Celebrate Republic Day with Amazon miniTV as it embraces patriotic spirit with the finale episode of Hack Crimes Online – Republic Day Special

Amazon miniTV, Amazon’s free video streaming service, is all set to premiere the finale episode of its cyber-crime thriller series Hack Crimes Online on the occasion of the 75th Republic Day, embracing the true essence of patriotism. The streaming service today dropped the goosebumps-inducing promo of the upcoming episode, featuring the talented actors Vipul Gupta and Riddhi Kumar. It gives a sneak peek into the Cyber Crime Unit’s fight against the danger hovering on the Republic Day parade. Produced by Mr. Shital Bhatia, Co-founder of Friday Storytellers, and directed by Parmeet Sethi, the adrenaline-fueled episode will stream exclusively on Amazon miniTV for free.

Giving a glimpse of the alarming threat, the promo traces one of the most dangerous challenges faced by ACP Ashutosh’s Cyber Crime Unit.  As the Republic Day parade commences, ACP Ashutosh and his hackers discover that the meticulously created Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) were stolen on their way back from a regular maintenance session. This incident leaves the Indian Air Force with bated breath. As the authorities discover the perpetrators’ unnerving strategy to deploy the stolen UAV near the middle of the Republic Day procession along the Kartavya Path, the situation gets even more dire.

Will Shakti, ACP Ashutosh, and their squad recover the stolen UAV before the Republic Day parade, stopping malevolent plans? Don’t forget to catch the finale episode of Hack Crimes Online, premiering on 25 January on Amazon miniTV for free within the Amazon shopping app, on Fire TV, and on Play Store.

“Cybercrime has emerged as one of the greatest threats to our nation and its people today. The tech savvy cybercriminal has insidiously invaded every aspect of our daily lives. With Hack Crimes Online, we have endeavoured to shed light on a myriad such cases while exposing the modus operandi that cyber criminals are using today to nefarious ends. The incredibly encouraging response to our series is testimony to the pressing need for bringing such cyber-crimes to light. The finale episode of the series highlights the unsung battles of countless officers who work tirelessly and often heroically towards safeguarding our nation and its people from such online predators,” said Director Parmeet Sethi.

Talking about the new episode, Vipul Gupta shared, “Hack Crimes Online holds a special place in my heart as it throws light on such a prominent issue through a bunch of intriguing cases. The latest episode, especially, fills me with pride as it showcases patriotism in all its glory. The episode will take viewers on a nail-biting ride against a national threat. And yes, this episode is a gift from our side to all the viewers and fans who have showered their immense love and have been asking for more of Hack Crimes Online. Thanks for your love and appreciation and i am hopeful you will enjoy this Republic Day special episode too.”

Don’t forget to catch the finale episode of Hack Crimes Online, premiering on 25 January on Amazon miniTV for free within the Amazon shopping app, on Fire TV, and on Play Store.

Riding the Waves of Environmental Change: Beach Please Celebrate 314 Weeks of Environmental Triumph with Sharvari

In an extraordinary display of unwavering dedication, ‘Beach Please’ marks a triumphant conclusion to its 314th week of environmental cleanliness with a significant beach clean-up drive at Dadar Beach in Mumbai. The event received a boost from the vibrant presence of Sharvari, who not only graced the occasion but actively participated in the cleanup efforts, specifically targeting her vicinity of Dadar.

Committed environmentalist Malhar Kalambe, fueled by his passion for our planet, successfully brought together a robust team of 100 volunteers and enthusiastic students to lead the initiative over the weekend. The beach clean-up drive aimed not only at rejuvenating the environment but also underscored the growing involvement of youth, including Sharvari, in transformative ecological initiatives. Sharvari’s commitment to cleaning up Dadar, where she resides along with 7 of her closest friends from school, adds a personal touch to the initiative, emphasizing the importance of environmental stewardship starting from one’s own community.

