Itanagar: A four-year-old girl from Arunachal Pradesh has attracted widespread media attention after a video in which she spoke about her identity went viral, prompting numerous organisations to contact her parents seeking interviews.
Tinkle Karga Gongo of Itanagar had no idea that a short video recorded at home would bring her into the spotlight. Her mother, Aiyum Karde, said the family was caught off guard by the response.
“She insisted that I make and post a video about it immediately. So, I made the video. She expressed her emotions so clearly… I posted the video, and it went viral,” Karde told reporters.
The family later received a steady stream of calls and interview requests, while several people contacted them to express their support.
The video was made after Tinkle told her friends about an outing to buy ice cream. A social media comment questioning her identity and use of Hindi prompted her mother to explain the remark to her.
Tinkle then responded, “I am Indian. I am Indian. My dad is Indian too, and so am I,” according to her mother, before asking to record a video explaining how the comment had made her feel.
Her parents said the attention had been encouraging but also urged people to reconsider casual remarks about people from the Northeast.
“Whether it involves a child or an adult, no one should make such remarks. It is a good thing that my daughter raised her voice,” her father said.
He expressed hope that the incident would help people understand the impact such comments can have on those from the Northeast.
