For the year’s first social media challenge, people swapped fat-to-fit selfies for a cause, some humour and political commentary.
New Delhi: If you haven’t heard of the #10YearChallenge, you are possibly living under a rock, i.e. you’re actually out in the real world. In the virtual sphere, social media has been inundated with photographs of past and present pictures of people to show what a difference a decade has made (hence called the 10-year challenge).
Millennials, though, don’t always need a reason to post a selfie, and have taken on the challenge with some humour, activism, and irony.
From photos of stalled development works to unchanged rural housing to melting/melted glaciers and a very different and grand looking BJP headquarters, folks took on the year’s first social media challenge with gusto.
Take a look.
‘The only challenge you need to care about’
The photos with the most stark difference have been the ones on climate change. An ice shelf reduced to an ice sheet has been one of the most hair-raising memes produced by the challenge.
https://twitter.com/megycassidy/status/1085507366471249921
The only #10YearChallenge we should care about 🙏🏼🌍 #M1Ö pic.twitter.com/S8hU7gNgZJ
— Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) January 17, 2019
The other moving images were of Syria as people posted photos of the places before the war with ISIS. The present images show the devastation left behind and are being shared wildly.
Syria’s #10YearChallenge 💔 pic.twitter.com/8rK74DERaP
— Muniba Mazari (@muniba_mazari) January 16, 2019
Sanaa #Yemen pic.twitter.com/WohjhXYuXO
— Nadwa Dawsari (@Ndawsari) January 17, 2019
Also read: BJP takes on #10YearChallenge ‘Modi style’, but fails
Changing politics
At home, people chose our politicians and their parties as their subjects. Several show Narendra Modi’s transition from a BJP leader to Prime Minister, and even show a contrast with other leaders such as Nitin Gadkar and L.K. Advani.
#10yearchallege 😊great modi G🙏 pic.twitter.com/1uephX8W3L
— Arush Soni (@ArushSoni8) January 17, 2019
#10yearchallege of our beloved PM Narendra Modi. Country has changed lot under your leadership. pic.twitter.com/vmVAwM5reH
— Shivaa S 🇮🇳 (@pandithshiva) January 17, 2019
At par with Modi’s growth are also photos of the ruling Bharatiya Janta Party, as can be seen in its headquarters located in Delhi. From a humble two-storied bungalow to a mansion, the meme is a jibe at the party’s donation growth.
Difference between 2009 to 2019
BJP Headquarters #10yearchallenge#ChowkidarHiChorHai pic.twitter.com/D2Ujep2I7w
— SUDHEER SIDHIQUE (@Sudheer_sidhiqu) January 17, 2019
As for Congress president Rahul Gandhi, his family legacy was the subject for some. Amethi, the constituency Rahul is an elected representative of, has been in the Gandhi family for years with his father, mother and uncle being elected to Parliament from there. This past and present photo is quite the critique of the Congress’ development promises.
Like the current trend of #10yearchallege , here’s #30YearChallenge (28) of @INCIndia @RahulGandhi @divyaspandana … Nothing changes , time stops when @INCIndiaLive rules … pic.twitter.com/2ittQkCvHH
— Prakash J (@CJ_Prakash1) January 17, 2019
When you talk politics, you can’t not talk about Rahul Gandhi hugging Narendra Modi in Lok Sabha last July. Here’s one Twitter user’s take on the moment.
https://twitter.com/shivam452/status/1085335774009139200
If people took on parties, political parties were also taking on their competition. The Congress put out this meme as a part of the challenge to continue its attack on the Modi government over the Rafale deal; and debtors such as Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi fleeing India.
A lot can happen in 5 years, especially 'chori chori, chupke chupke'!#5YearChallenge pic.twitter.com/r1xaUDYeMG
— Congress (@INCIndia) January 18, 2019
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan too featured in the memes.
https://twitter.com/AshfaqAhmad755/status/1086192158590361600
With elections coming up soon, poll promises are the current newsmakers, and the 10YearChallenge was the perfect opportunity for some political commentary. From the stalemate over the Babri Masjid dispute to civic issues, memes were about how 10 years can also show no difference.
#10yearchallenge #Mandir #RamMandir #10yearchallege @BJP4India pic.twitter.com/khyUpfNJGF
— aman garg (@aman1787) January 16, 2019
#10yearchallenge
Rammandir vs BJP office pic.twitter.com/6GByFG1RRY
— Kiran (@kirankonnects) January 17, 2019
https://twitter.com/desidanda3/status/1086099844631015424
Not just bridges, social media users also used the occasion to rib the government over fuel prices.
In the petrol & diesel
₹price india#10yearchallenge pic.twitter.com/Fa1p8sEOp9
— 🇱🇴🇬🇪🇸🇭🇼🇦🇷🇦🇳 (@logeshwaranda) January 18, 2019
And with that, social media has truly kicked off 2019. Bring on the next challenge.