places that shouldn’t be missed in Singapore. The adjoining areas are filled with fun and entertainment activities. The next day we entirely committed for the Universal Studios, one of the only ones in the world. Located on the famous Sentosa Island, one needs to get there on a cable car, which is quite fun. From morning till night, one can enjoy a number of live shows, performances, thrill rides, water park, dine, shop and have thrills. Thematic themes of the park, like ‘Ancient Egypt’, ‘Madagascar’, ‘New York’, ‘Hollywood’, etc. are sure to blow up one’s mind. One can spend the entire day here and the atmosphere is extremely lively and surreal. The Sentosa Island itself has a variety of things and places to offer, including the beach. All in all, Singapore is a maximum city and gives one a wholesome experience like none other. The diversity and cleanliness, coupled with tremendous technology and posh atmosphere is quite impressive.

MARINA BAY SANDS

SINGAPORE FLYER

SENTOSA ISLAND

THE NIGHT JUNGLE SAFARI

THE MERLION

CLARKE QUAY

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, SINGAPORE

BY: PRATHAM GOLCHA

This year’s Earth Day theme is ‘Restore our Earth’, which involves bringing back the earth to what it was before human and their harmful activities viciously took over. The challenges we know are unending and the problems are innumerable. We all know the greenhouse effects, various forms of pollution, natural disasters, to name a few that have been discussed several times, whether it is in school textbooks or in newspaper dailies. It is rather rare to find solutions to the issue. Most of the issues have been just limited to theories and hypothesis and there is little to no progress on the implementation front or in practical form. Hence, now is the need to implement these in the real world and that can only happen when the youth, which forms the major basis of the sustainable future shoulder the responsibilities and carries forward the legacy to restore the earth. One of the most urgent needs is to put a complete hold on the use of plastics. It is a known fact that they are destroying the environment and marine life to hazardous levels. As this process to restore involves the youth, it is important to spread the word and make the young population aware and conscious of the draconian cycles in the environment. Private sector, individuals, governments, etc. must all come together jointly in this pursuit. Healthy and durable ecosystems should be established for the long run, and organizations such as the United Nations can do their best to play their part. We need scientific research and recommendations to compute the damage and the statistical and scientific ways to look at things from a future perspective. The same old usage of the four R’s that we were taught in schools must be incorporated- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Refuse. Kids from the grass root levels must be sensitized and made conscious of basic things like checking water and electricity usage, sustainable shopping, awareness activities, etc. Incorporation of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by the UN, that involves all the aspects that the world needs focus on, is essential. Nature-based approaches must be made for sustainable agricultural practices across the world, restoration of marine life, partnerships amongst the goals and individuals, living a poverty and hunger free life, etc. The world is looking forward to alternatives for clean and sustainable energy. The use of fossil fuels must be checked which would also directly impact the emissions and hence have a large say in pollution.  Climate change is real and the fear that it might turn true in the coming years might sound more casual than alarming at this point of time. God forbid, if it strikes us humans, it would leave us without basic water and food and fresh air to breathe in the near future. That is the precise reason why ‘Restore the Earth’ is not merely a topic but an alarm bell for us to wake up and take action rather than just theoretically read such articles online or in books. Though the coronavirus situation has practically made it nearly impossible globally to implement them in the actual sense of the term, we must do our bit.  We must realize that this is the decade of action, it’s now or never. The unprecedented opportunities must be seized and we must do our best individually and as a community to ‘Turn It Around’, as goes the UN slogan for sustainable development. Other than the UN, there are various organizations working nowadays towards sustainable development locally. The world very well saw how during the global lockdown due to coronavirus, the pollution levels elevated to healthy levels, the water and air became cleaner, the earth naturally healed. That goes on to really show how terrible the impact has been of humans on this earth, that just a little absence and mindfulness is all that is needed to solve this conundrum, being a fine testament to validate our aim and end. The biggest example here can be cited of the World’s largest beach cleanup project that took place at Versova Beach, Mumbai by a young Indian lawyer-Afroz Shah single handedly. In October 2015 Shah was determined to remove the large stretches and piles of plastic and garbage from the Versova Beach and he was so successful that after a huge number of years, the hatchlings of turtles that had disappeared completely, started to take root and form a habitat. So successful was his campaign that he was awarded UN’s top environmental accolade- Champions of the Earth award in 2016. Such inspiring stories by the youth across the world, not only in India, by various other unsung heroes give us huge hopes of resurrecting the wrongdoing. This should be sufficient enough to encourage the youth that even a single individual- you, matter and what one person can do to change the world is incredible. It is time, thus, to Restore the Earth and reclaim and reap the natural benefits of Mother Nature.

