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The Hindu
3 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Malayalam film policy draft to be presented at conclave in August
The draft of the much delayed policy for the Malayalam film industry will be presented for further discussions and amendments at the State government's film conclave likely to be organised in the first week of August. According to sources who are part of the committee, a total of 75 meetings have been held with various stakeholders in the industry as part of efforts at formulating the policy. Currently, 17 States have prepared film policies. One of the major issues raised by various stakeholders in the meetings was the lack of formal recognition as an industry, due to which regulations are not in place to govern most of the activities in the Malayalam film industry. Following the discussions, the film policy panel outlined thematic areas regarding issues to be taken care of by the different government departments. The key thematic area will be the one related to gender and working conditions in the industry regarding issues to be handled by the Labour and Women and Child Development departments as well as the Human Rights Commission. These include issues related to casting couch, lack of proper implementation of Internal Committees in film sets, disparity in remuneration, threats against dissenting voices, long working hours, lack of women in technical departments, exploitation by agents and substance abuse. Contractual agreements The thematic area related to the Law department addresses issues including lack of contractual agreements, lack of a centralised body for regulatory oversight in the industry and barriers to entering film associations and unions due to high membership fees and favouritism. The thematic area related to education will address lack of enough funding for film schools, scholarships for underprivileged communities in film education and awareness training. The panel will also look at creation of a single-window online system for filming permits to streamline bureaucratic processes, ethical marketing practices, measures to protect against cyber threats and formulating ethical guidelines for the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in filmmaking for the future. Issues related to film piracy and organised hate campaigns against films will also be addressed. Panel formed in 2023 The film policy panel was formed in July 2023 with a mandate to prepare the policy within two months. The delay in formulating the policy even after the publishing of a redacted version of the K. Hema Committee report on issues in the Malayalam industry had led to criticisms. Two days ago, actor Parvathy Thiruvothu had lashed out at the State government over the delay of 'five and a half years' since the submission of the Hema committee report in putting policies in place. Reacting to the criticisms, Minister for Cultural Affairs Saji Cherian on Wednesday said that some individuals who are unaware of the steps taken by the government are 'deliberately spreading misconceptions.' According to sources, the proposed film conclave will have 300 participants, including public policy experts, industry stakeholders and representatives from States already having a film policy.
The Star
a day ago
- Health
- The Star
Nation in shock as a mother sells her own child
Staff Reporter | Published 2 hours ago The tragic case of a two-year-old boy allegedly sold by his mother for R75 000 has sent shockwaves through South Africa, reigniting urgent questions about the country's deepening social, psychological, and spiritual crisis. Keneilwe Shalaba, 28, appeared this week before the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate's Court on charges of human trafficking and conspiracy to commit a crime. She is accused of selling her toddler son, Kutlwano, last November. The boy's body was discovered last week following the arrest of a traditional healer allegedly connected to the case. According to police, the money — R75 000 — was deposited into Shalaba's bank account on the same day the child went missing. The transaction and the months-long silence that followed left the local community stunned, and the courtroom was packed with outraged residents demanding justice. 'This isn't just a legal case. It's a symptom of a much deeper spiritual and societal sickness,' said one local pastor who joined community members outside the court. As more details emerge, so too does the question: how could a mother sell her own child? Experts believe the answer lies not only in poverty and desperation but in a far more unsettling realm — spiritual decay and psychological collapse. Dr Thandi Mokoena, a Johannesburg-based psychiatrist, says the case is emblematic of growing mental health disorders fuelled by drug abuse, trauma, and lack of support. 'We are seeing a breakdown of basic empathy and maternal instinct. Substance abuse is a key factor, but so is spiritual confusion. Many individuals are turning to harmful practices in search of hope or financial gain.' Police believe Shalaba may have been influenced or manipulated by individuals involved in occult practices or ritual trafficking. The involvement of a sangoma (traditional healer) has raised further fears about children being used in ritual killings — a chilling reality that, while rare, is not unheard of in some parts of the country. This case underscores a broader crisis in South Africa — one that goes beyond crime statistics and courtrooms. Many citizens and spiritual leaders are calling it a 'spiritual war' — a collapse of values, mental well-being, and community structures. 'Satanism, occultism, and false prophets have infiltrated our towns,' said local activist Lebo Mhlongo. 'People are turning to darkness in search of power and wealth. We are fighting a war for the soul of our nation.' The Department of Social Development has called for stronger protective systems for vulnerable children and mental health support for families. But overwhelmed by widespread poverty, unemployment, and under-resourced police units, progress remains slow. Meanwhile, South Africa continues to wrestle with rising cases of human trafficking. According to 2024 data from the Human Rights Commission, thousands of children are reported missing each year, many believed to be trafficked for labour, sex work, or ritual purposes. In court, Shalaba showed no emotion. Her legal team has yet to enter a plea, and the case was postponed to allow further investigation. The sangoma arrested in connection with Kutlwano's death is expected to appear in court later this month. Outside the courtroom, the atmosphere was tense and emotional. 'What happened to that little boy is evil,' one community member shouted. 'We are here because this must never happen again.' A memorial service for Kutlwano is scheduled for this week. ''Community leaders are expected to use the gathering to call for national prayer and healing. The murder of Kutlwano Shalaba is more than a criminal act — it is a mirror reflecting the spiritual and psychological battles raging within society.''
