Union minister Piyush Goyal, his colleague Ravi Shankar Prasad, MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, former cricketer Anil Kumble and spiritual guru Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev are among other prominent Koo users
By HT Correspondent | Edited by Sameer
UPDATED ON FEB 10, 2021 09:26 AM IST
Union minister Piyush Goyal has joined Koo amid an increase in the Indian microblogging platform’s users following a standoff between Twitter and the government over the blocking of 257 accounts. Koo was launched in April 2020 as an alternative to Twitter.
“I am now on Koo,” Goyal tweeted on Tuesday. “Connect with me on this Indian micro-blogging platform for real-time, exciting and exclusive updates. Let us exchange our thoughts and ideas on Koo.”
Goyal’s ministerial colleague, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, former cricketer Anil Kumble and spiritual guru Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev are among other prominent Koo users.
Mayank Bidwatka, Koo’s co-founder, said there has been a substantial spike in the number of Koo users since the standoff began. “We are yet to quantify it.” Bidwatka said Koo has over three million users and is active in seven languages.
Also Read | What is Koo? Which ministers have already joined this made-in-India app?
Koo won the second prize in the social category after Chingari in Atmanirbhar app challenge in August. It started in Kannada and has since expanded to include Tamil, Hindi, and Telugu.
Bidwatka said Koo offers an immersive language experience. “If you type in English, it can translate the Koo into Hindi if that is your preferred language.” He added the electronics and information technology ministry, its departments are using the platform, and talks to create accounts for other government ministries and departments were underway.
The standoff began as Twitter declined to block the 257 accounts for referring to “farmer genocide”, citing free speech and newsworthiness. The government on February 4 asked the company to take down additional 1,178 accounts that may “foment trouble”. It has issued a notice to Twitter threatening penal action in case of non-compliance with the government’s orders. Twitter has asked for a meeting with Prasad citing concerns regarding the safety of its employees.
India is Twitter’s third-largest market with 18.9 million users. The American platform is the preferred mode of social media engagement for prominent politicians, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
HT reached out to the electronics and information technology ministry and Twitter for comments but did not receive them immediately.
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Rishiganga disaster may have involved ice, rock avalanche: Met organisation
By Jayashree Nandi
PUBLISHED ON FEB 10, 2021 10:10 AM IST
The flash flood in Uttarakhand’s Rishiganga valley was not the first such avalanche from these slopes. Experts have identified a similar but much smaller event in 2016
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Phase 1 of Andhra Pradesh gram panchayat elections records 82% polling
ANI
PUBLISHED ON FEB 10, 2021 10:02 AM IST
The Commission applauded the efforts made by the Collectors and District Authorities, Superintendents of Police and the Observers. The Commission complimented the poll staff for their zeal and diligence.
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Railways clocks highest-ever freight loading of 119.79 mt in January
By HT Correspondent | Edited by Zara Khan
UPDATED ON FEB 10, 2021 10:06 AM IST
The Railways’ freight load, for the last few months, has crossed last year’s for the same period. It is expected that the cumulative freight load this year will surpass last year’s freight loading figures, the ministry noted
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US closely monitoring India-China border disputes: State Dept
Reuters, Washington
PUBLISHED ON FEB 10, 2021 09:42 AM IST
“We note the ongoing talks between the governments of India and China,” State Department spokesman Ned Price told a news briefing.
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Breach of privilege for calling ‘Greta Thunberg persona non grata’
ANI, New Delhi
PUBLISHED ON FEB 10, 2021 09:42 AM IST
Chowdhury’s comment came after a controversy erupted after climate activist Greta Thunberg had last week posted the “toolkit” in a tweet which she later deleted.
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SC issues notice to Centre on petition to define ‘minority’
ANI, New Delhi
PUBLISHED ON FEB 10, 2021 09:41 AM IST
It has also challenged the validity of section 2(C) of National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992, which gives unbridled power to the Centre to declare any community minority arbitrarily.
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India’s daily Covid-19 toll below 100, here’s which states are contributing most
Delhi was among 15 states and union territories that didn’t record any death linked to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) as on Tuesday.
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As Twitter seeks talks, ministers and celebrities move to Indian-made app Koo
By HT Correspondent | Edited by Sameer
UPDATED ON FEB 10, 2021 09:26 AM IST
Union minister Piyush Goyal, his colleague Ravi Shankar Prasad, MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, former cricketer Anil Kumble and spiritual guru Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev are among other prominent Koo users
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Protein deficiency, not age or weather, reason for spread of Covid in Europe, US
By Joydeep Thakur and Anonna Dutt
UPDATED ON FEB 10, 2021 09:09 AM IST
The variant of the virus that spread rapidly across the world had acquired a mutation since it left Wuhan that allowed it to use another human protein called neutrophil elastase to also cleave the S1-S2 junction
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Madras HC says Bar Association polls are tainted; issues guidelines
PUBLISHED ON FEB 10, 2021 09:03 AM IST
- The court listed election of non-practising advocates with tainted backgrounds to the association/bar councils as one of the malice infecting the system.
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News updates from HT: Key Delhi borders remain closed due to farmers’ protests
PUBLISHED ON FEB 10, 2021 08:53 AM IST
Here are today’s top news, analysis and opinion. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times.
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Priyanka Gandhi to address kisan mahapanchayat in UP’s Saharanpur today
By S Raju
PUBLISHED ON FEB 10, 2021 08:50 AM IST
Before leaving for the mahapanchayat, Gandhi will offer prayers at Shakumbhari Devi Temple in Behat area and also visit the dargah of Shah Abdur Raheem in Raipur village
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TDP MP writes to RS Chair to take action against YSRCP MP for derogatory comment
PUBLISHED ON FEB 10, 2021 08:49 AM IST
On Monday, Vijay Sai Reddy urged the Chair to expunge portions of a speech by the TDP MP; Naidu said the issue should be brought to his notice in writing. Subsequently, Reddy made a comment against the Chair that was later expunged
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Eye on mahapanchayats, Samayukt Kisan Morcha to decide future of farm stir today
All mahapanchayats held so far saw massive turnouts in support of the farmers’ issues.
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Odisha govt approves re-promulgation of farm reform ordinance amid farmers’ stir
By Debabrata Mohanty | Edited by Abhinav Sahay, Bhubaneswar
PUBLISHED ON FEB 10, 2021 08:31 AM IST
- The ordinance also seeks to remove geographical restrictions on sale of agricultural produce and allow farmers to sell their produce anywhere within the state.
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Original posted at www.hindustantimes.com