Posts Tagged ‘Life’
Life
It may seem like an oxymoron but transparency can result in privacy. And India’s real-life hero, Yuvraj Singh, knows that better than anyone else. It’s a different matter that the Indian cricketer successfully battled cancer in a hospital abroad. Even if he had been treated in India, Yuvi may just have obviated the need for intrusive reportage. And that’s thanks to his personal PR manager called twitter. All that news organisations had to do was follow his tweets, which were perfect news updates on his progress, his state of mind, his support, (including an inspiring message from his very own “real-life hero” Lance Armstrong) and his will to bounce back. The ‘tweet while you’re treated’ policy was also a great way to connect with his twelve-and-a-half lakh followers. The sheer positive energy that flowed and came right back from well wishers and fans must have been quite therapeutic.
@Yuvstrong12 is a classic example of how social media, if used fairly and innovatively, can have a salutary effect on nosey-parker reporters who invite themselves into hospitals and thrust microphones before critically injured patients with that gem of a cliche: “How do you feel?” We’ve seen that in the aftermath of bomb blasts, earthquakes, the tsunami, rail accidents, air crashes and stampedes. Or for that matter the paparazzi outside maternity hospitals whenever a celebrity delivers a baby. Before my readers get thoughts of “look who is talking”, may I plead ‘Not Guilty’? Broad-brushing is always a temptation.