BY: PRATHAM GOLCHA

Cities circumscribe a larger part of infrastructure, population, trade, industries, etc. It is projected that by 2050, 66% of the world’s population is touted to be urban. Over the next 20 years, the developing countries may see nearly a billion additional residents. By 2050, 6.5 billion people, equal to two-thirds of the global population would live in urban centers. The rapid urbanization would lead to numerous problems in various sectors for the developing countries, in particular. To get figures straight, 212 million slum dwellers are touted to increase in just Nigeria by 2050, whereas in India it could increase by 404 million and China by 292 million. Such a humungous population, coupled with cramped infrastructure, pollution (due to industries), etc. contribute to climate change and meteorological hazards. It is noteworthy to mention that of the four challenges identified by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO); two of them, high-impact weather, including impacts in cities, and urbanization are urban related. The urban heat island effect makes the temperatures of the cities rise drastically, by even 10 degrees Celsius in megacities. Surface temperatures rise as a result, and wind direction gets altered, which in turn leads to recirculation of pollutants and rising air motions over the city, contributing to urban-modified cloud and varied precipitation patterns further leading to uneven distribution of rain throughout the city. Amidst all such raging issues, the section which suffers the most is wildlife. Urban expansion and development destroys the habitat suitable for wildlife in many ways. The living organisms, such as mammals, birds, reptiles, trees, etc. suffer the most. Human beings, though, manage to adapt and live through adverse conditions but the aforementioned are the ones affected the most profoundly. It leads to fragmentation and habitat loss, ultimately. As a result, inbreeding could be one of the factors that could also have genetic effects and eventually, domestic pets can be sources of disease to the entire wildlife. The build-up of infrastructure on reserved forest lands in urban landscapes leads to habitat loss of animals and hence also increases the prospect of increased man-animal conflicts. The urban expansion also leaves footprints of human-introduced toxicants such as rat poisons into the habitat. This could see a surge in humans and animals alike and may also increase the risk of a pandemic, akin covid-19 that also allegedly spread through bats and other such species. The humans must educate themselves about the mindfulness of mindless urban expansion and its ill impact on the living organisms, wildlife, trees, etc. In this dubious process of expansion, what happens actually is that due to loss of habitat the animals who can practically find their own natural food sources shift to the other areas for its search and those who do not, eventually get vulnerable, disappear and finally get extinct. The unprecedented and unimaginable urban expansion poses a potent threat to the biodiversity. It is one such field which still requires a lot of in-depth research and analysis so that proper solutions can be brought to the fore and one of the world’s biggest environmental challenges could be averted in the nick of time. As a result of this challenge, the predator-prey and host-parasite interactions are also directly affected, thus disrupting a great deal of biodiversity. The chronic man-made stress exposes the wildlife to a significant loss of biomass and makes them more susceptible to diseases that potentially could also spread to human beings. The immune system, body systems, anatomy and physiology of the animals undergo negative transformations over time that leads to their extinction and other complicated issues, because after all, the ecosystem and human lives are all intervened and interconnected in cycles to each other, and any disruption in one affects the other. There are also widespread instances of the inability of the animals to remove toxic compounds from their bodies, as a result of pollution and antigens, which results in molecular damage, tissue dysfunction, etc. A concerned study in Algeria on Blue Tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) focused on the lead contamination in urban settings and what kind of impact would the pollutants in the environment have on the breeding performance of those species. The results displayed a low breeding success, which confirms that impact of human disturbances on urban birds. This might even apply for other species and animals, including trees and the alleged deforestation that leads to decrease in oxygen levels, heat island effects and related negative impacts in the atmosphere as a whole. One way forward in the long-run could be the use of a ‘biomarker’. “A biomarker is an indirect indicator of vigor or performance, what we commonly refer to as health.” The usage of a biomarker for research in wildlife should be measured easily, should be repeatable in nature, sensitive and also cost-effective. To measure the environmental stress, physiological estimates are generally used as biomarkers. This needs to be used conventionally and may not be a universal tool, but nonetheless, may give some information and knowledge regarding our main aim. Apart from this technique, a more humane approach is needed, that is, empathy. It is important to have knowledge of the animals surrounding us, their habitat, and how our presence may affect them. Here, education and sensitization of the masses, in the psychological perspective may work, which can be achieved through awareness as well. Usage of rat poisons should be abolished as a whole. On a larger front, simple practices such as building artificial ecosystems within the city, devoting special buffer biodiversity parks and zoos, afforestation, proper urban planning should be included in the scheme of things. To make things tighter and legitimate, certain international and domestic laws must be passed by each nation that protects the wildlife in urban landscapes and also proper urban planning by the city’s respective municipalities must be taken up briskly. Climate change action must be stepped up further and this must be included within the purview of the Sustainable Development Goals to make it universally applicable.

