Latest news with #Mallick
DW
21-05-2025
- Politics
- DW
Is Pakistan's cybercrime law silencing dissent? – DW – 05/21/2025
Pakistan's crackdown on online disinformation has drawn criticism from rights groups, who say the law is being used to silence critical voices — especially journalists. Since Pakistan strengthened laws targeting online content earlier this year, human rights groups and digital rights advocates have raised renewed concerns about the country's press freedom. The amended Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) criminalizes the intentional dissemination of false information online that could incite fear, panic or unrest. Journalists are alarmed about the potentially wide reach of the law, which allows authorities to imprison social media users for up to three years for spreading disinformation and issue fines of up to 2 million rupees ($7,121 / €6,822). Journalists detained under PECA law Just months after the PECA legislation was enacted, journalists Farhan Mallick and Waheed Murad were detained. Murad, a reporter with Saudi-owned Urdu News, was arrested during a nighttime raid at his residence for allegedly disseminating "online disinformation" before being granted bail. "The law has been misused in a way that they pick up journalists prior to filing a case against them. The same procedure was followed in my case," Murad told DW. US press freedom no longer a matter of course under Trump To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Mallick, founder of Pakistani internet media channel Raftar, was also arrested for "generating and disseminating anti-state publications and videos, with the aim of spreading disinformation and inciting public violence." Mallick's lawyer Abdul Moiz Jaferii told the AFP news agency that he was released on bail after offering 100,000 rupees for each of the two cases he was charged with. Both journalists had reported on the alleged role of Pakistan's powerful military that has ruled the country for much of its 77-year history, an institution that many mainstream media are careful to avoid criticising. Among the accusations against Murad is sharing an investigation into a military general on Facebook. The same week, two brothers of exiled journalist Ahmad Noorani were "forcibly disappeared" from their home after he wrote about the growing influence of the powerful military chief's family, according to press advocacy group Reporters Without Borders, also known by its French acronym RSF. 'Lack of consultation' condemned Imaan Mazari, a lawyer and activist who recently represented several journalists and activists charged under PECA laws, said "we have seen enforcement of the amendments of PECA primarily against journalists and dissidents." "The state is not satisfied with its complete control over the mainstream media and so itqs desperate and short-sighted attempts to suppress social media continue," Mazari added. Legal expert on cybercrime Osama Malik, termed the PECA laws "draconian." "These laws are impinging on journalistic freedom. Journalists who fall foul of these laws have to deal with excessive litigation and also the cost of [obtaining bail] in different parts of the country," asserted Malik. Courage is essential in the fight for freedom of expression To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Press freedom groups have expressed concern that the government did not consult them before enacting such strict laws. "We wanted to discuss this law with the government but they did not take us on board," said Afzal Butt, president of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists. The Pakistani government says the law is necessary to limit the spread of disinformation. Azam Nazir Tarar, Pakistan's Law Minister, defended the law as a "living document" and "everywhere in the world there are laws for sensationalism." "There are certain limitations in the constitution of Pakistan regarding freedom of expression," Tarar told DW, adding that "the parliament's role is to legislate, and it is the executive's duty to check the misuse of the laws." Controlling the narrative? "Certainly, this law is made to control the criticism of state narrative and you cannot even question the government acts and you will be silenced and if you speak you will be picked up by the police," said Sehrish Qureshi, a journalist and press freedom advocate who is the joint secretary of National Press Club in Islamabad. Media workers have borne the brunt of what many have described as an increase in state censorship as more people turn to social media for news. Legal expert Malik, however, believes that the so-called deep state — a veiled reference to the country's powerful military — is partially controlling the narrative through the PECA laws. "The deep state is finding it difficult to control journalists who use YouTube to disseminate their views," said Malik, underlining that this is particularly the case with YouTube creators operating from outside Pakistan. "The state tries to harass their family members who remain ... in Pakistan," he added. "A controlled democracy is not a true democracy, and there can be no true democracy without freedom of information," said Malik. "This law will stifle journalism to the point where new journalists ... will no longer know what truly independent journalism actually is." Malik suggested the law "could be the proverbial death knell for democracy, and it would take a long time for Pakistani constitutional democracy to recover from this blatant subversion." Pakistan is ranked 158th out of 180 countries in RSF's press freedom index. Turkish reporters covering anti-Erdogan protests face trials To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Edited by: Keith Walker
The Hindu
13-05-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
West Bengal introduces environmental science in schools
In a significant academic initiative aimed at nurturing environmental consciousness and academic interest in sustainability, the West Bengal government is set to introduce Environmental Science as a subject in its school curriculum. The move, which targets senior secondary students, is designed to equip them with early exposure and foundational knowledge in the field. The introduction will be phased, with the initial rollout covering schools in Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, and North and South 24 Parganas. The announcement, made in December 2024, has garnered considerable interest, with over 1,500 schools opting in ahead of the May 31 deadline. 'Until now, the higher secondary syllabus included Environmental Studies, which allocated 80% of marks for theory and 20% for project work. The new subject, Environmental Science, is being introduced with a revised structure — 70% theory and 30% practical — and will be treated as a core subject,' Dr. Priyadarshini Mallick, Secretary of the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education and architect of the initiative, told The Hindu. Also Read | Courses in Environmental and Sustainability Studies in the U.S. While Environmental Studies will continue to be available as an optional subject, Dr. Mallick underlined the enhanced relevance and future prospects of Environmental Science. 'Environmental Studies has limited academic or professional progression. Environmental Science, on the other hand, is recognised at undergraduate, postgraduate, and research levels, and figures in examinations like PSC, CSC, and UPSC. By introducing it in Class 11, we are laying a systematic and strategic foundation for students' future,' she said. The introduction has been well received by educators. Santanu Kundu, headmaster of Naihati Narendranath Vidyaniketan, remarked, 'The response from students has been very encouraging. Of the 210 science students enrolled in Class 11 this year, 40 have opted for Environmental Science. It provides a stronger academic base and a clearer pathway beyond school, unlike Environmental Studies.' Dr. Manas Kabi, Principal of Asutosh College, echoed the sentiment. 'Environmental Science is a growing area of global research and significance. It is heartening to see students in Bengal gaining access to it at the school level. The Council deserves appreciation for taking this forward-looking step.' Sayanti Kar, a member of the advisory committee for the subject, highlighted the broader impact. 'Environmental Science is a dynamic, multidisciplinary field. Introducing it early fosters not just academic engagement, but also a sense of responsibility. It prepares students to address environmental challenges and contribute to a sustainable future.' The introduction of Environmental Science marks a decisive step by the West Bengal government towards aligning school education with global sustainability goals and academic relevance in a changing world.
