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We need to choose our heroes more wisely.

 I have been thinking of writing this article for the past many weeks, ever since I saw a 16–17-year-old girl who makes Instagram reels in her local language and has gained many followers on that platform, interviewed by the head editor of a newspaper in his office. Does making funny reels, or having followers on social media make us so important, that we get to sit in an editor’s room for an interview? I thought first. If this girl is been made the hero for what she is doing now, how will she sustain to be a hero in the future, is what I thought second? And, does being a hero just need you to sit at home, and post? That is what I thought third.

Our society stands on some deep foundations that have been laid down over a long period of years. It has been with the struggle and work of the great things done in the past that we have been able to reach where we are today. Be it technology or medicine, be it literature or art, the roots of all of these have evolved with years of learning and discovering, which is what makes them strong. With an Insta/Instant added as a suffix in all that we do in times now, where we are probably headed at present is just the opposite of times back then. While one may argue saying that such access to social media and Instant reach out to a wide audience is great and unavoidable, and has given an opportunity to many, to showcase themselves and connect to the world; then, what’s important is that how much importance or limelight are we giving to such works with no depth attached to them. Does such work need a heroic applaud, and attention from the radio, news channels, and print media?  If yes, then aren’t we making the new foundation of everything ahead of us way too shallow by promoting more and more people to go ahead in the same direction? Won't it be wiser, if such section is browsed or kept aside for entertainment while who’s looked up to are people who have contributed in their field or subject in a significant way? Such people can be from any industry, be it medicine, army, technology, or entertainment, so that we know what’s important and what will make us a real hero to deserve mass media attention and what not. If such attention is instead given as easily as it is given now, especially to the evolving generation then what drive will they have to strive for harder things and how are they going to sustain that applaud without any foundation?

One very important aspect for the growth of any society is having the right heroes to look up to. We must know that one has to burn some midnight oil and groom themselves in their fields first in order to influence the society in the right way. Influencer or hero is not a profession, it’s a title one deserves based on the work they do. We need to give that title more rightfully to people in our society for a stronger and better generation next.

www.vanditamishra.com



Comments

  1. Sadly (or why sadly?) not everyone has a refined sense of understanding when it comes to art. Majority wants to be entertained, bang for their buck, get their juices flowing. Thus all of this makes a business sense. Right or wrong? Who lives that long to see the judgement day.

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