By: Abeer Parkar
Written between 07-Apr and 16-Jul-2009
I am returning home after attending my last CCT (Communication, Technology & Culture) class of first year university. And my mind has this sudden urge, wanting to explode with ideas. As the 1st year comes to a close I feel as if my brain took a long swim in the media pool. Being a Konkani and maybe one of the few Indian Konkani members to venture into media studies has put me in a position others in my community haven’t even thought about stepping into. As a media studies student, I suddenly feel that I have a responsibility towards my Konkani community and I hold a degree which grants me this opportunity. In a way I want to prove to “my people” that being a doctor or engineer will not take you to the knowledgeable places I visited during the course of my study. There’s a quote from one of the books I recently read, Stephen Duncombe’s Dream. He says that the specialization of knowledge actually makes the society member ignorant of other important knowledge; issues that they should be concerned about.
Right now, what matters to me most is that I am able to read, learn and study new material and theories. And I will put all this into practical use! If I’m going to receive a degree just so that I can boast about studying media I’m basically fooling myself. So no, I’m not going to do that. Instead I would like to become an active member of society. I’m slowly becoming an integral part of society; one which controls its mind. I am joining the media workforce. By reading my work audience members (like yourself) might be influenced by my ideas.
So why is this important? Well, do you realize that you’ve become dependent on technology? You are being exposed to ideas, products, theories and intertextuality continuously. We, the media have become so ubiquitous that you have taken us for granted. But guess what, you can be a part of it too. If only you can stop thinking that Art is a waste. It is not; Art is driving you. You learn from Art. Language studies is just as important as Biology, Chemistry and Algebra. It is because of communication that you’re actually reading and comprehending my words. Words are important, symbols are important and ART is important!
Okay now forget media for a while, think about religious texts. Force your mind to think about the significance of the Quran in your life (If you‘re a follower of it). Some people read/memorize the Arabic text without understanding because they don‘t converse or write in the Arabic language. Most people in my family have memorized several verses/chapters but they don’t always know the translations. So tell me, what have you learnt from the Quran, unless you‘ve read and understood the translation. How will it positively affect your life and create inner peace if you don’t get the “message”? Now, I do not want to connect the Glorious Quran to media studies. I’m not going to get into any legal/religious complexity. I simply want to bring your attention to the significance of language. Language comes in different forms; it can be visual, aural or something else.
Whatever form it takes, it is important because it helps you learn. I hope most agree that the ability to learn is a great gift to mankind. Think about it, we are blessed because we can read and write English. If it wasn’t for English you wouldn’t even be reading my article right now. You probably wouldn’t know how to navigate through the internet either. If I didn’t know English or any other language, these ideas would have been stuck in my head all my life. I’d be unable to share my thoughts/opinions with anyone (…unless I‘m telepathic…).
However, at least by sharing my experience I can attract potential journalists and media professionals. Media is part of the global change! If you don’t understand it, as a language…as a form of communication, then you’re simply a passive audience member. You become less important because you have no opinions. Or you have opinions but aren’t able to express them.
Agreed, there are other forms of expression, but come on, is it really a fuss to be part of the news/educational media? Does it hurt to study Journalism and/or Arts? Think back a few years, our villages (in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, INDIA) were bustling with farmers and fishermen. But now we have doctors, engineers and of course, travel agents. Education helped us rise. We merged into different careers and streams of study. So where has your passion disappeared now? Is this the end? Is science and travel & tourism your only contribution to the Konkani community?! Come on people, get on your feet! Don’t forget Media Studies! Television (news channels and soap operas), news papers, magazines, radio and the internet are giving shape to a changing society. You (The Kokani individual) are a part of this community…step up and be an active member. And this advice goes out to all the individuals who feel they can contribute to their own diverse communities by becoming a media professional or journalist.
This article is my contribution to the ethnic, Kokani community I belong to… where’s yours??? …………… Now relax and give it a thought.
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Peace.
Abeer Parkar -- an aspiring student-journalist from the multicultural city of Mississauga, Ontario, CANADA & a Kokani from the village of Kalusta (District:Ratnagiri), Maharashtra, INDIA.
