Modi omits ‘Mitron’ from speech, denies drinks to Delhi partygoers: Report

Diksha Sukhija, a manager at a Social, said the offer of discount on drinks was not trolling but their own special way of celebrating demonetisation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi disappointed thousands waiting for their near free drink at a New Delhi pub whenever he would utter “mitron” during his speech on New Year’s eve.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seen on the television inside a restaurant as he address the nation in New Delhi on December 31, 2016. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi December 31 announced a series of cash handouts, loans and sops for farmers, women and marginalised social sections of society while defending his shock cash-ban decision of November 8. / AFP PHOTO / CHANDAN KHANNA(AFP)

Pub chain Social on Saturday had offered beer at Rs 31 - an over 200% discount - every time Modi says “mitron”, a commonly used phrase in his speeches addressing the fellow countrymen as friends.

However, Modi disappointed his audience awaiting celebrations and said “mitra” instead, only twice. But the Prime Minister made them all listen attentively to his 45-minute pre-recorded speech from the beginning to end.

“He is clever, must be knowing that people out there are making fun on some of the phrase like ‘bhaiyo aur behno’ and ‘mitron’, so he had them omitted,” said Karan, a techie sipping his drink and praising Modi “no matter what”.

Diksha Sukhija, a manager at a Social, said the offer of discount on drinks was not trolling but their own special way of celebrating demonetisation.

“We have had such an event before when on the day demonetisation we had five shots for Rs 500 and 10 shots for Rs 1,000, in old currency till midnight. That was bought out!”

Meanwhile, the crowd, with beer mugs or cocktails in hand had varied opinions.

“I think what he is doing is great. Country needs someone strong. At least, he is making a point and it requires guts. The nation would do better only once everyone pays tax,” said Gautam, a banker who preferred Social at Hauz Khas to ring in the New Year.

Another “not so much a fan” of Modi said she was rather disappointed because she wanted to hear the Prime Minister say something about demonetisation which he didn’t.

“He didn’t even utter demonetisation once, not to say he skipped ‘mitron’ as well,” said Pragati.

Another disappointed person said he expected more and the speech was not as marketed. “For us, it was not grand enough to grand. We needed to hear more substantial,” Jai, who works with a think tank, said.

Bad or good of Modi speech but Social did well.

“Over 600 tickets for the New Year bash had been sold out at Hauz Khas alone,” said Sukhija.