"I'm ok at VT" on the Internet social network Facebook has become an online bulletin board for Virginia Tech university students to post their whereabouts and condition after the campus shooting that killed 32 people.

Some 236 groups related to Virginia Tech have been set up on Facebook, a sign that Internet social networks are beginning to replace e-mail and cell phones as the preferred method for spreading information quickly among younger generations.

The "I'm ok at VT" group included a list of those killed as well as details about the condition of others injured.

One student asked about whereabouts of her friend in a posting on Tuesday morning. "She sits beside me in my Abnormal Psychology class and I really want to know if she is ok," said Victoria Borkey.

A message posted shortly afterward said the person had been one of the shooting fatalities and called for prayers for her family.

Another Facebook member, Andy Millman, pleaded with members of the group to only post information if they are "absolutely positive" about a person's condition, noting one of his friends was inaccurately described as OK.

Other students set up a Web site, www.vtincident.com, as one outlet to discuss the shooting. Police identified Cho Seung-Hui, a 23-year-old Virginia Tech student from South Korea who was a legal U.S. resident, as the shooter.

On Facebook, some students have posted a black ribbon with the university logo "VT" over it to commemorate the victims, replacing their own profile photo, and spread invitations to attend a candlelight vigil on Tuesday evening.

One student on the Virginia Tech campus formed "Christians Praying for Virginia Tech" and attracted 1,378 members. "Canada Supports Virginia Tech" drew 309 participants. Another Canadian led group drew in 5,200. "A Tribute from Muslim Students," created by a Loyola Chicago student, attracted 32 members.

Another group included repeated slurs against Asians, but members flooded it with messages calling for its removal.

The shift to the Internet came as cell phone networks were stressed during the crisis. Verizon Wireless, the second-biggest U.S. wireless carrier, said it saw four times normal call volume, peaking around midday, hours after the shooting.

In addition to posting notices and cell phone calls, students turned to instant messaging to spread information.

Virginia Tech student body president Adeel Khan said leaders on campus convened an online chat immediately after the shootings to discuss what to do for the shocked university community.

"Every student leader on campus was chatting about what we need to do to start the healing process," he told CNN. "We've mobilized hundreds of students to plan a candlelight vigil for tonight."

Courtesy : Expressindia.com

While the forest and security officials are still looking for ways to protect and conserve lions in the wake of the recent poaching incidents in the Gir Lion Sanctuary, nature lovers and non-governmental organisations are joining hands to protect and conserve the Asiatic lion, in their own way.

During the last three days, the Gir Nature Youth Club in Amreli district has distributed over 10,000 pamphlets in 70 villages of Mahuva and Palitana talukas around the Gir sanctuary with the aim of spreading awareness about protecting lions.

“The locals here said they had seen poachers on the banks of Shatrunji river near Ghoba village, but they did not react as they were unsure about what to do. This campaign is to spread awareness as well as demand better protection and conservation of lions,” Gir Nature Youth Club president Amit Jethwa said.

He said the suspected poachers had also set a stretch of jungle on fire — about 20 to 25 kilometres from Karkath village, with the aim of driving the lions out of the jungle.

He said when the youth here suspected something amiss, they drove these people away. Jethwa said suspected poachers were also seen hiding in a farms in Katrodi village in Savarkundla taluka.

“When NGOs and villagers can get such information about poachers hiding on river banks and farms near non-protected lion habitat, why can’t the forest officials get the same?” Jethwa asked.

The Surkhab Nature Club of Mahuva and Van Prakruti Mitra Mandal of Savarkundla have also pledged to keep a vigil on poachers and report anything amiss to the forest department.

Courtesy : Expressindia.com