Industrialist Anand Mahindra was among those who reacted to the BBC tweet saying that "this kind of attitude makes us determined to do even better."
A day after being flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's first semi-high speed train, the Vande Bharat Express, ran into trouble early Saturday during its return to Delhi from Varanasi. Many, including opposition leaders, attacked or mocked the government for the glitch in the train which was hailed by the Modi dispensation as a massive achievement.
Among those who mocked the Train 18's not-100%-successful inaugural run was British public broadcaster BBC. The media group tweeted a news report on the train's trouble, albeit mocking slyly in the process.
The tweet with an emoji did not go down well with Indian Twitterati who pounced on the public broadcaster for mocking an Indian achievement.
Industrialist Anand Mahindra was among those who reacted to the BBC tweet saying that "this kind of attitude makes us determined to do even better."
The train began its first commercial run on Sunday.
Vande Bharat Express left Delhi for Varanasi today morning on its first commercial run. Tickets sold out for the next two weeks already. Get yours today! pic.twitter.com/LwokUNHRJj
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) February 17, 2019
1. Vande Bharat Express runs into trouble
A day after being flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's first semi-high speed train, the Vande Bharat Express, ran into trouble early Saturday during its return to Delhi from Varanasi. The train, which does not have a locomotive, reached Delhi around 1pm, hours behind its schedule. Officials said the delay was caused by "skidding wheels", but those on board the train claimed the problem related to malfunctioning of brakes.
(Photo: PTI)
2. BBC tweet
BBC News World tweeted a report on Train 18's glitch with an emoji.
India high speed train breaks down on first trip https://t.co/hOitimNmqj
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) February 16, 2019
(Photo: PTI)
3. 'This kind of attitude makes us determined to do even better'
The BBC tweet with an emoji did not go down well with Indian Twitterati who pounced on the British public broadcaster for mocking an Indian achievement. Industrialist Anand Mahindra was among those who reacted to the BBC tweet.
"An emoji! Really @BBCWorld ? Do you think you could have done a better job disguising your glee? The good thing is that it’s this kind of attitude that makes us determined to do even better," he said.
(Photo: PTI)
4. Train 18 breaks down, twice
A day after being flagged off by Prime Minister Modi, India's first semi-high speed train, Vande Bharat Express or Train 18, ran into some trouble early this morning while returning to Delhi from Varanasi.
After experiencing problems, the train reached Delhi around 1 pm on Saturday and is scheduled to begin its first commercial run on Sunday with all tickets already sold out. While officials said the problem was caused by "skidding wheels", those on board the train claimed it was a case of malfunctioning of brakes.
Train 18 was manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory, Chennai. It became India's fastest train by hitting speeds of over 180 kmph during a trial run on a section of the Delhi-Mumbai Rajdhani route.
The train began its commercial run on Sunday.
(Photo: PTI)
5. 'Such a shame you choose to attack hard work of Indians'
Railways Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday hit back at Congress president Rahul Gandhi for his criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' programme after newly launched Train 18 experienced trouble twice. Mr Gandhi cited the incident to launch an attack on Prime Minister Modi's Make in India programme, claiming that most people feel it has failed.
"Modi ji, I think Make in India needs a serious rethink. Most people feel it has failed. I assure you we in the Congress are thinking very deeply about how it will be done," Rahul Gandhi said.
"Such a shame that you choose to attack the hard work and ingenuity of Indian engineers, technicians and labourers. It is THIS mindset which needs a reset. ‘Make In India’ is a success and a part of crores of Indian lives. Your family had 6 decades to think, wasn’t that enough?" Piyush Goyal tweeted in response.
(Photo: PTI)