Malhar Kalambe, the visionary and Founder of Beach Please, expressed his joyous mission, stating, “In this envisioned future, our collective effort aims at nurturing hands that guide nature. We embark on a journey where our every action is a symphony, fostering a symbiotic relationship between humanity and the planet we call home.” Beyond the tangible impact of the clean-up efforts, Malhar emphasized their pivotal role in sensitizing and mobilizing the masses towards enduring change with various initiatives. The 314th week stands as a true testament to the power of environmental commitment, marking a significant milestone that fuels Malhar’s mission for the nation and our dynamic youth.

As ‘Beach Please’ continues to ride the waves of change, the 314th week is not just an achievement; it’s a symphony of collective efforts of society, a vibrant ode to the resilience of our planet. Environmental preservation must be a fundamental part of who we are, and Sharvari’s active involvement in cleaning up Dadar beautifully embodies this ethos.

Cab Driver’s Son Overcomes Odds with a Rare Double Arm Transplant Through Heartfelt Crowdfunding on Milaap

In yet another success story, a Milaap fundraiser has helped a Delhi cab driver fund for his son’s treatment, who met with a life-altering train accident in 2019.The family had initiated a fundraiser to garner support for the boy’s medical needs and over the last 4 years an overwhelming generosity from 4700 donors contributed to raise over INR. 90 lakhs. The significant contribution facilitated a  successful prosthetic leg surgery,  and in a groundbreaking development, a recent transformative double arm transplant. This inspiring journey is a testament to the power of community and goodwill that crowdfunding can have on individuals facing challenging medical circumstances.

 

In 2019, Devansh, then a class 9 student, lost three of his limbs after a near-fatal train accident. The boy fell down and got stuck to the track at a railway crossing on his way back from school, and was run over by a railway engine. Soon after the accident, his right leg and both the arms had to be amputated. As the effects of sedatives faded away, Devansh was confronted with the harsh reality of his condition, leaving him speechless for days. Vinit and Priyanka, Devansh’s parents, were shattered by the sight of their son’s predicament.

 

Shortly thereafter, Devansh received a prosthetic leg to enable his mobility after the amputation. At that point, the doctors suggested he undergoes an arm transplant only once he turns 18 years of age.  After a prolonged wait for a suitable donor and adequate funds for the surgery, Devansh successfully underwent a double arm transplant at the start of this month. He is now on the path to recovery—gratitude owed to the generous donors on Milaap who played a crucial role. The funds not only covered the surgical expenses but also supported him through years of medication, nutrition, and prosthetics since the unfortunate incident.

Devansh’s mother expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who played a vital role in her son’s journey. “After years of anticipation following the tragic train accident, my son has successfully undergone the transplant at the beginning of this new year. I am deeply thankful to Milaap and all the donors who provided financial support to make the surgery possible for my son and our family. I would also like to appeal to people to continue helping each other, ensuring that nobody is left in pain.”

Milaap plays a pivotal role in funding healthcare crises for both children and adults across India. The crowdfunding platform has been instrumental in financially enabling \

 

individuals and families facing high costs for medical ailments such as cancer, organ transplantation, accidents, etc. The platform works to ensure the online giving ecosystem is easy and transparent, thereby earning trust of donors and beneficiaries alike. As the world shifts toward online giving as the primary way to help others, Milaap is proud to lead the way.

AI and its impact on Creators and Creativity An Insightful session hosted by IPRS at Kala Ghoda Art Festival 2024

IPRS (The Indian Performing Right Society), the forefront organization in safeguarding music creators’ rights is hosting an insightful panel discussion at Kala Ghoda Art Festival 2024, that promises to be a captivating exploration of the intersection between artificial intelligence (AI) and creativity. With an esteemed panel of speakers and a diverse range of topics, the discussion is set to unravel the evolving landscape of creativity in the age of AI. The panel will include distinguished industry creators such as Shalmali Kholgade, Raghav Meatle, Sherrin Varghese, and IP lawyer Himanshu Bagai, moderated by Chaitanya Chinchlikar educator in the Film, Media, Creative Arts industry.