Deccan Herald
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
BJD MLA slapped govt officer? Police complaint filed in Odisha
Rejecting the allegation, Mallick said he had gone to the block office to resolve a problem, which involved the block vice chairperson, who is a Dalit woman.
Reuters
29-04-2025
- Business
- Reuters
India's AWL Agri Business ups sales forecast on delivery boom, easing food prices
April 29 (Reuters) - Indian consumer goods firm AWL Agri Business ( opens new tab, formerly known as Adani Wilmar, raised its forecast for fiscal 2026 sales volumes, expecting growth to surpass 10%, as it bets on the boom in 10-minute delivery platforms and softer food prices. Inflation slipped to a more-than-five-year low in March, even as Indians wrestle with high living costs, with food prices moderating from eye-watering levels last year. here. "Overall food basket inflation worry is not there. Consumption will happen because prices are affordable now," CEO Angshu Mallick told Reuters on Tuesday. He added that sales volumes in AWL's edible oil business, its biggest, are expected to increase by 7%-10% this fiscal year, which started on April 1. This, coupled with the food business, is expected to push the group's growth over the 10% mark. The 'Fortune' oil maker also plans to increase the number of stores it serves directly by 12%-15% to almost 1 million outlets from 860,000 currently. The upbeat forecast comes weeks after the company changed its name from Adani Wilmar following Adani Group's exit from a joint venture by selling its stake to Singapore's Wilmar International . In February, Mallick told Reuters AWL would return to sales volume growth of about 10% this fiscal, led by tax relief measures and growth on delivery apps. India's 10-minute delivery platforms, including Swiggy's ( opens new tab Instamart, Eternal's ( opens new tab Blinkit and Zepto, have helped consumer goods makers grow in Indian cities. The quick-delivery sector accounted, opens new tab for over two-thirds of all e-grocery orders last year, with its market share growing about five times to $6 billion-$7 billion from 2022. Separately, Mallick also said India should widen the import tariff differential between crude and refined oil, particularly palm oil, to support domestic refining capacity. "If somebody imports refined oil directly, processors have to live with the lower production, higher cost, and then, obviously, the business is not so viable," he added. On Monday, AWL's quarterly consolidated net profit jumped nearly 22% to 1.9 billion rupees ($22.4 million). ($1 = 84.9770 Indian rupees)
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Grapevine High School student gets perfect scores on SAT and ACT
The Brief Grapevine High School junior, Piyush Mallick, is getting a lot of attention after earning perfect scores on both hisACTand SATexams. Mallick has also got a perfect score on several AP tests. He would like to attend either MIT, Stanford or UT Austin to study computer science and maybe become a software engineer like his dad. GRAPEVINE - A Grapevine High School junior is being called a "young genius" and getting a lot of attention after earning perfect scores on both hisACTand SATexams. Piyush Mallick has a bright future ahead of him. Mallick is wrapping up his junior year at Grapevine High School. He got a perfect score on the ACT the first time he took it back in October of last year. The first time he took the SAT, he got a 1590. Just ten points away from a perfect score. But rather than be satisfied with that impressive number, he studied and took the SAT again this past March and got a perfect score of 1600. He's dominated academics and debate, and his life is really just getting started. Mallick has also got a perfect score on several AP tests. Mallick is also the UIL academics 5A state champion in math and number sense. Number sense is interesting because it's a mental math event. He was also part of the first-place team in this year's UIL 5A-district 6 cross-examination debate competition. To decompress, he likes to read and watch anime. What they're saying Inside Mr. Bristow's classroom at Grapevine High School, Mallick works through complicated math problems with his math coach and teacher, Sterling Bristow. Bristow has been able to watch Mallick flourish, having taught him three separate times. The two share a love of math with a student seemingly ready to become a teacher. "It's been one of the harder parts of my job is trying to find way to challenge and push Piyush," said Bristow. Mallick received some words of advice from his principal. "Just stopping and enjoying the moment and being present. These days will be behind you before you know it," said Principal Alex Fingers. What's next There's still one test Mallick has yet to master. "Yeah, I should be getting my license. I'm 16. I haven't really started learning much yet because I've been majorly busy this year, but hopefully this summer I can find some time to get that in," said Mallick. Mallick would like to attend either MIT, Stanford or UT Austin. He plans to study computer science and maybe become a software engineer like his dad. The Source Information in this article was provided by interviews with Grapevine High school staff and students.
