Foreign YouTuber highlights Varanasi's condition, describes it as dirtiest
Says South India is positive, modern
A video that is now going viral on X and Youtube sheds light on the contrasting realities of Varanasi, a city Prime Minister Narendra Modi once promised to transform into a "Kyoto-like" urban center.
Marc Travels, a YouTuber with approximately 216,000 subscribers has shared his candid impressions of the city in his travel vlog and shared it on Youtube.
The clip has then been shared by many on X.
Marc's experience in Varanasi was less than ideal, as he described the city as "the dirtiest" he had encountered in India.
He noted that Varanasi seemed to epitomize the image of India often portrayed in Western media—a stark contrast to his positive experiences in the southern parts of the country, which he found modern and impressive.
"To be quite honest, when I came here, Varanasi felt like a little bit of the India that is promoted in Western TV," Marc remarked.
He further said that his overall picture of India, particularly the South, remained positive and modern, an impression that couldn't be altered despite his experience in Varanasi. He acknowledged the city's chaotic nature, calling it "hectic" and "extreme."
In his vlog's description, Marc reflected on his months-long journey through India, expressing gratitude for the diverse experiences and memories he gained.
However, he singled out Varanasi as an intense visit due to a bout of food poisoning he suffered there. Despite this, he appreciated the opportunity to see this side of India, which he mentioned he typically only knew from Western portrayals of the country.
Prime Minister Modi's 2014 announcement to transform Varanasi into a city akin to Kyoto has faced scrutiny and criticism.
Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has often mocked Modi's promises, pointing out the lack of significant changes in Varanasi.
During the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address last month, Akhilesh questioned the progress in the villages adopted by Modi, alleging they saw no growth.
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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.