BY: PRATHAM GOLCHA

Healthy relationships are a vital component of health and well-being. We humans, cannot live in isolation in our lives, hence, there is a natural and inherent need or motive to socialize in the community or society we live in and around. Being candidly honest, there is no one definition of a ‘healthy relationship’ or a single perspective. A hundred different people sitting in a room may have a hundred different versions of what a healthy relationship means to them. For some, it might just be something as simple as a common taste of music, or for some others, it might be a happy marriage. The term ‘relationship’ doesn’t really correspond to one that involves romance or love. A genuine true friendship could also be termed a ‘relationship’. In fact, friendships are among the first relationships that a human encounters in life. The equations of dad-daughter, friends, cousins, etc. too qualify as relationships. Rather, for me personally, any equation that involves engagement and communication qualifies as a ‘relationship’. And these relationships define us, in our lives and also shape our behaviors and personalities. But before engaging in any sort of relationship, it is important to forge a great and lovable relationship with oneself. Until and unless there is self-love and self-acceptance, there can be no moving forward. “You cannot pour into cups if your own cup is empty”. These same relationships have a profound impact on an individual throughout his life because it is a proven fact that the health risks associated with being alone or isolated in one’s life are very much comparable to that with cigarette smoking, obesity and blood pressure. But nothing comes easy, neither loneliness nor relationships. For any good relationship, one of the most important ingredients is respect. Until and unless the other person understands your genuinity and where you are coming from, even if it’s your past, the relationship doesn’t really have a good foundation. Being a patient listener, the way you treat and are treated is what defines a true relationship. Personally, for me, the most crucial factor in a relationship is communication. Proper, honest consistent communication is a must in every relationship as it sets the tone and forges trust and compatibility. If you love the person, communicate; if you have any issues with the person, even then communicate. Miscommunication and communication gaps are the worst as overthinking and trust issues creep in and might turn the relations sour. Whatever be the situation, good or bad, favorable or unfavorable, just communicate and let the other person know so that it can be solved together and speak your mind. Fights are important in every relationship and quite natural as there are bound to be disagreements and differences in opinion, otherwise a steady relationship would seem like stagnation where the conditions apparently show passive communication and a loss of interest. It is also necessary to accept the other person as they are. In case of parents, they are the ones who mould the kid and hence, parents can scold and rectify behaviors. Elsewhere, it is important to realize that nobody is perfect and ideal situations rarely exist. An inherent feeling in all relationships is that of joy- you are constantly finding moments of making each other and yourself happy, but not by faking it, rather, 100% genuinely. Understanding each other’s wants and weaknesses is a must and there should be enough courage both ways not to hurt the wounds of the other in any situation whatsoever. Putting yourself in the other person’s shoes and understanding works wonders in all forms of relationships. If one shows one’s weakness and vulnerability to the other, that shows trust and honesty in the relationship. Also it is important to understand towards each other’s needs and wants to let things go. Sometimes, there are unfavorable situations in relationships and it’s important not to scrutinize and weigh-in them, rather, just let them pass by as time is the best healer along with communication. One important factor to be stressed in all relationships is- space. Giving the other person appropriate space and setting healthy boundaries are important. You live a life only you know about, and it is up to you solely how much you want to let the other person know. In a parent-child relationship, this rarely happens as the child is dependent on the parents and there are no such things as ‘boundaries’ at home. You are required to adhere to certain social settings and at the same time have your own space, whether that means having your own room with siblings, or your own social circle. When appropriate space isn’t given, things start getting monotonous and the charm starts to fade away eventually. There needs to be certain dimensions in your personality that you need to reserve, to let the other person have the willingness to know you more and keep the interest of knowing each other, duration of the relation notwithstanding. Again, this cannot be practiced in the parent-child or siblings setting. Whatever be the relationship, being happy and contented is important. Do, if it gives you joy. Spread love, peace and care but prioritize your own self first; all relationships are divine.

BY: PRATHAM GOLCHA

‘ A RESEARCH WORK OF MINE, THAT HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN LAMBERT, GERMANY, ORIGINALLY COMPILED FOR THE RESEARCH PAPER PRESENTATION OF THE WORLD’S RENOWNED INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, GUWAHATI, ASSAM, INDIA. THIS RESEARCH FINDS A FEATURE AMONG 15 OTHERS, PAGED BETWEEN 131-137, CHAPTER 11’

NOTE : COPYRIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION OR COPYING OF THIS MATERIAL FROM THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR, PRATHAM GOLCHA, IN ANY FORM, IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED BY LAW. ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THE APPARENT LEAK OF RESEARCH WORK IN ANY FORM SHALL BE DEALT WITH ACCORDING TO THE INDIAN PENAL CODE.

©Pratham Golcha Originals

Author: Pratham Golcha

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Hislop College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

Email address: prathamgolcha@yahoo.in

Submitted for: “International Online Conference Covid 19-Emergence and Resurgence of Communicable Diseases from Social Sciences Perspectives”

Sub-theme: “Covid-19- Impacts on society, Disaster Management & Role of Media”

Abstract

This abstract aims to convey the role that the media has played during the covid-19 pandemic. The main objectives of this paper are firstly, to explain the different types of media in existence and their contribution to the pandemic and secondly, to understand their relative impact on the lives of people during the pandemic period. There is no surprise to the fact that the coronavirus has been one of the most fearful viruses the world has ever seen, and add to its contagiousness and no prior information available, it has gripped the entire world badly. The role that the media has played in this pandemic is second to none as it has been the only pillar which can be relied on, at a time where even stepping out of the home is barred elsewhere in the world. The different types of media- television, radio, print media, digital media, etc. have played varying roles and impacted millions of lives globally. Ranging from economic costs to political tensions associated with covid-19, the media has covered it all, including stating down actual figures globally and locally, along with the restrictive measures and possible development of vaccine. But the main concern associated with media pertains to the spread of misinformation, creating unnecessary hype, exaggeration and stigmas relating to the pandemic.  However, the key lies in how the media itself responds to counteract these misinformed facts in a crucial juncture like this, where the future itself is in jeopardy. The paper also clearly lays out what is expected of the media, in addition to its actual performance to tackle the prevailing menace.

