iWorld
Govt supports rights of Indians to communicate via social media: Ravi Shankar Prasad
NEW DELHI: Those who are in politics must learn to be tolerant even in the face of criticism, Communications and Information and Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, adding that the government fully supports the right of millions of Indians to communicate on social media as it is protected by Article 19 (1) of the Constitution and is subject to reasonable restrictions under Article 19 (2).
In a statement, he said he was “deeply distressed” over the arrest of a young school boy in Bareilly district of Uttar Pradesh on sharing a questionable Facebook comment, which according to him was unintentional. “His arrest has made me very uncomfortable and I am assuming that bail has been granted to him,” he said.
Social media has seen phenomenal growth in India and communication and exchange of ideas particularly by young minds must be appreciated and complemented.
Prasad, “All the state governments need to follow the central advisory so that there is no abuse of section 66(A) of the Information Technology Act. Freedom of speech and expression is sacrosanct in the Constitution. Obviously in the cases of terrorism, extremism, rabid communal violence appropriate safety measures must be taken. However, no impression should go that in a democracy we are curbing the right to communicate.”
He said the Constitutional validity of section 66A of the IT Act is under consideration by the Supreme Court. “I appeal to the law enforcement agencies all over the country to be alive to the sensitivity involved while exercising powers to arrest under section 66A of the IT Act,” he said.
iWorld
Mastercard expands concert series with comedy and music format
Vir Das, Zakir Khan and Papon headline multi-city shows across India.
MUMBAI: From punchlines to power chords, the stage is getting a genre upgrade. Mastercard has unveiled the next phase of its multi-city concert series in India, blending stand-up comedy with live music in a format that mirrors the country’s evolving entertainment tastes. The new line-up brings together a diverse mix of performers, including comedians Vir Das and Zakir Khan, alongside singer Papon. The shift marks a departure from earlier editions that were primarily music-led, featuring global and Indian acts such as Enrique Iglesias, A. R. Rahman and Sunidhi Chauhan.
Curated in collaboration with Tribe Vibe and EVA Live, the expanded series is designed to create a broader cultural platform that brings humour, storytelling and music into a single live experience.
Vir Das will kick off the comedy segment in New Delhi with four shows across two days at Yashobhoomi on 9 and 10 May. Meanwhile, Zakir Khan is set for an extended run in Mumbai, with nine shows scheduled at Dome SVP Stadium across 12, 13, 14, 19 and 20 June, with additional dates expected.
On the music front, Papon will headline a six-city tour, beginning in Chandigarh on 16 May, followed by Ahmedabad on 29 May and Lucknow on 30 May. The tour will then move to Bengaluru on 6 June, Hyderabad on 7 June, and conclude in Indore on 14 June.
The series continues to offer exclusive benefits for Mastercard cardholders, including priority ticket access and premium lounge experiences at venues positioning the platform as both an entertainment and lifestyle proposition.
Beyond the spotlight, the initiative carries a social dimension. Through its partnership with Learning Links Foundation, Mastercard has enabled nearly 90 students from underserved communities across cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Chandigarh to experience live events often for the first time aiming to spark interest in careers within the experience economy.
As live entertainment becomes increasingly hybrid and experiential, Mastercard’s latest move signals a simple insight: today’s audience doesn’t just want a show, they want a story, a laugh and a memory, all rolled into one.
