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Social India: 'We want politicians to meet us on our own turf' Social India: 'We want politicians to meet us on our own turf'
(5 months later)
As part of our coverage of India's general election, we asked our readers and social media followers in India to recommend the people that they look to online for an alternative take on news, politics and events in the country.As part of our coverage of India's general election, we asked our readers and social media followers in India to recommend the people that they look to online for an alternative take on news, politics and events in the country.
We've heard from political blogger Politicalbaaba, discussion forum and Facebook page The Frustrated Indian, and now talk to Sorabh Pant, the standup comedian behind the Twitter account and company East India Comedy.We've heard from political blogger Politicalbaaba, discussion forum and Facebook page The Frustrated Indian, and now talk to Sorabh Pant, the standup comedian behind the Twitter account and company East India Comedy.
Pant, a comic and author from Mumbai, sees having a voice online and social media as part of his job: "In an industry that is all about perception – this has become more important than any other form of engagement."Pant, a comic and author from Mumbai, sees having a voice online and social media as part of his job: "In an industry that is all about perception – this has become more important than any other form of engagement."
What is the most important issue for you in the election and why? What is the most important issue for you in the election and why?
As a professional and someone who has been working in the media since I was 22 – that's all I really want. I want someone who is professional. While the thought of a professional Indian politician sounds like a mirage, it's still something we hope for.As a professional and someone who has been working in the media since I was 22 – that's all I really want. I want someone who is professional. While the thought of a professional Indian politician sounds like a mirage, it's still something we hope for.
You want someone who treats their job with the same professionalism that the rest of the country treats their jobs with. It's not really that much to ask for. You're running the country: it's the biggest job anyone can be assigned. Do it with some self-respect. Do it with some pride.You want someone who treats their job with the same professionalism that the rest of the country treats their jobs with. It's not really that much to ask for. You're running the country: it's the biggest job anyone can be assigned. Do it with some self-respect. Do it with some pride.
Does it make a difference to you how active politicians are online?Does it make a difference to you how active politicians are online?
There are two sides to India: one side prefers seeing their leaders live and that format seems to be working out brilliantly for the politicians as the rallies they arrange bring out more people daily than a sold-out Pink Floyd reunion concert. However, the other side is the urban Indian – we don't really want to be bothered with seeing a politician dole out the same old platitudes.There are two sides to India: one side prefers seeing their leaders live and that format seems to be working out brilliantly for the politicians as the rallies they arrange bring out more people daily than a sold-out Pink Floyd reunion concert. However, the other side is the urban Indian – we don't really want to be bothered with seeing a politician dole out the same old platitudes.
You want them to meet us on our own turf. You want them to be educated, informed and connected. So, yes, it does make a difference. The more I'm able to hear and see about you, the more I trust or distrust you.You want them to meet us on our own turf. You want them to be educated, informed and connected. So, yes, it does make a difference. The more I'm able to hear and see about you, the more I trust or distrust you.
How would you like to see the parties using social media?How would you like to see the parties using social media?
For less mudslinging. Even right now there's a lot of that happening. Why do they need yet another platform to prove to us exactly how petty they are? It's also become very boring to hear politicians finding conspiracies in each other's actions. Let's move on.For less mudslinging. Even right now there's a lot of that happening. Why do they need yet another platform to prove to us exactly how petty they are? It's also become very boring to hear politicians finding conspiracies in each other's actions. Let's move on.
Tell us what you've done, what you'll do, give us your exact agenda. Tell us how you plan to change your constituency or even the country and also what you have done so far.Tell us what you've done, what you'll do, give us your exact agenda. Tell us how you plan to change your constituency or even the country and also what you have done so far.
An honest tweet by a politician is like a self-assessed performance appraisal. During the elections at least, we, the voters, are their boss, so it's only fair we know about them honestly.An honest tweet by a politician is like a self-assessed performance appraisal. During the elections at least, we, the voters, are their boss, so it's only fair we know about them honestly.
Oddly enough, the one party that has three of my favourite politicians online is from my least favourite party right now, the [Indian National] Congress. Milind Deora, Ajay Maken and Shashi Tharoor use Twitter specifically very well. There's no way I'm going to vote for the Congress, not an iota of a chance but, at least these three and a few others besides give me some hope. Irrespective of your political proclivities even Modi and Kejriwal are running their Twitter accounts well. I wish the rest would catch up!Oddly enough, the one party that has three of my favourite politicians online is from my least favourite party right now, the [Indian National] Congress. Milind Deora, Ajay Maken and Shashi Tharoor use Twitter specifically very well. There's no way I'm going to vote for the Congress, not an iota of a chance but, at least these three and a few others besides give me some hope. Irrespective of your political proclivities even Modi and Kejriwal are running their Twitter accounts well. I wish the rest would catch up!
Who are the online voices in India that help provide an alternative Who are the online voices in India that help provide an alternative perspective on the election? Let us know in the comments and share your views of the 2014 election by using the GuardianWitness contribute button.
perspective on the election? Let us know in the comments and share your views of the 2014 election by using the GuardianWitness contribute button.