<p>Unless you had been living under the rock, or in a bunker with no Wi-Fi, there's no way you didn't catch the wind of the ever-evolving meme game.<br>&nbsp;<br>From TikTok trends and Olympics swag to absurdities leading up to the US election, 2024 proved that memes remain the lifeblood of internet culture, perfectly summing up our chaotic lives.<br>&nbsp;<br>Humour, creativity, and pop culture came together to capture moments that were as entertaining as they were reflective of our shared experiences.<br>&nbsp;<br>While a few memes poked fun at renowned personalities for their unsolicited suggestions, some celebrated the everyday struggles, uniting millions in laughter and commentary.</p>
<h2><strong>Here's a look at the top 11 memes that defined 2024, in no particular order:</strong></h2>
<p><strong>1. "Very Demure, Very Mindful"</strong><br>&nbsp;<br>This meme took off from a beauty influencer's 40-second TikTok video where she described her makeup routine as "very demure, very mindful", highlighting a point about modest self-presentation.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">you see how he sits on his throne? very demure, very mindful, very fancy <a href="https://t.co/O91EOmTvMD">pic.twitter.com/O91EOmTvMD</a></p>
&mdash; Josh RR Jokien (@joshcarlosjosh) <a href="https://twitter.com/joshcarlosjosh/status/1824553322889744833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Jools Lebron's video, however, turned into a humourous commentary on the pressures of appearance in the digital age, triggering countless variations and parodies.</p>
<p><strong>2. Look Between X and Y on Your Keyboard</strong><br>&nbsp;<br>This social media trend had users asking others to "look between" specific letters on their keyboards, revealing hidden messages.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">If you look at your keyboard while driving, the thing between Q and R will meet you with a challan.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadSafety?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadSafety</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/dtptraffic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dtptraffic</a></p>
&mdash; Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/DelhiPolice/status/1782756981633339804?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2024</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;For instance, looking between 'H' and 'L' reveals 'JK', meaning "just kidding". This trend gained traction across various platforms, with brands and individuals creating their own versions.</p>
<p><strong>3. 'Hawk Tuah'</strong><br>&nbsp;<br>The 'Hawk Tuah' meme soared sometime in July, with the phrase &mdash; the distinctive sound of a vigorous spitting action during oral sex &mdash; becoming an internet meme thanks to a 22-year-old American woman's animated, but innocuous, response to a question about one move in bed that 'makes a man go crazy every time'.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hawk Tuah - The original interview that started it all <a href="https://t.co/QiDfnmXjye">pic.twitter.com/QiDfnmXjye</a></p>
&mdash; The Postman (@officalpostman) <a href="https://twitter.com/officalpostman/status/1804317724975431843?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<br>&nbsp;Although the woman regretted the action on camera shortly after, the internet latched on to the moment and turned it into a viral meme. Last we checked, she had a new podcast show titled &lsquo;Talk Tuah'.</p>
<p><strong>4. Chill Guy</strong><br>&nbsp;<br>If you've been browsing social media recently, we bet you've come across this character of an anamorphic dog, with its hands tucked in its pockets, oozing carefree vibes.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Been making some awful decisions in my life lately, but I&rsquo;m lowkey just a chill guy <a href="https://t.co/pyu7Vo36yA">pic.twitter.com/pyu7Vo36yA</a></p>
&mdash; Dabz 🇬🇼 (@Dabzzzz97) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dabzzzz97/status/1858898155498041608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2024</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;The character was created by artist Philip Banks in 2023, but it was not until November this year that it went viral. The meme stood out as a favourite to underline positivity and coolness when surrounded by stressful situations.</p>
<p><strong>5. Olympians Yusuf Dike&ccedil; and Kim Yeji</strong><br>&nbsp;<br>Turkish shooter Yusuf Dike&ccedil; and South Korean shooter Kim Yeji stole the limelight at the 2024 Paris Olympics with their unique styles and personalities.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Olympic <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/shootingsport?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#shootingsport</a> stars we didn&rsquo;t know we needed.<br><br>🇰🇷 Kim Yeji 🤝 Yusuf Dike&ccedil; 🇹🇷 <a href="https://t.co/gfkyGjFg4I">pic.twitter.com/gfkyGjFg4I</a></p>
&mdash; The Olympic Games (@Olympics) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympics/status/1818909520661278729?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<br>Dike&ccedil; gained viral fame for his relaxed demeanour, competing in a casual outfit without the typical protective gear, while Kim Yeji captivated audiences with her focused attitude, earning her the title of "main character energy."<br>&nbsp;<br>Dike&ccedil;'s hand-in-pocket posture led to humorous comparisons and memes depicting him as a "hitman".<br>&nbsp;<br><strong>6. Donald Trump's garbage truck stunt</strong><br>&nbsp;<br>Just days before the US election day, Donald Trump climbed on a garbage truck in Wisconsin to take a jab at Joe Biden and Kamala Harris over their comment about supporters of the Republican presidential candidate.<br>&nbsp;<br>"This truck is in honour of Kamala and Joe Biden," Trump said from the passenger seat, sparking a wave of memes and jokes.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">PRESIDENT TRUMP: "How do you like my garbage truck? This truck is in honor of Kamala and Joe Biden." <a href="https://t.co/7UwMZ8syvx">pic.twitter.com/7UwMZ8syvx</a></p>
&mdash; Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) <a href="https://twitter.com/TrumpWarRoom/status/1851753216934903956?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<br>&nbsp;The event showcased how humour could thrive in political discourse, despite a polarised campaign involving at least two assassination attempts.</p>
<p><strong>7. Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy&rsquo;s workweek debate</strong><br>&nbsp;<br>Indian billionaire and the co-founder of one of the country's biggest IT companies Infosys, Narayana Murthy's advocacy for a 70-hour workweek touched the raw nerve of working professionals in 2024.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="qme" dir="ltr">🤣🤣🤣 <a href="https://t.co/YBZNm4gFNB">pic.twitter.com/YBZNm4gFNB</a></p>
&mdash; sanjoy ghose (@advsanjoy) <a href="https://twitter.com/advsanjoy/status/1871920384590958616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<br>&nbsp;The 78-year-old software entrepreneur had suggested that young professionals in India need to embrace longer hours to compete globally. Murthy's remarks were met with criticism, sparking a debate about work-life balance and employee productivity.</p>
<p><strong>8. Moo Deng, viral baby pygmy hippo</strong><br>&nbsp;<br>Moo Deng, a baby pygmy hippopotamus born at a Thailand zoo, became a viral sensation&mdash;thanks to her playful antics.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">there can only be one<br><br>congratulations to moo deng on being our top meme of the year <a href="https://t.co/vbifurnGGS">pic.twitter.com/vbifurnGGS</a></p>
&mdash; X (@X) <a href="https://twitter.com/X/status/1871243966794104872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>The videos of Moo Deng avoiding bath time and mimicking chewing captivated internet users, leading to a flurry of memes depicting her in relatable scenarios, with captions like "Me whenever someone calls me pretty." She was also featured in a Saturday Night Live episode, besides having an official theme song.</p>
<p><strong>9. "They are eating the dogs"</strong><br>&nbsp;<br>Donald Trump's bizarre claims about Haitian migrants "eating pets" in Ohio sparked a meme frenzy on TikTok during the peak of the US election campaign.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"I love you. I would never let the Haitians eat you." <a href="https://t.co/47QguOUpAC">pic.twitter.com/47QguOUpAC</a></p>
&mdash; Rare Trumps (@TrumpsRare) <a href="https://twitter.com/TrumpsRare/status/1832957584694792634?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>The local authorities promptly debunked the rumours, but the sheer absurdity of Trump's claims created a wave of memes. The event also underscored how misinformation could spread rapidly amidst a highly charged election campaign.</p>
<p><strong>10. "Chin tapak dam dam"</strong><br>&nbsp;<br>Social media does work in mysterious ways. How else would you explain a cartoon magic spell from an Indian children's animated show to take over social media timelines, years after going on-air?</p>
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<br>&nbsp;The catchphrase from the 'Chhota Bheem' show became a viral trend after a fan revisited an old episode where the villain, 'Takiya', casts a spell to showcase his magical powers.<br>&nbsp;<br>The dialogue inspired several memes and creative adaptations, with many celebrities joining in on the fun.</p>
<p><strong>11. Elon Musk jumping at Trump's rally</strong><br>&nbsp;<br>Donald Trump's election victory left, among other things, a photograph of an elated Elon Musk jumping on the stage with his hands open, to live rent-free in our mind.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I don&rsquo;t know if this will make sense to anyone but Elon jumps like a homeschool kid <a href="https://t.co/9b9eMyCsKy">pic.twitter.com/9b9eMyCsKy</a></p>
&mdash; Ben Palmer (@benjpalmer) <a href="https://twitter.com/benjpalmer/status/1842753242062631204?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>While the Tesla CEO's entrance was meant to charge up Trump supporters at his Pennsylvania rally, the awkward jump in a Make American Great Again (MAGA) cap became a butt of jokes, with social media users adding their own creative captions and edits.</p>
<p>What was your favourite meme of 2024? Tell us in the comments.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