Keywords: covid-19, pandemic, media, digital media, misinformation

Author: Pratham Golcha

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Hislop College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

Email address: prathamgolcha@yahoo.in

Introduction-

As we all know, covid 19 has rapidly engulfed the entire world in its grip in no time. The whole world is struggling to find answers to this invisible yet deadly virus. There is also no real discovery of a vaccine till date. While almost all the nations have been severely affected by the corona virus, it was surprising to note that the most developed nations, including those in healthcare facilities, were the worst hit. Covid 19 has been one of the most deadly and fearful viruses the world has ever seen till date. These groups of viruses were first discovered in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019. Since then, it has gone on to spread across most of the countries and has claimed lakhs of lives too. (Sun & Lamb, 2020)

This paper aims to bring out the role and impact that the media has played in this crucial time during the covid 19 pandemic. The objectives that this paper wishes to achieve are two folded. I) Explain cohesively the different types and arms of media; II) Understand the impact that the media has had on the pandemic.

Countering responsibilities by the media- There have been innumerable cases of community transmission in many countries, which does not bode well in the context of the containment of the virus. (Esteves & et al., 2020) One agency that has played a crucial hand in this pandemic has been the media, national or international notwithstanding. The role that the media has played in this crucial pandemic period is second to none. There have been innumerable challenges as far as working for the media is concerned. The daily addition of cases worldwide and domestically have made it difficult for the media to give steady information as every hour the numbers get updated, and keeping up with the numbers globally is no mean feat for the media fraternity. Various international news and media agencies such as World Health Organization, United Nations, BBC, CNN, etc. have made the accessibility of real numbers easier. Every week, there are new opinions, perspectives and dimensions to the covid 19 pandemic, be it the history, spread, containment or vaccine trials. (Powell, 2020)

Challenges faced by the media- But the challenge rests solely on the media to dispense credible and right information among the masses, especially at a time when the world has no other option, but to look up to the media. The agencies all over have been up on their toes since many months, even covering ground reports. Now, we all know what the actual situation is, on the face of it. Credit must be given to the media to cover news and bring it to the reach of the citizens, in spite of working from hotspot zones and speaking to corona positive patients in the hospital. There have been innumerable cases of the indomitable spirit of media persons and their contributions that have impacted the lives of millions around the world. It is worthwhile to mention here that the corona virus has not only impacted health and science fields, but several other facets of life. The economic costs of corona virus have been discussed in media a lot, especially if we talk about the Indian context, because India has the fastest growing GDP in the world currently and is seen as the forthcoming superpower in the coming decades, economically. Numerous travel restrictions have been put up by almost all the nations, in the light of the spread of the pandemic, which is also affecting the livelihoods of the people and directly affecting the economy. Talking about the point of view from sports, the cancellation/postponement of the Tokyo Olympics to 2021 is an example, along with the postponement of various football leagues around the world. These are just some of the facets where the media has made it possible for people to get true and correct information, sitting at home.

Whether through print media or social media, the media powerhouses have made sure that information reaches each and every person on this earth, however difficult and challenging the times would be. If we look from another perspective, media has been viewed differently by different sections of the society. Often, there have been allegations where the media has been accused of being controlled by the states and their governments to portray their work in a good stead, and compare it to the others, so as to get public appreciation. Media has been accused of being political and biased at this crucial juncture of the crisis. From another perspective, media houses claim to show the exact reality and the real picture, for example, the plight of the migrant workers and the marginalized community, ill-equipped public health systems and politicized and lop-sided opinions. If we look at Indian journalism, corporatization of these agencies has made them polarized in their opinions. While some of them would apparently preach pro-Central government voices, whereas others would vilify the same, shifting the onus also on the Opposition-ruled states and their counter-effective strategies vis-à-vis the Centre.

