Last week, media had reported that Uttar Pradesh had directed all schools to remain functioning on 17th September, Sunday, on occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday. Reports said that it was made mandatory for all students to attend the celebrations. It was reported that Anupama Jaiswal, Minister of state for basic education (independent charge) had said, all of UP’s 1.60 lakh primary government schools would remain open.
“MLAs who have adopted schools in their region will go there and promote PM Modi’s message of cleanliness as a part of the celebrations,” she added.
Reports added that the PM’s dream of “Swachh Bharat” could only be attained by helping create awareness about cleanliness among children. The reports added,
“This will be the best gift to the PM on his birthday. Sweets will also be distributed among the students. The motive behind MLAs adopting schools in their areas is to ensure community participation and an effective monitoring system.”
The reports also quoted BJP spokesperson Chandramohan saying how Modi’s birthday celebrations at school would be significant effort at promoting cleanliness and awareness among children.
However, the Uttar Pradesh Government has come out with a clarification that no such directive is issued.
रविवार 17 सितम्बर, 2017 को प्रदेश के प्राथमिक विद्यालयों को खोले जाने का कोई प्रस्ताव राज्य सरकार के स्तर पर विचाराधीन नहीं है।
— Government of UP (@UPGovt) September 8, 2017
The UP government has denied reports to keep the schools open on Sunday, 17th September, to celebrate PM Modi’s birthday.
However, as a government which is trying to move towards a Digital India, the clarification took over a day to come.
On the other hand, in an interesting twist, media had reported Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi would visit the US to talk about artificial intelligence. He was made a butt of all jokes for the same.
Just because you are Artificially intelligent doesn’t mean that you can talk about AI. https://t.co/UBKY5Hw2wY
— Sumit Jain (@sumjain) September 5, 2017
However, Overseas Congress Chairman Sam Pitroda, in a series of tweets clarified that Gandhi will not be speaking on artificial intelligence.
I have seen news in media that Rahul Gandhi is coming to the US to give a talk on Artificial Intelligence. This is FALSE information.
— Sam Pitroda (@sampitroda) September 10, 2017
I don’t know who is behind it but, it seems like it has gone viral. Rahul Gandhi is not coming to talk about Artificial Intelligence.
— Sam Pitroda (@sampitroda) September 10, 2017
47 year old Gandhi will be attending Overseas Congress event in New York, and hold talk at University of California, Berkley.
Now, if only fact-checking was one of the criteria for reporting…