Trending: From TikTok trends and Olympics swag to absurdities leading up to the US election, 2024 proved that memes remain the lifeblood of internet culture

Unless you had been living under the rock, or in a bunker with no Wi-Fi, there's no way you didn't catch the wind of the ever-evolving meme game. From TikTok trends and Olympics swag to absurdities leading up to the US election, 2024 proved that memes remain the lifeblood of internet culture, perfectly summing up our chaotic lives. Humour, creativity, and pop culture came together to capture moments that were as entertaining as they were reflective of our shared experiences. While a few memes poked fun at renowned personalities for their unsolicited suggestions, some celebrated the everyday struggles, uniting millions in laughter and commentary. Here's a look at the top 11 memes that defined 2024, in no particular order: 1. "Very Demure, Very Mindful" This meme took off from a beauty influencer's 40-second TikTok video where she described her makeup routine as "very demure, very mindful", highlighting a point about modest self-presentation. you see how he sits on his throne? very demure, very mindful, very fancy pic.twitter.com/O91EOmTvMD — Josh RR Jokien (@joshcarlosjosh) August 16, 2024 Jools Lebron's video, however, turned into a humourous commentary on the pressures of appearance in the digital age, triggering countless variations and parodies. 2. Look Between X and Y on Your Keyboard This social media trend had users asking others to "look between" specific letters on their keyboards, revealing hidden messages. If you look at your keyboard while driving, the thing between Q and R will meet you with a challan.#RoadSafety @dtptraffic — Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) April 23, 2024 For instance, looking between 'H' and 'L' reveals 'JK', meaning "just kidding". This trend gained traction across various platforms, with brands and individuals creating their own versions. 3. 'Hawk Tuah' The 'Hawk Tuah' meme soared sometime in July, with the phrase — the distinctive sound of a vigorous spitting action during oral sex — becoming an internet meme thanks to a 22-year-old American woman's animated, but innocuous, response to a question about one move in bed that 'makes a man go crazy every time'. Hawk Tuah - The original interview that started it all pic.twitter.com/QiDfnmXjye — The Postman (@officalpostman) June 22, 2024 Although the woman regretted the action on camera shortly after, the internet latched on to the moment and turned it into a viral meme. Last we checked, she had a new podcast show titled ‘Talk Tuah'. 4. Chill Guy If you've been browsing social media recently, we bet you've come across this character of an anamorphic dog, with its hands tucked in its pockets, oozing carefree vibes. Been making some awful decisions in my life lately, but I’m lowkey just a chill guy pic.twitter.com/pyu7Vo36yA — Dabz 🇬🇼 (@Dabzzzz97) November 19, 2024 The character was created by artist Philip Banks in 2023, but it was not until November this year that it went viral. The meme stood out as a favourite to underline positivity and coolness when surrounded by stressful situations. 5. Olympians Yusuf Dikeç and Kim Yeji Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikeç and South Korean shooter Kim Yeji stole the limelight at the 2024 Paris Olympics with their unique styles and personalities. The Olympic #shootingsport stars we didn’t know we needed. 🇰🇷 Kim Yeji 🤝 Yusuf Dikeç 🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/gfkyGjFg4I — The Olympic Games (@Olympics) August 1, 2024 Dikeç gained viral fame for his relaxed demeanour, competing in a casual outfit without the typical protective gear, while Kim Yeji captivated audiences with her focused attitude, earning her the title of "main character energy." Dikeç's hand-in-pocket posture led to humorous comparisons and memes depicting him as a "hitman". 6. Donald Trump's garbage truck stunt Just days before the US election day, Donald Trump climbed on a garbage truck in Wisconsin to take a jab at Joe Biden and Kamala Harris over their comment about supporters of the Republican presidential candidate. "This truck is in honour of Kamala and Joe Biden," Trump said from the passenger seat, sparking a wave of memes and jokes. PRESIDENT TRUMP: "How do you like my garbage truck? This truck is in honor of Kamala and Joe Biden." pic.twitter.com/7UwMZ8syvx — Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) October 30, 2024 The event showcased how humour could thrive in political discourse, despite a polarised campaign involving at least two assassination attempts. 7. Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy’s workweek debate Indian billionaire and the co-founder of one of the country's biggest IT companies Infosys, Narayana Murthy's advocacy for a 70-hour workweek touched the raw nerve of working professionals in 2024. 🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/YBZNm4gFNB — sanjoy ghose (@advsanjoy) December 25, 2024 The 78-year-old software entrepreneur had suggested that young professionals in India need to embrace longer hours to compete globally. Murthy's remarks were met with criticism, sparking a debate about work-life balance and employee productivity. 8. Moo Deng, viral baby pygmy hippo Moo Deng, a baby pygmy hippopotamus born at a Thailand zoo, became a viral sensation—thanks to her playful antics. there can only be one congratulations to moo deng on being our top meme of the year pic.twitter.com/vbifurnGGS — X (@X) December 23, 2024 The videos of Moo Deng avoiding bath time and mimicking chewing captivated internet users, leading to a flurry of memes depicting her in relatable scenarios, with captions like "Me whenever someone calls me pretty." She was also featured in a Saturday Night Live episode, besides having an official theme song. 9. "They are eating the dogs" Donald Trump's bizarre claims about Haitian migrants "eating pets" in Ohio sparked a meme frenzy on TikTok during the peak of the US election campaign. "I love you. I would never let the Haitians eat you." pic.twitter.com/47QguOUpAC — Rare Trumps (@TrumpsRare) September 9, 2024 The local authorities promptly debunked the rumours, but the sheer absurdity of Trump's claims created a wave of memes. The event also underscored how misinformation could spread rapidly amidst a highly charged election campaign. 10. "Chin tapak dam dam" Social media does work in mysterious ways. How else would you explain a cartoon magic spell from an Indian children's animated show to take over social media timelines, years after going on-air? View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shraddha ✶ (@shraddhakapoor) The catchphrase from the 'Chhota Bheem' show became a viral trend after a fan revisited an old episode where the villain, 'Takiya', casts a spell to showcase his magical powers. The dialogue inspired several memes and creative adaptations, with many celebrities joining in on the fun. 11. Elon Musk jumping at Trump's rally Donald Trump's election victory left, among other things, a photograph of an elated Elon Musk jumping on the stage with his hands open, to live rent-free in our mind. I don’t know if this will make sense to anyone but Elon jumps like a homeschool kid pic.twitter.com/9b9eMyCsKy — Ben Palmer (@benjpalmer) October 6, 2024 While the Tesla CEO's entrance was meant to charge up Trump supporters at his Pennsylvania rally, the awkward jump in a Make American Great Again (MAGA) cap became a butt of jokes, with social media users adding their own creative captions and edits. What was your favourite meme of 2024? Tell us in the comments.

