Social media holds the key for PU student leaders

CHANDIGARH: Though active campaigning for the Panjab University student council polls is yet to begin, student parties are making the most of their social media pages to woo supporters. From regular updates to birthday greetings for their supporters, their presence online can hardly be missed.
Regular updates on university news and their own activities also make it instantly to the social media pages of these organizations, some of whom also lock horns in the virtual world.Recently, the Hindustan Students Association (HSA) and the Students for Society (SFS) shared news and photographs about each other, alleging hypocrisy' on the issue of women safety.
The online pages also serve as an opportunity to introduce their respective student leaders. Pages like those by the National Students Union of India (NSUI) and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) routinely introduce their leaders to make them a familiar face amongst students.
The organizations feel that social media is an important tool to touch base with a large cross-section of people. "Today, students don't want to come out of their rooms. With the entire university being wi-fi active, students have access to the internet. Although at this time of the year when the classes have started we can personally connect with students, but social media is helpful especially when the summer break is going on and you cannot hand out leaflets to students," said Damanpreet of SFS. Though SFS has stated that it won't contest polls this year, its Facebook page is one of the most active ones online.
"These social media pages are helpful to convey messages instantly and to a large number of students. The reach of Whatsapp or text message is only limited to people who are in your contact list," said Babalpreet Bains of SOI. "All university notifications, updates and also our campaigns and protests are updated online for students," he added.
Facebook followers
INSO | 1,303
HSA | 6,392
SFS | 2,676
SOI | 5,687
NSUI | 2,701