I first used a digital camera in 8788 (likely 1988) and at that time very few people had email. (time: 1988) (place: India) is not accurate. First commercial digital cameras launched 1990-1991.
- Wrong: First commercial digital cameras launched 1990-1991.
- Wrong: 1988 digital camera for this use (photo of Advani, emailed for next-day color print) highly unlikely per timelines and costs.
- No record found: The sources reviewed do not settle whether Internet was officially rolled out in India in 1995! (time: 1995) (place: India).
- True: ERNET launched 1986 for research/education with early email (1986/87) and TCP/IP by 1988, but limited to those communities—not general public or…
Checked against: BOOM Live, Wikipedia, The Voice of Sikkim (Facebook post)
Why we say that›
Modi's 1988 digital camera and email story is unlikely per fact-checks, but the reel overblows it as impossible "jhooth" while the 1995 public internet claim holds.
The core story (digital camera/email in 1988, photo of Advani transmitted from Viramgam) is unlikely due to technology timelines and costs, but the reel frames it as blatant proven lies by a habitual liar who now runs the country. The 1995 public rollout is accurate while ERNET email access existed from 1986.
Reported 14 Aug 2026
Claims
2 false · 1 true · 1 no record
- False
I first used a digital camera in 8788 (likely 1988) and at that time very few people had email. (time: 1988) (place: India)
What we found
First commercial digital cameras launched 1990-1991. 1988 use highly unlikely due to availability and cost.
- False
At that time you were begging, so how did you have a digital camera? I took a photo on the digital camera and transmitted it to Delhi and the next day a color photo was printed. (time: 1988) (place: Viramgam, Gujarat, India)
What we found
1988 digital camera for this use (photo of Advani, emailed for next-day color print) highly unlikely per timelines and costs.
- No record found
Internet was officially rolled out in India in 1995! (time: 1995) (place: India)
What we found
Public internet service launched 15 August 1995 by VSNL. ERNET was earlier but restricted.
- True
And who gave you the internet which at that time in India was ERNET (Education Research Network)? Who was giving it to you to send emails brother? (time: 1988) (place: India)
What we found
ERNET launched 1986 for research/education with early email (1986/87) and TCP/IP by 1988, but limited to those communities—not general public or political workers.
The full story, from the sources›
As far as the year 1988 is concerned, the prime minister's claim of using the digital camera to take a photo of Mr. Advani is highly unlikely. Modi claimed... taking photo of LK Advani at Viramgam, Gujarat, then sending via email to Delhi for next-day full-color print... Fuji DS-1P prototype 1988 (not public), DS-X first sale Dec 1989 ($20k). Kodak DCS 100 commercial 1991. Thus 1988 digital camera for Modi unlikely due to cost/availability. - BOOM Live (2019-05-14) Internet in India, which began in 1986 with access only to the educational and research community and on 15 August 1995 with access to the general public. In 1986, the history of the Internet in India began with the launch of the Educational Research Network (ERNET)... made available only to educational and research communities... On 15 August 1995, the first publicly available internet service in India was launched by state-owned Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL). - Wikipedia The early history of Internet in India, in fact, dates back to 1986 when it was launched in the form of Educational Research Network (ERNET)... On August 15, 1995... the first publicly available internet service in India was launched. - The Voice of Sikkim (Facebook post) (2015-08-15)
From fact-checks · reporting
How it's framed (3)›
Sources (3)›
As far as the year 1988 is concerned, the prime minister's claim of using the digital camera to take a photo of Mr. Advani is highly unlikely. Modi claimed... taking photo of LK Advani at Viramgam, Gujarat, then sending via email to Delhi for next-day full-color print... Fuji DS-1P prototype 1988 (not public), DS-X first sale Dec 1989 ($20k). Kodak DCS 100 commercial 1991. Thus 1988 digital camera for Modi unlikely due to cost/availability.
Internet in India, which began in 1986 with access only to the educational and research community and on 15 August 1995 with access to the general public. In 1986, the history of the Internet in India began with the launch of the Educational Research Network (ERNET)... made available only to educational and research communities... On 15 August 1995, the first publicly available internet service in India was launched by state-owned Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL).
The early history of Internet in India, in fact, dates back to 1986 when it was launched in the form of Educational Research Network (ERNET)... On August 15, 1995... the first publicly available internet service in India was launched.
About this account›
- Al-Saher account posts critical content targeting Modi and BJP, consistent with opposition-leaning commentary.
Checked against 3 sources · 14 Aug 2026
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