GUWAHATI: In the ever-scrolling realm of social media, where pixels and paradises often blend seamlessly, a recent gaffe by Earth Sciences Minister Kiren Rijiju has stirred quite the digital tempest.
The Minister from Arunachal Pradesh, Rijiju, usually known for his earthy insights, found himself in a bit of a rough terrain when he shared two breathtaking images, claiming them to be snapshots from the pristine Lakshadweep Islands.
However, the twist in this tale is that the pictures were, in fact, sourced from the sun-kissed shores of the Maldives.
The blunder, promptly detected by eagle-eyed netizens, led to the hasty deletion of the post from the minister’s official account.
Meanwhile, former Indian cricketer Virendra Sehwag joined the picturesque pandemonium, sharing four captivating images allegedly from Pondicherry and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Yet, a vigilant follower wasn’t fooled by the tropical mirage, revealing that one of the images was, in reality, a snapshot from Bora Bora Island in French Polynesia.
The intriguing social media saga began when Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ever the digital explorer, invited the public to embark on a visual journey to Lakshadweep.
However, the invitation did not sit well with three ministers from the Maldives, who responded with derogatory remarks against PM Modi.
This digital duel led the Maldivian foreign ministry clarifying that the opinions expressed were personal and did not reflect the official stance of the Maldivian government.
The entire episode raises questions about the authenticity of online content, especially when it comes to showcasing the beauty of different locales.
In an era where virtual travel has become an essential part of our online repertoire, distinguishing between Lakshadweep and the Maldives or Pondicherry and Bora Bora becomes more than just a geographical puzzle – it’s a pixel predicament.
