Person of Year 2011

The young female activist, Asma Mahfouz, instigated the Egyptian uprising through a call for a protest on Facebook. Her post “People, I am going to Tahrir Square” followed by a vlog on YouTube that implored the people of Egypt to turn out on the streets, started a buzz that mobilized half-a-million people. I am not sure if Asma had foreseen the impact that her act would have on the history of her country. Neither had Hosni Mubarak, or for that matter, anybody else. That’s the power of online social networking! The protestors also used Twitter and YouTube to aggressively reach out to their fellow countrymen.

To me, Asma is the person of year. Undoubtedly, there have been others who have explored the world of technology to bring the society together for a single cause. But for a 26 year old woman to start a revolution is extraordinary and in a conservative society like Egypt is simply unimaginable. She challenged, she inspired, she unified and she led – her prowess is par excellence, giving womanhood, specifically, Islamic feminism, a whole new angle, a whole new perception altogether. She fought for the basic human rights of Egyptians: for freedom, justice, honour and human dignity.

I see Asma as the personification of the quote by Marianne Williamson the spiritual activist “As we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence actually liberates others” Here is saluting the fearless young activist!

The year 2011 was a landmark year of losses and learnings in more ways than one: Bollywood witnessed the departure of some of its legends, the creative community saw the silent passing of some of its gems who added to its melodies, emotions and expressions, the world of cricket bid adieu to its messiah of determination, the religious fraternity lost one of its most influential teachers while the corporate race lost a leader who changed the connotation of a fruit forever. All of them taught us timeless lessons during their lifetime, undeniably.

At another level, the world’s most dreaded terrorist was killed within the confines of his own home and the execution was watched live by the most dominant administration in the world located thousands of miles away. Such a remarkable and novel use of technology! Again, a lesson learnt.

The year also heralded the era of realization of true power: the power of the common people. They came together for a single cause: change for better. They came together on a stage which unified them beyond the bindings of geographies, connected their thoughts and even fostered movements that changed the course of history: the social media.

“Occupy” the Social Media Mindshare

The online conversation about the Occupy Wall Street Movement turned global with similar movements across continents. In fact, the word “occupy” had been the “most commonly used English word on the internet and in print” over the past 12 months, according to Global Language Monitor, a media analysis company. Protestors from world over connected with each other by sharing live Twitter updates, photos and videos from demonstrations around the world. Sites such as Facebook proved to be the protestors’ key organizing tools.

Supporting the Occupy movement, Asma held a held a teach-in at Liberty Plaza on October 23 2011. Speaking about her support to the movement, she said, “Many of U.S. residents were in solidarity with us. So, we have to keep going all over the world, because another world is possible for all of us.”

Turing the ‘Hazar’ into Millions

The Indian version of the heroics of social media was relayed by Anna Hazare: the relentless crusader of the Jan Lokpal Bill. One might seriously question the abilities of a diminutive 74-year-old to create chaos and a perfectly uncomfortable situation for the central government. But Anna did exactly that and how: he personified a wonderful case study of the extraordinary translation of cyber activism into real-time activism on the ground. The synergy between social media and the electronic media was key to the success of the movement, driving ‘hazar’ (thousand) followers to multiply into millions in a matter of few days. Such was the power of social media to enable a never before phenomenon: to connect and protest.

Clearly, the weapon of new media has enabled the world, at large, to reclaim and reinforce the ethos of democracy and secularism, beyond the confines of nationalities, religion, race and faith, like the 9th edition of the Mumbai Marathon to be held in January 2012. Over the last 8 years, the Marathon has helped us connect with each other beyond social and economic barriers and run for a single cause: our city, the city’s deprived people, and the citizens endeavour for a better tomorrow. I earnestly look forward to running the marathon to re-connect with the Mumbaikar in me and rejuvenate the spirit of belonging to this tireless, strong city.

In 2011, radical populist movements achieved impetus and made an impact. Social Media will undoubtedly continue to change the way we live our lives and how we are governed into 2012 and beyond.

Here is to a more united, connected and social 2012!

Let many more Asma Mahfouz’s drive change in this world!