The panel will delve into unpacking the role of AI in creative industry and will highlight the impact of AI in various artistic domains. The panel will also shed lights on how AI tools can help artists be more creative and handle the challenges and ethics that come with new technology. The spotlight will be on successful collaborations between human creators and AI, addressing concerns about job displacement and exploring the rise of AI-generated content across artistic domains.

 

The panel will discuss how current copyright laws may need adjustments to handle the specific characteristics of works produced by AI. The conversation will focus on finding a balanced approach that protects creators while also embracing the innovative contributions driven by AI as well.

 

Event:   AI and its impact on Creators and Creativity

Speakers: Shalmali Kholgade: Singer-Songwriter; Raghav Meatle: Singer-Songwriter; Sherrin Varghese (Band of Boys): Musician-Actor; Himanshu Bagai: Senior Advocate IP and Copyright

Moderator: Chaitanya Chinchlikar educator in the Film, Media, Creative Arts industry

Date: 28th January 2024

Time: 11 AM IST

Venue: The Blue Box by Antiquity Natural Mineral Water at YB Chavan Centre

 

Xiaomi India joins hands with Stonesoup Trust to streamline waste management across Kannamangala Gram Panchayat in Karnataka

Xiaomi India, a global technology brand, has announced a partnership with Stonesoup Trust to launch a first-of-its-kind comprehensive waste management initiative in Kannamangala Gram Panchayat. The project’s objective is to minimize waste generation at its origin and handle it locally and responsibly. It will specifically tackle the significant waste management issues confronted by communities within the gram panchayat. The emphasis will be on efficient source segregation and adopting sustainable waste processing practices. Kannamangala Gram Panchayat aims to set a precedent for others by taking charge of their waste management and illustrating the principles of a circular economy.

As part of the ‘Namma Swachha Kannamangala’ campaign, Stonesoup Trust will work with Kannamangala Gram Panchayat, Citizen Group Force GW, and MLA’s Mahadevpura Task Force. Gram Panchayat has 6 settlements, 14 gated communities, and 80+ commercial establishments. They will oversee the implementation of the project including waste segregation at the source, collection, and the processing of wet and dry waste. A women SHG group, Bharathambe Sanjeevani Grama Panchayat Organization will be trained to build awareness and run operations to ensure long-term sustainability.

Commenting on the partnership, Muralikrishnan B, President, Xiaomi India, said, “At Xiaomi India, we have always been committed to environmental sustainability and community welfare. Collaborating with Stonesoup Trust underscores our dedication to creating a substantial positive change in Kannamangala. Through the implementation of a resilient waste management system, we intend to bring tangible benefits to the entire community. We aim to efficiently handle 100% of the wet waste at the panchayat level as we aspire to pave the way for a cleaner and more eco-friendly future in Kannamangala.”

Stonesoup will work closely with the Mahadevapura task force and Force GW, to compost wet waste at the local processing center. The gram panchayat is actively involved in providing essential civil infrastructure, including a well-maintained road, land, and shed, to facilitate waste management. To ensure effective waste collection, women from the SHG team are equipped with information and vehicles to collect segregated waste. Subsequently, the wet waste will undergo composting, and the dry waste will be sorted and sent for recycling.

Malini Parmar, Founder Stonesoup.in, “We are pleased to partner with Xiaomi India for this significant waste management initiative and work closely with local stakeholders.  We aim to create a sustainable model for waste composting and contribute to a healthier environment for the villagers. We have looked at transforming and mechanizing processes to improve working conditions in waste. This initiative showcases the power of collective efforts in bringing about positive change and inspires us to continue our mission of building a greener future.”

