In the backdrop of International Women’s Day celebration on March 8, an image has surfaced on social media platforms of India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chairing a meeting of Indian Air Force Commanders. The image is being shared with captions suggesting that it is a recent one and is linked to 2022 Women’s Day.
A Facebook user shared the image with a caption in Hindi saying, “Happy Women’s Day.”
(Original: महिला दिवस की शुभकामनाएं)
“No photo can beat this one on Women’s Day!” can be seen written on the image.
Several Twitter users have also shared the image with similar captions.
FACT CHECK
NewsMobile fact-checked the viral image and found that is from 2017, and not linked to 2022 Women’s Day.
With the help of Reverse Image Search, we found this image uploaded on the News18 website on October 10, 2017. “New Delhi: Union Minister for Defence Nirmala Sitharaman interacts with the IAF Commanders during the inaugural session of Air Force Commanders’ Conference, in New Delhi on Tuesday. Also seen are MOS for Defence, Subhash Ramrao Bhamre and the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa. (Image: PTI),” reads the caption with the image.
The same image was carried in a report by The Indian Express according to which, then Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed Army Commanders’ Conference back in October 2017. Sitharaman took charge as Defence Minister in September 2017 and held office until May 2019.
Hence, with the above information, it can be concluded that the viral image is being shared with a misleading claim.
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