News Broadcasting
B’lore TV screens go blank as cable ops lock horns with power company
BANGALORE: Television screens across Bangalore went blank yesterday (15 July) after cable operators called for an indefinite strike protesting the Bangalore Electric Supply Company’s (Bescom) “indiscriminate” cutting of cable wires.
Bescom had gone on a “cable-cutting spree” following the tragic death on Monday of a seven-year-old city boy Anish, who accidentally came into contact with a loosely hung live wire.
Bescom is responsible for power distribution in the six districts of Karnataka. The company justified its actions saying it didn’t want such a tragedy repeated.
As per media repots, 7 year old Anish, who was to leave for the US on Friday (16 July), was electrocuted just yards from his house when he came in contact with a live wire. Hed gone to buy a packet of biscuits from a shop across the road.
The cable wire was energized on the 8th Cross, off 10th Main, in Indiranagar II Stage. As per initial reports, Bescom said that technical investigations were hampered as evidences at the accident spot were tampered with. They claim that by the time they reached the spot, the police had dismantled and removed the television cable along with other loose wires. The police deny this saying that the wires were removed by Bescom personnel.
As the fault lies with the present system of pole hiring for cables not stressing on the identification of wires, no one is willing to take responsibility for the death. Bescom may have no evidence to support its charges against cable operators because of this.
Experts say that Bescom did not carry out any inspection after granting a license to instal/lay cables. And there hasn’t been any check also from the company’s part to see if cable wires are restricted to the areas for which the license has been granted, they allege.
“Without even proving that the wire through which the accident occurred was a cable TV one, they just went on cutting our property. The cable could have been an Internet or even telecom cable,” said Karnataka State Cable TV Operators Association spokesperson Sudhish Kumar.
Approximately 1,200 cable operators have threatened to black out all channels unless a list of demands is met, the main one being that Bescom compensate operators for the cables they have cut. Other demands include a stay on the ongoing cable-cutting and the regularisation of the cables, which are already laid/installed.
Reports quote General Manager (Technical), Bescom general manager (technical) AN Ramanujam as saying, “We don’t know what is legal and what is not. Cable operators must come and inform us which cable is authorized. What compensation are they talking about? They have used our poles illegally. If we yield to their demands, Bangalore will have many more Anishs dying.”
Anish’s family refused to accept the compensation of Rs 100,000 offered by Bescom saying, “Whatever happened to our son should not be repeated with any other children.”
News Broadcasting
TV9 to host What India Thinks Today Summit 2026 in Delhi
PM Narendra Modi to keynote two day forum on India and the world
NEW DELHI: TV9 Network is gearing up to host the fourth edition of its flagship What India Thinks Today Summit 2026 on March 23 and 24 in the national capital, bringing together a wide spectrum of voices to debate India’s place in a shifting global order.
The summit will open with a keynote address by Narendra Modi, setting the tone for this year’s theme, “India and the world”, as the country positions itself at the crossroads of economic growth, geopolitical shifts and technological change.
From cabinet ministers to chief ministers, business leaders to cultural figures, the event promises a crowded stage and a lively exchange of ideas. Union ministers such as Piyush Goyal and Jyotiraditya Scindia are expected to attend, alongside state leaders including Mohan Yadav, Pushkar Singh Dhami, Bhajan Lal Sharma, Nayab Singh Saini and Bhagwant Mann.
Political voices from across the aisle, including Smriti Irani, Akhilesh Yadav and Asaduddin Owaisi, will also join the conversation, ensuring that the debates are as diverse as they are dynamic.
Adding a cultural and sporting touch, personalities such as yoga guru Swami Ramdev, poet Kumar Vishwas and cricketing names like Sourav Ganguly, Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh are set to share the stage. Global business leaders and diplomats will further widen the lens, reflecting the summit’s international outlook.
Speaking ahead of the event, TV9 Network managing director and chief executive officer Barun Das, said India stands at a unique moment in history, combining demographic strength, technological capability and entrepreneurial energy. He noted that in uncertain times, honest conversations and bold ideas will shape the country’s trajectory.
The summit will explore themes ranging from economic growth and governance to innovation, sustainability and culture, positioning itself as a platform for dialogue at a time when the world is in flux.
With a packed agenda and a high-profile guest list, What India Thinks Today Summit 2026 aims to do more than just talk. It seeks to capture a moment where India is not only part of the global conversation, but increasingly helping lead it.
