India cricketer Harbhajan Singh speaks about how useful social media can be. But he added that people misuse the platform these days. "If social media is used responsibly, the benefits can be enormous. In fact, there is a world of pluses," Harbhajan told The Telegraph.
Harbhajan who is currently with Sky Sports commentary panel continued: "It's sad when social media is misused, used to troll and spread disaffection. Injecting hatred, especially between communities, must end...
"My humble advice is to use social media responsibly. Bahut hi fayeda ho sakta hai."
Harbhajan came out in support of the family of Asian Games gold medallist Hakam Singh Bhattal. He had responded to a tweet from ANI and that made a difference.
"Bhattal is not only a gold medallist but a Dhyan Chand Awardee. The tweet talked about his wife's anguish at a time he's in a Sangrur hospital with major ailments. It pained me to read that Bhattal's wife had to admit they were not well off and that the governments should help those who bring glory for the country.
"I just asked for Bhattal's contact number and, next morning, I got the details from ANI. I was then in Portsmith, at my in-laws' place, and so asked a confidant to touch base with the family. Bhattal's son spoke to my confidant and said that Union sports minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore had sanctioned Rs 10 lakh and the cost of medicines would be borne by the Punjab government.
"Also that RP (Singh, former India medium pacer) too had pledged to help. The update is that I have forwarded my cell numbers to the family and assured them of whatever help they need once Bhattal gets discharged from the hospital."
The out of favor Indian spinner doesn't want any attention and said it's just an attempt to help people. "Please don't write in a manner which suggests I am projecting myself. Nothing like that. However, it's a fact that I try and do what I can out of insaaniyat. Insaaniyat ke nate kuch farz bante hain.
"Obviously, there's a limit to what I'm able to do, but when something touches my heart, I offer a hand of help without looking at the person's religion or caste. We are, after all, all humans."
Harbhajan has established a link with UK-based "humanitarian relief charity" Khalsa Aid International and, following up on a tweet put out by them last October, took care of the expenses of four-year-old Kavya, who was then in intensive care in a New Delhi hospital.
"I'm myself the father of a girl (Hinaya) and her birth has, maybe, made me more sensitive. I was moved by the tweet on Kavya and did my bit," Harbhajan commented.
A couple of months ago, Harbhajan also funded the surgery of a U-16 teammate of his, Harman Harry.
"Life gives opportunities to do good deeds. Helping those in need is a way of ticking an important box in one's life. It's definitely not only about earning to ensure a very comfortable life for self and family," Harbhajan said.
