New Delhi: Veteran industrialist Ratan Tata has appealed for “empathy” and an end to online hatred and bullying.
In a post written Sunday on social media platform Instagram, the chairman of the Tata Trusts said the online community was being hurtful to each other and bringing people down “harshly and with quick judgments”.
“This year has been full of challenges for everyone on some level or the other,” Tata said, in what appeared to be a reference to the coronavirus pandemic and other challenges faced by the country in recent times.
While India has been battling a surge in Covid-19 cases, with infections crossing the 4 lakh mark, the country last week also saw a violent face-off between Indian and Chinese armies in Eastern Ladakh’s Galwan Valley. There were at least 20 deaths on the Indian side.
In March, the Tata Trusts had committed Rs 1,500 crore for the country’s fight against Covid-19. It is also backing start-ups that are developing technologies to fight the viral disease and tying up with medical institutions to provide free online training on Covid care for professionals.
Social media last week erupted with a blame game over nepotism in Bollywood too, following the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput on 14 June.
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‘Hope internet will evolve into a place of empathy’
The 82-year-old industrialist went on to urge social media users to maintain unity and practice more sensitivity and kindness towards each other.
“I believe this year especially calls for all of us to be unified and helpful and is not the time to pull each other down. More of sensitivity towards each other, more of kindness and more of understanding and patience than what one sees today,” he wrote.
Towards the end of his post, Tata said that while his online presence was limited, he hoped social media will evolve into a place of empathy.
“My presence online is limited, but I truly hope it will evolve into a place of empathy and support for everyone, no matter what you cause, rather than hate and bullying.”
The industiralist is followed by 2.6 million people on Instagram.
Social media users praised Tata for his message, with many calling him an inspiration. While a few wished him on Father’s Day (observed on 21 June), one user also wrote, “You are the father of new India”
Disclosure: Ratan Tata is among the distinguished founder-investors of ThePrint. Please click here for details on investors.
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