Media like VB that fearlessly tells truth need of hour, says Dr Channabasavanand Swamiji
Bidar: In today’s climate, it is difficult for any newspaper to boldly convey truth to society. That is why media houses like Vartha Bharati, which continue to publish honest and essential news without fear, are needed now more than ever, said Sri Dr Channabasavanand Swamiji of Bengaluru’s Channabasaveshwar Jnanapeetha.
He was speaking at a gathering of readers, viewers and well-wishers at Hotel The Krishna Regency in Bidar, held to mark the launch of Vartha Bharati’s Kalyana Karnataka edition from Kalaburagi.
Swamiji said Vartha Bharati deserves wider reach in the Kalyana Karnataka region. In times when many media houses face pressure and temptations, a newspaper that stands firm, independent and committed to truth is crucial, he said. He also noted with concern that it has become increasingly difficult to share truth with society and that both the media and the judiciary must remain independent.
Bidar University Syndicate member Vittaldas Payage said Vartha Bharati stands at the forefront of Kannada media committed to delivering factual news to people. He welcomed the paper’s entry into Kalyana Karnataka.
Dr Sanjeevkumar Ativalle, member of the Karnataka Border Area Development Authority, said Vartha Bharati has been playing an important role in promoting rational thought and countering superstition in the state.
Vartha Bharati’s editor-in-chief Abdussalam Puthige said the paper has continued to stand firm without bowing to any corporate influence. He said Vartha Bharati has consistently raised people’s issues before the government without fear.
Labour leader Baburao Honna urged people to support the newspaper and said Bidar and the entire region welcomes Vartha Bharati’s presence.
The Kalyana Karnataka edition of Vartha Bharati will be formally released on December 20 at 10.30 am at S M Pandit Rangamandira in Kalaburagi.
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India, US trade team to start three-day talks from Dec 10: Sources
New Delhi (PTI): India and the United States will commence three-day talks on the first phase of their proposed bilateral trade agreement here from December 10, sources said.
The visit is crucial as India and the US are working to finalise the first tranche of the pact.
"The three-day talks will start on December 10. It will conclude on December 12, and it is not a formal round of talks," said one of the sources.
The US team will be led by Deputy United States Trade Representative (USTR) Rick Switzer.
This visit of the US officials marks their second trip since the imposition of a 25 per cent tariff and an additional 25 per cent penalty on Indian goods entering the American market due to the purchase of Russian crude oil.
On September 16, the US officials last visited India.
On September 22, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal also led an official delegation to the US for trade talks. Goyal had also visited Washington in May.
While the USA's chief negotiator for the pact is Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch, the Indian side is led by Joint Secretary in the Department of Commerce Darpan Jain.
The talks are also important as Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal has recently stated that India is hopeful of reaching a framework trade deal with the US this year itself, which should address the tariff issue to the benefit of Indian exporters.
While noting that the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) will take time, Agrawal has added that India is engaged in protracted negotiations with the US on a framework trade deal that will address the reciprocal tariff challenge faced by Indian exporters.
India and the US are having two parallel negotiations -- one on a framework trade deal to address tariffs and another on a comprehensive trade deal.
In February, leaders of the two countries directed officials to negotiate an agreement.
It was planned to conclude the first tranche of the pact by the fall of 2025. So far, six rounds of negotiations have been held. The agreement aims to more than double bilateral trade to USD 500 billion by 2030, from the current USD 191 billion.
The US remained India's largest trading partner for the fourth consecutive year in 2024-25, with bilateral trade valued at USD 131.84 billion (USD 86.5 billion exports).
The US accounts for about 18 per cent of India's total goods exports, 6.22 per cent of its imports, and 10.73 per cent of its total merchandise trade.
According to exporters, the agreement is important as India's merchandise exports to the US declined for the second consecutive month in October, falling by 8.58 per cent to USD 6.3 billion due to the hefty tariffs imposed by Washington.
