Debate: Is social media – social?
The Department of Sociology, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) organised the 3rd Bikram Nanda Memorial Lecture on 14th February, 2024 at the University Polytechnic Auditorium. The theme of the event was “Is social media -social? “, which was chaired by Offng. Vice Chancellor of Jamia Prof Eqbal Hussain. The memorial lecture was delivered by the renowned scholar, senior social scientist and author Prof Amrit Srinivasan formerly associated with IIT Delhi.
The Memorial Lecture began with a welcome address by the Head of the Department, Prof Azra Abidi who thanked the Vice Chancellor for his gracious support and presence. She talked about Late Prof Bikram Nanda who was an intellectual par excellence and she also mentioned his contributions to the development of the Department’s academia, who brought the lively and strong spirit of inquiry. Prof Abidi stated that with the growth, development and reach of Social Media, the ideas, perspectives and challenges must be discussed and shared to improve the experience of using social media.
Prof. Eqbal Hussain greeted the gathering and spoke about the laurels and achievements of the esteemed University and role of the Department of Sociology in contributing to the same. He emphasized on the relevance of the theme and stated that such a discussion only enhances one’s ability to engage in critical thought and academic propriety. It enables one’s intellectual freedom and opens critical research opportunities in the areas of contemporary concerns.
Prof Hussain also appreciated the initiatives taken by Dr. Anjana Mangalagiri, wife of Late Prof Bikram Nanda who is an educationist and a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Social Sciences New Delhi to hold the memorial lecture as a tribute from JMI to Late Bikram Nanda.
Dr Sumbul Farah (Student Adviser) introduced the speaker and invited her to deliver the insightful lecture on the theme.
The distinguished speaker Prof Amrit Srinivasan delivered her memorial address on the theme –Is social media – ‘social ‘? Prof Srinivasan speaks about the role of social media in the contemporary times and as a platform for youth for free human interaction, protests, creative expressions. She mentioned that Social media is not social but hypersocial – a representation, a sign without an original referent where the world is simulated in a physically unlimited spaces -within ourselves or in a technologically viral universe.
The Memorial Lecture was insightful with diverse opinions and ideas that promised intellectual enrichment to the audience present in the lecture. The memorial lecture successfully concluded with the vote of thanks delivered by Professor Mohammad Muslim Khan, Dean Faculty of Social Science, JMI.
The lecture was attended by Academicians, students, scholars from different centres and departments of JMI.
