Panaji: Influencers in Goa are emphasizing the significance of creating people-friendly and informative content on social media. In interviews with The Goan, several prominent influencers voiced their strong opposition to content that could hurt religious sentiments or violate platform guidelines. They highlighted the responsibility of social media users to maintain communal harmony and respect through mindful content sharing.
Ruben Rodrigues, Influencer (@MrKurkurit)
Ruben Rodrigues, known as Mr. Kurkurit, is a well-known influencer in Goa who underscores the importance of creating people-friendly and informative content. He has consistently avoided controversial topics such as religion and politics. “From day one, my aim has been to steer clear of religion, politics, and hate,” he stated. Rodrigues criticized influencers who exploit controversial topics for views, calling it irresponsible given their influence.
Rodrigues urges followers to support creators who provide valuable and simple content rather than those who spread negativity. “It’s about enriching my audience’s lives without distractions,” he explained. He relies on his mother for the final review of his videos to ensure they are appropriate, focusing on clean and enjoyable content. “This approach helps maintain a positive and respectful online presence,” Rodrigues added.
Deepali Chodankar, Influencer (@Deepalichodankar_)
Deepali Chodankar, a prominent influencer since 2014, strongly opposes hate speech and content that disturbs communal harmony. She believes that social media users must be responsible for what they post, as their content impacts a wide audience. “As a woman, I feel we need to be careful about our content. Just because it’s your account doesn’t mean you can post anything. Once it's on social media, it belongs to the public,” she remarked.
Chodankar emphasizes creating people-friendly and community-friendly content, avoiding attacks on individuals, religions, castes, or communities. “Everyone can be an influencer, but it's crucial to be responsible and ensure your content is respectful and inclusive,” she added. Her commitment to positive content has guided her throughout her social media journey.
Rudra Sandesh Ghotge, Influencer (@Rudra_avtar)
Rudra Ghotge, another renowned Goan content creator, stresses the importance of creating content that is respectful of all communities. “Whenever I post my content, I make sure it connects with people on a local and personal level without attacking any particular community,” Ghotge explained. He believes content creators should aim to unite communities rather than divide them.
Ghotge acknowledges the evolving role of influencers as a viable career path but cautions against relying solely on it. “There is always a risk of being replaced. People might like you now, but there is no guarantee they will continue to do so,” he noted. He advises aspiring influencers to keep content creation as a passion and not their primary source of income. Ghotge also highlights the importance of networking with brands and agencies, ensuring collaborations are accepted by all communities.
Kevin Pinto, Influencer (@wander_with_Kevin)
Kevin Pinto, a well-known content creator in Goa, emphasizes the importance of relevance and sensitivity in content creation. “It's crucial to be relevant to the audience and the business,” said Pinto. He ensures his content remains people-friendly and avoids controversial subjects, focusing instead on his niches of travel and food.
Pinto stresses the significance of thorough research before posting anything online. “Misinformation can damage your credibility. Many creators spread misinformation for viral content, but it's not worth losing trust,” he noted. He also cautions against over-commercialization, emphasizing the need to balance promotional content with organic posts. “If every post is promotional, you become like a digital billboard. It’s important to balance promotional content with organic posts,” he explained.
Dale Dias, Influencer (@Goanpaoofficial)
Dale Dias, known for his @Goanpaoofficial account, highlights the importance of responsible content on social media. “I ensure my content does not target or pick on any individual or group,” Dias said. He focuses on creating memes that resonate with people of all religions and bring them together, rather than create division.
Dias avoids commenting on ongoing events and instead creates content that addresses issues universally. He shared his strategy for dealing with sensitive topics, stating, “If I make a meme about socioeconomic or political issues, it’s something that people from all backgrounds can agree on, like environmental concerns.” He emphasizes the need for influencers to consider the implications of their words and posts, warning that irresponsible content can lead to communal disharmony.
With blogging and influencing becoming viable careers, Dias underlines the power that influencers hold. “If you have a good following, you are quite powerful. People, especially teenagers and the younger audience, take your word seriously and follow your lead,” he said. He concluded by emphasizing the responsibility of influencers to ensure their content promotes unity and respect.