WION Rewind 2024 | Viral, nostalgic, hilarious: 11 memes that made the year unforgettable

<p dir="ltr">Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to France to attend the Bastille Day parade marks a significant milestone in the strengthening relationship between India and France. This is the second time that an Indian leader has been invited as the 'Guest of Honour' to the parade, which is a major event in the French national calendar.</p>

<p dir="ltr">While the visit is an opportunity for PM Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss a range of bilateral issues including defence, trade, and investment, it also celebrates the historical and cultural ties shared by the two countries.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The India-France relationship, which has been steadily strengthening in the recent years, has a long and rich history. From defence cooperation to trade ties and climate action, India and France have worked together on a host of global issues.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit also coincides with the celebration of 25 years of the strategic partnership between India and France. In 1998, the then-French president Jacques Chirac visited India, and the two nations agreed to develop their respective strategic independence by drawing on concrete bilateral cooperation.</p>

<p dir="ltr">One of the key things that bind these two democracies together is also their commitment to promote a multipolar world and defend multilateralism and international law.</p>

<p dir="ltr">As the two countries write a new chapter in strategic partnership, here are six reasons that make France India's top partner in Europe:</p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>1) Historical ties:</strong></p>

<p dir="ltr">The participation of the Indian tri-services contingent at this year's Bastille Day parade is testimony to more than a century-old affiliation and the bond between both the armies. According to India's defence ministry, over 1.3 million Indian soldiers (both from British India and French India) had participated in the World War I. Several of these soldiers fought shoulder-to-shoulder with&nbsp; France's troops in the treacherous trenches on the French soil.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The Indian Memorial at the Neuve Chapelle in northern France, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage during his visit in 2015, commemorates over 4,700 Indian soldiers and labourers who lost their lives on the Western Front during Great War.</p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>2) Defence partnership:</strong></p>

<p dir="ltr">Although France became India's second-largest defence supplier from&nbsp;<a id="LPlnk184590">2017-2021</a>, it has been a reliable partner for India in the military aircraft domain since the 1950s. From the procurement of the first-generation the Dassault Ouragan fighter, named 'Toofani' in the Indian Air Force (IAF), to the recent submarine and Rafale-M deal — the defence sector has emerged as a crucial pillar of the India-France relationship.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The Dassault Mirage 2000s, which were received in 1985, continue to be India's go-to aircraft whenever it calls for an air strike. The super fighters proved to be a gamechanger as they pounded Pakistani positions on the Kargil hilltops during the 1999 war. The Mirages were also used to carry out airstrikes in Pakistan's Balakot in 2019.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Moreover, France has also been instrumental in assisting India's defence modernisation efforts through technology transfers, enabling indigenous production capabilities, and joint ventures.</p>

<h2><strong>PM Modi In France: Indian PM lands in Paris for 2-day visit ahead of Bastille Day</strong></h2>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pm-modi-in-france-indian-pm-lands-in-paris-for-2-day-visit-ahead-of-bastille-day-615132/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>3) Supporting India's interests:</strong></p>

<p dir="ltr">France was one of the first P5 countries to stand firmly with India while the world turned away in the wake of Pokhran nuclear tests of 1998, conducted under the prime ministership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Defying the US-led sanctions, France was also among the first countries to sign a civil nuclear pact with India.</p>

<p dir="ltr">In August 2019, after Article 370 was repealed in Jammu and Kashmir, France maintained its position that the abrogation of the special status was India's internal matter.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Moreover, France has reiterated its support for India's bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and for its accession to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), referring to New Delhi as a "major player" in the global arena.</p>

<p dir="ltr">In addition to publicly condemning terrorism, France and India have also pledged to work with the UN to adopt the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT).</p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>4) Strategic ties:</strong></p>

<p dir="ltr">The relations between New Delhi and Paris is also cherished by a shared desire for strategic autonomy and respect for sovereignty of nations.</p>

<p dir="ltr">In September 2022, India and France agreed to set up an Indo-Pacific trilateral framework to roll out development projects, and expand strategic cooperation, amid challenges posed by Beijing in the region. During the meeting, French foreign minister Catherine Colonna highlighted how both France and India share the same concerns over China's growing influence and their commitment to ensure there was "no imbalance".</p>

<p dir="ltr">Earlier this year, France led a multilateral exercise 'La Pérouse' with the navies of Quad countries - India, US, Australia , Japan- and the UK in the strategic Indian Ocean region, where China is trying to get foothold after wresting control of the strategic Hambantota port in Sri Lanka.</p>

<p dir="ltr">A recent strategic agreement between France and India also allows both countries' warships access to the other's naval stations across the Indian Ocean. The Indian Navy now has access to significant French ports, including one in Djibouti, the location of China's sole overseas military installation.</p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>5) Economic Cooperation:</strong></p>

<p dir="ltr">France is the 11th largest foreign investor in India, with a total FDI stock of USD 10,389 million from April 2000 to September 2022. With over 1,000 French businesses operating in India and doing business to the tune of USD 20 billion, the two nations' bilateral trade is currently valued at EUR 10.7 billion. In France, more than 200 Indian businesses are operating with a EUR 1 billion investment stock.</p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ahead-of-pm-modis-visit-eu-parliament-slams-india-over-manipur-violence-new-delhi-retorts-615174">Ahead of PM Modi’s visit, EU Parliament slams India over Manipur Violence</a></p>

<p dir="ltr">According to India Brand Equity Foundation, 39 of 40 companies listed on the French stock exchange are conducting their business operations in India. The signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) would significantly give an impetus to trade.</p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>6) Climate Cooperation:</strong></p>

<p dir="ltr">India and France have forged a strong partnership to tackle climate change and promote renewable energy and international cooperation for a sustainable future. The International Solar Alliance, launched jointly by Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India and former French president François Hollande during COP21, marked a key global milestone in scaling up solar energy, and reducing the cost of solar power generation.</p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Also read |</strong> I<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-approves-purchase-of-26-rafale-jets-3-scorpene-submarines-from-france-615054">ndia approves purchase of 26 Rafale jets, 3 Scorpene submarines from France</a></p>

<p dir="ltr">The treaty-based international intergovernmental organisation, which has its secretariat near New Delhi, now has 114 Member and Signatory countries sharing their best practices and mobilising investments for a carbon-neutral future.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to France to attend the Bastille Day parade marks a significant milestone in the strengthening relationship between India and France.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to France to attend the Bastille Day parade marks a significant milestone in the strengthening relationship between India and France. This is the second time that an Indian leader has been invited as the 'Guest of Honour' to the parade, which is a major event in the French national calendar. While the visit is an opportunity for PM Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss a range of bilateral issues including defence, trade, and investment, it also celebrates the historical and cultural ties shared by the two countries. The India-France relationship, which has been steadily strengthening in the recent years, has a long and rich history. From defence cooperation to trade ties and climate action, India and France have worked together on a host of global issues. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit also coincides with the celebration of 25 years of the strategic partnership between India and France. In 1998, the then-French president Jacques Chirac visited India, and the two nations agreed to develop their respective strategic independence by drawing on concrete bilateral cooperation. One of the key things that bind these two democracies together is also their commitment to promote a multipolar world and defend multilateralism and international law. As the two countries write a new chapter in strategic partnership, here are six reasons that make France India's top partner in Europe: 1) Historical ties: The participation of the Indian tri-services contingent at this year's Bastille Day parade is testimony to more than a century-old affiliation and the bond between both the armies. According to India's defence ministry, over 1.3 million Indian soldiers (both from British India and French India) had participated in the World War I. Several of these soldiers fought shoulder-to-shoulder with France's troops in the treacherous trenches on the French soil. The Indian Memorial at the Neuve Chapelle in northern France, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage during his visit in 2015, commemorates over 4,700 Indian soldiers and labourers who lost their lives on the Western Front during Great War. 2) Defence partnership: Although France became India's second-largest defence supplier from 2017-2021, it has been a reliable partner for India in the military aircraft domain since the 1950s. From the procurement of the first-generation the Dassault Ouragan fighter, named 'Toofani' in the Indian Air Force (IAF), to the recent submarine and Rafale-M deal — the defence sector has emerged as a crucial pillar of the India-France relationship. The Dassault Mirage 2000s, which were received in 1985, continue to be India's go-to aircraft whenever it calls for an air strike. The super fighters proved to be a gamechanger as they pounded Pakistani positions on the Kargil hilltops during the 1999 war. The Mirages were also used to carry out airstrikes in Pakistan's Balakot in 2019. Moreover, France has also been instrumental in assisting India's defence modernisation efforts through technology transfers, enabling indigenous production capabilities, and joint ventures. PM Modi In France: Indian PM lands in Paris for 2-day visit ahead of Bastille Day 3) Supporting India's interests: France was one of the first P5 countries to stand firmly with India while the world turned away in the wake of Pokhran nuclear tests of 1998, conducted under the prime ministership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Defying the US-led sanctions, France was also among the first countries to sign a civil nuclear pact with India. In August 2019, after Article 370 was repealed in Jammu and Kashmir, France maintained its position that the abrogation of the special status was India's internal matter. Moreover, France has reiterated its support for India's bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and for its accession to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), referring to New Delhi as a "major player" in the global arena. In addition to publicly condemning terrorism, France and India have also pledged to work with the UN to adopt the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT). 4) Strategic ties: The relations between New Delhi and Paris is also cherished by a shared desire for strategic autonomy and respect for sovereignty of nations. In September 2022, India and France agreed to set up an Indo-Pacific trilateral framework to roll out development projects, and expand strategic cooperation, amid challenges posed by Beijing in the region. During the meeting, French foreign minister Catherine Colonna highlighted how both France and India share the same concerns over China's growing influence and their commitment to ensure there was "no imbalance". Earlier this year, France led a multilateral exercise 'La Pérouse' with the navies of Quad countries - India, US, Australia , Japan- and the UK in the strategic Indian Ocean region, where China is trying to get foothold after wresting control of the strategic Hambantota port in Sri Lanka. A recent strategic agreement between France and India also allows both countries' warships access to the other's naval stations across the Indian Ocean. The Indian Navy now has access to significant French ports, including one in Djibouti, the location of China's sole overseas military installation. 5) Economic Cooperation: France is the 11th largest foreign investor in India, with a total FDI stock of USD 10,389 million from April 2000 to September 2022. With over 1,000 French businesses operating in India and doing business to the tune of USD 20 billion, the two nations' bilateral trade is currently valued at EUR 10.7 billion. In France, more than 200 Indian businesses are operating with a EUR 1 billion investment stock. Also read | Ahead of PM Modi’s visit, EU Parliament slams India over Manipur Violence According to India Brand Equity Foundation, 39 of 40 companies listed on the French stock exchange are conducting their business operations in India. The signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) would significantly give an impetus to trade. 6) Climate Cooperation: India and France have forged a strong partnership to tackle climate change and promote renewable energy and international cooperation for a sustainable future. The International Solar Alliance, launched jointly by Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India and former French president François Hollande during COP21, marked a key global milestone in scaling up solar energy, and reducing the cost of solar power generation. Also read | India approves purchase of 26 Rafale jets, 3 Scorpene submarines from France The treaty-based international intergovernmental organisation, which has its secretariat near New Delhi, now has 114 Member and Signatory countries sharing their best practices and mobilising investments for a carbon-neutral future. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

