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Economic Times
12 hours ago
- Science
- Economic Times
Far from madding crowds: Good planning, modern tech can prevent deadly stampedes
Hell is empty, and all the devils are here. In India, stampedes have become a routine tragedy, taking a heavy toll on lives and often being man-made. At one time, they were largely confined to religious events, triggered by the fervour of devotees. In recent times, they have also occurred at railway stations and celebrity Bangalore tragedy is a case in point. Meant to celebrate RCB's IPL T20 victory, the event at Chinnaswamy Stadium-which has a capacity of about 35,000-drew an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 people. The inevitable rush, jostling to get in and lack of discipline led to chaos. The resulting stampede left 11 dead and dozens injured. A senior police officer had reportedly flagged the risks before the event, but no action was taken. Every such tragedy is unique. Yet, the reasons cited are almost always the same. Crowds are always 'unexpectedly large', sudden surges are caused by an 'unplanned event' (VIP or celebrity presence, late opening of a gate) and 'insufficient police presence', which result in poor crowd control. Simple system improvements could prevent-or at least mitigate-such tragedies. Now, there is the additional tool of new technology. Tapping its potential, though, requires something uncommon in India: multidisciplinary teams. Such teams must include technologists, from computer programmers to data scientists to sensor and drone experts, and mathematicians. Crucially, they must also have social scientists-particularly sociologists and psychologists-a breed rarely seen on such start with, such a team would collect as much data as possible from past stampedes and large gatherings to build a basic model of crowd dynamics. It would seek to model how and when crowds suddenly surge and events that lead to this getting out of control. Is there a critical mass or crowd density that sparks uncontrolled pushing and panic? Are problems due to choke points or sudden pressure releases (as when a gate is opened, or a celebrity arrives)? Are there patterns of crowd agglomeration and movement? Analytics based on historical data would help create a model to answer these and other questions. Updates from new events, including large crowds and stampedes, would be used to continuously hone and refine the old data may be difficult-but it is possible. It would have to depend on anecdotal data, social media posts, CCTV coverage and mobile video recordings from the events-from the past and in future-may have drone coverage, which would provide additional data. Collating and synthesising from all this, and integrating it with terrain data, local maps (where are the gates?) and weather information (sudden showers or high temperatures can cause stampedes) can best be done by using that is mentioned above about crowds also applies to mobs-a more focused, often more volatile, form of crowd. Handling them poses similar data-based models with insights into human behaviour can make them significantly more accurate and useful. This is where sociologists-who understand group and crowd behaviour-and psychologists (who have insights on individual behaviour) play a vital addition to statistical correlation provided by data analytics and AI, social scientists would provide the cause-and-effect dynamics that are key to preventing such tragedies. In scientific terms, this is adding physics to mathematics. Also, social scientists can suggest what kind of social media messages, or 'nudges', might prevent crowd accumulation or ensure safe behaviour of crowds. With more data, social science, like data analytics, will be able to improve the model, do predictive modelling, even preventive specific things follow from the above: Data is key: Collecting and collating data from all sources is critical. Going forward, new technologies-drones, sensors, big data analytics, AI-must be used. While models based only on statistical data analytics may be fungible, these will not work well here since crowd behaviour is culture-specific. Study crowd behaviour: There's a growing market for large, live events-sports, concerts, political rallies-involving tens of thousands of people. This makes such models vital. Their culture-specificity highlights the need to develop indigenous models, necessitating the involvement of social scientists. Computational sociology: It requires sophisticated and multi-disciplinary research with a degree of mutual understanding between technologists and social scientists. This needs the development of a new discipline: computational sociology. GoI should support the roll out of dedicated courses and fund them. It is worth noting that any successful use of tech for people's benefit requires the involvement of social scientists. Isro demonstrated the advantages through its pioneering multi- and trans-disciplinary teams for the Satellite TV Experiment (SITE) in 1975. Social media key: Given the role of social media in crowd collection and subsequent behaviour (often triggered by rumours or fake news), prompt corrective and pre-emptive posts would help. These can be created and sent out instantaneously by GenAI, which can be integrated into the model. With our population size and culture, large crowds may be unavoidable. However, what the tech-based models can ensure is that crowds do not equal stampedes. That would be one tragedy we could-and should-finally prevent. The writer is chairperson, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. Will Royal Enfield's back to the future strategy woo GenZ? We don't have a global legacy, so our products can be tailor-made: IndiGo CEO HSBC's next move could shake up India's venture debt play Everything 'e' won't make you a millionaire. Just look at e-pharmacies Are Indian banks staring at their worst in 7 years? F&O Radar | Deploy Short Strangle in Nifty to benefit from volatility, Theta Stock picks of the week: 5 stocks with consistent score improvement and return potential of more than 28% in 1 year For investors with patience & ability to take moderate risk: 6 mid-cap stocks from different sectors with upside potential up to 36%
NDTV
29-04-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
"Normal Thing For Me": Centurion Vaibhav Suryavanshi On Hitting First-Ball Sixes