Domestic and International examples of alleged ‘double standards’ by the media- One thing that was highly condemnable from the Indian media was the “Islamophobic” side of the ‘Tablighi Jamaat Markaz’ in Nizamuddin, New Delhi. (Singh, 2020) The apparent attack on the Muslim community sparked outrage from various factions of the Indian society. The media seemed to blame the Markaz event for the spread of the virus, but notably forgot the loopholes on the part of the government itself. Media reporting in this light, where the state-sponsored facts and ideologies are fed in the minds of the people directly are highly condemnable. Another example here can be the Chinese media that has been constantly hiding the origins of the virus and manipulating the actual numbers time and again and dodging questions from the world regarding the spread of the virus. The Chinese media has overtly been influenced by the fascist Communist government in China, where the world has been asking one simple question,” If the virus can spread all around the world and claim lives in lakhs, how is it not possible for the transmission of the virus from Wuhan to Beijing and other parts of China”. When we talk of media, we need to ensure that it is accountable to the people on its part and dispenses the exact and unbiased viewpoints, not being influenced under ideologies.  

Media: Dispelling fake news, misinformation and politicization of covid-19 – Another important dimension that needs to be focused on, here is regarding countering of fake news and misinformation (Kushner, 2020).Various theories have been put forward by the media regarding the possible postulation of the virus. One theory suggests that the symptoms shown by the virus are a result of the 5G network. Another theory postulates that it was artificially synthesized in a lab in Wuhan as a ‘bioterrorism’ agent. Likewise, there have been several other theories that have been put forward by various media agencies, and most of them have no credible proof and are baseless. Thus, media has to be held responsible at various levels for pitching forward baseless theories in attempt to crack the corona-code, as far as the origin of the virus is concerned. Another area where media has taken it too far is by creating a stigma in the minds of the people. For example, the media in the U.S.A have been accusing the Chinese for the whole pandemic episode that has sparked wide-spread discontent in the Americans against the Chinese, racially and ethnically. People of the Chinese origin have had to face discrimination, prejudices and various racial comments back in the U.S.A and Europe. It creates a mindset of stoking xenophobia into the minds of the people, which is not justified. We all know that the virus knows no boundaries, no nationality and no religion. Thus, it is absolutely wrong to stigmatize a certain section of the society and hold them guilty. On the other hand, media must play a handy role in dispelling myths and rumors by incorporating subject experts, clearing all the ‘terminologies’ and bringing in credible information from all around the world, without any external interventions. (Kadam & Atre, 2020) Certain sections of the media must be praised and credited for spreading key and vital information out to the masses, such as certain local helpline numbers, proper way of wearing masks, do’s and don’ts and precautions to be taken in the wake of the virus.

Role of Digital Media– Different organs of the media have impacted differently during this pandemic. The most popular and widely used arm of the media nowadays is the social media, undoubtedly. The internet consumption globally has increased manifold times and hence, the use of social media is always on an up. Most of the people around the globe today have easy access to smartphones, tablets, laptops and internet connections, thanks to the technological wave. Various Bollywood actors, for instance have gone live on their social media platforms to spread cheer among the masses and many of them have also dedicated songs on the issue of corona to spread positivity in the lives of the people. There have been many webinars that have gone live around the world, almost every day and has helped in the heightened awareness of covid 19. Also, it has kept people occupied. Online applications for meetings have seen an all-time high. Social media has made the accessibility and availability of such events much easier for the public globally.

Downside impact on print media– Though it is worthwhile to mention here that one form of media that has gone unnoticed and relatively unheard during this pandemic period, is the print media. The print media has suffered a downfall during this period because of possible transmission of the virus through the vendors or distributors. In large cities like Mumbai, the disruption of the local train services and public transport has made it virtually impossible for the newspaper vendors to deliver papers at the doorstep. Therefore, one arm of the media that has been on the losing side has definitely been the print media as because of this disruption in services, the advertisement revenues have hit rock bottom. The livelihoods of these vendors of newspapers and surrounding circles have been put up in jeopardy because of the hesitance of the citizens. But, this consumption of news has been more than compensated by social media and its platforms.

Role of radio as a type of media– Another arm of media, the radio has also seen an increase in its subscription as people increasingly search for entertainment mediums and breakthroughs. For example, in the Indian context, the speeches by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his “Mann ki Baat” have primarily been broadcasted on radio, such as All India Radio, simultaneously. Similarly, various radio stations recorded huge increase in number of subscriptions, more than ever before, owing to the lockdown and relative free time. Earlier, prior to digital media, radio was one of the most prominent sources of dispensing information, as is evident from the previous pandemics, vis-à-vis the coronavirus. But now, the times have substantially changed and digital media has taken the sheen off radio.

Role of television as a type of media– The same goes for television. The lookout for entertainment mediums has forced people to increase the consumption of television. At such a point of time of the crisis, the need for creditable news on air has forced people to spend increasing time on news channels on air, besides the usual entertainment trends prevailing. The news channels have stolen the limelight ever since the pandemic began as it is the main source of information for the people sitting at home. Entertainment mediums became famous on television as various age-old shows, including religious ones, such as “Mahabharata” and “Ramayana” gathered record-breaking viewership. Therefore, television as a medium and source has further amplified the benefits that media, as a whole has to offer.

