A viral image of Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman clicked alongside a serving female Indian Air Force (IAF) officer has been making rounds on social media. Some of the Twitterati claimed that the woman pictured with the Raksha Mantri is her daughter. Subsequently, an array of microbloggers lauded Sitharaman for allowing her daughter to pursue a career in defence, rather than joining politics.

As the misinformation spread across the social media, the Spokesperson of Defence Ministry was compelled to issue a clarification. Clearing the air over the fake news, the Ministry asked Twitter users and media publications to take note that the woman photographed along with Sitharaman is not her daughter. Fake News in India: Taking 'Multi-Variable' Steps to Curb Misinformation Before Lok Sabha Polls, Says Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey.

In the statement issued, the Defence Ministry said the woman was appointed as liaison officer for Sitharaman during an official visit. On her request, the Raksha Mantri got pictured with her.

Here is the clarification issued by the Defence Ministry:

The woman has been identified as Niki VN, belonging to Mangalore. She was appointed as liaison officer during Sitharaman official visit to Hyulong in Arunachal Pradesh on November 7.

The picture going viral was originally tweeted from Raksha Mantri's handle after celebrating Diwali with the IAF personnel deputed in Arunachal Pradesh.

Miscreants on the social media, however, used the image with misleading captions to spread fake news. Here is how some of Twitterati shared the incorrect information.

Taking cognizance of such tweets, the Defence Ministry had to issue a clarification to prevent the fake posts from going viral. Notably, Sitharaman's own daughter, Vangmayi Parakala, is not an IAF officer. She has pursued a career in journalism, and has been associated with both print and broadcast media.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 04, 2019 07:24 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).