Purva Indulkar counts down 2014’s most controversial, popular, triumphant and shameful moments
ALS Invasion
Bostonian Pete Frates who was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis performed the first Ice Bucket Challenge on Facebook; the act soon spread like wildfire. From laymen to presidents, pretty much everyone across different parts of the world began challenging their friends to the challenge. There have been 1.2 million videos and 2.2 million mentions on social media, and within a month the ALS Association received $41.8 million.
Con or catastrophe?
The most expensive multinational search effort ensued when a Boeing 777 disappeared after its take off from Kuala Lumpur International Airport on 8 March 2014. Flight MH370 with 227 passengers and 12 crew members has since been the source of several bizarre conspiracy theories. So far the investigation is pointing to the pilot as being the prime suspect. However, due to the unavailability of concrete facts, people are predicting everything from an alien abduction to Illuminati involvement.
17-year-old prodigy
Our generation got the role model it deserved in the form of teenage braveheart Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani girl who was shot by the Taliban for promoting women’s right to education. Her illuminating autobiography I am Malala and Nobel Peace Prize victory bring attention to human rights violations in the Middle East and the need for modern education.
Ladies, Clooney is taken!
A million hearts broke when Hollywood’s favourite silver fox George Clooney was snagged by accomplished barrister, activist and author Amal Alamuddin. The couple had a luxurious wedding in Venice and several top politicians, athletes and celebrities were invited. But ladies do not stress, your dream man might be taken but India’s Greek God Hrithik Roshan is newly single!
A narrow victory
The separatist conflict in United Kingdom reached its finale when the British Government asked the people of Scotland to choose their own fate. Ultimately people voted ‘No’ as a narrow 55.3% wanted Scotland to remain a part of the United Kingdom. This unrest is reminiscent of the religious conflict in Kashmir caused after the partition of India and Pakistan. Most of the Scots are dissatisfied with the results in the similar way in which most Muslim Kashmiris were against their home state being a part of India.
Brazil on boil
Blood was spilled on the streets of Rio de Janeiro when the residents objected use of public money to provide facilities for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The protesters suggested using the same money to improve schools, health care and security in the impoverished parts of the city. Brazil’s humiliating 7-1 defeat to Germany only infuriated the residents and fuelled the rebellion.
The Modi miracle
Bharatiya Janata Party’s one-sided victory in the world’s largest elections baffled the international media. The surprise factor, being 64-year-old Narendra Modi managed to win over 44-year-old Rahul Gandhi when 65% population is under 35 years. The creative use of social media and Modi’s direct communication with the people played a substantial role in getting votes. Based on speculation Modi is said to have spent Rs. 500-1,000 crore for campaigning activities and a large chunk of it was dedicated for promotion on social media.
Riding the Red Planet
India’s first interplanetary mission became successful when on 5 November Indian Space Research Organisation’s Mangalyan began orbiting Mars. The purpose of the mission is not only to demonstrate India’s expertise in technology and design but also to collect more information about the nature of the planet. Till date India’s ISRO is only the fourth space agency to reach Mars and the first to achieve the objective in its first attempt. The success adds another feature in India’s cap especially for achieving this feat at only 11% of the price that NASA spent on their Mars mission.
Call of booty
After last year’s uncomfortable twerking, this year’s hilarious trend was songs featuring buttocks. From Booty by Jennifer Lopez which showed the diva twirling seductively to Anaconda in which Nicki Minaj flaunts everything that can be legally flaunted – the trend has caught on like no other. What’s more? Even Bollywood joined in with songs such as Shake Your Bootiya from Finding Fanny and Shake That Booty by Mika Singh.
When pens become swords
The Indian literary scene saw a lot of action when three major books released this year were marred in controversy. The Accidental Prime Minister by Sanjaya Baru, a memoir about the political career of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was berated for being fictional. Sahara: The Untold Story by Tamal Bandyopadhyay revealed the inner workings of Subrata Roy’s company and Gas Wars: Crony Capitalism and the Ambanis by Paranjoy Guha Thakurta was condemned by India’s richest family.
Volume 4 Issue 6
