Five must-read stories—December 5

How Narendra Modi changed the narrative on Demonetisation

A data analysis of the speeches (after translation) reveals a shifting of the narrative of the demonetisation action and its objectives. In his speech on November 8, 2016, when he announced the demonetisation policy, the Prime Minister used the phrase “black money” four times more than “fake/counterfeit currency”. Recall, there was zero mention of “digital/cashless” in the initial November 8 speech. By November 27, he used the phrase “digital/cashless” thrice as much as “black money” with no mention of “fake currency”. On IndiaSpend.com.

Gods go digital

The world-famous Meenakshiamman temple did not wait for PM Modi's demonetisation to instal card machines as e-hundiyal. "We have been operating the card machines for the last 4 to 5 years. Not many devotees used the machines, preferring the feel of their fingers dropping money into the hundiyal; but now more and more are coming to the machines due to the cash crunch", said N. Natarajan, joint commissioner, HR&CE, who administers the temple. In Deccan Chronicle.

Doval, Aziz walk the talk over 100 feet

While brush-by meetings are often unplanned - or are at least portrayed as unplanned - they are rarely unintended.The tussle to control the narrative over what happened in the chat between Aziz and Doval spilled out into the open by the evening. Pakistan claimed Aziz was not allowed to visit the Golden Temple or to speak with journalists, while India insisted the diplomat's movements were restricted only because of "security considerations". In The Telegraph.

Student sues Oxford for ‘boring teaching’

Siddiqui, who trained as a solicitor after college, suffers from depression and insomnia, which he links to his "disappointing examination results", and has said he has a "fundamental inability to hold down any professional day job for any significant length of time". Oxford University argues that the claim is baseless and should be struck out because of the number of years that have passed since Siddiqui graduated. In The Telegraph.

10 things we know about Jayalalithaa’s health

The secrecy shrouding the chief minister’s health has lead to wild speculation and a flurry of fake messages and morphed photos. For the first 10 days, a photo showing the CM in an intensive care bed went viral across the state, only to be proven fake. Audio messages faked in Jayalalithaa’s voice also did the rounds. Her supporters held public pujas, others tried to immolate themselves and pierced their skins to please the gods. The police arrested several people and registered more than 50 cases. In Hindustan Times.