Social media is fast turning into an effective tool for people’s collectives in the city to highlight issues affecting their lives and evolve a common action plan.
Several WhatsApp groups recently joined hands against the sudden spike in tomato prices. “It proved effective, as the prices slumped after we circulated a request to minimise consumption of tomato. From ₹110 a kg, the price came down to ₹55 and below a few days after hundreds of groups shared the message,” said architect S. Gopakumar of Better Kochi Response Group. The campaign titled ‘No Tomato Week’ began on July 22 and went on till July 30 in the initial phase. Mr. Gopakumar said the initiative was on the lines of a tradition followed in Japan, wherein the people of that country stop consuming commodities whose prices go up exponentially. “This leads to a fall in prices,” he said.
The WhatsApp group message urged all members to either stop or minimise consumption of tomato just for a week or 10 days. “The aim was to demoralise hoarders. Members said the prices had slumped within 10 days of the start of the campaign. This group activity to check price rise can be implemented on a long-term basis,” Mr. Gopakumar said.
Meanwhile, residents’ associations here are also using social media to instantaneously circulate messages on relevant issues. A. Ajithkumar, general secretary of Ernakulam District Residents Association Apex Council, said at least seven WhatsApp groups were active at the zonal level.
Residents have formed groups to share photographs and news on poor infrastructure in their respective localities. They believe that circulating photographs of potholed roads and damaged canals on social media will evoke immediate response from elected representatives.