More selfies, less bathrooms for Modi's India

With 1,500 booths set up in Delhi so far, #SelfiewithModi campaign launched to encourage young people to vote for BJP


Web Desk February 04, 2015
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PHOTO: REUTERS

Rather than fulfilling their promises of constructing more bathrooms, the tech-savvy Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party --  has set up 2,500 selfie booths to give Indians a chance to take a ‘selfie with Modi’, Quartz reported on Wednesday.

The #SelfiewithModi campaign was launched by Modi (who very recently wore his name on a suit) on January 24, and so far about 1,500 booths have been set up in Delhi to encourage young people to vote for the BJP in the upcoming elections.

And, not only does it not just have its own Twitter page, it has also attracted foreigners to get in on the selfie action the nation is currently obsessed with.

It must be noted that the Indian prime minister himself is not physically present in these selfies, rather the photographs are taken with a mobile application with Modi’s smiling face in the frame.



The booths are set up with smartphones atop tripod stands, and are connected to a TV where the selfies can be viewed.

This is not the first time the BJP and Modi are using technology to their advantage.

Before the country was immersed in elections last year, the Indian premier used a 3D hologram to address public rallies – this cost a whopping $9.73 million.



Prior to this, Modi had created a Guinness world record in 2012 with his 3D hologram speech being simultaneously broadcast in 53 different locations during his election campaigns.

“People have a fascination to take photos with Modiji,” and 18-year-old volunteer at the BJP headquarters said.

The 18-year-old volunteer mans a photo booth in which he photographs visitors every day, for eight hours a day. He then delivers the Selfie with Modi to them within 24 hours, via email or SMS.

In just 10 days of the launch of this campaign, the BJP has claimed that more than 70,000 selfies have been taken.



Further, the BJP said the concept of the booths have become so popular that they may even continue to keep them on after the elections.

However, not everyone is on board with taking a ‘Selfie with Modi’.

In fact, member of right-wing Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh from Madhya Pradesh Rajesh Tripathi blaitantly stated that such tactics will not solve the problems India is facing.

“Modi should focus on doing some work,” he said.

“I took a selfie just like that, but these are just promotional techniques,” Tripathi said.

COMMENTS (7)

ajeet | 9 years ago | Reply

Pakistan has more pressing problems than to worry about toilets in their country. It's good that India is able to worry about day to day problems than worry about Saudi or American dole tap being turned off or polio spreading across the nation.

Gulwant Singh Bedi | 9 years ago | Reply

Modi need to take a selfie with Maharaj. Maharaj is getting upset in Banaras. He rightfully claims that Modi is straying from the Path Of Hindu Supremacy,.. in Bharat.

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