French Connection: 6 reasons why France is India's top partner in Europe

<p>Much like the year that went by, 2021 was a fraught year. However, amid the chaos and suffering, the year was replete with occurrences that left people scratching their heads. While some of them were indeed funny, some turned out to be downright bizarre or revolting.</p>

<p>As 2021 draws to a close, let’s revisit some of the craziest viral stories of the year that made waves on social media platforms.</p>

<h2><strong>Bernie Sanders’ iconic mittens</strong></h2>

<p>In January 2021, US Senator Bernie Sanders stole US President Joe Biden’s thunder after he attended the latter’s inauguration in an olive-coloured winter jacket and knitted mittens, resembling a “grumpy grandpa at the post office”.</p>

<p>The 79-year-old’s casual look became a sensation, and Twitter did not take much time to turn it into memes. A meme site, in fact, went a step ahead and enabled a feature that let users put the viral image of Bernie Sanders anywhere on Google Street View image.</p>

<p><img alt="Bernie Sanders" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d5c64a01-318e-4ae7-81ab-aaf3a56a847b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Bernie%20Sanders.jpg" /></p>

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<h2><strong>Dancing through the Myanmar coup</strong></h2>

<p>The military coup in Myanmar in February took an absurd turn after a video emerged showing a woman, reportedly a fitness instructor, dancing while in the background a convoy of SUVs approach the parliament complex to oust the civilian government. The surreal combination of events threw many into a tizzy on the internet.</p>

<p><img alt="Myanmar coup" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fc4a3db5-6057-4434-b619-dcfda26e5e77" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Myanmar%20coup.jpg" /></p>

<h2><strong>Trump Officially Banned From Twitter</strong></h2>

<p>In January, social media giant Twitter permanently banned Donald Trump, taking a dramatic step to limit the then US president’s ability to communicate with his followers. The ban came close on the heels of the January 6 Capitol Hill riots that left a scar on US’ democratic history.</p>

<p>But that’s not all. In May, Twitter suspended another account for being "affiliated with a suspended account", after the handle was caught sharing posts from Trump's new communications platform. <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-permanently-suspends-trumps-account-deletes-potus-new-tweets-355497">Click here</a> to read the story here.</strong></p>

<h2><strong>A ship's traffic jam and a lone excavator in Suez Canal</strong></h2>

<p>In March, a giant cargo vessel, Ever Given, blocked the famous Suez Canal in Egypt. The incident, awful yet hilarious, opened the floodgates of memes with Twitter offering ‘evergreen’ (That’s also the name of the shipping company which owned the vessel) solutions to steer it away.</p>

<p>A picture showing a lone excavator dwarfed by the 400-metre-long ship became a go-to meme template, with users making fun of the various ingenious methods used to refloat the vessel. The ship was dislodged almost a week later.</p>

<p><img alt="Suez Canal" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a38dd420-9745-4a01-ae1b-f522e8e115a6" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Suez%20Canal.jpeg" /></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">best meme so far <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SuezBLOCKED?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SuezBLOCKED</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/suez?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#suez</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EVERGIVEN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EVERGIVEN</a> <a href="https://t.co/B7WojE9t6x">pic.twitter.com/B7WojE9t6x</a></p>
— dup (@dup4dup) <a href="https://twitter.com/dup4dup/status/1375318992550645762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">One man with an excavator trying to revive 15% of the global economy.<br />
Anything can still happen in 2021. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EVERGIVEN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EVERGIVEN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/shipping?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#shipping</a> <a href="https://t.co/sVeYzozqod">pic.twitter.com/sVeYzozqod</a></p>
— Iago Moreno (@MorenoLogistics) <a href="https://twitter.com/MorenoLogistics/status/1375192159360532487?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This whole Ever Given situation is great meme material. <a href="https://t.co/CQYyJVmLWm">pic.twitter.com/CQYyJVmLWm</a></p>
— Matt Thorstensen (@MattThorstensen) <a href="https://twitter.com/MattThorstensen/status/1375100234079014916?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<h2><strong>US Navy pilots describe encounters with UFOs</strong></h2>

<p>In May, two former US Navy pilots revealed they witnessed something "unsettling" and unexplainable while flying over the Pacific Ocean in November 2004.</p>

<p>The pilots, Cmdr. Dave Fravor and Lt. Cmdr. Alex Dietrich, said they spotted a “little white Tic-Tac-looking object” above the water that had “no predictable movement or predictable trajectory”. The duo said the object suddenly accelerated and disappeared once they tried to move closer. It was caught on infrared video by a different navy flight later. <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/leaked-us-navy-clip-shows-ufo-disappear-into-water-off-californias-coast-386888">Click here</a> to read the story.</strong></p>

<p><img alt="UFO" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0d7a8cf2-690a-4798-acc0-17c7838c6714" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/UFO.jpg" /></p>

<h2><strong>T-shirt company tries to cash in on Afghans falling off plane video</strong></h2>

<p>A t-shirt design, which mocked Afghans who fell from a US Air Force jet while trying to flee the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, faced online backlash for dehumanising and gaining profit from a human tragedy.</p>

<p>The £12 t-shirts, featuring the slogan 'Kabul Skydiving Club, Est 2021', left netizens fuming and forced the brand to take a complete U-turn. The last we checked; the company was selling ‘Pray for Afghanistan’ t-shirts. <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/truly-sickening-kabul-skydiving-club-t-shirts-mock-afghans-who-fell-to-their-deaths-from-us-plane-407107">Click here</a> to read the story.</strong></p>

<p><img alt="Afghanistan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="092d4e01-2157-405b-a035-47a89386e7af" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Kabul%20sky%20diving%20club.jpg" /></p>

