A Smart Move – Use Of Mobile Apps

A SMART MOVE AT IC COLONY

THE LOCAL WOMEN’S WELFARE ASSOCIATION MAKES
USE OF SMART PHONES AND MOBILE APPLICATIONS TO BOND AND GET ITS
GRIEVANCES REDRESSED

Whether it’s to keep a
tab on the civic activities in their locality or celebrating any
festival, the women activist of IC Women’s Welfare Association are using
the social media skills like never before. The group of women is
communicating directly with government officials for a quick-fix of
their problems, and gets immediate information about traffic, water and
any other civic problem. Anyone who spends quality time with the group
will instantly observe that all of them are busy with their smart phones
keeping in touch with several people in the area.

“Since we
all are working women and also organise social activities and work
towards solving civic problems in the area, it becomes very difficult
for us to communicate with all residents. Hence, we thought to make the
major use of smart phones. Through the various applications, it has
become easier now to communicate with each other. This new technology
certainly saves time and energy as now there is no need to walk up to
each and every building to convey our message,” said Yvonne Dsouza,
President of IC Women’s Welfare Association. To this, Meeta Tushit Shah,
member of the group, says, “It connects and bonds all of us together.”

From
informal chat with the women of the locality, real time connectivity,
better outreach, virtual meeting point for friends and families to
getting people on the same board that too at one go, the smart phones
have crunched communication and connectivity in newer ways. Another
member, Cassy Nazreth, says, “Only a few days ago, we had a programme
where we wanted all the members to join us. A small message passed
through an application has brought all of us together in just few
minutes.” The group activities is now moving at a faster pace as now
they can send photographs and videos instantly to get the approvals of
the members to choose décor or gifts for a function. “The same work used
to take unending calls, thus increasing the work load. But now, getting
people on the same page makes room for a better discussion. Also, we
have most of the officials in our group and thus communication with
public authorities is even easier with prompt action following. We take
up issues related to illegal encroachment, cleanliness and traffic in a
big way, and keep posting messages on the group for police and the BMC
to act. We are happy to include senior officials and they have stayed
with the group,” said Dsouza.

Cassy readily verifies
Dsouza’s claims, “In fact, in some cases it is a better means to
communicate. We have several other groups like the I C Borivali Group
and even media group where such information is passed.”

> Vibha Singh