DailyO Hall of Fame: What set the internet on fire this November!
Our monthly Hall of Fame will tell you exactly what you need to know
Pall of smog
A thick blanket of smog was what we commenced this month with — discussions over pollution in the NCR taking centrestage. This happens every year at the onset of Diwali, winter and the stubble-burning season in the northern parts of India. The air quality index, which only became poorer in this month, got reported every day, creating utter shock and fear. But as the month ends, the noise over pollution is biting the dust. However, Delhi’s air quality still belongs to the “very poor” quality, and other cities like Lucknow and Kolkata have come on the radar of pollution as well.
(The only people who don't seem bothered is our netas, currently on election mode).
Editing genes
Scientist Jiankui He held the world at its wit’s end when he claimed that he had helped make the world’s first 'genetically edited babies' by apparently altering the DNA of twin girls born this month — to prevent them from contracting HIV. While his claim was not verified, gene editing is banned in most countries — including China. As his former university clarified that this research was not part of their knowledge, the scientist was proud enough to say that he had funded the experiment by himself.
Facing worldwide criticism, China is believed to have suspended this work.
One corridor, many controversies
The Kartarpur Corridor, connecting the Sikh shrines of Dera Baba Nanak Sahib on the Indian side with the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur was opened amid much fanfare and controversies. Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and Punjab CM Amarinder Singh attended the foundation stone-laying ceremony, a day before Pakistan launched its part of the project in the presence of two Indian ministers and Punjab Cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu. Will this be the corridor towards the betterment of ties between India and Pakistan? Or, is this a way to deflect attention from Pak-sponsored terrorism in Kashmir — the core issue between the two neighbours.
The jury’s still out.
Weddings — one after another after another after....you get the idea!
If winter comes, can wedding season be far behind? Clearly not.
Actors Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone got married this month, leaving a lingering impact on the nation — and the internet. Their wedding in Italy was a private affair — no photos allowed. But after that, the duo has been very generous — sharing photos, hosting parties, one after another. This shaadi joy would be spilled over to the next month now as Priyanka Chopra-Nick Jonas, Isha Ambani-Anan Piramal are all scheduled to tie the knot next month. So, a lot of this month went into preparations and checking out photos of who all are flying in and out of various weddings.
Sports: Accolades and politics
MC Mary Kom became the first woman boxer to win six world championship gold medals. She defeated Ukraine's Hanna Okhota by a unanimous 5-0 decision in the 48kg light flyweight final. Dedicating her win to the nation, 'Magnificent Mary' took the internet by storm.
In women’s cricket, Mithali Raj had a storm all her own. She was left out of the World T20 semi-final. The reason: the team management apparently didn’t want to alter a winning combination. A can of worms then opened after an email written by Mithali to BCCI CEO Rahul Johri and the GM surfaced. In that mail, she accused coach Ramesh Powar and CoA member Diana Edulji of destroying her.
Needless to say, the internet shook.