MAM
Advertisements on state-owned buses banned during Elections
NEW DELHI: The Election Commission (EC) has banned the display of political advertisements on State Road Transport Corporation buses and vehicles owned by Municipal Corporations etc, and other government owned vehicles when the Model Code of Conduct is in force for State Assembly or Legislative Council elections.
The Commission, which has already banned such advertisements through hoardings and posters, said “it wanted a level-playing field for all parties since state-owned buses or the corporations were necessarily run by the ruling parties.”
It also added that the action was taken after having duly considered all aspects of the matter in exercise of its powers under Article 324 (1) of the Constitution, and in the interest of conduct of free and fair elections.
The Commission’s circular letter of 7 October 2008 contains the instructions and guidelines to be followed in the matter of display of election related advertisements through hoardings, banners, posters etc. It mainly deala with advertisements on static property and regarding display of flags and stickers on private vehicles.
It can also be noted that there may be cases where advertisement-panels on buses are let out to advertising agencies for allocation to various clients during certain periods as per the contract entered into by them.
EC also stressed that a level playing field envisaged under the Model Code of Conduct is a very vital aspect for ensuring free and fair elections. “A party should not be in a position to take undue advantage on account of it being in power in the government. This will put the other parties and contestants at a disadvantageous position and will disturb the level playing field, adversely affecting the fairness of election.”
“There is reasonable likelihood that the allotment of advertisement spaces on such vehicles is likely to be manipulated more so in politically important constituencies and as such it will not be easy to ensure equitable distribution of advertisement space on the buses,” the Commission concluded.
Digital
Google rolls out $15B AI, education and connectivity plan for India
AI tools for 11 million students, new subsea cables, and a national skilling push.
NEW DELHI: Google is backing its words with action. In a major push to future-proof the world’s most populous nation, Google DeepMind has partnered with the Indian government on a large-scale AI initiative.
Announced by CEO Sundar Pichai at the India AI Impact Summit, the deal is less of a gentle nudge and more of a full-throttle sprint into the digital age. Part of Google’s $15 billion commitment to South Asia, the plan aims to weave artificial intelligence into the very fabric of Indian daily life, from the deep ocean floor to the back of the classroom.
The most heart-warming slice of this digital pie is the focus on the next generation. Google is partnering with 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs, effectively dropping high-tech AI tools into the laps of roughly 11 million students.
The goal? To introduce generative AI assistance in schools, ensuring that the homework of the future is powered by more than just caffeine and late-night panic.
While the kids are busy with AI in the classroom, Google is busy under the sea. The newly minted India-America Connect Initiative involves laying down serious hardware, specifically, new subsea cable routes.
These digital arteries will link India to Singapore, South Africa and Australia. By adding four more strategic fiber-optic routes connecting the U.S. to the Southern Hemisphere, Google is essentially building a “data superhighway” to ensure India’s AI capabilities don’t get stuck in traffic.
Knowing how to use a tool is just as important as owning it. To bridge the gap, Google is launching its most ambitious skilling program yet: the Google AI Professional Certificate. This program is designed to help the workforce master AI without needing a PhD in robotics.
With full-stack connectivity and a massive investment on the table, India isn’t just joining the AI race; it’s looking to set the pace.