Lingaraj Urs, Member Panchayat said, “Our waste is our responsibility. We appreciate that Stonesoup Trust and Xiaomi have come together to help us achieve Namma Swachha Kannamangala’s goal, which is to manage waste locally while creating employment for women SHGs. What started as a pilot project in a small village in Bevinimara, today has been scaled up to include 5 more villages. We hope this model will become a template for other Gram panchayat to manage their waste.”

Xiaomi India has consistently demonstrated its commitment to the environment and people through its dedicated efforts. From sustainable waste management collaborations to impactful social initiatives, Xiaomi India strives to make a positive difference by promoting environmental sustainability.

Autonomous research at risk: India shifts perspective on Tobacco

The National Medical Commission (NMC) recently issued a directive for medical professionals, possibly requested by Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH). The letter instructed doctors to refrain from initiating or participating in any research activities related to e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs) without obtaining prior approval from the DGHS and MoH. This directive is closely aligned with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendation to ban e-cigarettes, marking a significant barrier for medical research practices on the subject in the country.

Research in India needs to be high quality, scientific and innovative to be able to propel the Prime Minister’s vision to make the country self-reliant and focus on converting their knowledge & bring about change in everyday life. This is only possible when primary research comes to the fore.

For instance, the government’s efforts on tobacco control can be more effective if insights it relies on are backed by facts. The comparison of data between smokers and e-cigarette users should be the base to understand the impact of new nicotine alternatives as opposed to a comparison of non-smokers and e-cigarette users. Such issues, where data is not compared pragmatically and realistically, concludes in restrictions & guardrails as the way forward.

UK & Sweden have adopted a tailored policy using nicotine alternatives. UK’s health department concluded that nicotine alternatives are at least 90% less harmful than traditional combustible tobacco, helping 2.5 million smokers switch & eventually quit tobacco. Sweden will soon be the first country to become smoke-free. Smoking prevalence has fallen from 15% to 5.6% in just 15 years with the help of new nicotine alternatives. Further, they witnessed a 41% lower incidence of cancer, lowest across the EU.

In the US, a recent CDC report highlights that while adult vaping rates have increased, they have not increased smoking rates in adults or teens, with both groups registering a decline in use. The report also indicates that teen vapers have reduced by 61% as against the number reported in 2019.

Documents released by the WHO recently recommend countries to ban or restrict and tax all tobacco products, clubbing them in the same health risk bracket despite scientific consensus that burning of tobacco causes much more harm as compared to heating it.

Contrary to this approach, The Cochrane Library concluded in November 2022 that “there is strong evidence that e-cigarettes with nicotine increase smoking quit rates compared to nicotine replacement therapy.” In countries with liberal regulation towards vaping, smoking has declined twice as fast as the global average.

Research is a lifeline to any kind of scientific revolution in the health space, especially when you consider the population size in a country like India. Proper standards, focus and impetuous will bring out analysis which will help in shaping progressive policy & way forward for the health sector. Every citizen will have the right to information if this approach is backed by logic. Given that research is such a poignant part, in case there are gaps in the research approach, it compromises the right to information for the govt machinery as well as citizens. Possibly closes out an option to save lives from tobacco harm.

In India’s case, the direction from DGHS has scope for improvement if the data it may rely on does not consider secondary research but granular and in-depth insights from credible product research. For instance, the comparison of e-cigarette users with non – smokers will not represent a complete analysis as against a comparison of cigarette smokers with e-cigarette users to study harm reduction. Many such builds which if done efficiently, with the right kind of focus that the Government of India has put in other areas like medical products and medicinal salts can lead to better policies. If tobacco control policies can use such research centric approach, they can rely on insights and reduce the harm from tobacco.

It becomes an urgent requirement for decision-makers to draft a tobacco control policy customized to solve public health issues. Research that can bring out effective policies has put us on the precipice of a public health revolution of historic significance. We can do what has worked so well for so long on so many other public health issues. It merely requires us to embrace science, reason, and humanism. Simply put, India needs to bring back the gold standard of research to help achieve our country’s full potential of ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’.