<h2><strong>Jamaican athlete wins hearts at Tokyo 2020</strong></h2>

<p>A Jamaican sprinter, Hansle Parchment, won praise in August after he tracked down and showed his gratitude to a Tokyo Olympics volunteer who came to his help after he reached the wrong venue. The woman had given the Olympic champion some money so that he could take a taxi and reach on time for his event.</p>

<p>After winning the gold, Hansle did not forget to thank the volunteer who helped him at the right time. <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jamaican-athlete-thanks-tokyo-2020-volunteer-who-paid-his-taxi-money-404958">Click here</a> to read the story.</strong></p>

<p><img alt="Tokyo 2020" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b37988e6-9750-472a-ad38-f5528276be37" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Jamaican%20sprinter.jpg" /></p>

<h2><strong>Nurse’s saline ‘solution’ to fight COVID-19</strong></h2>

<p>Halfway through 2021, German authorities appealed thousands of people to get another shot of COVID-19 vaccine after police found that a nurse had administered saline solution instead of vaccine to more than 8,500 people at a vaccination centre.</p>

<p>Police later found that the nurse involved was "motivated to oppose the vaccination." We wonder how she made it that far! <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nurse-in-germany-suspected-of-injecting-8600-with-salt-solution-instead-of-covid-19-vaccine-404700">Click here</a> to read the story.</strong></p>

<p><img alt="German nurse" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a87c36fd-9f99-4032-8716-689bddee0ab6" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/German%20nurse%20representative%20image-%20credit%20AFP.jpg" /></p>

<p><em>(Image Credit: AFP)</em></p>

<h2><strong>Air India’s all-women power</strong></h2>

<p>In a historic achievement, an all-women crew of Air India took the longest direct flight from San Francisco to Bengaluru after covering a distance of 16,000 kilometres in which the aircraft flew over the North Pole.</p>

<p>The crew further revealed that the new route saved fuel consumption, flying time, and curbed carbon footprint by flying over the polar route. Way to go girls! <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-india-flight-with-all-woman-cockpit-crew-successfully-lands-at-bengaluru-airport-355978">Click here</a> to read the story.</strong></p>

<p><img alt="all-women crew" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e5008545-4777-4143-aba0-a5b27e174bc4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/All-women%20crew%20Air%20India-%20credit%20PTI.jpg" /></p>

<p><em>(Image Credit: PTI)</em>&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Bear and cubs cool off in backyard pool amid heatwave</strong></h2>

<p>This mama bear and her two cubs took everyone by surprise after they were filmed cooling off with a dip in someone’s backyard pool, after the temperatures soared in the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia.</p>

<p>While the cubs paddled around in the water and splashed each other, the mother dipped her paws in the pool and led her cubs over the backyard’s fence once the family was done relishing the outdoor fun. The residents clearly had no choice but to ‘bear’ with them. <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pictures%3A-how-animals-beat-the-heat-like-a-boss%21-140871">Click here</a> to see more pictures.</strong></p>

<p><img alt="Bear and cubs" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="da925696-e56f-44a1-aba9-99588511308d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/bear%20in%20pool.jpg" /></p>

<h2><strong>Macron egged and slapped</strong></h2>

<p>There was no love lost between French President Emannuel Macron and 2021 as the year appeared to have conspired against the leader who was subjected to public assaults, not one, but twice.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In June, a 28-year-old was arrested in southeast France after he slapped Macron across the face when the French leader was shaking hands with members of the public during a walkabout.</p>

<p>Three months later, Macron was pelted with an egg at an international food expo in Lyon, France. Thankfully, the egg bounced off the president's shoulder area, without breaking. We wish him good luck for 2022. <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-then-a-slap-now-an-egg-french-president-emmanuel-macron-gets-some-more-love-from-the-public-416439">Click here</a> to read the story.</strong></p>

<p><img alt="Macron" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2edab71e-4c87-49f3-bb0c-89ab65c9bfc4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/emmanuel-macron-slapped.jpeg" /></p>

<h2><strong>Tanzanian creators lip-sync to Bollywood songs</strong></h2>

<p>A Tanzanian sibling duo, Kili Paul and sister Neema, won millions of hearts recently with their on-point lip-sync to Bollywood songs. The life of the two changed after a video of them lip-synching to 'Raatan Lambiyan' from Bollywood movie ‘Shershaah’ went viral on Instagram.</p>

<p>Since then, the duo, who walk nearly two hours daily to the nearest village to charge the phone for creating the videos, has been inundated with messages - not just from admiring Indians but also people from all around the globe requesting for their favourite melodies. <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/tanzanian-siblings-lip-sync-to-bollywood-hit-song-wins-hearts-online-kiara-advani-reacts-432806">Click here</a> to read the story.</strong></p>

<p><img alt="Tanzania" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="38bb78a1-acfd-4eaf-b3f1-3133a778558d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Killi%20and%20Neema.jpg" /></p>

<h2><strong>Italian man tries to dodge Covid vaccine wearing fake arm</strong></h2>

<p>While 'vaccine'&nbsp;was selected as Merriam-Webster's Word of the Year, vaccine hesitancy made its way into people’s lives - driven by both misinformation and conspiracy theories.</p>

<p>Despite the abundant supply of jabs, authorities struggled worldwide to break the critical barrier to achieving high COVID-19 vaccine coverage.</p>

<p>In one such instance, a man in Italy, who had been suspended for refusing to get vaccinated, tried to pull off a crazy stunt.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The 50-year-old anti-vaxxer, who was keen to get a vaccine pass after Italy made it mandatory, wore a fake silicone arm to his coronavirus vaccination centre. He was later reported to the police for fraud. <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/anything-to-get-vaccine-certificate-50-year-old-man-uses-fake-arm-to-dodge-covid-19-jab-434050">Click here</a> to read the story.&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><img alt="fake arm" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5abfa4f2-3d73-4ec9-9f8e-e7906202c236" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Italian%20man%20fake%20arm-%20credit%20AFP.jpg" /></p>

<p><em>(Image Credit: AFP)</em></p>


Much like the year that went by, 2021 was a fraught year. However, amid the chaos and suffering, the year was replete with occurrences that left people scratching their heads.

