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In 2024, the Internet ruled even stronger, and social media had even more people from across the world interacting with one another. Amid this immense social gathering, cultural moments and video clips from all over were exchanged and some of them soon rose to the top of trending pages, eventually ending up as viral content.
Several such trends found their way to India and took the audience here by storm. From the 2024 T20 Cricket World Cup to the ‘Chill guy’ meme, content creators and brands alike, jumped in to make the most out of every trending moment.
As the curtains wrap on 2024, here are nine of this year’s biggest social media trends and viral moments:
The Turkish Shooter
Coming right off the 2024 Paris Olympics was Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec. Competing without any specialized equipment, he relied solely on his charisma and confidence. Despite his silver medal, he trended like gold on social media for his unique stance, with one hand casually in his pocket, which sparked a wave of 'hitman' memes.
Very Demure, Very Mindful
The 'very demure, very mindful' trend surged in popularity after beauty influencer Jools Lebron shared a video, describing her look as 'very demure, very mindful' even though she wore vibrant and bold makeup. Soon enough many brands like Swiggy and Zomato jumped to the trend, making it viral.
T20 World Cup: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma hug each other
In a heartfelt moment, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma hugged tearfully after India broke their 13-year ICC trophy drought. As the only players in the squad with previous World Cup wins—Rohit in 2007 and Virat in 2011—their emotions reflected years of dedication and high expectations.
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Vada Pav Girl
Chandrika Dixit, viral on social media as the Vada Pav Girl, gained widespread attention this year. With a dramatic flair and high-energy presence, she turned into a social media sensation from a mere businesswoman, eventually leading to her appearance on Bigg Boss.
Dolly Chaiwala offers tea to Bill Gates
In early 2024, former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates visited India and made a surprising stop at Dolly Chaiwala's tea stall in Nagpur, famous for its unique style. However, what went viral was the ‘influencer’ claiming he did not know who Gates was and offered him tea thinking him to be a random foreigner.
Bado Badi
Pakistani artist Chahat Fateh Ali Khan's humorous take on the song "Akh Lari Bado-Badi" by Noor Jehan became an internet sensation. Despite its questionable quality, the song went viral, sparking a wave of Instagram reels and memes using the video and lyrics as templates.
ALSO READ: “Can quit work, not my mother”: Viral work-life balance post hits Indian professionals hard
Aha Tamatar nursery rhyme
A catchy nursery rhyme titled "Aha tamatar bade mazedaar," went viral on social media this year. It quickly gained popularity as users started using the audio in their posts, and one user even edited a video of K-pop group BTS dancing to the song, which ignited a larger trend.
Chin Tapak Dum Dum
In 2024, the catchphrase "Chin tapak dum dum" from the children's show Chhota Bheem transformed into a viral meme. Social media users turned the phrase, originally used by the mischievous character Takia, into a symbol of triumph over minor life challenges. The trend took off, leading to a flood of memes celebrating everyday victories.
ALSO READ: ‘Indians lack basic manners’: Video of Indians’ unruly behaviour inside Thailand flight goes viral
Chill Guy
The 'Chill Guy' meme went viral in the year's final months, featuring a dog in a grey sweater, blue jeans, and red sneakers, showing off a laid-back vibe. Created by artist Philip Banks, the character debuted on Instagram as a relaxed, human-like dog with a smirk. It quickly became an internet favourite, appearing in various settings and being embraced by brands and celebrities alike.
