All this is due to the fact that the internet is presently bursting with laughs and imaginative fun, and all of this courtesy of a tiny but significant component of a new book. The item is that Indian PM Narendra Modi has penned down the foreword (the introduction) of the Indian edition of that book by Italian PM Giorgista Meloni. In this introduction, PM Modi related the inspiring life story of Meloni to the Indian concept of Nari Shakti (Woman Power) or Divine Feminine Energy.
You may imagine now it is serious politics. However, since the two leaders, PM Modi and PM Meloni, already share an immensely popular, chummy rapport on social media, to the point of their being frequently called Melodi (Meloni and Modi together), this new reference to Nari Shakti has resulted in a meme fest on the internet like a tide.
The Foreword, The Book and Nari Shakti.
The autobiography of Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni is titled, I Am Giorgia: My Roots, My Principles. It narrates how she rose to power as Italy first woman Prime Minister starting as an ordinary girl in Rome. It is an account of bravery, clinging to what one believes in and making it to the top.
In the case of the Indian edition of this book, PM Modi provided the foreword. He glorified the life of Meloni as a not only a political story, but a dedication to service to people. He even named the book her Mann Ki Baat, or her own famous radio show.
What brought everyone to the table was when PM Modi made a similar comparison with the Indian culture. He said that Meloni as a leader is strongly connected with the concept of Nari Shakti. According to him, it is this idea, which glorifies the female divine energy and power, that will make her story resonate so much with the Indian people. He said that Meloni has remained loyal to her roots as a leader who takes her country boldly into the international scene, and that is the attribute which reminds him of this eternal Indian virtue.
The Story of how a Meaningful Phrase turned into an Amusing Meme.
The cordial encounters and exchanges between PM Modi and PM Meloni have been a massive social media hit over the last several months. PM Meloni hashtagged the hashtood Melodi after one of the most famous selfie they both took at a world summit. This has since given social media users everywhere, and Indians in particular, a combination of political curiosity and mischievous, almost Bollywood, fun to the friendship between them in the workplace.
The new label Nari Shakti reference was the adding of gasoline to an already massive social media blaze. Immediately, people found the comicality in relating a phrase about the divine, ancient Indian power to the already viral Melodi story.
The succeeding memes were endless and very imaginative. The following is what people are posting:
- The Crossover “Melodi”: PM Modi and PM Meloni are frequently featured in comic edited photography, with the captions such as: When PM Modi uses nari shakti to describe the friendship between us (Melodi). One of the most frequented images is the one in which the two leaders are gazing at one another, and the text box includes the information that: PM Modi to Meloni: This is not a foreword, but a part of the world saga of Nari Shakti!
- The Divine Connection: Lots of posts make comical comparisons to the Indian culture. Others portray well known Indian goddesses (who depict Nari Shakti) in bewilderment yet joyful at the Melodi relationship. One of the jokes is: Even the Goddesses are trending today #Melodi.
- The Angle of Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi declared the book to be her Mann Ki Baat, and so this was included in the fun. The memes demonstrated how people were stampinging their feet to get the book to read the book titled, Meloni ki Baat, with a foreword by Nari Shakti.
- The Movie Poster Edits: Movie style posters are being made by the users. The poster carries the names of the two leaders in dramatic title such as, Melodi: The Saga of Global Nari Shakti, along with release date similar to the release of the book.
- The Indian Parent Joke: A very popular group of memes takes the point of view of an Indian parent: “Mom: This Meloni? Me: She is the model of Nari Shakti, Mom, she wrote the foreword of Mom, the book being written by Modi ji! Mom: (Satisfied nod) Good girl.”
Why Does This Happen?
What is interesting is this massive online response reveals a couple of intriguing facts about the internet and politics in the present:
- The Power of Connection: The Melodi buzz demonstrates that whenever the world leaders appear to have a genuine warm relationship, it is just popularized in a moment. Human contact in their politics at a higher level is liked by people.
- Indian Meme Culture: India is very active and moving in the meme culture. Any news surrounding PM Modi, or anything that can be associated with Bollywood or Indian cultures in an humorous manner, viruses very fast.
- Small words, great effect: The name Nari Shakti is simple to comprehend, even in case one is not attentive to Indian politics. It is a strong expression, and the fact that it is placed in an unusual context (in the preface to a book by an Italian PM) is the correct formula to an online joke.
Beyond the Laughter
Although the meme fest is funny, the whole affair is extremely significant to the relations between India and Italy.
First, it demonstrates how the friendship between the two nations is deepening. PM Modi is personally writing the foreword which is a huge sign of respect to PM Meloni. This is after they concluded to transform India-Italy relations into a Strategic Partnership in 2023.
Second, calling Meloni Nari Shakti, PM Modi is not only praising her but also spreading an Indian value on the international stage. He is referring to the fact that the power of women is a universal concept that unites various cultures, whether it is India or Italy.
Therefore, when everyone is engaged in creating and sharing funny pictures on the internet, the key message is evident: the personal friendship between the leaders is good, the partnership between the two countries is developing, and in some cases, the serious moment in the political life may be the greatest source of smiles and tears on the internet.
The book including its special foreword will soon appear in Indian bookstores. And whatever the book may say within, the meme fest of the Melodi and Nari Shakti has already gone to the point of turning it into one of the most discussed books of the year!
