#_author:Sohini Mitter

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Katy Perry's picture of Hindu goddess on Instagram offends Indians

Katy Perry has invited the wrath of Indians. Much like Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel did recently. Albeit, for a different reason.

The American singer-songwriter is being pilloried for posting a picture of an Indian goddess on Instagram, with the caption 'current mood.' 

SEE ALSO: Miranda Kerr is really feeling the wrath of Spiegel's alleged India comments

The post has got over 250,000 likes and 11,000 comments, most of them unsavory sermons from Indians, who reckon that the significance of goddess Kali (regarded as a divine protector by Hindus) is lost on her.

current mood

A post shared by KATY PERRY (@katyperry) on Apr 18, 2017 at 6:57pm PDT

One user wrote: "Please Katy !! Don’t use such type of Indian God’s and goddess’ pics to represent our mood..Do you know what this pic means and what’s the story behind it."

Another said: “We don’t care about your mood…..you should delete this post otherwise Indians soon change their mood.”    

And a third one said: “How ridiculous this? You don’t have permission to upload a picture of our goddess on this f**king social media and embarrassing our culture.”

One more exclaimed: "Are you serious? You're using pics of our Goddesses as memes?

Fragile sentiments continue to get offended and hate comments still pour in.

Interestingly, Perry's keenness for Indian culture is not new. Back in 2010, her wedding with now ex-husband Russel Brand was a distinctly Hindu affair replete with scripture-readings by a Hindu pandit (priest). It took place in the north Indian state of Rajasthan.

Most recently, CBN reported that Perry had denounced her religion of birth Christianity. "I'm not Buddhist, I'm not Hindu, I'm not Christian, but I still feel like I have a deep connection with God," she was quoted as saying. 

But is she leaning towards Hinduism then, if her Instagram post is anything to go by? 

Guess we'll have to wait and watch!

WATCH: Lady Gaga FaceTimed with Prince William to discuss a very important issue

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Legendary sportsperson's response to fan letter wows Instagram

The 'God of Cricket' must be receiving fan letters by the thousands.

But when US-based Karan Gandhi penned a handwritten note to Sachin Tendulkar, he responded by uploading it on Instagram along with a sweet, little acknowledgement. 

SEE ALSO: Sachin Tendulkar's upcoming biopic will give you all the feels

Tendulkar, who shouldered Indian cricket for over two decades, wrote, "Thank you for the letter, Karan Gandhi! I'm sure your childhood tuition teacher mustn't have been too happy when ODI matches were on. :)" 

It was a response to the fan's submission that he "missed countless tuition classes" to watch the Master Blaster play.

Thank you for the letter, Karan Gandhi! I'm sure your childhood tuition teacher mustn't have been too happy when ODI matches were on. :)

A post shared by Sachin Tendulkar (@sachintendulkar) on Apr 17, 2017 at 4:25am PDT

Surely Karan wasn't the only one doing that. 

It is famously said that a billion-plus lives in India would come to a halt every time Sachin Tendulkar walked on to the cricket field. 

Counted as one of the greatest cricketers of all time and among India's most inspirational public figures, Tendulkar had made the whole world weep with his on-field retirement speech in 2013.  

But the fan worship hasn't retired. 

Sachin's Instagram post is going viral with 167,000 likes and 600 comments in quick time.

WATCH: Watch the first 2 episodes of 'Kings of Con,' a love letter to fans from the stars of 'Supernatural'

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Author-turned politician has plenty to say about Britain's colonial past

Shashi Tharoor is at it again. 

The popular author-turned-politician has been blowing the lid off Britain's colonial past, which he claims, has been brushed under the carpet. 

"Not a line of colonial history" is being taught in the best schools of London, he says. His recent speeches, essays and book, An Era Of Darkness, is all about that. 

SEE ALSO: This politician doesn't like that there's no 'enduring reminder' of Britain's colonial atrocities

In the video above, Tharoor admonishes British officials from the 18th and 19th centuries for exploiting India's resources and taxpayers' money to build the country's railway system which he reckons was "a gigantic colonial scam".  

"From the start it was apparent that the British wanted to build the railways for their own purposes,” he says. “The important role that India could play as a market for British goods and as a market for agricultural raw materials for Britain would be facilitated by the railways.” 

Tharoor debunks the widely held notion that India's sprawling railway network is Britain's greatest contribution to the country it colonized for over two centuries, adding that India "must forgive but never forget". 

Just watch it. 

