Social media is ablaze with a trending post about Ramu, a renowned elephant celebrated for carrying the deity Mahakal during city parades for many years. This post claims that Ramu, who was a significant part of the Mahakal processions, has recently passed away. Given the strong sentimental value attached to both animals and the revered Baba Mahakal, the news has elicited deep condolences from thousands who have expressed their grief online.
However, this is where the distinction between fact and fiction becomes crucial. The post about Ramu’s supposed recent demise is misleading. An in-depth verification by Amar Ujala, a reputable news outlet, unveiled the truth: Ramu had already left this world in 2016. To ascertain the veracity of this revelation, conversations with Sumit Giri Goswami, Ramu’s longtime caretaker, affirmed that Ramu’s demise indeed took place in 2016. Since then, another elephant, Shyamu, has been undertaking the honorable duty of accompanying the deity during the processions.
Despite the overwhelming outpouring of grief, there have been vigilant social media users attempting to correct this misinformation. These individuals have shared photographs of both elephants, identifying them by their respective names. They’ve made persistent efforts to clarify that Ramu departed in 2016, while Shyamu is presently serving in the revered processions.
This episode underscores the dual-edged nature of social media. While it provides a platform for collective mourning and remembrance, it also can propagate misinformation at an alarming rate. Hence, in this digital age, it becomes paramount to discern between authentic news and hearsay, reminding us to approach viral posts with a blend of emotion and skepticism.