Contribution of media– Media, the various arms notwithstanding, has played a key role in updating the citizens time-to-time with important information such as actual active case numbers, lockdown regulations, etc. Besides these, the news of possible vaccines and its clinical researches has been well portrayed by the media. The import and export of important medicines such as Hydroxychloroquine, Remdisivir, etc. have been reported by media amongst various countries. Also, the media has been successful in reporting the inter-governmental collaborations and co-operations in matters related to trials of vaccine and import/export of essential goods.  If we compare the present role of media in this pandemic vis-à-vis the previous ones, such as SARS, MERS and Spanish Flu, we can see a vast difference in the role that the media has played. Previously, the non-existence of internet hindered such accessibility of information as it is at the moment. Also, the technological advancements have made it possible to dispense information, relatively more easily than other times. The creation of awareness by the media has been helpful in increasing safety measures, such as social distancing, self-isolation, proper way of wearing masks, quarantine centers, etc. Apart from all this, the media has been instrumental in highlighting the plight of the poor and migrant workers and their struggles, as a result of which the governments have become vigilant to cater to the needs of the marginalized and worst-affected in the society. Social media and other mediums have helped in upping awareness through various sources such as organizing webinars, conferences, etc., nationally and internationally. The key here lies how the media updates itself for future challenges as the world gets ready for the post-covid period. Again, the sole focus and all eyes would be on the media to give crystal clear, uninterrupted and unbiased information.

Conclusion–

 Media has largely been responsible in increasing psychological resources and resilience in distinct age groups and socioeconomic conditions via its various mediums. Despite the fact that the pandemic has thrown up never-seen-before challenges of various unprecedented levels, the media has a huge responsibility and a vital game to play to report the facts responsibly and furthermore, to pass on the recurring important information from various government houses to the citizens. Thus, the impetus of the media is humungous in the context of the pandemic, especially the digital media that has been the focus light in this pandemic period because of the worthwhile contributions.

Recommendations–

Since we know that media is the heart and soul of every nation, it is noteworthy to mention that the media must be unbiased, un-discriminatory and have a fair point of view from all perspectives, since the reliance of lay man on it is far and wide. The state-controlled media should look at revamping its status as the perspective of one media report can have a lasting influence of people’s lives and perceptions as a whole, in the context of a whole nation too, as it can lead to unnecessary stigma, discrimination and hatred among the people, on the basis of nationality, religion, cultures, colors, race, to name a few. Thus, eradicating misinformation shall be at the topmost priority of all the arms of the media as the exaggeration and the resulting fear can leave the population scarred and tarnish the faith people have in the media.

REFERENCES

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

Esteves, F., & et al. (2020). Retrieved June 27, 2020, from Frontiersin: frontiersin.org

Kadam, A., & Atre, S. (2020). Negative impact of social media panic during the COVID-19 outbreak in India . Journal of Travel Medicine.

Kushner, J. (2020, March 25). Retrieved June 26, 2020, from Khoros.com: https://khoros.com/blog/social-medias-role-during-covid-19

Powell, M. (2020, March). Retrieved June 26, 2020, from Infectious Diseases Hub: https://www.id-hub.com/2020/03/05/role-can-media-play-managing-covid-19-outbreak/

Singh, B. (2020, April 18). Retrieved June 26, 2020, from epw.in: https://www.epw.in/engage/article/media-time-covid-19

Sun, W., & Lamb, Y. R. (2020). Media and Communication During the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic. Howard Journal of Communications.

Author: Pratham Golcha

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Hislop College, Nagpur

Email address: prathamgolcha@yahoo.in

Submitted for: “International Online Conference Covid 19-Emergence and Resurgence of Communicable Diseases from Social Sciences Perspectives”

Sub-theme: “Covid-19- Impacts on society, Disaster Management & Role of Media”