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Here's why Indians are trolling The New York Times

The New York Times recently published a piece on the benefits of deep breathing. 

"Scientists at Stanford University may have uncovered for the first time why taking deep breaths can be so calming," the article says, quoting Stanford research. "The research, on a tiny group of neurons deep within the brains of mice, also underscores just how intricate and pervasive the links are within our body between breathing, thinking, behaving and feeling."

For the most part, Indians did not disagree with the assumption, but they did have a problem with the phrase "for the first time." 

SEE ALSO: Neil deGrasse Tyson helped create a cosmically punny NYT crossword puzzle

They teared into the publication for not acknowledging the centuries-old practice of Yoga, for which, incidentally, the world credits India. Deep breathing, one of the most popular exercises in Yoga, is known as pranayam and has been practised for eons. 

The NYT article makes no mention of it. And readers are burning the publication for the oversight. 

There are angry comments on NYT's website...

Image: NEW YORK TIMES SCREENGRAB

...and, of course, on social media. 

And leading the charge on Twitter is top Indian businessman Anand Mahindra, who runs Mahindra Group — the $18 billion automobiles-to-IT conglomerate.

Really?And no mention of pranayama or Yoga? Does it take Stanford researchers with a lab full of mice to tell you what yogis knew aeons ago? https://t.co/Z8FD2b4tLM

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) April 9, 2017

@nytimes Yoga found it 5000 years ago... Your Stanford scientists are finding it now?

— Adithyan C.P (@adithyancpankaj) April 9, 2017

@nytimes Dear morons at @nytimes . It's called Pranayama and it's a part of yoga practiced for ages now!!!

— Mahesh (@Magessssssh) April 9, 2017

@nytimes Really? Does NYT even has foggiest of idea about its magnificent ignorance. Indians have *known it for thousands of years..

— विजेंद्र Vijendra (@Vijendra1Verma) April 9, 2017

@anandmahindra As honorable Dalai Lama has said recently , compared to Indian knowledge, West is still in kindergarden.

— Rajiv (@rkc28) April 9, 2017

@nytimes 😂 it isn't Enlightening unless approved by Americans

— स्वमानी मंडापती (@SwamaniPadhya) April 9, 2017

@adithyancpankaj @nytimes They are too backward..Probably never heard of Yoga or India and they wasted time on it..they should have just asked us 😁

— Human (@Be_ManuSya) April 10, 2017

@anandmahindra West has always done this. They learned from us and taught us the same thing saying they have discovered it with lot of efforts.

— Rising Sun (@ojeshsinghal) April 9, 2017

@shraddh29607380 @nytimes Oh come on "Om" is going to be their second Invention, unknown to the world yet 😂😂😂

— स्वमानी मंडापती (@SwamaniPadhya) April 9, 2017

@nytimes Yoga. Good morning NYT

— Maya (@Sharanyashettyy) April 9, 2017

Good morning, NYT? LOL.

WATCH: Forget yoga mats — yoga boards will give you a much better workout

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Gordon Ramsay faces the heat for 'insulting' Indian snack on Twitter

Ace chef and television presenter Gordon Ramsay, who's known for his sharp tongue, was left with a bad taste in the mouth when he tried to humor an Indian Twitter user.

The bloke, Rameez, tweeted to Ramsay asking him to 'rate' his food photo. Just like many users do to invite supposedly hilarious insults from the celebrity chef. 

But what ensued in this case was, umm, unsavory. 

SEE ALSO: Monster Gordon Ramsay compares Girl Scout Cookies to dog biscuits

First, the user's tweet.

@GordonRamsay please rate my medu vada sambar and nariyal chutney pic.twitter.com/9dAcqI5kwD

— Rameez (@Sychlops) April 6, 2017

Medu Vada is a popular breakfast dish in southern and western India. 

It consists of spiced lentil batter fried in doughnut-shaped dumplings, and is served with yellow sambar (lentil curry) and white coconut chutney (made of coconut pulp ground with other ingredients such as tamarind and green chilies.)

Then, came Ramsay's acerbic reply.

I didn't know you can tweet from prison https://t.co/rxrPPBonff

— Gordon Ramsay (@GordonRamsay) April 6, 2017

The dig was possibly made at the utensil on which the dish was served. 

But it rubbed Indians the wrong way. Angry reactions surfaced in no time. 

