#FactCheck -Scripted Video of Pre-Wedding Roka at Metro Station Misleads Users

Introduction

Quantum technology involves the study of matter and energy at the sub-atomic level. This technology uses superposition and entanglement to provide new capabilities in computing, cryptography and communication and solves problems at speeds not possible with classical computers. Unlike classical bits, qubits can exist in a superposition of states, representing 0, 1, or any combination of these states simultaneously. The Union Cabinet approved the National Quantum Mission on 19 April 2023, with a budget allocation of Rs 6000 Crore. The mission will seed, nourish, and scale up scientific and industrial R&D in the domain of quantum technology so that India emerges as one of the leaders in developing quantum technologies and their applications. 

The Union Minister for Science and Technology and Minister of Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh announced the selection of 8 start-ups for support under India’s National Quantum Mission and the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS). The selected start-ups represent diverse quantum tech domains and were chosen via a rigorous evaluation process. These startups are poised to be critical enablers in translating quantum research into practical applications. This start-up selection aligns with India’s broader vision for technological self-reliance and innovation by 2047. 

Policy Landscape and Vision

The National Quantum Mission’s main goal is to develop intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits in 8 years, across diverse platforms such as superconducting and photonic technology. The mission deliverables include the development of satellite-based secure quantum communications between ground stations over a range of 2000 km within India, long-distance secure quantum communications with other countries, inter-city quantum key distribution over 2000 km, and multi-node quantum networks with quantum memories.

The National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems aims to promote translational research in Cyber-Physical Systems and associated technologies and prototypes and demonstrates applications for national priorities. The other expectations are enhancing the top-of-the-line research base, human resource development and skill sets in these emerging areas. These missions align with India’s broader ideals such as the Digital India and Make in India campaigns to strengthen India’s technological ecosystem. 

Selected Startups and Their Innovations

The startups selected reflect alignment with India’s National Quantum Mission, oriented towards fostering cutting-edge research and innovation and have industrial applications aiming at placing India as the global leader in quantum technology. The selections are:

• QNu Labs (Bengaluru): is advancing quantum communication by developing end-to-end quantum-safe heterogeneous networks.
• QPiAI India Pvt. Ltd. (Bengaluru): is building a superconducting quantum computer.
• Dimira Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (IIT Mumbai):  is creating indigenous cryogenic cables, essential for quantum computing.
• Prenishq Pvt. Ltd. (IIT Delhi): developing precision diode-laser systems.
• QuPrayog Pvt. Ltd. (Pune): is working on creating optical atomic clocks and related technologies.
• Quanastra Pvt. Ltd. (Delhi): is developing advanced cryogenics and superconducting detectors.
• Pristine Diamonds Pvt. Ltd. (Ahmedabad): is creating diamond materials for quantum sensing.
• Quan2D Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (Bengaluru): is making advancements in superconducting Nanowire Single-photon Detectors.

References

• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2077635 
• https://www.csis.org/analysis/quantum-technology-applications-and-implications ‍
• https://dst.gov.in/national-quantum-mission-nqm

Executive Summary:

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A video is being shared on social media showing a man running rapidly in a river with water bottles tied to both his feet. Users are circulating the video claiming that the man is attempting to run on water using the support of the bottles. CyberPeace’s research found the viral claim to be false. Our research revealed that the video being shared on social media is not real but has been generated using artificial intelligence (AI).

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 Claim :

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The claim was shared by a Facebook user on February 5, 2026, who wrote that a man was running on water using water bottles tied to his feet, calling it a unique attempt and questioning whether humans can run on water. Links to the post, its archived version, and screenshots are provided below.

• https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=909278068233361
• https://archive.ph/mv73y 

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Fact Check:

To verify the claim, we searched relevant keywords on Google but did not find any credible media reports supporting the incident. A closer examination of the viral video revealed several visual irregularities, raising suspicion that it may have been AI-generated. The video was then scanned using the AI detection tool Hive Moderation. According to the tool’s results, the video is 99 percent likely to be AI-generated.

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Conclusion:
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Our research confirms that the viral video does not depict a real incident and has been falsely shared as a genuine attempt to run on water.

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Governments in nations across the globe are consequently vying to draw in data centre investments as components of the wider AI sovereignty policies. However, recent events in Ireland make it clear that such an infrastructure is associated with significant environmental and social price tags. In geographically dense and resource-strained countries such as India, these trade-offs pose some pressing questions of whether today's AI ambitions are socially or environmentally sustainable. The data centre crisis in Ireland provides a handy reminder. It puts emphasis on the capacity of land use, water stress, energy demand, and disruption of communities to amplify quickly as digital infrastructure continues to increase at a faster rate than the regulatory and ecological capacity. These lessons should be paid close attention to as India continues to develop the IndiaAI Mission and establish itself as an AI hub in the future.

Why Data Centres Are Ecological Stress Multipliers

The data centres are sometimes referred to as clean digital infrastructure; however, in an actual sense, they are heavy industrial guardians of resources. Centres of large proportions demand an extensive amount of land, constant electricity, and a significant amount of water to cool down. 

The most apparent effect is on energy consumption. Data centres are 24/7, round the clock, and need to be powered with a high-quality and stable electricity supply. By 2022, data centres had more than a quarter of the overall national electricity demand in Ireland, which created problems regarding grid stability and energy security (EirGrid, 2022). This compelled regulators to limit new connections in some of the areas. These trends also bring some similarities to certain regions of the United States, especially in Virginia, where particular data centres have led to peaks in the electricity demand in the region (U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2023).

