A representative working for Mukesh Ambani-owned TV channel on Wednesday made a desperate attempt to praise Prime Minister Narendra for playing a key role in the approval of Covaxin by the World Health Organisation. Little did Marya Shakil know that she would face public humiliation from the WHO’s Director of Communications, who refuted her claims.
Shakil, whose Twitter bio describes her as the political editor of CNN-News18, shared a photo of Modi with WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as she wrote, “A meeting that sealed this. Sources say PM Modi pushed for Covaxin approval at G20 with @DrTedros.”
Moments later, WHO’s Director of Communications refuted her claims publicly as she quoted her tweet to issue a clarification. Gabby Stern wrote, “Hi, @WHO’s process for assessing #COVID19 vaccines for emergency use listing is rigorous, scientific and standardized. It involves outside experts on a technical advisory group who review data from manufacturers and others to ensure efficacy and safety. Thanks!”
Hi, @WHO's process for assessing #COVID19 vaccines for emergency use listing is rigorous, scientific and standardized. It involves outside experts on a technical advisory group who review data from manufacturers and others to ensure efficacy and safety. Thanks! https://t.co/MgfepF0VRb
— Gabby Stern (@gabbystern) November 3, 2021
This prompted Twitterati to target Shakil for her attempts to indulge in sychophancy.
International beizzati of modi's fangirl @maryashakil ???? pic.twitter.com/Mf6Kxsv6Xb
— احمد غازي (@Ahmed_Brilliant) November 3, 2021
WHO gets a taste of indian journalism standards. pic.twitter.com/YTx2n9698w
— Comrade Atticus Finch (@malayaliatticus) November 3, 2021
BJP stenographer @maryashakil tweeted as per the script received from Amit Malviya but @gabbystern who is director of communication at @WHO exposed her lies
This is how they spread the propaganda about greatness of Modi pic.twitter.com/DHw2YpTIqw
— Sheldon Cooper (@Bazingaa_aaa) November 3, 2021
Bujt Shakil wasn’t the only TV representative from a pro-government TV channel to praise Modi for the approval of Covaxin by the WHO.
Here’s how other TV representatives from other pro-government TV channels reacted, using identical lines.
Development comes days after PM Modi had pushed for Covaxin approval during his meet with WHO Chief @DrTedros at G20 https://t.co/bfugudTe1E pic.twitter.com/7zCGMfJRGz
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) November 3, 2021
PM @narendramodi had pushed for #Covaxin approval at G20 with @DrTedros .
WHO panel recommends Emergency Use Listing status for Covaxin: Report pic.twitter.com/F0yHVGsurk
— Utkarsh Singh (@utkarshs88) November 3, 2021
India gets Diwali Gift – Covaxin approved by WHO. Govt Sources say PM Modi had pushed for Covaxin approval at G20 with WHOs Dr Tedros. pic.twitter.com/SoTS4lJElk
— Aman Sharma (@AmanKayamHai_) November 3, 2021
Covaxin gets the approval – huge relief for many ..govt sources say PM had pushed for this during his recent tour
— pallavi ghosh (@_pallavighosh) November 3, 2021
This is how the WHO approval for #Covaxin came about ! PM pushed for it just two days back pic.twitter.com/tuxjsJgkug
— Megha Prasad (@MeghaSPrasad) November 3, 2021
#BREAKING | PM Narendra Modi pushed for Covaxin approval from WHO at the sidelines of the G20 summit, according to sources
Tune in for more updates https://t.co/oefJxIhn1D pic.twitter.com/mUkxzw7oxt
— Republic (@republic) November 3, 2021
Curiously, this was exactly the line used by BJP functionaries, giving rise to speculations that representatives from pro-government TV channels simply indulged in ‘copy and paste’ job in their attempt to glorify the Indian PM.
Here’s how BJP functionaries reacted.
Congratulations India
Bharat Biotech's Covaxin gets WHO approval for EUA!PM Narendra Modi had pushed for Covaxin approval at G20 with Tedros.
Thank you PM @narendramodi ji #ModiHaiToMumkinHai pic.twitter.com/28PBAaQmqi
— Prajwal Busta (@PrajwalBusta) November 3, 2021
Covaxin gets WHO approval
Very imp
PM @narendramodi had pushed for Covaxin approval at G20 with Tedros. pic.twitter.com/knORjWiORq
— Shehzad Jai Hind (@Shehzad_Ind) November 3, 2021
The WHO on Wednesday granted its approval to Covaxin for the emergency use listing. The WHO said, “The Technical Advisory Group, convened by WHO and made up of regulatory experts from around the world, has determined that the #Covaxin vaccine meets WHO standards for protection against #COVID19, that the benefit of the vaccine far outweighs risks & the vaccine can be used.”
It added, “#Covaxin vaccine was also reviewed by WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE), and recommended use of this vaccine in two doses, with a dose interval of four weeks, in all age groups 18 and above. #COVID19.”