@GordonRamsay Every cuisine that you're ignorant about is not from prison!https://t.co/LlJI65sJD7

— Rangeela Desi (@RangeelaDesi) April 6, 2017

@GordonRamsay The food looks normal plate of Vada, Sambar and chutney. Unless you mean normal Indian food is only good for prison.

— Ashish Jena (@ashishjena94) April 6, 2017

@ndtv @GordonRamsay you never insult Indian food. You will never find anything tastier. Try going to prison to check the difference!

— Chirag Bedi (@cbedi0930) April 7, 2017

@GordonRamsay If you know how it tastes, you'll either learn how to cook it or commit a crime to get into that prison.

— sUrAj rApArLa (@suraj_raparla) April 6, 2017

@GordonRamsay Well at least this prison food tastes a lot better than your half cooked steak😑

— 🇮🇳INDIAN🇮🇳 (@godhoonbey) April 6, 2017

@GordonRamsay @HoeZaay Watch out man, that's everyday food for half of southern India!☺

— SlobKebab 🚫▶ (@SlobKebab) April 6, 2017

@GordonRamsay @Arezno If you don't mind, I'd rate it as Homeric pic.twitter.com/qmZhPTi37v

— César Waterlord (@Waterlord) April 6, 2017

@ndtv He's not worth so much attention.

— Saurabh J (@_SaurabH_24) April 7, 2017

@ndtv This looks like prison food from the images that have been set in people minds. How can anybody rate food without tasting it #gordonramsay

— Puneet Goyal (@puneetgo) April 6, 2017

@ndtv @GordonRamsay Have you ever tried south Indian Food before calling it mare prison food. Introspect. ��😡😡😡😡@sychlops

— Chintu (@SinghlaMoney) April 7, 2017

@ndtv Gordon Ramsay is a twit.

— vidur (@vohra_vidur) April 6, 2017

Ouch! That escalated fast. 

WATCH: This spinach leaf is actually a tiny, beating human heart

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#StopHindiChauvinism has taken over Indian Twitter

India, a country of 1.3 billion people, has 22 official languages. Its most-spoken language (Hindi) is sometimes mistaken as the national language. 

But it's not. India has no "national language" though Hindi has become the unofficial leader of the pack. And that is a problem.  

SEE ALSO: New mobile banking app supports 11 Indian languages and English

People hailing from India's four southern states are ranting about the imposition of Hindi in their lives. They say that a uniform language isn't a requirement for a unified nation. 

The #StopHindiChauvinism hashtag has exploded on Twitter.

Interestingly, one of the southern states — Tamil Nadu — is home to Google's India-born CEO Sundar Pichai, who on a recent visit to the country had spoken about his problems with Hindi during college days.

Hindi is the most-spoken Indian language in the U.S. Hindi is also the language of the world's biggest film industry, Bollywood. 

While the Hindi supremacy is likely to stay, for now, angry South Indians have their say.

Here are some tweets.

Hindi is an indo-European lang..Dravidian lang are native to India ..stop imposing a foreign lang on my doorstep #StopHindiChauvinism

— Nirmal Raj (@nirins4u) April 5, 2017

Hindi is not our national language. It is just an another regional language #StopHindiChauvinism pic.twitter.com/oXWdp2gk05

— Sushil Hurmade💥 (@Sir_GOLDY) April 3, 2017

Glad we had leaders like Annadurai #StopHindiChauvinism pic.twitter.com/5mX283SgB9

— புலி Arαşαη (@PuliArason) April 3, 2017

Dear Central Govt, If you want my Tax money, serve me in my mother tongue.#StopHindiChauvinism

— Richard Parker (@myRichardParker) April 5, 2017

Because of Hindi, I cannot list my mother tongue as Bhojpuri. #StopHindiChauvinism

— Rogue Academic (@rogueacademic88) April 3, 2017

Blast from the past : 50 Years Ago 1967 : All Indian languages are National Languages!!! #StopHindiChauvinism pic.twitter.com/eaH1CEwSNT

— Arun M Advaid (@Advaidism) April 4, 2017

Dear Southies kudos to you for stopping the Hindi onslaught. Love from - A Bihari who lost his language i.e. Bhojpuri. #StopHindiChauvinism

— Rogue Academic (@rogueacademic88) April 3, 2017

Wow, war against Delhi sultanate has begun#StopHindiChauvinism #StopHindiImposition@narendramodi @mepratap @CTRavi_BJP@AshwiniMS_TNIE pic.twitter.com/40MNSVe1cP

