Latest news with #Prabhakar
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
CM Siddaramaiah wants Meta to fix auto-translation, prevent gaffes
BENGALURU: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday said that faulty auto-translation of Kannada content on tech giant Meta's platforms is distorting facts and misleading users. 'This is especially dangerous when it comes to official communications,' the CM said, cautioning citizens to be aware that translations shown are often inaccurate. 'Such negligence by tech giants can harm public understanding and trust,' Siddaramaiah said, adding that social media platforms must act responsibly. The CM said his Media Advisor, KV Prabhakar, has formally written to Meta, urging immediate correction. Prabhakar, who wrote to Meta on behalf of the CM, raised serious concerns about the auto translation of Kannada on its platforms, particularly Facebook and Instagram. 'We have noted with concern that the auto-translation from Kannada to English is frequently inaccurate and in some cases grossly misleading. This poses a significant risk, especially when public communication, official statements, or important messages from the CM and the government are incorrectly translated. It can lead to misinterpretation among users, many of whom may not realise that what they are reading is an automated and faulty translation rather than the original message,' the CM's media advisor stated in his email to Meta. Given the sensitivity of public communication, especially from constitutional functionaries like the CM, such misinterpretation due to flawed translation mechanism is unacceptable, he stated. He urged Meta to temporarily suspend the auto-translation feature for Kannada content, until the translation accuracy is improved. Prabhakar also suggested that the tech giant collaborate with qualified Kannada language experts and linguistic professionals to enhance the quality and contextual accuracy of translation between Kannada and English. Sources said the CM's office decided to take up the issue with Meta, after a glaring mistake in a recent post from the CMO.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
BJP attempting to obstruct BC reservations: Telangana Minister Ponnam
Backward Classes Welfare and Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar has accused Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, particularly party National President for OBC Morcha and MP K. Laxman, of attempting to obstruct the Telangana government's efforts to provide 42% reservations for the Backward Classes (BC). He also advised them to see that the Backward Classes (BC) Bills due for the President's assent are approved at the earliest, besides their inclusion in the 9th schedule of the Constitution. Addressing a press conference along with Animal Husbandry Minister Vakiti Srihari at Gandhi Bhavan in Hyderabad on Monday (July 14, 2025), Mr. Prabhakar took strong exception to Mr. Laxman's recent remarks on the State government's decision to issue an ordinance for the implementation of reservations for BCs in the upcoming local bodies. 'Laxman is expressing displeasure over our efforts, questioning our commitment towards the BCs. This is not good. The BJP at the Centre had indeed stopped sanctioning funds, citing elections to the local bodies,' he averred. Why was an Ordinance issued? He defended the State government's decision to issue an ordinance, stating that it adopted such a move in the absence of an Assembly session. . He appealed to the President to approve the Bills for the benefit of the BCs. Accusing BJP leaders of neglecting BC leadership in their party in the State, he questioned why did the party had appoint Kishan Reddy as the State president, removing Bandi Sanjay Kumar, a BC leader, and subsequently appointed N. Ramchander Rao, an OC leader, instead of offering the post to a BC leader. The Minister also alleged that both the BJP and BRS were hand in glove and working against the Congress government. He also made it clear that the State government or the Congress leaders are ready to visit Delhi to see that the President approves the BC Bills. Meanwhile, Mr. Prabhakar also condemned the objectionable remarks of MLC Chintapandu Naveen, also known as Teenmaar Mallanna, against BRS MLC K. Kavitha.