Much like the year that went by, 2021 was a fraught year. However, amid the chaos and suffering, the year was replete with occurrences that left people scratching their heads. While some of them were indeed funny, some turned out to be downright bizarre or revolting. As 2021 draws to a close, let’s revisit some of the craziest viral stories of the year that made waves on social media platforms. Bernie Sanders’ iconic mittens In January 2021, US Senator Bernie Sanders stole US President Joe Biden’s thunder after he attended the latter’s inauguration in an olive-coloured winter jacket and knitted mittens, resembling a “grumpy grandpa at the post office”. The 79-year-old’s casual look became a sensation, and Twitter did not take much time to turn it into memes. A meme site, in fact, went a step ahead and enabled a feature that let users put the viral image of Bernie Sanders anywhere on Google Street View image. × Dancing through the Myanmar coup The military coup in Myanmar in February took an absurd turn after a video emerged showing a woman, reportedly a fitness instructor, dancing while in the background a convoy of SUVs approach the parliament complex to oust the civilian government. The surreal combination of events threw many into a tizzy on the internet. Trump Officially Banned From Twitter In January, social media giant Twitter permanently banned Donald Trump, taking a dramatic step to limit the then US president’s ability to communicate with his followers. The ban came close on the heels of the January 6 Capitol Hill riots that left a scar on US’ democratic history. But that’s not all. In May, Twitter suspended another account for being "affiliated with a suspended account", after the handle was caught sharing posts from Trump's new communications platform. Click here to read the story here. A ship's traffic jam and a lone excavator in Suez Canal In March, a giant cargo vessel, Ever Given, blocked the famous Suez Canal in Egypt. The incident, awful yet hilarious, opened the floodgates of memes with Twitter offering ‘evergreen’ (That’s also the name of the shipping company which owned the vessel) solutions to steer it away. A picture showing a lone excavator dwarfed by the 400-metre-long ship became a go-to meme template, with users making fun of the various ingenious methods used to refloat the vessel. The ship was dislodged almost a week later. best meme so far #SuezBLOCKED #suez #EVERGIVEN pic.twitter.com/B7WojE9t6x — dup (@dup4dup) March 26, 2021 × One man with an excavator trying to revive 15% of the global economy. Anything can still happen in 2021. #EVERGIVEN #shipping pic.twitter.com/sVeYzozqod — Iago Moreno (@MorenoLogistics) March 25, 2021 × This whole Ever Given situation is great meme material. pic.twitter.com/CQYyJVmLWm — Matt Thorstensen (@MattThorstensen) March 25, 2021 × US Navy pilots describe encounters with UFOs In May, two former US Navy pilots revealed they witnessed something "unsettling" and unexplainable while flying over the Pacific Ocean in November 2004. The pilots, Cmdr. Dave Fravor and Lt. Cmdr. Alex Dietrich, said they spotted a “little white Tic-Tac-looking object” above the water that had “no predictable movement or predictable trajectory”. The duo said the object suddenly accelerated and disappeared once they tried to move closer. It was caught on infrared video by a different navy flight later. Click here to read the story. T-shirt company tries to cash in on Afghans falling off plane video A t-shirt design, which mocked Afghans who fell from a US Air Force jet while trying to flee the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, faced online backlash for dehumanising and gaining profit from a human tragedy. The £12 t-shirts, featuring the slogan 'Kabul Skydiving Club, Est 2021', left netizens fuming and forced the brand to take a complete U-turn. The last we checked; the company was selling ‘Pray for Afghanistan’ t-shirts. Click here to read the story. Jamaican athlete wins hearts at Tokyo 2020 A Jamaican sprinter, Hansle Parchment, won praise in August after he tracked down and showed his gratitude to a Tokyo Olympics volunteer who came to his help after he reached the wrong venue. The woman had given the Olympic champion some money so that he could take a taxi and reach on time for his event. After winning the gold, Hansle did not forget to thank the volunteer who helped him at the right time. Click here to read the story. Nurse’s saline ‘solution’ to fight COVID-19 Halfway through 2021, German authorities appealed thousands of people to get another shot of COVID-19 vaccine after police found that a nurse had administered saline solution instead of vaccine to more than 8,500 people at a vaccination centre. Police later found that the nurse involved was "motivated to oppose the vaccination." We wonder how she made it that far! Click here to read the story. (Image Credit: AFP) Air India’s all-women power In a historic achievement, an all-women crew of Air India took the longest direct flight from San Francisco to Bengaluru after covering a distance of 16,000 kilometres in which the aircraft flew over the North Pole. The crew further revealed that the new route saved fuel consumption, flying time, and curbed carbon footprint by flying over the polar route. Way to go girls! Click here to read the story. (Image Credit: PTI) Bear and cubs cool off in backyard pool amid heatwave This mama bear and her two cubs took everyone by surprise after they were filmed cooling off with a dip in someone’s backyard pool, after the temperatures soared in the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia. While the cubs paddled around in the water and splashed each other, the mother dipped her paws in the pool and led her cubs over the backyard’s fence once the family was done relishing the outdoor fun. The residents clearly had no choice but to ‘bear’ with them. Click here to see more pictures. Macron egged and slapped There was no love lost between French President Emannuel Macron and 2021 as the year appeared to have conspired against the leader who was subjected to public assaults, not one, but twice. In June, a 28-year-old was arrested in southeast France after he slapped Macron across the face when the French leader was shaking hands with members of the public during a walkabout. Three months later, Macron was pelted with an egg at an international food expo in Lyon, France. Thankfully, the egg bounced off the president's shoulder area, without breaking. We wish him good luck for 2022. Click here to read the story. Tanzanian creators lip-sync to Bollywood songs A Tanzanian sibling duo, Kili Paul and sister Neema, won millions of hearts recently with their on-point lip-sync to Bollywood songs. The life of the two changed after a video of them lip-synching to 'Raatan Lambiyan' from Bollywood movie ‘Shershaah’ went viral on Instagram. Since then, the duo, who walk nearly two hours daily to the nearest village to charge the phone for creating the videos, has been inundated with messages - not just from admiring Indians but also people from all around the globe requesting for their favourite melodies. Click here to read the story. Italian man tries to dodge Covid vaccine wearing fake arm While 'vaccine' was selected as Merriam-Webster's Word of the Year, vaccine hesitancy made its way into people’s lives - driven by both misinformation and conspiracy theories. Despite the abundant supply of jabs, authorities struggled worldwide to break the critical barrier to achieving high COVID-19 vaccine coverage. In one such instance, a man in Italy, who had been suspended for refusing to get vaccinated, tried to pull off a crazy stunt. The 50-year-old anti-vaxxer, who was keen to get a vaccine pass after Italy made it mandatory, wore a fake silicone arm to his coronavirus vaccination centre. He was later reported to the police for fraud. Click here to read the story. (Image Credit: AFP)

Weird-ender: The strangest, whackiest, most viral stories of 2021

<p>Earlier this year, when India was battling a "once-in-a-century crisis" in the form of the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, two aid groups in the US—led by people of Indian origin—raised more than $25 million towards assisting the country's strained health care system.</p>

<p>In the UK, three Hindu temples raised more than 6,00,000 pounds ($8,30,000). Sikhs, similarly, donated $700-$2,000 to each of dozens of people in need of oxygen cylinders back home.</p>

<p>For decades now, India's large and vibrant diaspora has been leveraging its wealth, political clout and expertise to steer the country's economic growth, while seamlessly integrating with the countries of their adoption.</p>

<p>The largest expat community in the world, nearly 18 million Indians are living outside their homeland as of 2020, according to the United Nations, with United Arab Emirates (UAE), the US and Saudi Arabia hosting the largest Indian diaspora populations. India has also retained its position as the largest recipient of remittances- money transfers from non-resident Indians (NRIs) and People of Indian Origin (PIOs) employed outside the country to family, friends or relatives living in India</p>

<p>According to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2020/04/22/world-bank-predicts-sharpest-decline-of-remittances-in-recent-history)"><u>World Bank report</u></a>, India's remittances in 2020 reached over $83 billion, despite a pandemic that pushed global economic growth off its course. The country had received $83.3 billion in remittances in 2019.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In contrast, China—which ranks second—received $59.5 billion in remittances in 2020 against $68.3 billion the previous year.</p>

<p><img alt="Chart" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fd4a839f-a639-4044-a8fe-fd80f03cf84e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Chart.jpeg" /></p>

<p>India’s large diaspora is distributed across a number of major countries, with the UAE (3.5 million), the US (2.7 million) and Saudi Arabia (2.5 million) hosting the largest numbers of migrants from the South Asian nation.</p>

<p>"In whichever part of the world Indians went, they not only retained their Indianness but also integrated the lifestyle of that nation," Prime Minister Narendra Modi had <a href="https://www.narendramodi.in/text-of-pm-s-address-at-inaugural-session-of-first-pio-parliamentarian-conference-09-01-2018--538453">said</a> in 2018 at the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, the government-run convention for expatriate outreach. He called the diaspora "true and permanent ambassadors" of the country.</p>

<p>Apart from promoting and upholding the rich Indian culture and interests on foreign lands, the diaspora has also emerged as a soft power asset in New Delhi's scheme of things.</p>

<p><img alt="Manhattan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e2d4d285-8478-4fb1-abbd-041705efbd99" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/image.jpeg" /></p>

<p><b>Yoga diplomacy</b></p>

<p>Yoga has contributed proactively towards bolstering India's image as a spiritual superpower. Ever since the United Nations announced June 21 as the 'International Day of Yoga', mass yoga practices and awareness camps have become prevalent across the global capitals, with the Indian missions proactively promoting the ancient science, that integrates physical and spiritual disciplines. Indian yoga instructors and practitioners abroad have played a key role over decades in popularising the ancient practice abroad.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Yoga in the heart of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NewYork?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NewYork</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/TimesSquareNYC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TimesSquareNYC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IDY2021?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IDY2021</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YogaForWellness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YogaForWellness</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YogaDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YogaDay</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YogaForAll?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YogaForAll</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YogaDay2021?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YogaDay2021</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AzadiKaAmritMahotsav?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AzadiKaAmritMahotsav</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SolsticeTSq?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SolsticeTSq</a><a href="https://twitter.com/moayush?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@moayush</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/IndianDiplomacy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IndianDiplomacy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MEAIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/iccr_hq?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@iccr_hq</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PIB_India?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PIB_India</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DDNational?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DDNational</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DDNewslive?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DDNewslive</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DDNewsHindi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DDNewsHindi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DDIndialive?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DDIndialive</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ANI</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ani_digital?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ani_digital</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PTI_News</a> <a href="https://t.co/rNiuZRikkD">pic.twitter.com/rNiuZRikkD</a></p>
— India in New York (@IndiainNewYork) <a href="https://twitter.com/IndiainNewYork/status/1406639636538085376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p><b>From government to Google</b></p>