— B S Deepak (@DSiddananja) April 4, 2017

It is not about North India vs South India, it is Hindi Imposing Hindi Chauvinists vs Free People. #StopHindiChauvinism

— Voice of South (@South_Indians) April 5, 2017

#StopHindiChauvinism Don't start the language war again, 1937-40, 1946-50, 1965, 1968, 1986. We won every single time,#HindiImposition

— புலி Arαşαη (@PuliArason) April 3, 2017

Depriving servcs in ur lang& arguing Hindi wud serve d purpose fr all is d biggest bigotry statemnt one has come across #StopHindiChauvinism

— Ramachandra M (@nanuramu) April 5, 2017

I'm a born telugu. With my own interest, I lernt Hindi, English n Tamil. Any north guy learnt telugu with own interest?#StopHindiChauvinism

— OnlyTFI™|SPYder (@OnlyTFI) April 3, 2017

My language is my identity, not my religion/caste. Naanu Kannadati #StopHindiChauvinism

— Kannadati (@BengaloorHudgi) April 3, 2017

Hindi is one of official language in india only. but Tamil is official language in five countries.#StopHindiChauvinism #stopHindiImposition

— Ponnu (@PonnarasuK) April 3, 2017

if Northies dont have the ability to learn English, they should try harder. Not bring others down to their level #StopHindiChauvinism

— இரா.தீபக் (@rdeepakk) April 3, 2017

How will U manage in NorthIndia without learning Hindi? Just like U manage in SouthIndia without learning our language#StopHindiChauvinism

— புலி Arαşαη (@PuliArason) April 3, 2017

#StopHindiChauvinism Being an Odia , I am against unnecessary imposing of Hindi. It ruins our mother tongue when people speak mixed language

— A ଆନନ୍ଦ (@ACrazy_boy) April 3, 2017

Hindi destroyed the real languages of UP Awadi, Bhojpuri, Mythili #StopHindiChauvinism

— Boopal Sridhar (@boopalsridhar) April 3, 2017

#StopHindiChauvinism No more Hindi invasion,we are sufficient with our mother tongue and English.End the three language policy

— Krantikara (@Krantikara) April 3, 2017

We hope peace prevails soon.

WATCH: Watch as this cute device translate any language it hears

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Legendary sportstar's debut music video is going all kinds of viral

One of India's greatest icons of sport, Sachin Tendulkar has debuted on a new pitch. Literally. 

After wowing the world with his batting skills for over two decades, the former cricketer has wielded the mike for "Cricket Wali Beat" (The Beat of Cricket). The music video was created to promote his new app, 100 MB Cricket, and as you can imagine, it's blowing up online.

SEE ALSO: India can't forgive British Airways for asking for Sachin Tendulkar's full name

The peppy track acknowledges every cricketer who played alongside Sachin, and its video has garnered 1.3 million YouTube views in a day. 

It comes just a month before the release of Sachin: A Billion Dreams — a biopic directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker James Erskine. Just watch.

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Twitter hails 'braveheart' mother who jumped on a leopard to save her son

A woman in Mumbai is being hailed a hero on Twitter after reportedly jumping on a leopard to rescue her little son from its claws. The incident is believed to have taken place in northern Mumbai in an area bordering a forest-park. 

The animal leaped out of a dense thicket at around 9pm local time. “I started yelling for help, and ran towards my child to grab him. On seeing me approach, the leopard made a dash for the bushes,” the mother recalled. 

SEE ALSO: Watch this lion attack a tourist vehicle in a popular biological park

Residents have blamed local authorities for not installing streetlights in the area. The mother, however, managed to avert any serious injuries to her three-year-old. He was given three stitches at a local hospital. 

The incident has put the spotlight back on human-animal conflicts in India's tribal and forest zones. Last month, a BBC documentary attracted controversy after highlighting the issue. It led to India banning the broadcaster from filming in its tiger reserves.

Twitter users have "saluted" the mother for her "courageous" deed. "Only a mother can do this" was the over-riding theme: 

Salute to this brave mother in #Aarey who jumped at the leopard attacking her child and saved the child. https://t.co/CAZNYpBh3L

— Gurudas Kamat (@KamatGurudas) March 22, 2017

A leopard pounced on her #son and the #AareyColony resident pounced on the leopard and saved her son, only a #mother can do that. Wow!

