RTC workers' strike begins in Karnataka, bus services hit
Bengaluru, Apr 7: Bus services were affected in most parts of Karnataka on Wednesday as drivers and conductors of road transport corporations began their indefinite strike on wage related issues.
Commuters were left stranded at bus stations across the city, with Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses remaining off the roads. Similar reports are emerging from various parts of the state.
Bus services in several cities, including Bengaluru, were thrown out of gear from Tuesday afternoon itself after drivers and conductors decided not to work the second shift.
Passengers travelling to and from distant areas and office goers were the most affected.
Several universities in the state have postponed exams because of the RTC workers strike.
The government has tried to make alternate arrangements by roping in private transport operators, and has sought deployment of more trains, aimed at addressing inconvenience caused to the public due to the stir.
Private buses, maxi cabs and other transport services were seen operating in different parts of the city, coming to the rescue of stranded passengers.
However, their operators said the number of passengers was not as usual and was scarce.
They said many passengers are using their own vehicles or have made arrangements on their own.
People were also seen using cabs, metro and auto rickshaws in the city.
Metro has decided to increase the frequency of its services between 7 am and 9 pm.
Workers of BMTC, Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) and North Eastern Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NEKRTC), under the banner of Karnataka State Road Transport Employees League, have given a call for strike from April 7.
The protest is against the government's failure to implement a salary under the 6th Pay Commission for the RTC workers.
They decided to go ahead with the strike, despite the government warning of strict action and ruling out any negotiations with them.
While making it clear that the implementation of the 6th pay commission for transport workers was not possible, the government however has agreed for an 8 per cent increase in salary as an interim relief.
However, it said, it cannot be implemented immediately as the model code of conduct is in place and a letter has been sent to the Election Commission seeking permission.
Warning the employees against going on strike during the COVID-19 situation, officials had said "no work no pay", while indicating about even invoking Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) if the strike continues.
At some places there were complaints about private services including buses, autos and cabs charging exorbitantly, taking advantage of the transport strike.
Officials said they are keeping vigil on it and making spot visits to inspect the fare being collected by private operators.
According to the transport department, notification fixing cab and bus fares has already been issued and no one can charge over it.
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AI reshaping music, filmmaking in Kannada cinema
Bengaluru: Artificial Intelligence is slowly changing the way music and creativity are produced in the Kannada film industry, raising concerns among musicians, singers and technicians, The New Indian Express reported on Sunday.
Music composer, actor and director V Manohar reportedly said, AI is being used to write lyrics, especially in low-budget movies. Once lyrics are generated, AI can suggest thousands of tunes. It even asks whether the voice should be male or female. With one click, a complete song is ready.
“If this continues, singers and musicians will have less or no work in the coming days. But it may not succeed either. A few years ago, dubbing was allowed and people could watch movies in any language they preferred. But not many took to it as they wanted to watch a movie in the original,” TNIE quoted him as saying.
According to the report, Filmmaker Avinash U Shetty, a National Award winner, said resistance to new technology is not new. Those who resisted shifting from analogue to digital films years ago have now embraced it. The industry is now using only 10% of the AI potential. If it is scaled up, it can do unimaginable things. What we consider bad now, may not be after five years.
Highlighting the cost advantage, Sangamesh, an independent creator reportedly said, he made a three-minute video using AI for just Rs 4,500. Earlier, the same work would have cost nearly Rs 15 lakh. I finished the entire project in three days. The only expense was the AI software subscription, he said.
These days, it has become difficult to differentiate between the real and AI. AI is creating artistes. Scenes like war, big fights and dance can be shot with a lesser number of artistes. Then with the aid of visual effects and AI, you can achieve what you have in mind, he said.
Actor-director D P Raghuram felt that while AI has made an impact on music, it lacks emotional depth. Cinema earlier involved hard work and strong emotional connections. AI can help improve our work, but creativity should remain human, he reportedly said.
As per the report, earlier, Kannada cinema employed hundreds of junior artistes, who not only earned wages but also shared meals on sets and formed lasting bonds with stars like Dr Rajkumar, Vishnuvardhan and Ambareesh. Today, filmmakers fear that increasing dependence on AI could reduce such human connections, turning creativity into just another automated process.
