Veteran Kannada writer H.S. Venkateshamurthy passes away at 80
Bengaluru: Veteran Kannada writer, acclaimed poet, playwright, and academic Dr. H.S. Venkateshamurthy passed away on Friday at the age of 80. He had been admitted to the hospital due to age-related ailments and breathed his last early this morning, according to medical sources.
Born on June 23, 1944, in the village of Hodigere in Channagiri Taluk of Davangere district, he was the son of Narayana Bhat and Nagaratnamma. Dr. Venkateshamurthy completed his Master's degree in Kannada from Bangalore University and went on to serve as a Kannada professor at St. Joseph’s Commerce College, Bengaluru, for nearly three decades.
Widely known by his initials HSV, he was a towering figure in Kannada literature, celebrated for his contributions as a poet, dramatist, and critic. He earned his Ph.D. for the seminal thesis Kathana Kavanagalu in Kannada and authored over 100 works in Kannada.
His notable poetry collections include Parivritta, Baagilu Badiyuvajana, Saugandhika, and Muvattu Malegaala. His celebrated plays include Hejjegalu, Ondu Sainika Vruttanta, and Agnivarna.
HSV also made significant contributions to Kannada cinema and television. He penned songs and dialogues for several popular films like Chinnari Mutha, Kotreshi Kanusu, America America, Maitri, and Kirik Party. His title songs for TV serials such as Mukta and Mahaparva became household hits.
He is survived by his wife, four sons, and a wide circle of admirers and relatives.
Dr. H.S. Venkateshamurthy’s demise marks the end of an era in Kannada literature and culture.
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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.