— Bhawana Somaaya (@bhawanasomaaya) March 22, 2017

Salute 2 this brave mother who saved her kid from Leopard's attack...! @VijayaRahatkar @poonam_mahajan @ShefVaidya @fadnavis_amruta pic.twitter.com/XVu9uhsSHb

— Sanjay Vaze (@SanjayVaze) March 22, 2017

@KamatGurudas @nistula Only a mother can do this act! Greatest shield, giver of life.

— Daniel Francis (@DFranticly) March 22, 2017

@timesofindia @TOIMumbai Mothers fear nothing when their babies r to be protected. That is why they are superior to others.

— mv raajaa (@mvrangaraajan) March 22, 2017

The day begins with a heartwarming story of a mother who pounced on a leopard that was dragging her little son... https://t.co/YatHCMqGrN

— Vinay Kanchan (@vinaykanchan5) March 22, 2017

@timesofindia @TOIMumbai mother is always like God for child and when it is on her lap then even death can't harm her/him... Love u Mom

— janki goswami (@jankigoswami) March 22, 2017

Mothers are a special breed indeed!

WATCH: Leopard attack leaves 6 injured at Bengaluru school

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'Brown girl' poetry act blows the lid off society's misogyny

Brown Girl’s Guide to Gender, a hard-hitting spoken-word performance by Mumbai girl, Aranya Johar, will strike a chord with every Indian woman. 

Or perhaps with all women in conservative societies.

SEE ALSO: This video about a transgender mother tugs at your heartstrings

The 18-year-old's uninhibited act (with some NSFW language) exposes the hypocrisy of patriarchal societies where women are slut-shamed and cat-called, where marital rape isn't illegal, and a bleeding woman is regarded as impure. 

The video's notched up nearly a million views on social media. It has got people talking. And has also inspired a brilliant response from a man.  

Just watch it!

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This video about a transgender mother tugs at your heartstrings

Transgender rights is a sensitive issue in India. And elsewhere too. 

But this new ad film from P&G for its cough medication brand, Vicks, hits all the right notes and passes on an important message — motherhood transcends gender. 

SEE ALSO: Moving ACLU video tells the story of a trans teen who could make history

Touch of Care traces the journey of a real-life transgender activist, Gauri Sawant (who plays herself in the video), who overcame all odds to adopt and raise an orphaned girl. The story is narrated charmingly by her daughter.   

It has been viewed nearly 5 million times on social media. 

The film tugs at your heartstrings. You might want to keep some tissues handy! 

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Tibetan Lama gives up monkhood for marriage and people love it

Love conquers all. 

Thaye Dorje, the 33-year-old leader of Karma Kagyu, one of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism, has abandoned monkhood to marry his old friend. 

While he will now have to renounce some of his duties, he will continue as the 17th Karmapa (leader) of his tribe, announced his office. 

SEE ALSO: Tibetan Activists Hit by Second Android Spy Malware

Dorje, who became Karmapa in 1994, tied the knot with Bhutan-born Rinchen Yangzom in a private ceremony in Delhi, where his wife currently resides. 

"My role and activities as Karmapa will continue as before – with the single exception of conducting ordinations... As Karmapa, I will continue to protect and preserve our beloved lineage," Dorje was quoted as saying. 

"I have a strong feeling, deep within my heart, that my decision to marry will have a positive impact not only for me, but also for the lineage," he added.  

Image: KARMAPA OFFICIAL WEBSITE

While leaders of Buddhist sects marrying is rare, Dorje is not the first. The 15th Karmapa was also married. 

The monastic traditions will now be passed on.

Responsibility for monastic ordinations will pass on to His Eminence 4th Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, Karma Mingyur Dragpa Senge #Karmapa pic.twitter.com/9GEpzpgW3e

— Karmapa (@karmapaorg) March 30, 2017

Thaye Dorje was just one-and-a-half years old when he started telling people that he was the Karmapa, AFP reports. 

Under Tibetan tradition, monks identify a young boy who shows signs that he is a reincarnation of a late leader. Dorje became Karmapa at the age of 11.

People have congratulated him on social media and hailed him for "sending out a positive message" to the Buddhist world. 

@karmapaorg One can only imagine how my heart sings now! Unexpectedly greatest news, like a ray of light after gloom. Karmapa Chenno! ⚭ 🙌 ⚭

— Alexander (@nichtbemerkt) March 30, 2017

@karmapaorg Dear Karmapa, I feel enormous joy! Best wishes for your wife, for you and for the precious lineage.

