Kamal’s Maiam app to keep ear to the ground

The app is currently accessible only to the registered members of the Makkal Needhi Maiam. The party believed that the app will be a tool for them to understand issues faced by the people and serve as an “ear on the ground.” As of now, only members in Chennai and Puducherry will be able to upload content on the app. The party has also released an explanatory video on YouTube for users to understand how to download and access the app. 

The app allows for users to register either as ‘citizens’ or ‘champions.’ The issues reported by citizens are then verified on the ground by three different champions, who are volunteers. If the issue is found to be valid it is then approved by an administrator based on the reports of the champions. The citizens who have reported the issue will be able to track the progress via the app. 

Since the app’s usage is restricted to MNM alone, civic authorities will be unable to access it. Depending on the seriousness of an issue and the traction it has gained, the members of Makkal Needhi Maiam will then escalate issues to the authorities concerned for resolution. In order to avoid the app being misused, there are multiple levels of vetting. 

Kamal said that this application can be used to expose the corruption in society and to sound an alarm. “MNM will work as an agency towards this. But at the same time, ‘Whistle’ is a listening tool - not a magic wand. We will be a monitoring agency against the complaints, but it is important to remember that the app is not an alternative to the police/civic authority.”

He added that there will be pranksters, who will want to bring the platform down and that there are engineered filters in it. “If we find the app being misused, for instance uploads of any pornography or wrong information, the member will lose the membership. The government will only have limited access to the information we have… that’s better. You all know what they can do with more access,” he said, with a smirk. 

Meanwhile, the star is also set to fulfill upon his promise of promoting gram sabhas across the state. On Tuesday, the 63-year-old will travel along with his MNM team to their adopted village of Adigathur - which is around 60 kms from Chennai - and participate in the gram panchayat proceedings there. 

He believes that this will be an apt start for other villages across TN to take inspiration and follow suit.