New Delhi: India’s sixth Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, largely credited with bringing a technological wave in India in the form of the computer, would never had realised that its influx and rampant spread would render people so insensitive.
Today, the nation remembers Rajiv Gandhi who was assassinated on May 21, 1991, at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu during a poll campaign. The memories of his assassination could still send shivers down the spines of those who care to remember.
Time, they say, has the power to heal even the worst of incidents. But there is a difference between getting over an incident and turning completely insensitive towards it. Today, such insensitivity touched new lows.
On one hand , several leaders paid homage at his memorial in the capital. On the other, individuals such as those pictured above, thought it best to utilise the occasion as a memorable photo-op.
Paying homage acquired new meanings with people, assumed to be party workers, could be seen brandishing mobile phones and selfie sticks, happily posing for photographs as they offered ‘tributes’ to the late leader at his memorial, Veer Bhumi.
Most of those pictured above appeared to be present there only to be clicked as a memory that they could later boast of. To their defence, the phenomenon of people’s obsession with ‘getting clicked’ is not new and neither are examples of their insensitivity.
Recently, BJP leader from Maharashtra Pankaja Munde waded into a controversy when she posed for a selfie during a tour of drought-stricken Latur, leaving the party red-faced.
Even otherwise, the rapid spread of social media has resulted in an increasing number of people in public life resorting to pictures and videos to spread their message across. It is also believed that it helps them brand themselves better and helps in image-building. Pictures, they believe, helps them reach out and establish instant connect.
We are not sure what the individuals involved in today’s incident exactly had in mind. Neither are we sure of how it helps establish their respect for the visionary leader.
Technology, they say, is a double edged sword. These guys just proved it.