— Dennis van de Water (@Autisme_iQCoach) March 29, 2017

@karmapaorg Congratulations! May you both be happy, joyful, loving and healthy for the benefit of you and all sentient beings.

— Daniela Liebert (@Daniela_Liebert) March 29, 2017

@karmapaorg Wonderful news! Most sincere congratulations! May this benefit countless beings! https://t.co/VDz4FeWr58

— G. Liakhovetski (@gvlyakh) March 29, 2017

@karmapaorg May you both find happiness and its causes..

— Iane Porto (@iane_porto) March 29, 2017

@karmapaorg Congratulations and all the best to you and the beautiful Rinchen Yangzom. How wonderful! May this news bless all and inspire love & bliss ♥

— lörschibörschi (@loerschiboersch) March 29, 2017

@karmapaorg you gave a positive message to all Buddhist in the World.

— sumeet cap11 (@scap83) March 31, 2017

WATCH: Hindu priests are now helping to combat child marriage in Nepal

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Fake Nostradamus predictions amuse Indian Twitter

A blog called 'Nostradamus and India' by the French political writer François Gautier has caused a stir in India after it was published by the country's largest-selling English daily, and later found to be inaccurate.  

Soon after the blog went live on the Times of India, an alternative news portal Alt News exposed it for inventing "fake passages" and attributing them to the famed 16th century French astrologer Nostradamus.

The blog was taken down from TOI and republished on Thursday with a disclaimer.

SEE ALSO: Facebook's new 'Trending Topics' update is here — now with less fake news

Gautier claimed in his blog that in 2012, he'd chanced upon some "hidden manuscripts" in an "old trunk". Those manuscripts contained Nostradamus' predictions on the rise of Indian prime minister (a.k.a. "supreme leader") Narendra Modi.

Alt News discovered through a few Google searches that Gautier had a knack of discovering this "old trunk". 

"Francois Gautier has discovered the 'old trunk' so many times over that it is difficult to keep track. He discovered it in his 2009 blog 'Nostradamus and Saffron' and in his 2014 blog 'Nostradamus and 2014' elections. 

The latest 'old trunk' discovery happened on March 28, 2017 on the TOI blog. In fact, every time Mr Gautier discovers this old trunk, the contents inside the trunk seem to change magically," it wrote.

Wow.

This revelation left Indian Twitter in a whirlwind. 

Though some users raised concerns over fake news being published by popular media, most people had a field day.   

Hilarious. Francois Gautier invented fake Nostradamus predictions about Modi. TOI & Zee faithfully published it. https://t.co/961seroNqF

— Aditya Menon (@AdityaMenon22) March 29, 2017

Nostradamus predicted that Modi is the fourth reincarnation of Lord Vishnu, & is born to end the human race 😂

— Sam HellCat (@SoGe89) March 29, 2017

Nostradamus once said-C'est la vie, a prediction abt how Narendrus Modius govt will levy a cess in 2017 to make Bharatus Mataus a superpower

— Scotchy (@scotchism) March 29, 2017

Even Nostradamus couldn't predict that Gautier would be so good at finding "old trunks." https://t.co/4Fjhsg7JHU pic.twitter.com/tIoO95WCGk

— Sadanand Dhume (@dhume) March 29, 2017

How Nostradamus Predicted Stupidosaur Destroying The Aadhaar

— VICE INDIA IS HIP (@ViceIN_is_Hip) March 29, 2017

Did Nostradamus also predict demonetisation? 😜

— Ramanan (@Ramanan_V) March 29, 2017

Did Nostradamus predict his own fame in India several years after his death? Maybe @fgautier26 will be best suited to answer ;)

— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) March 29, 2017

+ "Balus narendrus swimmus rio narmadus el grouppus crocodilio shitus brickums" - Prophecies of Nostradamus, Ch XIV, verse 265 pic.twitter.com/CzbSVWoW90

— The Last Caveman (@CarDroidusMax) March 29, 2017

+ Il duce Narendrus name-printus suit adornus, el Americanus capitano Barakus Broximus Obamus, speakus: "Da Fuqus Mitrus?"-Ch X, Nostradamus pic.twitter.com/WDwsyKH8pd

— The Last Caveman (@CarDroidusMax) March 29, 2017

However, the real concern is this: 

Francois Gautier creates a fake Nostradamus passage, @ZeeNews & @timesofindia join the bandwagon spreading it. https://t.co/nSRLbNA7gv

— Thakursahab (@65thakursahab) March 29, 2017

How do you fight fake news in India when the established groups like @ZeeNews & @timesofindia patronize fake news?https://t.co/GOb0hbRa4h

— Gaurav Pandhi (@GauravPandhi) March 29, 2017

'Fake news' is plaguing the internet. Facebook and Google, the biggest mediums of online news dissemination, have struggled to combat it. This makes it even more imperative for media organisations to fact-check before running their stories. 

