Amongst all the ministry shifts made by PM Modi, in the cabinet, the most talked about has become Smriti Irani’s transfer from the Human Resource Department to the Textile Department. While Smriti herself believes that the Prime Minister and the party has shown their “faith” in her with their decision, the social media, on the contrary, has been flooded with demeaning comments and jokes about the BJP minister.
From Education minister to Textile minister.
Title of Smriti Irani’s biography could be “From KYA PADHA To KAPDA”.
— Billoo (@MohitParmarr) July 5, 2016
Smriti Irani finally gets the right portfolio – as Textile Minister, she can draw on her vast experience of changing sarees in TV serials
— The Bad Doctor (@DOCTORATLARGE) July 5, 2016
Smriti Irani shunted to Textile Ministry. Good Move. She is an expert in spinning yarns
— Joy (@Joydas) July 5, 2016
Smriti Irani moved to textile from HRD. There is hope for India’s education system after all.
— Arup Roychoudhury (@aruproytweets) July 5, 2016
And henceforth…
On the other side, like she herself indicated in her interviews and posts, there have also been speculations about a deeper meaning to Irani’s new role assignment. The textile industry is the second largest industry in India as well as has the largest share in the country’s exports. It is also the second largest employment generator for India, behind only agriculture, which itself is closely linked to the industry.
Also, when some say that textile industry is not in very good shape currently, this may actually signify the weight of trust on Irani’s shoulders. And, at a time when the central ministry has already announced a Rs. 6000 Cr. grant for textiles, this is perhaps a good tide of opportunities and central role play for Smriti Irani.
This is what Smriti Irani had to say on twitter, regarding her new ministry shift:
Thank you for the trust placed in my abilities. Will do my best towards boosting @TexMinIndia. https://t.co/8885j30y1G
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) July 6, 2016
I thank PM @narendramodi ji for giving me the opportunity to serve the country earlier in the @HRDMinistry & now in the @TexMinIndia.
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) July 6, 2016
Look forward to working with officials at @TexMinIndia for strengthening the very important Textile & Apparel Sector of our country.
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) July 6, 2016
Here are some other tweets, believing in Smriti’s transfer to be a step-up:
What @smritiirani haters don’t get is that, for PM @narendramodi, Textiles is as electorally & socially critical and impactful as Power.
— Kartikeya Tanna (@KartikeyaTanna) July 5, 2016
Is it really #ByeByeSmriti? I don’t think so..India has high stakes in the Textile sector. pic.twitter.com/TlRm0z3ji7
— Tele Mohan (@Mohaniya88) July 6, 2016
Am with @autumnshade that @smritiirani ‘s new gig is a promotion 1) Education is state subject,textile central 2)Vote catcher 3)6000 cr fund
— Madhavan Narayanan (@madversity) July 6, 2016
Textile Industry is in a very bad condition. Losing to Bangladesh especially the share that China has left. Go for it Smriti Irani!
— Moni (@TrulyMonica) July 5, 2016
Also, in this video by youtube blogger, Nishant Das, he shares some eye-opening facts and opinions which may totally reverse the nation’s unremarkable reaction to Smriti Irani’s new designation in the ministry.