New Delhi: Twitter, today, saw fiery exchanges, witty responses and sharp political comments. Read on for all the juice.
To begin on a positive note, here’s Kaushik Basu, economics professor at Cornell University US, explains how easy it is to find a way out of current troubles.
If at the end of it, we are a little less selfish, a little more respectful of nature & the environment, ready to consume fewer cars & luxuries, & are willing to expand the health care sector to include all human beings, this pandemic would not have been altogether in vain.
— Kaushik Basu (@kaushikcbasu) April 13, 2020
Here’s a little Twitter spat: former Congress president Rahul Gandhi had made a ‘swadeshi’ appeal.
The massive economic slowdown has weakened many Indian corporates making them attractive targets for takeovers. The Govt must not allow foreign interests to take control of any Indian corporate at this time of national crisis.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 12, 2020
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya used Rahul Gandhi’s appeal to slam his foreign connection, whereupon he is roundly reprimanded for it by Congress spokesperson Sanjay Jha.
Man, you are petty, puerile and pedestrian. And pathetic. https://t.co/RZ4YBK621g
— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) April 13, 2020
Former Pakistani fast-bowler Shoaib Akhtar highlights the irony of our times.
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) April 13, 2020
India’s cricket all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja shows off some of his ‘Rajput’ skills. Is there anything Sir Jadeja can’t do?
A “SWORD” MAY LOOSE IT’S SHINE,BUT WOULD NEVER DISOBEY IT’S MASTER #rajputboy pic.twitter.com/kKyKQ9vSWk
— Ravindrasinh jadeja (@imjadeja) April 12, 2020
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan shows us how he would act differently in coronavirus times.
If MPK releases now…
Happy Easter
Stay focused and stay strong! pic.twitter.com/c4wrrMD0qA— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) April 12, 2020
Looks like actress Sonakshi Sinha might have some new kind of paparazzi following, and she’s seriously displeased.
https://twitter.com/sonakshisinha/status/1249619132900716549?s=20
Indian Railways is on the right track–and has a song to celebrate its spirit. Listen in.
The unstoppable spirit of Railway men & women to serve the nation 24*7#IndiaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/7q8qBqfQ3Z
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) April 13, 2020
Some witty repartee by restaurant aggregator and food delivery app Zomato to one moaning-groaning customer.
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah wonders about the sale of alcohol being allowed in Assam and Meghalaya while in Kashmir there is a lack of basic goods.
National lockdown be damned! Booze must flow. In Kashmir shops selling meat & essential supplies aren’t being allowed to open while in some states even liquor factories are considered essential to survival. pic.twitter.com/lLIGogxkiz
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) April 12, 2020
Shades of Donald Trump. First came the goof up: President Trump tweeted ‘Happy Good Friday’ but last time we checked, Good Friday is not exactly a day of celebration.
HAPPY GOOD FRIDAY TO ALL!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 10, 2020
Then he decided to keep it simple for Easter.
HAPPY EASTER!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 12, 2020
This was followed by an exasperated version of the President, as he raged against The New York Times for claiming that he ignored his advisors’ warnings on the coronavirus.
The @nytimes story is a Fake, just like the “paper” itself. I was criticized for moving too fast when I issued the China Ban, long before most others wanted to do so. @SecAzar told me nothing until later, and Peter Navarro memo was same as Ban (see his statements). Fake News!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 13, 2020
Punjab Chief Amarinder Singh gives his virtual support to ASI Harjeet Singh, the assistant sub-inspector whose hand was chopped off by Nihangs breaking the lockdown in Patiala Sunday.
Spoke to ASI Harjeet Singh, who is recovering after his operation, to enquire about his health. The composure & bravery with which he spoke today is truly worthy of admiration. Wishing him a speedy recovery. pic.twitter.com/dVYk01S5Gk
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) April 13, 2020
Finally, after spending one week in the hospital due to Covid-19, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson thanked the country’s National Health Service (NHS).
It is hard to find the words to express my debt to the NHS for saving my life.
The efforts of millions of people across this country to stay home are worth it. Together we will overcome this challenge, as we have overcome so many challenges in the past. #StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/HK7Ch8BMB5
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) April 12, 2020
With inputs from Fiza Jha