BY: PRATHAM GOLCHA

Passing the cities of Punjab like Ludhiana, Patiala, Jalandhar, etc, which are culturally very strong, on the eve of Gurpurab were a sight to behold and a matter of prestige, to set eyes on the majestically lit Gurudwaras throughout the journey to Amritsar. The ‘pinds’ and ‘shehrs’ of Punjab have an array of pre-Independence architecture and rich mixed culture between Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims. After a scrumptious meal of Amritsari parathas and lassi, we visited the most sacred site of the Sikhs- The Harmandir Sahib, popularly known as the Golden Temple. Golden Temple is the most spiritual and revered site for the Sikh community globally. Going back to history, Maharaja Ranjit Singh rebuilt it with the gold foil in 1830 after repeated attacks from the Afghan and Mughal invaders. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Harmandir Sahib serves 100,000 devotees without any discrimination, free vegetarian food everyday as a part of the community service of ‘langar’ and is also the largest free kitchen in the world. The gurudwara is built around a man-made pool that was completed by Guru Ram Das in 1577. The rich history of the Sikhs by rebuilding the holy site again and again despite the brutal invasions and attempt to save the religion from conversions stand tall as a testimony. A number of rituals and ceremonies take place every day in the temple where the Holy Book, the Guru Granth Sahib is worshipped. Also on display in the museum are the traditional weapons and artillery that form a defining part of Sikhism and are quite revered. The ‘kada prasad’, served to the devotees as an offering is world-famous and devotees from all around the world, irrespective of their religion flock the place for this. After spending moments of a lifetime in the Harmandir Sahib, the next place on the anvil was the next-door Jallianwala Bagh. Going back to history, on 13^th April 1919, General Dyer from the British side ordered the army to fire their rifles that killed 379 people and injured thousands. A large score of people had gathered in the garden back in 1919 to celebrate ‘Baisakhi’ and General Dyer ordered to open fire without any prior information because Indians were opposing the ‘Rowlatt Act’ passed by the gruesome British. It is widely believed that this incident triggered the Indians to launch the “Non-Cooperation Movement” which ultimately led to the fall of the British Empire in United India. Queen Elizabeth visited the place in 1997 and expressed regret on behalf of the British towards the mass killings. Today, after decades, the walls and wells of Jallianwala Bagh still have the bullet marks and any Indian would be crestfallen and angered against the British to the core, once they visit this place as one can imagine and hear the cries of the innocent. The tragic incident’s remains can still be found and the ‘Bagh’ rests in a strange silence and eerie peacefulness today, inspite of the hustle and bustle of the Golden Temple next door. The compound around both these monuments houses a huge shopping enclave, spread out in European style, with shops selling traditional Punjabi clothes like Pathani suit, Ludhianwi jutti, Ambarsari chole kulche, paranday, Patiala salwars, etc. Evening we set off for the India-Pakistan Attari or Wagah Border, which is about a 20 minute drive from the city. The ‘lowering of flags’, a 61 year-old ceremony takes place on the Wagah-Attari border every evening before the sunset, where soldiers from the Indian Army and Pakistani Rangers march enthusiastically in a parade which is followed by a simultaneous lowering of flag ceremony on both sides. An infantryman from both countries stands on their respective countries’ gate and it ends with a cordial handshake between the two. The chest of each Indian would swell with pride looking at our proud soldiers who’re the lifeline of our beloved India and one can’t help but be the most patriotic person on earth at that point of time. The place also is a bypass of the historic Grand Trunk Road joining the two countries and trade and commerce takes place through this corridor.

BY: PRATHAM GOLCHA

One of the fastest growing Southeast Asian cities is the National Capital of Malaysia- Kuala Lumpur, with a bustling population of over 7 million. It is the perfect place to have a glimpse of the lively Islamic architecture and culture, mixed with modernity. First place to check off our bucket list was the National Mosque of Malaysia, known as Masjid Negara. The sheer grandiosity of the mosque, along with ancient Islamic relics is surely mesmerizing. Awed by the mosque’s beauty, we next set off for the Tugu Negara, the National Monument of Malaysia. Sculpted as an ode to the bravehearts who lost their lives in the battle of Malaysia’s independence, this structure is home to the tallest group of bronze structures. The evenings and nights in KL are all-the-more lively because of the roadside food joints and kiosks serving typical Malay delicacies. Little India had a unique combination of Indo-Malay culture. Next day we planned to visit the Batu Caves. Dating back to over 400 million years, the Batu Caves are essentially a Hindu- styled wonder, primarily composed of limestone. There are 272 steps that one has to climb in order to reach the main cave and one may find various ‘kavadis’, as an offering to Lord Murugan. One can’t stop but gaze at the enormous golden statue of Lord Murugan in stupefaction. It was evening, and at last, the time had finally come to visit the gigantic & luxe Petronas Twin Towers. Once the world’s tallest buildings, Petronas Twin Towers holds the record of being the world’s tallest twin buildings. A visit to KL and Malaysia is incomplete without a visit to this expansive beauty. A double-decker sky bridge connects the two buildings between the 41^st and 42^nd levels. With a towering height of 452m, it houses 88 levels. One should definitely visit the Observation Deck, set on the 86^th level, which offers a spectacular view of the whole city at night. It was night, by then and the Twin Towers beautifully lit up the KL skyline, just like pearls piercing the sky. The candescent Chinese lanterns all around the streets of Kuala Lumpur add warmth and light to the nightlife. After an action-packed day, it was time to explore the streets of KL and what better place than Jalan Alor! Located in Bukit Bintang, Jalan Alor is an absolute must-visit to try the local Malay cuisine. Though being a vegetarian, I had limited choices; nonetheless, it had everything to offer. It had a perfect blend of Chinese and Malay cuisine. However, we’d kept the next day for relaxation. As soon as it was morning, we were off to Sunway Lagoon, which is a theme park located in Subang Jaya. One of the largest theme parks in the world, Sunway Lagoon offers a variety of thrilling rides and activities, such as such as Water Park, Adventure Park, Scream Park, Nickelodeon Park. One whole day can be spent in Sunway Lagoon, as it has something for everyone- children and adults. While on our way back from Sunway Lagoon, we visited the Aquaria KLCC. The submerged Aquaria KLCC, located in Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, houses more than 150 species of aquatic animals, spread over a humungous area of around 5,000 square feet. Various cute aquatic fauna such as seahorses, catfishes, seahorses, sea snakes, fill up the beautiful transparent aquariums. One structure that stands tall, like Petronas, and pierces the sky is the Menara KL Tower. Standing at an imposing height of 421 metres, it is way taller than the Twin Towers. The KL Tower is home to Atmosphere 360, the revolving restaurant. The KL Tower offers a visual spectacle to the travellers at different levels and don’t miss a chance to get yourself clicked in the city’s skyline backdrop. The location of Menara KL Tower is built over the Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve, in the midst of lush green age-old trees. We later also visited the popular heritage site- Sultan Abdul Samad Building. It depicts the grandeur and rich history of Malaysia and is a structure of bricks entirely. Sultan Abdul Samad was the ruler of Selangor back then in 1900’s and the structure thus derives its name from him. But my favourite place in Kuala Lumpur ought to be Petaling Street, where I shopped till my heart’s content. It is a China-Town Market and a perfect place to do window shopping. Not only these, there are various other green spaces, touristy destinations and county sides to relax and stroll-by in KL. By then, it was time to bid adieu to KL and set off for our next destination in Malaysia-Penang!

