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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Modi’s ‘Melody’ diplomacy stuns the world

Overjoyed investors buy shares of a wrong company after the PM’s gift Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday gifting his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni 'Melody' toffees, reviving the light-hearted "Melodi" wordplay associated with the two leaders on social media. Meloni thanked Modi and shared a video on the social media in which she could be heard saying, “Prime Minister Modi brought as a gift, a very, very good toffee - Melody.” Modi, who was also seen in the video, burst...

Modi’s ‘Melody’ diplomacy stuns the world

Overjoyed investors buy shares of a wrong company after the PM’s gift Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday gifting his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni 'Melody' toffees, reviving the light-hearted "Melodi" wordplay associated with the two leaders on social media. Meloni thanked Modi and shared a video on the social media in which she could be heard saying, “Prime Minister Modi brought as a gift, a very, very good toffee - Melody.” Modi, who was also seen in the video, burst into laughter as Meloni jokingly referred to the "Melody" toffee while showcasing the gift. The hashtag "Melodi", a blend of Modi and Meloni's names, was coined by the Italian prime minister during the COP28 in Dubai in 2023 and later went viral on social media following the warm interactions between the two leaders at global events. Modi, who arrived in Rome on Tuesday, is on the final leg of his five-nation tour to the UAE, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy from May 15-20. Modi’s gift not only floored the social media, but also earned gushing gratitude from the manufacturer of the sweet candy, Parle Products, in Vile Parle, Mumbai. “Thank You. Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for taking Parle Melody to the global stage. A proud moment for all of us at Parle Products to see an Indian favourite being shared across borders,” said a social media post from @ParleFamily, a 97-year-old company. Parle Products describes Melody: “Parle Melody brings to you an irresistible layer of caramel on the outside & a delightful chocolate filling inside. Open & pop it in your mouth & relish the unique experience. It won't be too long before you start asking yourself the age-old question "Melody Itni Chocolaty Kyun Hai?”.” Cong Attacks Modi Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and several other Congress leaders also attacked Modi saying he continues his PR even when the economy is suffering. However, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal hit back at Gandhi, accusing him of "hating India" and refusing to tolerate the "global respect" the country has garnered under Modi's leadership. Gandhi, who is on a visit to his constituency Raebareli and Amethi, said on X, "This isn't leadership, it's a gimmick." At a time farmers, labourers, traders and others in the country are all in tears, the prime minister is laughing and making reels while BJP folks are clapping along, the former Congress president said in his post in Hindi. "An economic storm is raging over our heads, and our prime minister is busy handing out candies in Italy!" he said. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge attacked Modi over issues of "rising" prices, unemployment, paper leaks, "dampening" investment and "sinking" Rupee, saying the prime minister continues his PR even as the economy is suffering. Shares turn sweet but the company was mistaken Shares of Parle Industries Ltd saw frenzied buying on Wednesday, surging five per cent to hit the upper circuit limit after Meloni posted the video. Investors wasted no time and flocked to the counter to buy the stock. Shares of the firm jumped to Rs 5.25 - the highest trading permissible limit for the day - on the BSE. On volume terms, 8.57 lakh shares of the firm were traded on the BSE during the day. But, there is a catch! Investors mistook Parle Industries for the maker of Melody toffees. Parle Products, the FMCG major, is the manufacturer of Melody toffees and is not listed on the stock exchanges. Parle Industries Ltd is a diversified commercial services provider, engaged in the business of infrastructure & real estate, and paper, waste paper and allied products. The history of swadeshi toffee is entwined with the country’s Independence and the company, House of Parle was founded in 1928 by Mohanlal Dayal Chauhan, a tailor from Pardi near Valsad, then part of the Bombay Province. As the country was flooded with imported sweets and confectionery, he decided to give it a ‘desi’ touch and flavour, and with a band of 12 workers, he launched the Parle products from a musty old warehouse near Vile Parle east station, when large parts areas of Vile Parle west were still marshes dotted with a few old bungalows and chawls. Later, he visited Germany to master the art of confectionery and returned with machinery worth Rs 60,000 to churn out simple sweets, toffees and locally flavoured Indian confections at affordable prices – willy-nilly challenging the imported British offerings. It was in 1983 that the chocolate Melody toffee. -WITH PTI

PLAIN SPEAK

  • PTI
  • May 7, 2025
  • 3 min read

"Let us congratulate the Indian armed forces and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the strike. It was a precision strike that destroyed nine terrorist camp sites. This time, the video footage of the airstrike is available, leaving no scope for anyone to seek proof of it. The attack on us will not be tolerated by Bharat. It will be avenged properly and we did it today.”

