It's not okay: PM's speech blunder starts Twitter trend

As soon as PM’s address to the nation finished, Singh still on camera asked the cameraman: “theek hai?” An uproar began on Twitter: nahin theek hai

GN Bureau | December 24, 2012




Just as prime minister Manmohan Singh finished his televised speech to the nation about the gangrape of a 23-year-old woman in Delhi, he asked the cameraperson "theek hai?" (did it go alright?).

The blooper was watched by millions and #theekhai" became the top trending Twitter topic. Twitter wits lost no time in ridiculing the prime minister and at last count at least 560 #theekhai" tweets had been posted at the last count, according to SAP Social Media Analytics, a software which tracks the Internet for a topic.

"Hamara PM weak hai. Baaki sab #theekhai (Our PM is weak, but rest is fine)," tweeted @JoyDas.

"Monday mornings never so fun. Thank you @PMOIndia--#theekhai," tweeted @SumeetCJ. The PM's speech didn't seem to have impressed people on Twitter and his blooper may add to the impression that his government had done little to calm anger against rapes in the country.

Some reacted with anger. "Girls are raped, protestors are injured, Accused are not being hanged, par sab #TheekHai," tweeted @kartik_kapur.           

Singh, in a brief address on television on Monday, appealed to the people to maintain peace and calm, and said that "violence will serve no purpose". He said action would be taken against the rapists who committed the "ghastly" act on the woman.

"There is genuine and justified anger and anguish at this ghastly incident," the prime minister said, adding: "I assure you that we will make all possible efforts to ensure security and safety of women in this country."

The prime minister referred to the steps earlier announced by Home Minister Shushilkumar Shinde and said: "The home minister has already spoken about the steps being taken. We will examine without delay not only the responses to this terrible crime but also all aspects concerning the safety of women and children."

"Our government will keep you informed of the steps taken. I appeal to all sections of society to maintain peace and help us in our efforts," the prime minister said, adding: "As a father of three daughters, I feel as strongly about the incident as any other. We will ensure justice is delivered in the case."

Comments

 

Other News

Gandhian movement after Gandhi failed: Ram Guha

The Gandhian movement in India, after Gandhi’s death, failed, says Ramachandra Guha, and blames Vinoba Bhave for it. But the movement found new, fertile grounds around the world and succeeded in bringing about a change in South Africa, the US and elsewhere. It is high time it returned home. Of cour

When religion, politics and Bollywood come together

Tavleen Singh, noted journalist and political commentator, has turned to fiction, with her debut novel ‘The Actor’ (HaperCollins India). Set in the near future, it has a superstar, Amit Singh, turning to politics, when the political landscape is dominated by prime minister Guru Gaynendraj

Cabinet approves setting up of Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority

The union cabinet, chaired by prime minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday approved the setting up of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), called Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority (ITLA), to strengthen research, planning, appraisal, monitoring and impact assessment within the broad domains of Transp

Why foundational literacy and numeracy is key to school education

Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) are often described as the building blocks of education. Yet, their significance goes well beyond a child’s ability to read a sentence, write a response or solve a basic mathematical problem. These foundational skills shape how children understand the world,

When police data becomes the algorithm

For decades, policing has followed a familiar sequence: a crime occurs, the police respond, an investigation produces records and those records become part of the institutional memory of the criminal justice system. Artificial intelligence is beginning to alter that sequence. Instead of merely recording

Before India voted, the framers worried about the referee

“We are making a Constitution forever and not only for today.” Shibban Lal Saksena said this in the Constituent Assembly on June 15, 1949. He was warning that a ruling party might one day choose a loyalist to run India’s elections. Seventy-seven years later, the Supreme Court is wrestli

Upcoming Conferences



-->

Archives

Current Issue

Opinion

Facebook Twitter Google Plus Linkedin Subscribe Newsletter

Twitter