PICTURE CREDITS: PRATHAM GOLCHA

BY: PRATHAM GOLCHA

There is no rocket science to the fact that climate change exists and is indeed, one of the greatest threats to the world at the moment. A plethora of issues ranging from greenhouse gas emissions, usage of black carbon and sulfate aerosol to deforestation and land degradation are responsible for a host of other issues pegging the global environment scenario. The polar caps of the Arctic have been melting at a steady rate, leading to global sea level rise and ocean warming. It has led to a resulting expansion of drier climate zones, reduced diversity of ecosystems, extinction of a large number of species, including marine and aquatic life. Apart from the damage to the flora and fauna, it has also severely impacted humans. There has been an increased loss of life, spread of infectious diseases, and crop failures globally, ultimately resulting in food insecurities on a larger scale. Thus, there is undoubtedly, an urgent need to address these issues globally and find pertinent mitigation steps to resuscitate human kind and save the world from the blushes of the climate change phenomenon.

One term that can be linked to an intensified climate change impact globally, responsible for the major chunk of negative effects to the environment is “urbanization”. Various cities globally have been experiencing coastal flooding, unsystematic rainfall, droughts, heat waves, etc. due to the climatic changes. According to Wikipedia, “Urbanization refers to the population shift from rural to urban areas, the decrease in the proportion of people living in rural areas, and the ways in which societies adapt to this change.” Interrelated to this process of urbanization is the subsequent existence of ‘urban heat islands’. Thus, heat islands are urban or metropolitan areas that are comparatively a lot warmer than the rural areas surrounding it, owing to the humungous urban population, extensive transport systems, polluting industrial spaces, etc. The building materials are very good at trapping heat, which results in heat dissipation around concrete jungles. The fact that urban spaces are highly populated and dense makes the heat dissipation and insulation a lot higher because even day-to-day activities in urban spaces by people results in heat island effect because of the sheer burning off of energy. This situation worsens in developing countries, where there aren’t fuel-efficient systems and ecological services. Furthermore, urban heat islands result in higher night-time temperatures because of the heat being trapped on lower levels. Just like how humans run towards fans and air conditioners when hot, these appliances themselves are one of the chief contributors of a hot heat island effect. Going by statistics, our cities account for up to 80% of energy consumption along with 75% of global waste and carbon emissions. In the longer run, these negative effects impact urban spaces and cities become more susceptible and vulnerable to climate change and other natural disasters, owing to dense concentration of people, infrastructure, and other hazardous related economic activities.  The ill effects of these also impact the mental and physical health and nutrition of the people living. A few solutions may help to solve the issue of heat island effect. Firstly, installing rooftop gardens removes heat from the air via the process of evapotranspiration. It as a result absorbs heat and protects like a shield of insulation, which further translates into a decrease of energy bill and improves indoor comfort. Secondly, vegetation and plantation of trees around the house may also effectively shield off the effect and reduce harmful exposure to UV rays, as a result improving the air quality amidst polluted cities. Moreover, installing reflective roofs deflects sunrays away from the home and also reduces the emission of greenhouse gases amongst the atmosphere. Focus shall be made to decentralize the urban population and develop satellite or twin cities nearby, so that the population, traffic and industrial congestion can be eased. Various megacities have already started modeling horizontal forests in buildings to mitigate pollution. According to UN, in year 2007, 50% of the world’s population lived in urban areas, and it is predicted that by 2050, 66% of the world’s population will relocate to urban centers. This highlights the urgent need for the governments across the world to step up the environmental game and abide by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals that need to be accomplished by the year 2030. In a world punched by the pandemic, it is quintessential to have a re-look at the urban plans and industrial expansions and other clusters that have a hugely negative impact on the environment. Thus, the onus is on the current generation to take the correct steps in the right direction, at the right time, so as to assure a better, sustainable and prolonged future for the upcoming generations globally.