GMA Network
a day ago
- General
- GMA Network
Pakistan teen influencer killed after ‘rejecting' man
ISLAMABAD — Pakistani police on Tuesday said a 17-year-old TikTok star was shot dead by a man who had repeatedly contacted her online. Sana Yousaf, who turned 17 last week and had more than a million followers across her social media accounts, was killed at her home in the capital Islamabad on Monday evening. The police have arrested a 22-year-old on suspicion of her murder who spent hours loitering outside her home. "It was a case of repeated rejections. The boy was trying to reach out to her time and again," Islamabad police chief Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi said during a news conference. "It was a gruesome and cold-blooded murder," Rizvi added. Yousaf had more than 800,000 followers on TikTok, a wildly popular platform in Pakistan, where she posted lip-sync videos, skincare tips, and promotional content for beauty products. The last video posted on her account was hours before her murder, in which she was seen cutting a cake for her birthday. Some comments under social media posts sharing the news of Yousaf's murder suggested it was justified because of her social media career, in a society where honor codes restrict how women should behave. "You reap what you sow," said one comment. Women's rights activist Nighat Dad such reactions embolden abusers to "silence women who dare to be visible." "The vile comments under news of Sana's murder aren't just hateful noise, they're part of a mindset that normalizes violence against women in Pakistan," she posted online. Violence against women is pervasive in Pakistan according to the country's Human Rights Commission, and cases of women being attacked after rejecting marriage proposals are not uncommon. In 2021, 27-year-old Noor Mukadam was beheaded by her Pakistani-American boyfriend, Zahir Jaffer, after she rejected his marriage proposal in a case that sparked widespread anger. In 2016, Khadija Siddiqui survived being stabbed 23 times by a jilted ex-boyfriend. — Agence France-Presse
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Pakistani TikTok star shot dead after ‘rejecting' man
Violence against women is pervasive in Pakistan, according to its human rights commission. (EPA Images pic) ISLAMABAD : Pakistani police on Tuesday said a 17-year-old TikTok star was shot dead by a man who had repeatedly contacted her online. Sana Yousaf, who turned 17 last week and had more than a million followers across her social media accounts, was killed at her home in the capital Islamabad yesterday evening. Police have arrested a 22-year-old on suspicion of her murder who spent hours loitering outside her home. 'It was a case of repeated rejections. The boy was trying to reach out to her time and again,' Islamabad police chief Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi said during a news conference. 'It was a gruesome and cold-blooded murder,' Rizvi added. Yousaf had more than 800,000 followers on TikTok, a wildly popular platform in Pakistan, where she posted lip-sync videos, skincare tips, and promotional content for beauty products. The last video posted on her account was hours before her murder, in which she was seen cutting a cake for her birthday. 'Rest in Peace' and 'Justice for Sana', read some comments under the video. Violence against women is pervasive in Pakistan according to the country's Human Rights Commission, and cases of women being attacked after rejecting marriage proposals are not uncommon. In 2021, 27-year-old Noor Mukadam was beheaded by her Pakistani-American boyfriend, Zahir Jaffer, after she rejected his marriage proposal in a case that sparked widespread anger. In 2016, Khadija Siddiqui survived being stabbed 23 times by a jilted ex-boyfriend.
Observer
a day ago
- General
- Observer
Pakistan teen influencer killed after 'rejecting' man
Islamabad: Pakistani police on Tuesday said a 17-year-old TikTok star was shot dead by a man who had repeatedly contacted her online. Sana Yousaf, who turned 17 last week and had more than a million followers across her social media accounts, was killed at her home in the capital Islamabad on Monday evening. The police have arrested a 22-year-old on suspicion of her murder who spent hours loitering outside her home. "It was a case of repeated rejections. The boy was trying to reach out to her time and again," Islamabad police chief Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi said during a news conference. "It was a gruesome and cold-blooded murder," Rizvi added. Yousaf had more than 800,000 followers on TikTok, a wildly popular platform in Pakistan, where she posted lip-sync videos, skincare tips, and promotional content for beauty products. The last video posted on her account was hours before her murder, in which she was seen cutting a cake for her birthday. "Rest in Peace" and "Justice for Sana", read some comments under the video. Violence against women is pervasive in Pakistan according to the country's Human Rights Commission, and cases of women being attacked after rejecting marriage proposals are not uncommon. In 2021, 27-year-old Noor Mukadam was beheaded by her Pakistani-American boyfriend, Zahir Jaffer, after she rejected his marriage proposal in a case that sparked widespread anger. In 2016, Khadija Siddiqui survived being stabbed 23 times by a jilted ex-boyfriend.
