Rajasthan tourism minister’s turban challenge trends on Twitter

JAIPUR: At a time when everyone is busy handling Covid-19, state tourism minister Vishvendra Singh took Twitter by storm for a different reason.
A safa (turban) challenge on Twitter by him has been trending for two days and evoking interest from deputy CM Sachin Pilot to BJP state president Satish Poonia as well as Congress leader Shashi Tharoor.

Intended to promote Rajasthan’s culture and heritage, the trend started with a tweet by the minister on June 4: Starting #SafaWithTwitter to promote Rajasthan globally and domestically! Upload your photo wearing a Safa.I further nominate @SachinPilot Sahib, @mlaruparam Ji, @ParveenKaswan Bhai, and @RamniwasGawriya!

Soon, the tweet went viral with responses not only from the political circles, but bureaucrats, celebrities and commoners posted their pictures with different turbans. Pilot responded to the call of his cabinet colleague and posted a video of his wrapping a long turban from his Rajasthan diaspora summit in London. His message read: In support of #SafawithTwitter Pagdi Rajasthan ke shan hai (Turban is a mark of respect for Rajasthan), Veer Dhara ke pechan hai (Symbol of courage and valour). The video was viewed by 4.23 lakh people on twitter in just 22 hours after it was posted.
Poonia also responded by tweeting :Thank you @Jodha4life ji, Here’s the picture with Rajasthan’s pride safa. Great initiative by @vishvendrabtp ji for promotion of Rajasthani culture. #SafaWithTwitter.

Rajsamand MP Diya Kumari also couldn’t stop expressing her interest in the campaign. She tweeted: In support of the call to promote our rich Rajasthani culture & promoting @my_rajasthan by Hon. Tourism Minister @vishvendrabtp Ji, I join with #RajasthaniSafa.
Even bureaucrats were not behind in posting their responses to the unique campaign. From the DM of Dholpur R K Jaiswal to Dr Om Machra, who is posted as deputy commissioner (health and hospitals), Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, shared their pictures with safa.
The response has gone beyond the contours of state and country. Harendra Jodha, president of the Rajasthan London Association also tweeted his picture with a safa
Known for speaking his mind on the micro-blogging site, Singh’s praise for PM Narendra Modi’s ‘aatmnirbhar’ message to the nation had earlier caused embarrassment to his party.