NEW DELHI – Widening the scope of his selfie skills, Prime Minister Narendra Modi indulged in some wildlife photography after inaugurating the Jungle Safari park in Chhattisgarh’s Naya Raipur on Tuesday.
Modi’s pictures, in which he can be seen clicking images of tigers in the safari, have gone viral on social media.
“One for the camera….at the Nandan Van Jungle Safari,” PM Modi tweeted along with his images of photographing the big cats.
One for the camera….at the Nandan Van Jungle Safari in @Naya_Raipur. pic.twitter.com/KpqVjjI8Xx
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 1, 2016
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister inaugurated the Jungle Safari park developed in an area of 320-hectares in Naya Raipur, the upcoming capital of the state, the Times of India reported.
Strict security measures have been taken across the city in view of the PM’s visit.
#WATCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Nandan Van Jungle Safari in Naya Raipur (Chhattisgarh), earlier today pic.twitter.com/WJV2w7nKcr
— ANI (@ANI_news) November 1, 2016
‘Selfie democracy’
Since assuming the office, Narendra Modi has taken to Twitter and Facebook to carry out his foreign and domestic policy, in what has been coined ‘selfie diplomacy’.
The prime minister also has connected with the Indian people in a way no other leader has – projecting images of modern India, focusing on middle class issues such as technology, hygiene and growth.
Modi is the second most-followed politician on Twitter, with 15.9 million followers, only out-followed by Barack Obama.
In a country with more than 280 million internet users, there is huge scope for Mr Modi to push his message.
His social media presence is relentlessly positive, and promotes India, and specifically the Hindu middle classes.
Modi has been embraced by huge numbers of Indians who see him as a moderniser, and a leader – especially compared to previous inefficient and weak prime ministers before.
His visits to Britain, and previously to America – including to Silicon Valley – are part of a push to focus on India’s high-tech sectors and also the success of Indians around the world.