The danger of influencing a significant readership wrongly has never been greater. 

WATCH: In stunning exchange, Trump refuses to answer question from CNN reporter

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Bride's dance performance at her wedding is breaking the internet

We know Indian weddings are a lavish affair. But this is intense. Really. 

A 17-minute-long dance act by an Indian bride has gone viral. 

Though the video is two months old, netizens woke up to it yesterday and have viewed it 7 million times already. 

SEE ALSO: Bhangra takes on hip hop for a truly viral NBA half-time dance

The bride is seen performing to a medley of popular Bollywood songs at her sangeet (a pre-nuptial ceremony) — first with her besties and then with her big family, all the while without missing a beat.

There's color, there's music, there's rhythm and there's more. Just watch it. 

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India's 'anti-Romeo squads' aren't going down well with literature lovers

What's in a name? Shakespeare said. But there could well be something in it after all.

India's most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, has set up "anti-Romeo squads," which they say will ensure women's safety on streets. 

However, many cry foul and see this as moral policing. More importantly, they are upset that their beloved Shakespearean hero is being maligned for no fault of his. 

"I thought he was quite a charming guy. UP cops need a new villain," tweeted one user.

SEE ALSO: Indian government steps up efforts to check online trolling against women

But what are these squads? And why are they called "anti-Romeo?"

The squads consist of cops stationed outside schools and colleges and they pick up young boys if they suspect them as "Romeos" — men who are sexually harassing women (known as eve-teasing in India).

However, people want the authorities to clearly "define" a Romeo. Because the fear of being caught has started to affect young couples in the area.     

Hindustan Times reports that the number of couples in a popular park has come down to five from 200 within a week of the squads' existence.

Also, why Romeo? He had a consenting partner. Really.

@AJEnglish These Romeos in India are a slur on great love of Shakespeare's Romeo—-the vagabonds on streets.

— Nasim Siddiqi (@NasimSiddiqi1) March 28, 2017

@AJEnglish @ZarrarKhuhro why sully romeo's name when referring to street hoodlums? he had a consenting partner.

— zulfi qadir (@zed_q72) March 28, 2017

Anti-Romeo squads HARASS COUPLES & media is posting their photos. Anyone supporting this, has probably never had a relationship with a woman

— Samyak Jain (@samyakofficial) March 26, 2017

Image: TWITTER SCREENGRAB

It is colonial mindset to name anything on British Characters. Why Anti Romeo squad, and not, say, Anti Krishna Squad?

— Joy (@Joydas) March 23, 2017

So Anti Romeo Squad is against molesters and eve teasers or couples consensually hanging out? I'm confused

— Kalyani Adhav (@KalyaniAdhav) March 24, 2017

Seriously though- this Anti-Romeo squad shouldn't be a call to action for our 'Men's rights activists'? Can they please speak up now?

— Aditi (@awryaditi) March 24, 2017

Anti-Romeo Squad is an apt description for campaign against all things bright and beautiful. Love, literature, the arts and culture.

— deep halder (@daipayanhalder) March 24, 2017

If breaking up couples is what Anti Romeo Squad going to do, then they should launch an app called Hinder.

— Poonam Khatri (@poonamkhatri) March 24, 2017

An app called Hinder? LOL.

WATCH: This app helps pregnant women get a seat on public transport

[news-mashable-yahoopartner-blog]

These hilarious memes have taken over the Indian internet

India's biometric-based central identification system that started as a "voluntary" program for its billion-plus citizens in 2009 has now become inescapable. 

Consider this: Indians need an Aadhaar card to get a mobile connection, to renew a driving licence, to file their taxes, to open a bank account, and very soon, to even vote. 

The  government is even considering making Aadhaar ('foundation' in Hindi) the only proof of identity in the future. 

SEE ALSO: India's database with biometric details of its billion citizens ignites privacy debate

While privacy concerns around Aadhaar remain unaddressed, Indians took time out to make light of its increasing importance in their lives, and flooded social media with #AadhaarMemes.

Here are the most hilarious ones.