<p>The story of Kamala Harris ascending to the vice presidency also emerged simultaneously with the rise in her popularity among the large Indian diaspora in the US, which proudly embraced her Tamil roots.</p>

<p>Similarly, the ancestors of Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, son of former PM Anerood Jugnauth, had migrated to the island-nation from the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, while the South American country of Suriname has Indian-origin Chandrikapersad (Chan) Santokhi as its president.</p>

<p>Silicon Valley—the home of several big, innovative US tech companies—now hosts the highest concentration of Indian-Americans. From Google's Sundar Pichai to Microsoft's Satya Nadella and Adobe's Shantanu Narayen, Indian-Americans have risen up to occupy the high positions at global tech companies, and continue to take giant strides in the banking, finance and other sectors too.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="Residents walk past a poster of Kamala Harris at her ancestral village of Thulasendrapuram in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu on November 3, 2020 - AFP Photo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b2711ae7-12dd-4809-be0b-9261f5b3ea54" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/thumbnail_Image%2002.jpeg" /></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><b>Shaping policies</b></p>

<p>One of the richest minorities in many developed countries, the Indian diaspora, has, on several occasions, helped in lobbying for favourable terms regarding New Delhi's interests and exercising greater control over policy making. The presence of over 9.3 million expats across the several Gulf states has also helped India in buttressing its global image, amid New Delhi's growing strategic interests in West Asia. Indian nationals also make up the Gulf states' largest expatriate community, putting the diaspora at the centre of immigration and labour policy-making.</p>

<p><b>Cinema connect</b></p>

<p>The increase in the popularity of Indian films among the Indian diaspora community has also contributed to rekindling "Indianness" among this demographic. These cultural exports—many of which are increasingly portraying the diasporic Indian life—serve as a medium to explore a common bond among the strangers in another country.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="ndian actors Rana Daggubati and Tamannaah Bhatia participate in India Day Parade in New York in 2017 - Twitter photo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f139c4e9-f8db-41f0-9dfc-1dfe6d6bdab8" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Image%2003.jpeg" /></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>As India enters her 75th year of independence, the Indian diaspora's role as a catalyst for economic and social development—both in the host country and the country of birth—remains noteworthy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The largest transnational population is not just keeping the Indian values within itself alive, but also constituting the cog in the wheels of India's progress, from all the corners of the world.</p>


Earlier this year, when India was battling a "once-in-a-century crisis" in the form of the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, two aid groups in the US—led by people of Indian origin—raised more than $25 million towards assisting the country's strained health care system.

Earlier this year, when India was battling a "once-in-a-century crisis" in the form of the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, two aid groups in the US—led by people of Indian origin—raised more than $25 million towards assisting the country's strained health care system. In the UK, three Hindu temples raised more than 6,00,000 pounds ($8,30,000). Sikhs, similarly, donated $700-$2,000 to each of dozens of people in need of oxygen cylinders back home. For decades now, India's large and vibrant diaspora has been leveraging its wealth, political clout and expertise to steer the country's economic growth, while seamlessly integrating with the countries of their adoption. The largest expat community in the world, nearly 18 million Indians are living outside their homeland as of 2020, according to the United Nations, with United Arab Emirates (UAE), the US and Saudi Arabia hosting the largest Indian diaspora populations. India has also retained its position as the largest recipient of remittances- money transfers from non-resident Indians (NRIs) and People of Indian Origin (PIOs) employed outside the country to family, friends or relatives living in India According to a World Bank report, India's remittances in 2020 reached over $83 billion, despite a pandemic that pushed global economic growth off its course. The country had received $83.3 billion in remittances in 2019. In contrast, China—which ranks second—received $59.5 billion in remittances in 2020 against $68.3 billion the previous year. India’s large diaspora is distributed across a number of major countries, with the UAE (3.5 million), the US (2.7 million) and Saudi Arabia (2.5 million) hosting the largest numbers of migrants from the South Asian nation. "In whichever part of the world Indians went, they not only retained their Indianness but also integrated the lifestyle of that nation," Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said in 2018 at the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, the government-run convention for expatriate outreach. He called the diaspora "true and permanent ambassadors" of the country. Apart from promoting and upholding the rich Indian culture and interests on foreign lands, the diaspora has also emerged as a soft power asset in New Delhi's scheme of things. Yoga diplomacy Yoga has contributed proactively towards bolstering India's image as a spiritual superpower. Ever since the United Nations announced June 21 as the 'International Day of Yoga', mass yoga practices and awareness camps have become prevalent across the global capitals, with the Indian missions proactively promoting the ancient science, that integrates physical and spiritual disciplines. Indian yoga instructors and practitioners abroad have played a key role over decades in popularising the ancient practice abroad. Yoga in the heart of #NewYork! @TimesSquareNYC #IDY2021 #YogaForWellness #YogaDay #YogaForAll #YogaDay2021 #AzadiKaAmritMahotsav #SolsticeTSq@moayush @IndianDiplomacy @MEAIndia @iccr_hq @PIB_India @DDNational @DDNewslive @DDNewsHindi @DDIndialive @ANI @ani_digital @PTI_News pic.twitter.com/rNiuZRikkD — India in New York (@IndiainNewYork) June 20, 2021 × From government to Google The story of Kamala Harris ascending to the vice presidency also emerged simultaneously with the rise in her popularity among the large Indian diaspora in the US, which proudly embraced her Tamil roots. Similarly, the ancestors of Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, son of former PM Anerood Jugnauth, had migrated to the island-nation from the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, while the South American country of Suriname has Indian-origin Chandrikapersad (Chan) Santokhi as its president. Silicon Valley—the home of several big, innovative US tech companies—now hosts the highest concentration of Indian-Americans. From Google's Sundar Pichai to Microsoft's Satya Nadella and Adobe's Shantanu Narayen, Indian-Americans have risen up to occupy the high positions at global tech companies, and continue to take giant strides in the banking, finance and other sectors too. Shaping policies One of the richest minorities in many developed countries, the Indian diaspora, has, on several occasions, helped in lobbying for favourable terms regarding New Delhi's interests and exercising greater control over policy making. The presence of over 9.3 million expats across the several Gulf states has also helped India in buttressing its global image, amid New Delhi's growing strategic interests in West Asia. Indian nationals also make up the Gulf states' largest expatriate community, putting the diaspora at the centre of immigration and labour policy-making. Cinema connect The increase in the popularity of Indian films among the Indian diaspora community has also contributed to rekindling "Indianness" among this demographic. These cultural exports—many of which are increasingly portraying the diasporic Indian life—serve as a medium to explore a common bond among the strangers in another country. As India enters her 75th year of independence, the Indian diaspora's role as a catalyst for economic and social development—both in the host country and the country of birth—remains noteworthy. The largest transnational population is not just keeping the Indian values within itself alive, but also constituting the cog in the wheels of India's progress, from all the corners of the world.

