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TOBER 16, 2017 Vino goes online but not very often.

“My recent purchase, however, was for sarees from Indian Silk House for Deepavali. I also ordered and received some Polaroid films from Lazada. But mostly, I browse online for good deals and for price comparisons,” she says.

Like in previous years, Vino and her husband Muralee Gopalan will be celebrating Deepavali at her in-laws’ house in Ayer Tawar, Perak and later at her hometown in Seremban.

FACE-TO-FACE INTERACTION

For public relations director Rish Van, the emergence of new technology, social media and over-the- top (OTT) apps has changed the way people communicate today.

“It has reduced face-to-face interaction time thanks to video capabilities tools built in these apps. It has transformed the Deepavali Pramila and her children love to create fun Deepavali videos.

celebration from offline to online,” he says.

Rish personally feels it’s “an advantage” for users to stay connected with their family and friends.

“There are more conversations in WhatsApp group today than actual phone conversations; from sending a simple good morning message to seasonal festive greetings. It’s a good interactive tool. But we will need to use it responsibly and not spread unverified news,” he says.

When distance is a challenge, social media and OTT apps will come in handy.

“WhatsApp groups are my main point of contact with family and friends who are far away. I use it actively to convey messages as I’m not a fan of spamming a group with greetings. I’m actually more of a pick-upthe-phone-and-call kind of person,” he says.

For Rish, this year’s Deepavali will be a subtle one.

“Just some visits to my close friends’ place in KL. I would like to also wish everyone a blessed Deepavali, and folks, please go easy on the mutton varuval,” he adds with a chuckle.

BALANCING THINGS

PR practitioner Retna Vijayan has a slightly different take on technology use during the festive season.

“The festive atmosphere remains unchanged, at least in our family. We do alot of talking and catching-up face-to-face. This is because we enforce a day-long ban on mobile devices among parents and children when it comes to social media, games and content. Only calls and messaging are allowed. For family members who are abroad, we do have Face Time video sessions where we exchange greetings and catch up on the latest news,” she says.

Retna says there needs to be a balance in using technology so that it enhances lives by bringing people closer together instead of trapping them in a little world of their own.

“During festive seasons, we need to avoid obsessing over our social media status. Instead of bonding with family and friends who are physically with us, I’ve noticed this tendency for people to smile or frown at their screens, while frantically updating social media and replying to messages,” she says. Retna says there needs to balance the use of technology.