A lot of people are sharing this article... a Modi cheerleader finally questioning the government.

This is not just a matter of too little, too late... but too devious. There's masterful spin wizardry at play.

Hear me out. Thread.

https://twitter.com/PrabhuChawla/status/1393841619753861125

"Your admirers and well-wishers are crestfallen by your silence to questions about your government's ability to tackle the pandemic. You have weathered many personal and natural storms."

Brings in the disappointment, but immediately harps on platitudes of praise.

Vaccinated! 💉

Took the first jab at a rural community health center on the outskirts of #Gurgaon. instagr.am/p/COexevKsMXy/ Listening to 'Aaj phir jeene ki tamanna hai...' 🎶

"मैंने 1984 में हुई भोपाल गैस त्रासदी के दौरान भी फोटो क्लिक किए थे, लेकिन इतना भयावह दृश्य मैंने आज तक नहीं देखा था।"

- Sanjeev Gupta, the photojournalist who took the photo of 40 burning pyres in Bhopal.

Translation:
I've covered the Bhopal gas tragedy in 1984 but haven't seen anything as horrific as what I saw yesterday.

#AmazonSmbhav, Amazon's annual event for SMBs and solution providers, kicks off.

@neeleshmisra opens the virtual event. Manish Tiwary, Vice President, Amazon India delivering the welcome note... #AmazonSmbhav

Bharti Airtel has announced a new corporate structure to sharpen focus on digital.

The company will have four distinct verticals - Digital, India, International, and Infrastructure. Last year, I wrote about Airtel's apparent transition from a connectivity player to focus on digital and enterprise services.

Diversify or die, I had written in @MorningContext.

The new corporate structure underlines the new focus.

themorningcontext.com/internet/overs…

What's your favorite app for mutual funds?

If you've used more than one, why do you prefer one over the other? Quite a lot of replies!

- Kuvera and Groww are more popular
- Even though Zerodha is very popular for stocks (Kite), not many mentions of Coin, their MF app
- Not one Upstox user while they are in middle of their marketing blitzkrieg.
- No mention of ET Money, the app I use

In last six months or so, three of my laptops have conked off.

It's the first time, I struggle to find a spare machine for something secondary or to lend someone.

The last almost-working went to the kid to start his school but looks like it's also on its last leg. Sigh! It's award because usually I have several devices tugged in my closet, sometimes not used for months. Now, it's a boulevard of broken machines.

Oh, damn! News coming in that Dean Jones has passed away due to a sudden cardiac arrest.

Rest in peace, Dean... thanks for everything on the field, and in the commentator's box. He was just 59, and damn, was on air last night.

All set for #MSIgnite tonight!

Last year vs This year. And it's time for the news deluge!

Google has taken down the Paytm app from Play Store... apparently for 'repeated policy violations'.

An official blog post that went live around the time the app was pulled hints at the reasons even though Paytm is not specifically mentioned.

neowin.net/news/google-ta… Paytm is marketing Paytm Cricket League, announcing its foray into the world of fantasy sports.

Even if an app leads consumers to an external website that allows them to participate in paid tournaments to win real money or cash prizes, it is in violation of Play Store policies.

To watch a Grand Slam final played in an empty, in what is a, majestic stadium is very, very awkward and disorienting. #USOpen C'mon Osaka, yaar! #USOpen

Airtel's response to JioFiber.

- New plans.
- Includes Airtel Xtream Box, a solid offering.
- Complimentary subscription to Disney+ Hotstar, Amazon Prime Video, and ZEE5.
- Unlimited data allowance.
- Lowest plan goes even cheaper. This looks good.

Unlike in the past, you don't have to call and opt for the newer plan. My existing plan indicates new speed and data allowance on the Airtel app.

.@dire_nair's story on @MorningContext is a personal one. I grew up in Sonipat, a small town with Atlas as its crown jewel.

I studied in the school run by their trust, visited the opulent 'Atlas Mandir', and often played snooker at a club on Atlas Road.

themorningcontext.com/the-untold-sto… Now known for many industries and international ventures, Olympians, and educational institutions... Atlas was the only thing Sonipat was known for at the time (apart from the world-famous dhabas at Murthal).

Kicking off #IBMAnalystInsights2020 with the keynote by IBM President @JWhitehurst. The IBM strategy is a reflection of IBM and Red Hat synergy. #IBMAnalystInsights2020

MS Dhoni has retired from international cricket. Like his batting in a chase, his retirement announcement too was taken to the last over.

Thank you for 2007 and 2011.

Your zippity zoom keeping will be tough to replace. Quite an awkward retirement note, no?

It's time again to redeem that pledge. Let's be better. #HappyIndepenceDay The Hindu on August 15, 1947.

I'm surprised everyone has just discovered Zee TV's FRIENDS rip-off - Hello Friends. It's been two decades! Also, that time, as much as cringe it looks right now... for those who hadn't watched FRIENDS (and that was the majority), it was a fine watch. There were limited options on TV back then.

The problem was that it was mostly a scene-by-scene copy.

Similar to the Amazon Fire TV Stick (very similar, down to the name!), the new Mi TV stick is a portable streaming device that connects to a TV and allows users to stream content via streaming apps.

Solid pricing at ₹2,799. Available starting August 7.

neowin.net/news/all-you-n… This is Xiaomi’s third product aimed at being customers’ media streaming companion.

The company already offers smart TVs well as Mi Box, a media streaming box that upgrades a regular non-smart television.

Finally! After multiple delays and a multitude of leaks, Google has finally taken the wraps off the #Pixel4a, the company’s affordable variant of its flagship Pixel 4 smartphone. Yay!

But it launches in India in, wait for it, October. Nay!

neowin.net/news/google-fi… Although, a stripped-down version of the Pixel 4 as expected, the Pixel 4a is a definite step up from the last year’s 3a.

Jump in the processor series, more RAM and storage, and even sweeter price. I was totally excited about the Pixel 4a... but October, sigh!