India Independence: Diaspora power - From remittances to diplomacy, overseas Indians script India's success story

<p>As Bangladesh, a nation of 165 million people, celebrates 50 years of Independence, &nbsp;the immense role of its large diaspora in contributing and furthering Mujibur Rahman’s dream of a ‘Sonar Bangla’ is worth remembering.</p>

<p>Spread across 89 countries, the story of Bangladesh’s diaspora is intertwined with its history of migration. When the United Kingdom faced labour shortages following World War II, a large group of men across the Bengal Delta region, along with their families, moved to European countries, setting off a chain of migration.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It reached its peak during the 1970s, with most of the migration originating from the country’s Sylhet region.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The relaxation of immigration laws also encouraged the new wave of migration to the UK. With women and children arriving to reunite with their families, the communities developed on a larger scale. During the Bangladesh Liberation War, the Bangladeshi diaspora in Britain played a pivotal role by setting up a wealth of community organisations and liberation groups.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Subsequently, new businesses and restaurants owned by Bangladeshi immigrants flourished, particularly concentrated in the Brick Lane neighbourhood of East London.</p>

<p>This led to close transnational connections between Bangladesh and the UK. According to the 2011 census, there were nearly half-a-million residents of Bangladeshi ethnicity living in the UK. This was a 56 per cent increase in persons of Bangladeshi origin from 2001.</p>

<p>Over the years, the United States has also emerged as a hub for the Bangladeshi diaspora, with mostly economic migrants heavily concentrated in the New York metropolitan area. Canada, too, has hosted a significant number of the Bangladeshi community members - thanks to their shared Commonwealth history.</p>

<p>But it was the oil boom of 1973 that subsequently led to the rapid growth of international labour migration from the South Asian country. According to the &nbsp;Bangladesh Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training, nearly 1.2 million Bangladeshis left the country to live and work abroad between 1990 and 1995, &nbsp;with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries being the most favourable destination for Bangladeshi labourers. Between 1980 and 2010, the annual migration of Bangladeshis leaving for work in the Gulf States saw a 10-fold-increase from 25,000 to more than 250,000.</p>

<p><strong>Remittances:</strong></p>

<p>According to a 2018 World Bank report, Bangladesh ranked ninth globally in the list of countries receiving remittances, and third in South Asia. The World Economic Forum said that more than 10 million migrants from Bangladesh sent close to $18 billion in 2019. The remittances have contributed to Bangladesh’s GDP - which has emerged as a South Asian economic growth story. The country’s GDP growth overtook India in 2017 when it clocked 6% growth compared to New Delhi’s 5.8%. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, remittances added about $100 to the country’s $1,795 per capita GDP.</p>

<p><strong>Business Networks:</strong></p>

<p>The Bangladeshi diaspora represents a major export market that allows the diversification of the country’s exports. It has also helped in the socio-economic and political development of the community members living abroad. According to the International Labour Organisation, a network of Bangladeshi restaurants in Britain provides employment to Bangladeshi migrant workers who come on short-term contracts.</p>

<p>“Relatives play an important role in the management of such businesses in Bangladesh, and diaspora investors prefer to give employment opportunities to the members of their own home community,” said ILO, in a report titled “Reinforcing ties: Enhancing contributions from Bangladeshi diaspora members”, compiled jointly with the government of Bangladesh.</p>

<p><strong>Cultural connect:</strong></p>

<p>The Bangladeshi diaspora, especially in the UK, the United States and Canada, observes the annual Boishakhi Mela (fair) in the month of May. The fair, which celebrates the arrival of the summer season, was launched in Banglatown in London's Tower Hamlets borough - which hosts a massive Bangladeshi population.</p>

<p>Apart from showcasing the Bangla culture and tradition, the festival also offers a platform to connect with the diaspora and celebrate the achievements and emerging voices of the community.</p>

<p>Similarly, Dhaka’s diplomatic missions abroad also organise events on International Mother Language Day as a tribute to its linguistic martyrs of 1952. On 21 February 1952, students and political activists were killed by the Pakistani police for demanding official status for their native tongue, Bengali.</p>

<p><strong>Philanthropy:</strong></p>

<p>Motivated by strong cultural and religious identity, diaspora philanthropy has emerged as a promising means of channelling charity to the home country.</p>

<p>Although most of the remittance is directed to households, a significant portion is transferred as charity towards community development through faith-based organisations. According to a US Aid study, the average annual contribution of the US Bangladeshi diaspora to charities in Bangladesh in 2015 was $3930.</p>

<p>When Bangladesh announced a lockdown following the outbreak of the Covid-19, the Bangladeshi diaspora launched a campaign #BacharLorai (Fight for Survival) to mobilise funds to distribute food supplies. This helped in providing relief to tens of thousands of people in the South Asian country.</p>


As Bangladesh, a nation of 165 million people, celebrates 50 years of Independence, the immense role of its large diaspora in contributing and furthering Mujibur Rahman’s dream of a ‘Sonar Bangla’ is worth remembering.

As Bangladesh, a nation of 165 million people, celebrates 50 years of Independence, the immense role of its large diaspora in contributing and furthering Mujibur Rahman’s dream of a ‘Sonar Bangla’ is worth remembering. Spread across 89 countries, the story of Bangladesh’s diaspora is intertwined with its history of migration. When the United Kingdom faced labour shortages following World War II, a large group of men across the Bengal Delta region, along with their families, moved to European countries, setting off a chain of migration. It reached its peak during the 1970s, with most of the migration originating from the country’s Sylhet region. The relaxation of immigration laws also encouraged the new wave of migration to the UK. With women and children arriving to reunite with their families, the communities developed on a larger scale. During the Bangladesh Liberation War, the Bangladeshi diaspora in Britain played a pivotal role by setting up a wealth of community organisations and liberation groups. Subsequently, new businesses and restaurants owned by Bangladeshi immigrants flourished, particularly concentrated in the Brick Lane neighbourhood of East London. This led to close transnational connections between Bangladesh and the UK. According to the 2011 census, there were nearly half-a-million residents of Bangladeshi ethnicity living in the UK. This was a 56 per cent increase in persons of Bangladeshi origin from 2001. Over the years, the United States has also emerged as a hub for the Bangladeshi diaspora, with mostly economic migrants heavily concentrated in the New York metropolitan area. Canada, too, has hosted a significant number of the Bangladeshi community members - thanks to their shared Commonwealth history. But it was the oil boom of 1973 that subsequently led to the rapid growth of international labour migration from the South Asian country. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training, nearly 1.2 million Bangladeshis left the country to live and work abroad between 1990 and 1995, with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries being the most favourable destination for Bangladeshi labourers. Between 1980 and 2010, the annual migration of Bangladeshis leaving for work in the Gulf States saw a 10-fold-increase from 25,000 to more than 250,000. Remittances: According to a 2018 World Bank report, Bangladesh ranked ninth globally in the list of countries receiving remittances, and third in South Asia. The World Economic Forum said that more than 10 million migrants from Bangladesh sent close to $18 billion in 2019. The remittances have contributed to Bangladesh’s GDP - which has emerged as a South Asian economic growth story. The country’s GDP growth overtook India in 2017 when it clocked 6% growth compared to New Delhi’s 5.8%. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, remittances added about $100 to the country’s $1,795 per capita GDP. Business Networks: The Bangladeshi diaspora represents a major export market that allows the diversification of the country’s exports. It has also helped in the socio-economic and political development of the community members living abroad. According to the International Labour Organisation, a network of Bangladeshi restaurants in Britain provides employment to Bangladeshi migrant workers who come on short-term contracts. “Relatives play an important role in the management of such businesses in Bangladesh, and diaspora investors prefer to give employment opportunities to the members of their own home community,” said ILO, in a report titled “Reinforcing ties: Enhancing contributions from Bangladeshi diaspora members”, compiled jointly with the government of Bangladesh. Cultural connect: The Bangladeshi diaspora, especially in the UK, the United States and Canada, observes the annual Boishakhi Mela (fair) in the month of May. The fair, which celebrates the arrival of the summer season, was launched in Banglatown in London's Tower Hamlets borough - which hosts a massive Bangladeshi population. Apart from showcasing the Bangla culture and tradition, the festival also offers a platform to connect with the diaspora and celebrate the achievements and emerging voices of the community. Similarly, Dhaka’s diplomatic missions abroad also organise events on International Mother Language Day as a tribute to its linguistic martyrs of 1952. On 21 February 1952, students and political activists were killed by the Pakistani police for demanding official status for their native tongue, Bengali. Philanthropy: Motivated by strong cultural and religious identity, diaspora philanthropy has emerged as a promising means of channelling charity to the home country. Although most of the remittance is directed to households, a significant portion is transferred as charity towards community development through faith-based organisations. According to a US Aid study, the average annual contribution of the US Bangladeshi diaspora to charities in Bangladesh in 2015 was $3930. When Bangladesh announced a lockdown following the outbreak of the Covid-19, the Bangladeshi diaspora launched a campaign #BacharLorai (Fight for Survival) to mobilise funds to distribute food supplies. This helped in providing relief to tens of thousands of people in the South Asian country.

Bangladeshi diaspora: A force multiplier, from culture to economy

Author

Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Pratik Prasenjit

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