The cricket world stands captivated by his audacious stroke-play but for 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, stuff like first-ball sixes is a "normal thing" as he remains unfazed by the grandeur of the stage. Suryavanshi lit up the IPL by becoming the youngest ever centurion in T20 cricket with his 38-ball 101 that was dotted with 11 sixes and seven fours. A staggering 94 of his runs came in boundaries in what was only his third game in the high-stakes tournament. This was after a whirlwind 34-run knock on IPL debut that came off 20 balls and featured the first-ball six that fixed the spotlight firmly on his cherubic face. "It was a normal thing for me. I have played Under-19 for India and also at the domestic level, where I have hit first ball sixes. I was not under pressure to play out the first 10 balls. In my mind I was clear that if the ball comes in my radar, I will hit it," Suryavanshi told the IPLT20 website after the win over Gujarat Titans on Monday night here. "It was not like that I was thinking it's my first game. Yes, there was an international bowler (in front of me) and the stage was big but I was just playing my game," he recalled. The youngster from Bihar's Samastipur was born a good three years after the IPL got underway so his marauding knock makes him the first player who is younger than the league itself to score a hundred in it. Suryavanshi expressed gratitude towards his parents -- father Sanjeev and mother Aarti -- for sacrificing their comforts for his growth. "I am what I am because of my parents. My mother, for the sake of my practice schedule, wakes up at 3 in the morning after going to sleep at 11, sleeping barely three hours. "She then prepares meals for me. My father left his work to support me. My elder brother is taking care of his work and the household is running with great difficulty. But papa is backing me," he said. "...god ensures that those who work hard never fail. The results that we are seeing and the success that I am achieving is because of my parents." The youngster vowed to keep his focus despite the spotlight and work towards finding a place in the national team. "I want to contribute for India and I have to work hard for that. I cannot stop working hard till I achieve that level. I will try to do well for the country," he said. He was also thankful towards the Rajasthan Royals team management for instilling confidence in him at step of the way after he was brought on board following a trial. "I was preparing for this moment for a long time and I am happy that it worked out the way I wanted. In the trials, I batted well and there was (batting coach) Vikram (Rathour) sir and (team manager) Romi (Bhinder) sir who said we will try to pick you in the team. "They introduced me to (head coach) Rahul (Dravid) sir. To be trained by Rahul sir is a dream come true and I get a lot of support from the other support staff and senior players, they give me confidence that I can do it," he said. "They always tell me that I can win it for the team. There is no pressure of what will happen next because they motivate me," he added.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
First-ball sixes are normal for me: Vaibhav Suryavanshi
Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a 14-year-old cricket prodigy, has taken the IPL by storm, becoming the youngest centurion in T20 history with a blistering 38-ball innings. Unfazed by the big stage, he credits his parents' sacrifices and the Rajasthan Royals' support staff for his success. Suryavanshi aims to continue his hard work and contribute to the Indian national team. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The cricket world stands captivated by his audacious stroke-play but for 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi , stuff like first-ball sixes is a "normal thing" as he remains unfazed by the grandeur of the stage. Suryavanshi lit up the IPL by becoming the youngest ever centurion in T20 cricket with his 38-ball 101 that was dotted with 11 sixes and seven fours. A staggering 94 of his runs came in boundaries in what was only his third game in the high-stakes was after a whirlwind 34-run knock on IPL debut that came off 20 balls and featured the first-ball six that fixed the spotlight firmly on his cherubic face."It was a normal thing for me. I have played Under-19 for India and also at the domestic level, where I have hit first ball sixes. I was not under pressure to play out the first 10 balls. In my mind I was clear that if the ball comes in my radar, I will hit it," Suryavanshi told the IPLT20 website after the win over Gujarat Titans on Monday night here."It was not like that I was thinking it's my first game. Yes, there was an international bowler (in front of me) and the stage was big but I was just playing my game," he youngster from Bihar's Samastipur was born a good three years after the IPL got underway so his marauding knock makes him the first player who is younger than the league itself to score a hundred in expressed gratitude towards his parents -- father Sanjeev and mother Aarti -- for sacrificing their comforts for his growth."I am what I am because of my parents. My mother, for the sake of my practice schedule, wakes up at 3 in the morning after going to sleep at 11, sleeping barely three hours."She then prepares meals for me. My father left his work to support me. My elder brother is taking care of his work and the household is running with great difficulty. But papa is backing me," he said."...god ensures that those who work hard never fail. The results that we are seeing and the success that I am achieving is because of my parents."The youngster vowed to keep his focus despite the spotlight and work towards finding a place in the national team."I want to contribute for India and I have to work hard for that. I cannot stop working hard till I achieve that level. I will try to do well for the country," he was also thankful towards the Rajasthan Royals team management for instilling confidence in him at step of the way after he was brought on board following a trial."I was preparing for this moment for a long time and I am happy that it worked out the way I wanted. In the trials, I batted well and there was (batting coach) Vikram (Rathour) sir and (team manager) Romi (Bhinder) sir who said we will try to pick you in the team."They introduced me to (head coach) Rahul (Dravid) sir. To be trained by Rahul sir is a dream come true and I get a lot of support from the other support staff and senior players, they give me confidence that I can do it," he said."They always tell me that I can win it for the team. There is no pressure of what will happen next because they motivate me," he added.
