It’s time to talk. What is needed is less text, fewer comments, less opinions, but the plain old
system of people to people communications. The shrinking space for dialogue
needs to be reclaimed. Over to the people:
I believe that despite all the conflicts taking place with
whatsapp messages going all over the place Shaheen Bagh was majorly dialogue
driven. Technology today has helped dialogues go further. However, it is
important to check the veracity of the message before reacting. Dialogue is
very important and yes, I would say that people are talking to each other.
Monday Fix ( a weekly talk based initiative undertaken by me) is a platform
which encourages critical thinking. A perspective is presented and then from it
others present their interpretation and it hopefully spreads through the larger
community
– NILANKUR DAS Cultural Practitioner
Earlier
we had places where we could have conflict resolution. Now we don’t have time
for community. Earlier the family and community were very active but now it is
no longer there. People now fight individually. Earlier it was a community and
not individuals. Life in Goan society is becoming more individual centered.
Earlier it could be done. Now more lawyers are present in Goa. Earlier going to
court was not common. Now people don’t have the chance to settle disputes. The
church would like to see more of this happen. In the villages we would like to
see more social groups that meet and sort out issues. The problem is they
evolve into prayer groups. Many live without contact with their neighbours.
They also don’t approach the priest (the Catholics) now and they then look to
the court for a resolution. That’s why you see all these conflicts at a
personal and social level
– FR VICTOR FERRAO Dean of Philosophy Rachol Seminary
Violent conflicts happened because of the absence of
communications. It is a paradox of our times. With all these platforms for
communications, there is no communication. People have monologues these days
and not dialogues. You say something against PM Modi there is a backlash. In
Goa, dialogue is not happening. Now if you say something that is against what
they believe, you are then marked. Sad times and I see this getting worse
–
SUBODH KERKAR, Artist & Scholar
Conflict resolution is now happening at an organisational level
by Swamis and other babas. Earlier it was society which did it. The community
would help out. It would happen in a church or temple or a mosque. It was all
very informal. It would then go to the village elders and it would then be
sorted out. Today associations are being led by holy men and they decide on
matters based on the philosophy they follow which is not a good thing. We need
more independent thinking rather than agenda driven conflict resolution-
DATTAPRASAD
SHETKAR – Lead Organiser and
Curator TEDx
Peoples expectation’s have increased and so the frustration
levels have increased too. This is bound to happen. Politicians of an earler
age have told me that they would have political differerences with other
parties but it would be never personal. Today everything that is said is taken
personally. People have to learn to be more understanding. I was trolled very
aggresively and it affected my family but now they understand. In the larger
context people have to learn to be more patient otherwise conflicts will keep
increasing-
– SIDDHANATH BUYAO, Artist