Another primary source of pressure is the use of water. Heavy liquid coolers are very intensive systems in data centres, which tend to use the local freshwater sources. This may directly compete with residential and agricultural requirements in case of heatwaves or drought. In the western US, environmental advocates have issued notices that data centres contribute to a water deficit in other overextended basins (New York Times, 2023).

It also depends on local pollution and land use. Data centres are normally constructed on large plots close to urban or peri-urban centres, having good accessibility. This may push aside farmlands, increase property rates, and change local ecologies. The backup diesel generators, which are employed during power cuts, add to air and noise pollutants, and they thus impact the adjacent communities.

Ireland’s Experience and the Social Backlash

The low corporate taxes, cool climate, and PIC access to the EU market made Ireland a big data centre hub. The concentration of facilities around Dublin was, however, done unintentionally, leading to its rapid concentration. The population in their local communities also experienced mounting housing pressure, power competition, and underemployment because the number of long-term jobs created by a data centre is comparatively low.

The Irish government later realised that data centre expansion was causing strain on climate commitments and electricity infrastructure on a national level. The grid operators started denying new connections to data centres in sections of the country, which amounted to a kind of moratorium on further growth (TechPolicy.Press, 2024). What was initially a digital success story became a government issue, an ecology versus economic plan clash.

This experience particularly applies to smaller or densely populated countries. Countries such as Ireland and India have concentrated influences on fewer points, unlike the United States or China, which are able to spread data centres over wide areas.

India’s Emerging Data Centre Geography

India is advertising data centres as a way of advancing its digital and AI platforms. There are a number of states that have published data centre policies, such as Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh. The connectivity, financial infrastructure, and location to large user bases are making Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Noida major hubs (MeitY, 2023).

Nevertheless, these areas are already stressed in terms of the environment. Mumbai also suffers from land shortage and flooding. There is a permanent water scarcity in Chennai. Hyderabad and Noida cannot cope with the intensity of population growth and energy demand in urban areas. Locating such large-scale data centres in these locations will pose a risk of augmenting the existing vulnerabilities instead of decentralising the benefits of development.

India, in contrast to the United States or China, does not have continental-scale low-density areas with spare water and power near demand centres. Each additional data centre in India is thus likely to have an impact on an increasing number of people per unit of infrastructure, by land acquisition, water diversion, grid pressure, or environmental externalities.

Community Impacts and Uneven Costs

The cost incurred by local communities to increase their data centre expansion is not proportionate to the benefits enjoyed. The after construction efforts to generate employment is minimal and the long term effects include strains on infrastructure. Tariffs can be increased with the growth of electric power demand. The extraction of water may have impacts on local supply. The prices of real estate may crowd out the lower-income population.

These impacts may be enhanced in India, where urban inequality is already high. The informal settlements along the industrial areas are such that they are vulnerable to pollution as well as diversion of resources. Data centres will otherwise be yet another project that creates unequal development without proper consultation with the community and other environmental protection measures.

What This Means for India’s AI Sovereignty Plans

The IndiaAI Mission of India focuses on developing local AI potential, data networks, and processing units to minimise the use of external systems ( IndiaAI Mission Document, 2024). This vision is based on data centres. Nevertheless, the concept of simple AI autonomy is made difficult by ecological limits.

An AI infrastructure that compromises water security, energy availability, or climate objectives could come under opposition and regulation backlash, as in the case of Ireland. This would delay deployment and add up to more expenses. Physical expansion is not sufficient to have true AI sovereignty. It should also take into consideration sustainability, decentralisation, and efficiency.

This brings about strategic concerns. India must invest more vigorously in energy-efficient computing, edge AI and model optimisation as opposed to scale. Is renewable energy integration viable to maintain the information centre demand? Is data centre siting to comply with long term water and land use planning, and not the short-term incentives of investment?

Towards a Sustainable Digital Infrastructure Strategy

India can still afford to learn not to repeat the errors experienced elsewhere. This will necessitate data centres being regarded as digital assets, not important infrastructures that have an environmental and social impact. Both more robust environmental impact assessments and public water and energy accounting and community involvement must become unavoidable.

From an AI policy perspective, sustainability should be seen as a pillar of sovereignty. An AI ecosystem that depends on fragile ecological foundations is not resilient. By learning from Ireland and adapting global lessons to local realities, India can pursue AI leadership without creating new environmental crises.

The future of AI will not be decided only by algorithms and talent. It will also be shaped by land, water, energy, and the communities that live alongside digital infrastructure. Ignoring those realities would make AI ambition fragile rather than sovereign.

References

• TechPolicy.Press. What Ireland’s Data Center Crisis Means for the EU’s AI Sovereignty Plans. 2024. https://techpolicy.press
• EirGrid. Electricity Demand Forecast Statement. 2022. https://www.eirgridgroup.com
• U.S. Energy Information Administration. Data Centers and Energy Demand. 2023. https://www.eia.gov
• New York Times. Data Centers Are Straining Water Supplies in the American West. 2023. https://www.nytimes.com 
• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. India Data Centre Policy and Digital Infrastructure Initiatives. 2023. https://www.meity.gov.in
• IndiaAI Mission. Official Mission Document and Framework. 2024. https://indiaai.gov.in

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