#aadhaarmemes pic.twitter.com/bQXh8dCvT0

— #DestroyTheAadhaar (@GreySasquatch) March 26, 2017

#AadhaarMemes Want popcorn? Get #Aadhaar. pic.twitter.com/c6iZVWK1wZ

— #DestroyTheAadhaar (@agarwal_mohit) March 26, 2017

You need electricity, internet and aadhaar to eat lunch #aadhaarmemes pic.twitter.com/H5IMDSf80Z

— Srinivas Kodali (@iotakodali) March 26, 2017

#AadhaarMemes Make it impossible to breathe without #Aadhaar. pic.twitter.com/wAVTgAQ3bb

— #DestroyTheAadhaar (@agarwal_mohit) March 26, 2017

Hilarious #AadharMemes - creator unknown. Via @MihirCN pic.twitter.com/d2aCH3j0gA

— Shreya Rao (@shreya3103) March 27, 2017

#AadhaarMemes#Aadhaar is voluntary. pic.twitter.com/MDpwOq4tDv

— #DestroyTheAadhaar (@agarwal_mohit) March 26, 2017

#AadhaarMemes 1. #Aadhaar is not mandatory. 2. No air without #Aadhaar. pic.twitter.com/5AOg1gkVtF

— #DestroyTheAadhaar (@agarwal_mohit) March 26, 2017

#AadhaarMemes pic.twitter.com/432cCoECX2

— Mayank Jain (@Mayank1029) March 26, 2017

#Aadhar #AadharCard #aadhaarmemes #PowerOfCommonMan pic.twitter.com/XGYo6sRYAE

— The Anarchy Man Ⓐ (@Anarchified) March 26, 2017

#aadhaarmemes if Aadhaar is for removing Corruption What was Demonetization done for pic.twitter.com/KiF2PNovbE

— Anupam Sharma (@Anupam_Official) March 26, 2017

#AadhaarMemes pic.twitter.com/6CRWPIipQo

— Mayank Jain (@Mayank1029) March 26, 2017

#AadhaarMemes pic.twitter.com/arLy2VBEPa

— Mayank Jain (@Mayank1029) March 26, 2017

#AadhaarMemes pic.twitter.com/9D6yrU7rkC

— Mayank Jain (@Mayank1029) March 26, 2017

Ouch!

WATCH: Could Biometric Scanners Make Airports Safer?

[news-mashable-yahoopartner-blog]

How dealers are using Instagram to sell cannabis to travelers in India

Dealers in India's hill state of Himachal Pradesh have discovered a new way to sell their 'stuff' — the famed Himachali charas (cannabis).

They hunt down travelers through geo-tagged photos and hashtags on Instagram and turn them into potential buyers, Hindustan Times reports.  

SEE ALSO: The American History of Marijuana, Man

The charas is then delivered to customers either in person or via Speed Post, the government-run courier service. 

"We can send up to 1 kg as the post department guys can pack that much in such a way that it won’t be detected,” one of the dealers was quoted as saying. 

One kilo of the hash costs approximately Rs 200,000 ($3,056). 

Sellers are constantly eyeing photos pinned to Kasol, Malana, Manali — locations popular for their hand-processed cannabis. 

Sometimes dealers create accounts, post photos of neatly packed boxes, and leave their phone numbers in the caption. Interested buyers 'follow' the dealers after which interactions begin on Direct Message — Instagram's private communication feature. Eventually, a deal is sealed. 

At times, WhatsApp is also used for correspondence and bank account details are exchanged.

Both dealer handles (@boom_bawa and @boom536) that the report quoted have now gone missing from Instagram. That could be because selling hash is illegal in India. And police are always on the lookout for miscreants. 

"Look, charas is sold here and is sent outside too. That’s a fact. And we constantly work on curbing it. We did get some input about such manner of selling (via social media) some months ago, but nothing much came of it... We are on it," a local cop was quoted as saying.

And it generated some reactions on social media.

The charas dealers of Manali putting the hash into #hashtag. https://t.co/C3MWU6H6Wp

— Ian Jamison (@ianjamison) March 21, 2017

People who smokeup when they travel to Himachal Pradesh are Adven-charas. #okbye

— N A M I T (@fingkisher) February 17, 2017

How digitization is changing the way peddlers function.https://t.co/B7gOD2P1UI

— Priyank Vyas (@vyas_sahab) March 21, 2017

Putting the 'hash' in hashtag indeed!

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