SMS war begins ahead of Maghi Mela ---Facebook

SMS war begins ahead of Maghi Mela
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, January 9
As a tech savvy generation holds the sway in every walk of life today, politicians have decided not to get left behind.
While social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter have already become popular to keep abreast of one's friends and update them about the developments in their lives and get feedback, SMSs have started replacing the traditional public announcement systems to convey message to the masses at large within a short span of time.
And the social media, it seems, is all set to be put to good use with Punjab politicos deciding to test it in the coming assembly polls, scheduled barely a year from now.
It was the ruling SAD (B) leaders, who had experimented with the innovative idea of using the traditional way of communication-letters-during the recent parliamentary elections in Bathinda constituency, where the party had fielded Harsimrat Kaur Badal, wife the party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal. Lakhs of letters had been despatched to the people, seeking vote and support. Though the experiment made the postmen a harried lot, it remained somewhat successful in its objective.
But this time, the use of technology is going a notch higher.
After Manpreet Singh Badal detached himself from the present government, he utilized his Facebook account as a good way to reach the masses and convey messages. Even the media could not resist publishing the developments posted in his account.
Manpreet has now opened a new page on Facebook-Join Manpreet Singh Badal at the Maghi Mela Conference held @ Muktsar, where he is trying to get people's response with three options-Yes, No, May be.
He has been experimenting by sending bulk SMSs by entering into a contract with some service provider.
Every morning, mobile phones of thousands of people in Punjab including mediapersons buzz with an SMS, with details of the day-long schedule of Manpreet Singh Badal.
Besides, two more messages have now started reaching people's mobile phones-- inviting support and feedback-- about his "Jago Punjab Yatra".
One of the SMSs states, "If you want to support Manpreet Singh Badal, please go to your mobile phone message box and type MSBadal (space) and write Yes and send it to 54646. Another SMS states something similar but it seeks opinion from the recipients.
Speaking to The Tribune, Manpreet's OSD Charanjit Singh informed that the experiment was in initial stage but it would be fgather oace after the Maghi Mela. He informed that they had used the bulk SMS during Manpreet's Amritsar rally, when about 20 lakh SMSs were sent and now they were planning to do somewhat similar for the Maghi Mela conference also.
On the other hand, the state government led by the SAD-BJP alliance has also jumped into the SMS war.
It is learnt that the Department of Information and Public Relations, Punjab, has invited tenders from leading cellular service companies for the purpose. The tender is to propagate the government's achievements, programme and policies through SMS.
Citing the pre-requisites, the department has said that the interested company must have the capacity to rush 700-1,000 SMS in a second, sources informed.
The tenders are supposed to be opened by January 11, three days before the Maghi Mela Conference, which is scheduled for January 14 at Muktsar.
With such exercises setting the tone, one thing is clear-- Punjab can hope for an engaging election year.