PM Modi shifts to 'Bankim babu' as TMC objects to 'Bankim da' reference
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reference to Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, the author of Vande Mataram, as 'Bankim da' was objected to by the Trinamool Congress on Monday, prompting him to add the more respectful suffix 'babu' to the legendary poet's name.
Trinamool Congress member Saugata Roy, during the debate on 150 years of national song Vande Mataram in the Lok Sabha, asked the prime minister to use the suffix 'babu' while referring to Chatterjee.
"I will say Bankim Babu. Thank you, I respect your sentiments," the prime minister said.
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In a lighter vein, Modi quickly asked whether he could still refer to Roy as 'dada'.
"I can call you dada, right? Or you have an objection to that, too," the prime minister said.
Earlier, the prime minister had asked about Roy's well-being when the Trinamool Congress member had made some remarks at the start of the debate.
Roy is the fifth term Lok Sabha member from Dum Dum constituency in West Bengal.
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US cyber agency chief Madhu Gottumukkala under scrutiny for uploading sensitive files to ChatGPT
Washington: Dr. Madhu Gottumukkala, the acting head of the United States Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), is facing scrutiny after reportedly uploading sensitive government documents to the public version of ChatGPT, triggering automated security alerts and an internal review.
According to a report by Politico, Gottumukkala uploaded documents related to government contracts and cybersecurity matters during the summer of 2025 for official work purposes. While the documents were not classified, they were marked “For Official Use Only” (FOUO), meaning they were not intended for public disclosure.
Officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told Politico that the uploads activated internal safeguards designed to flag the sharing of protected government material on public platforms. The incident prompted an internal review to determine whether any sensitive information may have been exposed.
The development has drawn attention because CISA is the federal agency responsible for protecting US government networks from advanced cyber threats, including those believed to be backed by foreign states such as Russia and China.
Who Is Madhu Gottumukkala?
Dr. Madhu Gottumukkala, who is of Indian origin, currently serves as the acting director of CISA. He holds a PhD in Information Systems from Dakota State University, an MBA in Engineering and Technology Management from the University of Dallas, an MS in Computer Science from the University of Texas at Arlington, and a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Andhra University.
What triggered the ChatGPT security concern?
The controversy centres on the use of ChatGPT, a public artificial intelligence platform developed by OpenAI. Information entered into the public version of the tool may be stored and used to improve the system, raising concerns about whether government-related data could have been inadvertently retained or exposed.
Although the materials uploaded were not classified, officials emphasised that FOUO documents are still considered sensitive and subject to strict handling protocols.
CISA’s response
CISA sought to play down concerns surrounding the incident. In an email response to Politico, agency spokesperson Marci McCarthy said Gottumukkala had official permission to use ChatGPT under specific DHS safeguards.
“Acting Director Dr. Madhu Gottumukkala last used ChatGPT in mid-July 2025 under an authorised temporary exception,” McCarthy said, adding that CISA’s standard policy remains to block access to ChatGPT unless a formal exception is granted.
The issue has attracted added attention due to previous reports involving Gottumukkala. Politico had earlier reported that several CISA employees were placed on leave after Gottumukkala allegedly failed a polygraph test that he had supported introducing. Gottumukkala has disputed that account and told lawmakers that he did not agree with that characterisation.
