Video: SL child’s pic in Gujarati ad creates stir

26 November 2012 06:26 pm - 12 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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In the midst of electioneering for the assembly polls in Gujarat, the main opposition party Congress faced an embarrassing situation when it was found that in its advertisement on malnutrition in the state, the party had used a picture of a Sri Lankan child.

It has been alleged that the picture was lifted from a Christian organisation which depicted a malnourished child from Sri Lanka.

According to the details, the skinny and malnourished child was a victim of flood in the neighbouring country and a Christian organisation, Amyand Park Chapel, had posted this picture on its website www.amyand.com from where the Congress allegedly lifted the picture to be used in its advertisement campaign Join Hands for Change.

As soon as the local media reported it, the ruling party BJP quickly seized on the opportunity to corner the opposition party saying, "The Opposition party is indulging in spreading lies about the Narendra Modi government in the state."

"It's a lie that has been exposed. The ad issued by the Congress has hurt the sentiments of the people of the state," Gujarat BJP leader Bharat Pandya said.

However, the Opposition party defended it’s ad saying that picture was meant for symbolic value.

"As per the government figures, around 45% children in Gujarat are malnourished and our advertisement highlights this ugly reality of Gujarat which bellies the tall claims of development by chief minister Narendra Modi," Gujarat Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said.

Meanwhile, this is the second time the opposition party has committed such gaffe regarding an advertisement campaign. Earlier this year, the Opposition party's advertisement had ended up praising chief minister Narendra Modi describing him as "master organizer and astute election strategist!"
The advertisement was issued in a special supplement inserted with Gujarati dailies in the Republic Day issue this year.

However, even the ruling party is also on the same ground with regards to "lifting picture to suit its advertisement."

The advertisement, sponsored by the Gujarat government, and published in newspapers in Patna ahead of Narendra Modi’s rally, had shown burqa-clad girls which it claimed were from Gujarat.

However, it turned out that the girls featured in the Modi government ad were students of a school in Uttar Pradesh’s Azamgarh district and not Gujarat. The picture was taken without permission from a US-based website, twocircles.com, run by Indian Muslims. (The Hindustan Times)

The controversial advertisement

The original picture that was taken during floods in Sri Lanka

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Comments - 12

Shan Gamage Tuesday, 27 November 2012 12:00 AM

don't do like this news it's trouble to our country via DM Android App

Dot Monday, 26 November 2012 09:53 PM

Did the christian Society that used this child in their posterss to collect funds inform the mother and duly go thro the ;legality of using children in posters .Children grow up .

ranru Monday, 26 November 2012 10:54 PM

Child is not fed by mother who has money for gold. A real mother would have sold everything and taken care of the child's needs.

Gamini Tuesday, 27 November 2012 12:00 AM

Raahul in action. Messing up everything. Goodbye congress! via DM Android App

Revolted Tuesday, 27 November 2012 12:58 AM

Politics and politicians everywhere stoop to low tactics to achieve their aims, be it India, Sri Lanka, the U.S., or Argentina.

STB Tuesday, 27 November 2012 02:03 AM

Look at the mother she looks well-nourished and her gold necklace is well worth thousands of Rupees
Now you can see the lies that these NGO make before and after the war too,

ravi Tuesday, 27 November 2012 09:19 AM

It may not be gold. may be, gold covering necklace. be frank.

dont look at the mother. pl look at the child. it is about malnutrition of child.

Naman Tuesday, 27 November 2012 10:48 AM

The Tamils in refugee camps are being starved and not cared for by GoSL.
SO MUCH FOR THE RECONCILIATION AND REHABILITATION

Sinha-lay Tuesday, 27 November 2012 10:56 AM

Who knows that gold is imitation..... Anyway these watu demala's deserve thilayoff sucking up to India...

Mohan Tuesday, 27 November 2012 10:26 PM

you dummy , mother was inside camp , she don't have access to shop

Nalaka Wednesday, 28 November 2012 12:44 AM

In Sri Lanka you will not find children of malnutrition of this level. , Our nation is helpful, Either this child is not fed or has some disease so that it can not absorb some part of food, MOTHER IS not skinny. ,

Nishantha Friday, 30 November 2012 03:38 AM

Looks like taken from Manic Farm.

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Video: SL child’s pic in Gujarati ad creates stir

Comments - 12

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