Youth and Media

[Guest guest]

Youth and Media:

We were invited on BBC Asianet this morning to participate in a dialogue with Lawrence of YouthNet and a youngster who was complaining that the media is demonising the youth. Our contribution was:

We are very optimistic about mankind. It continues to evolve, continues to make mistakes, continues to correct its mistakes and move forward. The modern youth reflect this, they too will experiment, test the boundaries and sometimes get things wrong but they represent a more dynamic, innovative and exciting unfolding of human spirit and as such we applaud them. The media operates under its own dynamics. The dynamics are to present 'sensational news' rather than run of the mill information, if they do not do this they cannot sell or survive in a commercial world. This is inevitable but then the public and the youth can show their displeasure if they are being presented in the wrong mode by withdrawing their support of that particular media. They should continue to interact actively and robustly with the media to present their point of view. The media on its part is a powerful tool that has great deal of influence in modern world and should take its responsibilities seriously. It is the role of the media to keep everyone on their toes and continue to expose shortcomings of any group including the youth, at the same time rather than take on a pessimistic scenario, the media can present the work and aspirations of the youth in a more dynamic active manner thus encouraging the youth to do even better.

 

Inter faith Vigil for Mumbai bombings

 

A vigil for the victims of the Mumbai Bombings was held at the London Interfaith Centre on Sunday 16th July. We had representatives from 11 faiths including the the Zoroastrians and Humanist. Sarah Teather the local MP was also in attendance. The faith members recited prayers, read from their scriptures and offered messages of condolences. Messages of sympathy were read from HRH Prince Charles and HDH Pujya PramukhSwamiji