Video Editor: Vishal Kumar
Known to have revived The Congress Party’s social media game, Divya Spandana was a special guest at the Outlook Speak Out 2018 – a platform which brings together achievers who have made a difference by pushing the envelope of excellence in their chosen field. The Quint was digital partner for the second edition of Outlook Speak Out that focused on ‘women’s empowerment’.
Watch and read the excerpts from our conversation with Divya Spandana.
How is Rahul Gandhi as a boss?
Mr Gandhi as a boss? He’s amazing. He has given me full freedom and there is a lot of mutual trust. Initially, when I joined, I was very skeptical and apprehensive about being the right person for the job but he hand-held me, gave me ideas, the blueprint, the vision, and everything. He is not someone who sets rules he’s someone who gives the other person the freedom to express themselves creatively.
The one thing that he told me which I still remember till date and follow is to stick to the truth. I also remember when I posted pictures of him looking in different directions and the whole world was jumping up and down, he was the only one who was calm and said that just be careful next time. He doesn’t get heated up about things and he is not autocratic. I think I can go on.
What Divya magic are you cooking for brand Rahul in 2019?
He doesn’t need any magic. The more people get to know him, who he really is, the more people will love him. You don’t have to do anything. There is no perception building, there’s no hyping him up and portraying what he isn’t, because if people get to know who Rahul Gandhi really is they will really like him.
How much a challenge is fake news?
I don’t think any tech giant can help us with busting all the fake news that is out there. The BJP has nothing to deliver, they haven’t kept up their promises and have failed terribly at governance. So, the only way out for them is to spread fake news. They do it on a daily basis and it’s very challenging for us just because the way people consume information today. Truth is very boring, it’s very vanilla. So, the onus is on us to make the truth more consumable for people today. People find gossip and fake news very interesting, truth not so much. So, yes, it is a big challenge today.
Is Congress tying up with any tech giant in the run of 2019?
No, we are not because the BJP has tied up with everybody. We just have us and the volunteers and people who still have space to listen to the truth.
How many people are there at a time in the Congress social media wardrobe?
We have lakhs of volunteers spread across the country, but in the office we have a really small team which comprises mostly of women. I can’t give you a specific number.
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