Social media, particularly Facebook, offers numerous advantages when used effectively and properly. It brings the world to your fingertips, making it easy to connect with long-lost friends and neighbors, complete with their latest photos. It becomes a platform for sharing stories and hearing from others. News of joy or sorrow, announcements of births or deaths, book launches, political updates, incidents of lynching or looting, and personal stories—both lived and observed—find a place here. Facebook also hosts a treasure of entertaining videos, from funny clips to music, and even amazing or cruel feats performed by animals.
A few years ago, one of my Facebook friends from Leh-Ladakh reached out to me via Messenger. He politely informed me that they were planning a national seminar in the near future on the topic “The Cultural Glory of the Himalayas.” He seemed aware of my connection to the vast Himalayan valley of Kashmir and my work on Kashmiri language, literature, and culture. Therefore, he invited me to present a paper at the seminar. If that was not possible, he requested that I send at least a message of blessings or a short note.
I informed him that I was currently in Dubai and had no relevant material with me, making it impossible to prepare and send a paper. However, I promised to send a message, which I managed to do, carving out some time from my busy schedule. His response arrived shortly thereafter: “Greetings, sir. Could you expand this message into an article? It would be very useful.” I replied, “Honestly, I don’t have any books with me here. I may search Google, and if I find something useful, I’ll send you an article. I’ll try to create something that covers all key aspects of the Himalayas—religious, cultural, economic, historical, and natural. Hopefully, I’ll send it by the week-end, though I have some other commitments here as well.”
His immediate response was touching: “Yes, sir. Your wealth of knowledge, stored in your memory, will far surpass anything found on Google, and the essence of your thoughts will enrich the seminar publication. We have reached out to you with this hope. All we can do is apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Respectful salutations!”
His humble request deeply moved me. For the next two days, I stayed up until midnight, sitting in front of my computer, soothing my weary eyes as I worked. Finally, I sent him the completed article just in time.
The point I wish to emphasize is how technology has truly erased distances. Leh-Ladakh, Alwar, and Dubai are all separated by vast stretches of land, yet we can communicate instantly. And, of course, Google is a treasure of knowledge. Comparing the 1960s to today leaves me in awe. Back then, such communication and writing exchanges would have taken two or three months at the very least.
The remarkable transformation brought by Facebook, WhatsApp, and the broader digital world lies in the unprecedented speed at which communication and knowledge sharing now occur. Tasks that once took months can now be completed in mere days or even hours, enabling minds from across the globe to collaborate, reflect, and exchange ideas almost instantaneously. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, it opens up limitless opportunities for connection, learning, and personal growth, reshaping how we engage with the world and with one another.
The writer is former Fellow IIAS, Shimla (HP)
