Miscellaneous

Rousing remarks stir social media

The picture of Indian PM Narendra Modi getting out of his luxury ride and meeting commoners outside the CA building opened a floodgate of comments Rousing remarks stir social media

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Published at : August 4, 2014

Updated at : August 4, 2014 08:46

Kathmandu

The Facebook post of a picture of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi getting out of his luxury ride and meeting commoners outside the Constituent Assembly building in New Baneshwor on Sunday opened a floodgate of comments on the social media, proving that Modi is a people’s man even when in a foreign land.

The photo got over 65,000 likes, with thousands of comments in his praise. On the day, Nepal figured prominently on the social network map with over 39,000 tweets, a majority of them on the Indian prime minister’s visit, according to topsy.com, a website that records twitter feeds.

“#ModiInNepal” was the fourth most twitted subject while keywords like @narendramodi, #nepal, @pmoindia, #modi, buddha, kathmandu and constitution were among the highest trending on Twitter.

Days before starting his official trip to Nepal, Modi booked a special place on social media with his special feeds, winning the sentiments of the Nepali people even before his arrival. On twitter, Modi expressed that his trip to Nepal had personal ties which included reuniting his ‘godson’ Jeet Bahadur Saru Magar with his family and making a trip to Pashupatinath.

People in Nepal and abroad lauded the Indian prime minister for his charisma and confidence. Immediately after Modi’s parliament address, Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai tweeted: “PM Modi has won the heart and mind of Nepalese people with his magical address 2 d legislature-parliament of Nepal”. One hour later, he tweeted again: “PM Modi’s appreciation of d peace process, commitment to federal republican constitution, cooperation in eco dev, mention of Lumbini notable.”

RPP-Nepal Chairman Kamal Thapa tweeted that “Modi stole the show.

He talked very high about Nepal’s rich culture, religion and heritage. He proved he is a statesman and a master orator”.

Praising his trip to Nepal and his statements, senior Indian journalist Rajdeep Sardesai tweeted: “Modi’s trip to Nepal: possibly, his best outreach yet. A country we have got wrong in the last 25 years.”

Nepalis had a marked presence on Twitter on the day. Journalist Kanak Mani Dixit posted: “Narendra Modi speaking like a constitutionalist before Nepal’s Parliament/CA. Supports republican, federal democratic constitution asap.” Journalist Ajaya Bhadra Khanal tweeted, “In 40 minutes, changed the dynamics of Nepal India relationship and probably, Nepal’s future.”

A large number of posts were about Modi acknowledging that Nepal is the Buddha’s birthplace. Some of the admirations to this remark on Facebook were “Thank you Modi for accepting Buddha was born in Nepal. Respect” and “Finally India accepts Buddha was born in Nepal!”