New Delhi: Twitter is aghast at the world today. While many were shocked that a super cyclone which wreaked havoc in West Bengal did not make it to prime time TV news, others were amused that NASA discovered an alternate universe but nobody seemed to really care. Let’s see what else boggled Twitteratis:
Cyclone Amphan caused massive destruction in West Bengal, killing at least 77 people. Here, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee shares an uplifting message in this difficult time.
Cyclone #Amphan has left a trail of devastation beyond our thoughts. While the material damage is substantial, Bengal stands united in this time of crisis. Together we will overcome this because nothing can dampen the spirit and strength of the people of Bengal.
জয় বাংলা।
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 21, 2020
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed his comradely solidarity with West Bengal.
Dear Mamata Banerjee ji (@MamataOfficial),
We are deeply saddened to learn about the immense destruction caused by the cyclone. We want to inform you that the State of Kerala stands in solidarity with the people of West Bengal.
— Pinarayi Vijayan (@vijayanpinarayi) May 21, 2020
A painful sight from Kolkata’s famed College Street after cyclone Amphan.
College Street or Boi Para (a neighbourhood of books) got completely devastated by the cyclone. #PrayForBengal
(Photo is collected, source unknown) pic.twitter.com/x7xXbTWqwS
— Sayantan Ghosh (@sayantan_gh) May 21, 2020
The ecological costs of Cyclone Amphan can be seen in this photograph shared by Indian Forest Services officer Praveen Kaswan.
270 years old 'Great banyan tree' in Kolkata's Botanical garden is world's widest tree with 3300 aerial roots spread in 156000 sq feet area.
Cyclone Amphan hit it hard & now it is no more 'tree with the biggest canopy'. pic.twitter.com/CNHzGswBV0
— Parveen Kaswan (@ParveenKaswan) May 22, 2020
Looks like the media is set to fail yet another nationalism test, at least according to Swaraj India President Yogendra Yadav.
The real test of our nationalism is this: how do we react when Indians in other parts of the country suffer?
On this test how should we judge our "national' media? https://t.co/AuWJuvBhpF
— Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) May 21, 2020
And Congress spokesperson Sanjay Jha tests positive for Covid-19. His ex-party colleague, now BJP leader Jyotiraditya Scindia wishes him well.
Sanjay, wishing you a speedy recovery. Please take care.
— Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) May 22, 2020
Meanwhile, this Twitter user explains how propaganda works, perhaps, better than anyone else.
What is propaganda?
Govt: We will start 50 trains
Media: 752 trains are running
That is propaganda.
— Syed Usman (@Sydusm) May 21, 2020
Does Congress get full credits for coining ‘NYAY’?
Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana is a major first step in implementing a revolutionary idea that the Congress Manifesto termed NYAY
Best wishes to the government and people of Chhattisgarh
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) May 21, 2020
Railway Minister Piyush Goyal sees RBI’s latest repo rate cuts as a way to help India reach ‘aatma nirbharta’ (self-reliance).
Welcome @RBI’s move to cut Repo Rate by 40 basis points from 4.4 % to 4% and reducing Reverse Repo Rate to 3.35%.
This will boost demand amid COVID-19 by extending affordable credit to MSMEs & other businesses, helping realise PM @NarendraModi ji’s vision of #AatmaNirbharBharat
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) May 22, 2020
Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray reponds to the BJP’s protests against the Maharashtra government
Absolutely shameful, what lust for power politics can make leaders do. Making kids stand in the heat, with their masks lowered, not covering the face for a political protest when we need to keep them safe and indoors. Corona ko bhul gaye, politics pyaara hai. pic.twitter.com/fmxFKUdssB
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) May 22, 2020
BJP MLA from Mumbai, Ameet Satam, joins a protest, which, thankfully, follows social distancing norms, against the Maharashtra government. Not sure how this helps, though.
Expressed displeasure & protest over poor handling of Corona crisis in Maharashtra & Mumbai by Mahavikasaghadi state govt! No enforcement of lockdown, collapsed ration systems & hospital. lack of strong political leadership & vision in state! Complete failure!#MaharashtraBachao pic.twitter.com/GqLLKHgAcb
— Ameet Satam (@AmeetSatam) May 22, 2020
The only approval you’ll ever need in the cricketing world?
Love our chats. Good man. pic.twitter.com/LOG62xQslM
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) May 22, 2020
BCCI Chairman Sourav Ganguly had quite a ‘tree’ problem on his hands.
The mango tree in the house had to be lifted, pulled back and fixed again .. strength at its highest ?? pic.twitter.com/RGOJeaqFx1
— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) May 21, 2020
A joke to remember. Food reviewers Rocky and Mayur hilariously take a potshot at an article by The Times of India.
Dear insane people –
1. However many bacteria you kill it won’t affect Corona which is a Virus.
2. My mother can end it with a chappal – it’s not proved yet ,until it is I can’t claim it as a cure.
3. Your ambiguous wording is a terrible journalistic oversight @timesofindia https://t.co/oyqTBk8Cah
— INJESTERS (@rockyandmayur) May 22, 2020
Talking about jokes, US President Donald Trump is furious at something, again. At what? We don’t really know, if you do, please write to US analyst Bill Palmer. He’d appreciate the help.
What in the name of hell are you talking about?
— Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) May 22, 2020
Some Twitter users are amused that NASA’s revelation of an alternate universe has not managed to make it to the front page.
Here’s Hollywood actor Armie Hammer’s reaction.
NASA detected a parallel universe where time runs backward yesterday… haven’t heard a single thing about it. Makes me wonder what other crazy shit is happening (ie. being done) while we are locked in our houses and distracted by corona?
— Armie Hammer (@armiehammer) May 20, 2020
But has NASA really found the place where we only go backwards?
nasa: we might have evidence of parallel universes, but it might be a malfunction. the data is still being assessed
media: NASA Researchers Say This Cosmic Phenomenon Might Be Proof of a Parallel Universe
twitter: NASA FOUND ANOTHER UNIVERSE WHY IS NO ONE TALKING ABOUT THIS
— maria (@voidparticipant) May 21, 2020