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Twitter takes on TOI's epic-length headline. Hilarity ensues

Sahil Bhalla | Updated on: 14 February 2017, 2:45 IST

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi flying to Pakistan to surprise Nawaz Sharif for his birthday on Christmas day is one thing. Keeping Indian journalists in office on a double shift is another.

On Saturday morning, subscribers of the Times of India awoke to a headline that became its own news story.

It reads, "After arriving in Kabul from Moscow, Modi calls Sharif to wish him Happy Birthday. Pak PM says, why don't you drop by since you'll be flying home over my country? Modi readily agrees".

The headline-writer - clearly on a roll - didn't stop there. The kicker went on to fill in any gaps the headline may have left, in capitalised words. "In A Dramatically Spontaneous Gesture. NaMo Becomes First PM Since Vajpayee In 2004 To Visit Pak, Then Too Led By Sharif. Can His Unorthodox Brand Of Diplomacy Lead To Lasting Peace?"

Everyone at the TOI was away on Christmas day. This headline is proof

A quick Google search brings up this headline from the NY Post that - at 22 words - could possibly offer some competition. "Gospel singer suing McDonald's after she allegedly bit into piece of glass while eating chicken sandwich, which she claims ruined her voice."

Not quite, though - especially since most other papers managed to convey their surprise in far fewer words.

The Pioneer had, "PM TAKES INDIA, PAK BY STORM."

Indian Express, in a rather clever pun, said "India meets Pakistan, Af-way."

Mail Today went with, "FATHER OF ALL CHRISTMAS SURPRISES."

Hindustan Times said "Lahore's surprise guest makes history."

Economic Times had the clever, "Modi goes the Extra Mile in Search of Closer Ties."

Twitter - outraged at this headline that was clearly intended to be a tweet - had a thing or two to say about it, and they brought their A-game to the subject.

So well, we did. Here are our favourite 10:

First published: 26 December 2015, 4:18 IST
 
Sahil Bhalla @IMSahilBhalla

Sahil is a sports and tech correspondent on the speed news desk at Catch. A gadget freak, he loves offering free tech support to family and friends. He studied at Sarah Lawrence College, New York and worked previously for Scroll. He selectively boycotts fast food chains, worries about Arsenal, and travels whenever and wherever he can. Sahil is an unapologetic foodie and a film aficionado.