Grand inauguration of 'Beary Mela-2025' in Dubai
Dubai: The 'Beary Mela-2025' was inaugurated in a grand ceremony at the Etisalat Academy Ground on Sunday. Organised under the aegis of the UAE Bearys Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI), the event was inaugurated by S.M. Rasheed Haji, President of the Mangaluru Bearys Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI), who extended his best wishes.
Speaking as the chief guest, Zakariya Jokatte, CEO of Al Muzain in Saudi Arabia, stated that the Beary community is known for its peaceful and harmonious nature. He emphasised the importance of preserving the community’s culture and continuing initiatives that benefit the community.
During the event, he announced that the next Beary Mela would be organised in Saudi Arabia after the Eid celebrations in 2026.
Hidayath Addoor, President of the UAE chapter of BCCI, delivered the presidential address. Other dignitaries present included Umar U.H., President of Beary Sahitya Academy, Golthmajalu Razak Haji, Badruddin, Imtiyaz, and Ronald Martis.
The event commenced with a recitation of the Quran by Muhammad Azfan Sompadi. Beary Mela coordinator and BCCI executive committee member Ashraf Sha Mantoor delivered the welcome address, while Azhar Handel compered the programme. BCCI treasurer Hamza proposed the vote of thanks.
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Bill to regulate deepfakes tabled in Lok Sabha
New Delhi (PTI): A Private Member's Bill seeking a clear legal framework for regulation of deepfakes has been introduced in the Lok Sabha.
The Regulation of Deepfake Bill, introduced by Shiv Sena leader Shrikant Shinde in the House on Friday, aims to protect citizens by mandating prior consent from individuals depicted in deepfake content.
"Misuse of deepfakes for harassment, deception and misinformation has escalated, creating an urgent need for regulatory safeguards," Shinde said.
The Bill also lists penalties for offenders creating or disseminating deepfake content with malicious intent.
"With advancements in artificial intelligence and deep learning, deepfake technology has emerged as a significant tool for media manipulation. While the technology has potential applications in education, entertainment and creative fields, it also poses severe risks when misused, threatening individual privacy, national security and public trust," Shinde said in the statement of objects and reasons in the Bill.
The proposed Bill seeks to establish a clear legal framework to govern the creation, distribution and application of deepfakes in India, said Shinde, a three-term Lok Sabha member from Kalyan.
The Bill also seeks to establish the Deepfake Task Force, a dedicated body to combat national security implications and evaluate the influence of deepfakes on privacy, civic participation, and potential election interference.
The task force will collaborate with academic and private sector institutions to develop technologies that detect manipulated content, thereby promoting credibility in digital media.
The Bill also proposes to establish a fund to support public and private sector initiatives in the detection and deterrence of advanced image manipulation.
A Private Member's Bill is a procedure of Parliament that enables lawmakers, who are not ministers, to draw attention to issues that might not be represented in Government Bills or to highlight the issues and gaps in the existing legal framework that require legislative intervention.
