Top 10 social media highs of 2016

From Pokemon Go to Reliance Jio to Demonetization, social media had a lot to discuss, debate and gush over in 2016. If politically, the biggest news of 2016 was Brexit and US Presidential election, economically, demonetization detonated like a bomb for many in India. Sports enthusiasts had their share of frenzy courtesy Rio Olympics and back home, Indians celebrated the Women power that got them two precious Olympic medals.

The tech industry too had its spikes in Pokemon Go, Snapchat spectacles, Instagram Stories, Live videos, chatbots and much more. Back in India, nothing could surpass the storm unleashed by the official launch of Reliance Jio on September 5.

So, without much ado, let’s look at the 10 social media highs of 2016:

1. Pokemon Go

The Augmented reality based game developed by Niantic was undoubtedly the biggest rage of 2016. The hysteria and enthusiasm to discover and capture the Pokémon knew no bounds across nations. The game also got a thumbs up from health experts as game motivated the millennials to step outside, and explore the world.

The game has finally made its way to Indian shores as well courtesy Reliance Jio.

2. Reliance Jio

With free voice calls, free data up to December 31, 2016, which again extended up to March 31, 2017, later, RJio has changed Indian telecom sector forever. Besides, the tariff wars that has ensued between RJio and the incumbents - Airtel, Vodafone, Idea made users the winners actually.

3. Brexit

The United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union, widely known as Brexit is still something that many Britons can’t get over. Though the economy appears to have weathered the initial shock of the Brexit vote, opinion is sharply divided over the long-term effects of leaving the EU.

4. US Presidential election and Donald Trump win

POTUS Elections was perhaps the biggest global phenomena of 2016. Not just the Presidential debates but fake propagandas and news also kept the media portals buzzing for a long time. If that wasn’t enough, Trump’s unexpected win broke all hell loose with all kinds of reactions from shock to awe to fear.

5. Demonetization

On the fateful night of November 8, PM Narendra Modi announced the demonetization of Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes aimed at curbing corruption and black money. The announcement left many shell shocked and many are still to recover from it.

The move got mixed responses from different quarters and the cash crunch in the market is yet to normalise.

6. Rio Olympics

Olympics has always been a worldwide phenomenon and this year was no different. India did not have much luck at the games except for two medals brought home by PV Sindhu and Sakshi Malik. The nation, however, did not let its spirits down and hailed the two women for their sporting excellence.

7. Grandma with etiquettes on google search

This Grandma’s politeness turned her into a viral sensation after she googled an unusual request. "Please translate these roman numerals mcmxcviii thank you," Liverpool-born May Ashworth, 86, asked Google.

Check out to believe it.

Omg opened my Nan's laptop and when she's googled something she's put 'please' and 'thank you'. I can't 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/hiy2tecBjU

— Ben (@Push10Ben) June 9, 2016

8. The chaiwala who became a model

After the grandma, the next big sensation on social media was a Pakistani ‘chaiwala’ who became a model after finding fame courtesy this picture.

Arshad Khan, 18, was photographed pouring tea at Islamabad's Sunday Bazaar by photographer Javeria Ali.

Thousands of lovestruck Twitter users quickly shared the picture, swooning over his piercing eyes, and #ChaiWala began trending across social media.

9. Delhi Odd-Even

Delhi rang in 2016 with a new traffic arrangement Odd-Even apparently to cut pollution. The rule defined which car you could drive on a particular date- on even dates, only cars with license plates ending with an even number were allowed on city roads, and on odd dates, cars with license plates ending with an odd number.

While the first phase did see some enthusiastic response from people, the second round in April left the city with crawling traffic.

10. Delhi Pollution

Ironically, despite the Odd-Even plan, Delhi’s pollution level almost touched alarming situation in the month of October thanks to on setting Winters and Diwali. The pollution may have reduced a bit but is still very much high above normal in the city.