Devendra Fadnavis, CM, Maharashtra


“Tamil Nadu stands with the Indian Army against terrorism. With our Army, for our nation. Tamil Nadu stands resolute.”

M K Stalin, Chief Minister, Tamil Nadu


“On behalf of the people of Sikkim, I extend my deepest salute to our brave soldiers who delivered swift and decisive justice in response to the heinous terror attack in Pahalgam. This operation sends a clear message that India will not tolerate any threat to its unity and peace. We stand firmly with our armed forces and honour their sacrifice.”

Prem Singh Tamang, Chief Minister, Sikkim


"The wounds of Pahalgam still ache, but today, justice has begun to answer. Jai Hind!"

N Biren Singh, Former Chief Minister, Manipur


"Earlier through surgical and air strikes, India has sent a message to the world that anti-India activities, whether emanating from Indian soil or from outside the country, India will not tolerate it now.”

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister, Tourism


"Congratulations to Indian soldiers for safeguarding the sovereignty of the country and securing its citizens by giving a befitting reply to the Pahalgam attack. The country is proud of our armed forces.”

Sharad Pawar, President, Nationalist Congress Party (SP)


"A set of calibrated, calculated, precise strikes against terror targets. Exactly what I had advocated last week: hit hard, hit smart. I applaud the government and stand solidly with our armed forces. At the same time we have behaved in a manner that would not justify further expansion of the conflict. We have made our point and acted in self-defence.”

Shashi Tharoor, senior leader, Congress


“The world must show zero tolerance for terrorism."

S Jaishankar, Union Minister, External Affairs


"We are extremely proud of our Indian Armed Forces who have struck terror camps in Pakistan and PoK. We applaud their resolute resolve and courage. National unity and solidarity is the need of the hour and the Indian National Congress stands with our Armed Forces. Our leaders have shown the path in the past, and national interest is supreme for us.”

Mallikarjun Kharge, President, Congress


“Proud of our armed forces. #OperationSindoor is Bharat's response to the brutal killing of our innocent brothers in Pahalgam.”

Amit Shah, Union Minister, Home


"Took stock of the situation in border districts of J&K UT with all the senior administrative, police & district officials including DCs of all the border districts. I'm closely monitoring the situation & govt is fully prepared to deal with any eventuality. We will ensure safety of every citizen. Jai Hind!"

Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor, Jammu and Kashmir


"OperationSindoor India remembers and India fights back. There is no room for terrorism. Jai Hind."

Conrad K Sangma, Chief Minister, Meghalaya


"Justice for the victims of Pahalgam begins. Operation Sindoor - Justice served. Nation supports. Jai Hind. Bharat Mata Ki Jay.”

Sunil Ambekar, Leader, RSS


"Fearless in unity. Boundless in strength. India's shield is her people. There's no room for terrorism in this world. We're ONE TEAM! Jai Hind.”

Sachin Tendulkar, Cricket legend


“The nation has complete faith in the capabilities of our armed forces, and stands united behind them. It is the strength of our military, the determination of our leadership, and the unity of our people that led to the success of Operation Sindoor.”

Ajit Pawar, Deputy CM, Maharashtra


“Yeh toh trailer hai, picture abhi baaki hai,” (bigger actions could still come). I thank the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian Armed Forces for showing strength and sending a strong message to Pakistan and the world. This particular operation gave justice to the families of those who were killed”.

Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM, Maharashtra


“Operation Sindoor is very emotional because the attack hurt many women, and in Indian culture, "sindoor" is a sign of a married woman’s pride. The operation was a fitting answer to those who tried to hurt India.”

Sanjay Raut, MP, Shiv Sena (UBT)

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