Smriti Irani wishes ‘Beta Saral' on birthday, receives praises on Twitter

NEW DELHI: Union Minister Smriti Irani on Friday tweeted birthday wishes to Saral Patel, the guy who had trolled her and changed his Twitter handle to ‘Beta Saral' after a public spat on the micro-blogging site. “Birthday greetings to @SaralPatel007, blessings from Auntyji,” she tweeted. Patel immediately responded with his tweet, "@smritiirani This is really very kind of you. Truly appreciate this gesture & its a very pleasant surprise, Thank you Auntyji! #Respect."

Birthday greetings @SaralPatel007 , blessings from Auntyji :-)

— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) December 8, 2016

@smritiirani This is really very kind of you. Truly appreciate this gesture & its a very pleasant surprise, Thank you Auntyji! #Respect ???? — 'Beta' Saral (@SaralPatel007) December 8, 2016

Earlier this year, Smriti Irani and Bihar Education Minister Ashok Choudhary indulged in a bitter war of words on Twitter after the Congress leader addressed her as "dear". Choudhary in a tweet referred to the then HRD minister as "Dear" Smriti Irani ji and said that rather than focus on politics and speeches, she should pay attention to the New Education Policy (NEP). Irani, who was touring Bihar, had shot back asking Choudhary that since when did he begin addressing women as "dear". "Mahilaon ko dear keh ke kab se sambodhit karne lage Ashokji?" Choudhary, who is also the state president of Congress, responded that it was "Not to disrespect but educate... Professional emails start with "dear"." Replying to Irani, Saral Patel tweeted, “@smritiirani Madam, Had you went to college/University you would know that its a common practice to address ppl as “Dear”. @AshokChoudhaary.” To which Irani replied, “Grammar theek karo beta.” Thereafter, Saral changed his Twitter handle to 'Beta Saral'. After Irani wished Patel, Twitter users started praising the Union Minister for her kind gesture.

@smritiirani Ma'am it's your graciousness we wholeheartedly appreciate, let's celebrate your great gesture! Happy bday @SaralPatel007 ????????✨

— Jameel جميل (@jameelsjam) December 8, 2016

@SaralPatel007 Same here. My respect for @smritiirani also multiplied several times after this tweet. No more jokes on her now onwards. — Sahil Yadav (@sahil28yadav) December 8, 2016

@smritiirani wow|wow this is really really very nice of you, politics aside we are humans ???????????? @SaralPatel007

— KilaFateh #INC (@KilaFateh) December 8, 2016

@smritiirani @SaralPatel007 This 1 gesture jus made me loose all anger against Smritiji.... Hope she continues on this path.... — Rahul Patil (@AquarianTruths) December 8, 2016

@smritiirani welcome gesture, this niceties and decorum is what is missing in Indian polity today. Hope u shall bring change @SaralPatel007

— Ashwin Kumaraswamy (@ashwinkk) December 9, 2016

  (With PTI inputs)