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COVID-19 and the ensuing Lockdown gave us our first taste of being stuck in a cage. While many took to the Internet for entertainment through Instagram Reels and TikTok Videos, others thought of using their time and effort on the Internet in a more constructive way. Om Kumara Class 8 student from RPVV School Sec-19 Dwarka – Delhi, was among the latter.
At the young age of 13, Om Kumar developed 5 fully-functional and user-friendly websites to spread awareness about some of the most important social issues including Save Water By Om, Mann-Parichay, Jagruk Bhai, Ecology, and Environment, and Swachh Bharat By Om. He used his free time to employ digital technology and create online resources that can help create awareness about these issues among people, especially young students like him.
Using the Internet for Social Awareness
Om decided to use digital platforms and online initiatives to spread awareness about social causes because of the reach they offer. Unlike physical means such as posters and banners, digital portals and websites can be accessed by people worldwide using the Internet. This gave him the idea of devoting his time to developing some creative online projects to spread awareness about social causes.
Websites on Social Causes
The five websites created by Om have a very unique and user-friendly interface and style. These websites have been ideated, designed, developed, and created by Om and have information and topics that he specially researched for these causes. The presentation of information on different social causes and the interactive tools used to amplify the message have been appreciated by his audiences; especially young students. In addition to students, these websites have also received praise from all quarters including governmental agencies. The different websites are -
- ‘Save Water, Save Life By Om’ is aimed at spreading awareness for Water Conservation.
- ‘Ecology & Environment’ promotes awareness for Environmental Conservation.
- ‘Swachh Bharat by Om’ inspires the viewers about the need for Cleanliness in our Environment.
- ‘Mann-Parichay’ creates awareness for Mental Health using Good Sayings and Inspiring Articles.
- ‘Jagruk Bhai’ educates the viewers about various Social Issues through an innovative Cartoon Character ‘Jagruk Bhai’.
Talking about his inspiration to develop websites for social awareness, Om says that a Sanskrit Shloka ‘पृथिव्यां त्रीणि रत्नानि जलमन्नं सुभाषितम्’ which means that Our Planet Earth has Only 3 Gems which are Water, Grain (Environment) and Good Sayings (Inspiring Articles) respectively, inspired him to build these digital assets.
Other Achievements
Apart from developing these websites, Om Kumar has won several National Level Competitions including Water Heroes Contest. For his website on Save Water, he was selected as the winner of the Prestigious National 'Water Hero: Share Your Story Contest (March: 2021) by the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation; Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India.
His efforts in creating this website were also recognized by the Twitter handle of MyGov India. This post on Twitter was seen by more than 18 thousand people across the globe. This Achievement can also be seen in the TRANSFORMING INDIA Portal of the Government of India.
He was the Youngest Speaker at a National Debate by THE HINDU and was also selected as the Youngest Speaker for The Hindu National Youth Debate on the topic Vision for India 2040. He holds a National record for posting the maximum number of videos of National Interest on YouTube in one day using the Digital Medium (IT).
Click Here to Watch Video Hosted on Jal Shakti Ministry’s website.
Click Here for Post Link to Winner’s Announcement - Water Heroes Share Your Stories Contest
Future Plans To Inspire Others Through His Work
Talking about his plans, he feels that this is just a start. In the future, Om plans to start a series of videos on the character ‘Jagruk Bhai’ to spread Awareness on various Social Issues. His websites are regularly updated by him to add more interactive and informative tools for users. Apart from his websites, he also regularly post videos on several topics including social causes on his blog ( https://myblog-om.blogspot.com ) and other Social Media Platforms like YouTube.
Click Here to watch Short Film ‘निवेदन’ on Covid Appropriate Behaviour (Approved by MP Govt)
Click Here to watch Short Film ‘Swachh Bharat’ on My Contribution Towards Making India Clean
Om Kumar is a finalist for the Most Creative Online Initiative Because…amid the unprecedented challenge of COVID-19, he thought of making use of the internet in an innovative way to spread awareness about social causes. Thousands of people have seen his efforts and applauded his spirit of using digital means to build social awareness.
To Reach the Information Dossier Shared by Om Kumar Click Here.