United News of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Congress vows to implement 42 pc BC reservations in Telangana
Hyderabad, July 14 (UNI) Telangana BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar strongly defended the Congress government's decision to implement 42 per cent reservations for Backward Classes (BCs) across political, educational, and employment sectors. Addressing a press conference at Gandhi Bhavan on Monday, he accused the BJP of creating legal hurdles and spreading misinformation about the state government's move. 'As soon as the Congress came to power, we initiated a caste census using legal avenues and court directives,' Prabhakar said. 'Based on the findings, a resolution was passed in the Legislative Assembly, and a law was made to increase BC reservations to 42 per cent. This law was sent to the Governor and then to the President for approval.' Prabhakar took aim at BJP National OBC Morcha President Dr K Laxman, accusing him of expressing intolerance toward BC reservations. 'You claim to support OBCs, but your actions show otherwise. You've withheld funds and obstructed local body elections for the past 18 months that were meant to ensure representation for BCs.' The Minister criticised the BJP and BRS for what he called a political drama in Delhi, comparing their tactics to 'wrestlers in Dosti Galli.' He demanded that BJP leaders, especially those from BC backgrounds including Bandi Sanjay, Etela Rajender, and Dharmapuri Aravind have ceased to work against the interests of their own communities. He also took a jab at the BJP's leadership decisions. 'You promised a BC Chief Minister and a BC national president. But instead, you removed Bandi Sanjay and appointed Kishan Reddy. Even the five MLC seats recently given to weaker sections were possible only because of caste enumeration.' Prabhakar emphasised that the ordinance for 42 per cent reservations is with the Governor and should be approved without delay. 'Governments have the constitutional right to bring ordinances when the legislature is not in session. The bill with the President has nothing to do with the ordinance,' he clarified. He urged BC intellectuals, caste leaders, and the people of Telangana to unite in support of the reservation push. 'This is not just a political move — it's a social reform. The caste census in Telangana is a revolutionary decision and even RSS leaders like Swayana Varanasi Praja Pradhan have welcomed it,' he added. Calling the Congress the true champion of BC, SC, and ST rights, Prabhakar vowed that 42 per cent reservations would be implemented in the upcoming local body elections. 'This will pave the way for increased BC representation at the grassroots level and will become a model for the entire country.' Appealing for political unity in the fight for social justice, he said, 'We are ready to meet the Prime Minister and request the President to approve this landmark reform. We're not attacking anyone—we are appealing for what rightfully belongs to the backward communities of this country.' UNI VV AAB PRS
The Hindu
12-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Hindu
AI-based issuance of driving licences soon: Ponnam Prabhakar
Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said AI-based issuance of driving licences is on the anvil, and the setting up of driving training centers, along with traffic awareness parks for schoolchildren is on the cards. 'We're not just issuing licences, we are ensuring only trained, eligible drivers get them. Licences are being cancelled in cases of repeated accidents,' he said after laying the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art Automated Testing Station (ATS) at Dandampally in Nalgonda district. In a major step towards modernising the State's transport sector and improving road safety, Ministers Komatireddy Venkat Reddy and Ponnam Prabhakar launched the facility, to be constructed at a cost of ₹8 crore, and it will be Telangana's second ATS. The event was attended by MLAs Bhattula Lakshma Reddy and Vemula Veeresham, MP Raghuveer Reddy, MLC Shankar Nayak, and District Collector Ila Tripathi. Mr. Prabhakar said accidents are rising due to poor vehicle fitness, ignorance of road rules, and lack of awareness. These automated stations aim to eliminate human interference and corruption, he said. He announced that 17 ATSs are being constructed across the State, each at a cost of ₹8 crore. 'These stations will carry out brake tests, suspension checks, emission tests, and are completely automated and camera-based, with results uploaded to the VAHAN portal,' he explained. Mr. Prabhakar also highlighted the new vehicle scrap policy, under which vehicles older than 15 years will be phased out to reduce pollution and enhance road safety. 'This policy has already been reflected in the Telangana vehicle register. Now, vehicle fitness, emission, and compliance data will be trackable in real time,' he added. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Venkat Reddy hailed the initiative as a key move towards road safety and infrastructural development. He said Narketpally, which hosted the first depot during the Nizam era, currently has 60 buses and needs 20 more. He also appealed to Mr. Prabhakar to sanction a new bus depot in Nalgonda. He also noted that the introduction of free bus travel for women has led to a surge in public transport use. 'Since the formation of the Congress government, crores worth of free travel have been availed by women. The government has already infused ₹6,000 crore into the RTC,' he said, lauding the welfare initiatives.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Time of India
Spotted deer trying to cross road struck by car in Bengaluru
1 2 Bengaluru: A spotted deer was fatally struck by a car while it was crossing the main road near Rajanukunte Thursday night. The accident occurred around 10.30pm in front of the KMF facility on Doddaballapur main road. Police later handed over the carcass to the forest department. As per preliminary investigation, a family of seven from Jeevan Bima Nagar in east Bengaluru was returning home from Sri Ghati Subramanya temple. "The driver, Prabhakar, said he was driving at a speed of 50 to 60km per hour when the car collided with the deer that was trying to leap over the road. Due to the impact, the bonnet broke open and part of it crashed into the windshield, forcing the vehicle to come to a screeching halt," a cop said. The family said a two-wheeler rider stopped by at the scene, seeing the deer on the opposite side of the road and tried chasing it away, inadvertently directing it towards their sedan. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Varun Kumar, range forest officer, Devanahalli, said, "The forest patches, be it Jharakbande Kaval or Gunjur Palya near Varthur, are far away from the area. There could be a possibility that the deer came from the Hesaraghatta side. Our staffers had also not seen an animal in the vicinity." N Ravindra Kumar, DCF, Bengaluru Urban, said a case has been booked under Wildlife Act and the vehicle has been seized. The accused has been released on bail. "The deer was a four to five-year-old male. We're awaiting postmortem report for further action," he said.
