The Consulate General of India in Houston, in collaboration with BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, hosts the celebration
HOUSTON (TIP): A special event celebrating the inclusion of Diwali in UNESCO’s cultural heritage list was held at the Indian mission here. The event, organized last week, featured a ceremonial lamp-lighting, cultural performances and a light show, with participation from members of the Indian diaspora and elected officials. The Consulate General of India in Houston, in collaboration with BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir and other Indo-American diaspora organizations, hosted the celebration to mark Diwali’s inscription on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Speaking on the occasion, Consul General D C Manjunath highlighted the global significance of the recognition and Diwali’s universal message of light, harmony and goodwill.
“This global recognition is a moment of pride for the Indian diaspora and friends of India worldwide. We are grateful to the community for coming together to celebrate this auspicious occasion,” he said.
To mark the cultural recognition, the Indian Consulate General in Atlanta was also illuminated with diyas.
UNESCO on December 10 inscribed Diwali (Deepavali) on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2025, recognizing it as a living cultural tradition practiced by millions across India and the global diaspora.
The festival, celebrated over multiple days, is rooted in community participation, shared rituals and intergenerational transmission of values symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.
A total of 67 nominations submitted by nearly 80 countries, including India, were examined during the week-long session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, held at Delhi’s iconic Red Fort.
Indian diplomatic missions worldwide, including those in Lebanon and Chile, also marked the occasion through cultural events.
(Source: PTI)
BUCHAREST (TIP): Embassy of India hosted a special and joyous celebration to mark the historic inscription of Deepavali on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on Tuesday, 3 December 2025. The momentous recognition reflects global appreciation for one of India’s most cherished festivals symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair.
The event brought together members of the Indian diaspora, friends of India, cultural partners, scholars, and well-wishers, creating a warm and festive atmosphere within the Embassy premises. The gathering reflected not only the pride of the Indian community but also the universal values embodied by Deepavali, which resonate far beyond India’s borders.
In his remarks, Ambassador Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra highlighted that UNESCO’s recognition of Deepavali as an element of humanity’s shared cultural heritage is a profound milestone for India’s civilizational legacy. He noted that the festival serves as a timeless reminder of harmony, compassion, and collective well-being. Ambassador also acknowledged the efforts of cultural practitioners, diaspora communities, and scholars whose contributions helped bring this global recognition to fruition.
The celebration featured symbolic lighting of Diya by the participants, reflecting the essence of Deepavali. The Embassy announces that the next celebratory event will be held on 13 December, continuing the spirit of togetherness and offering another opportunity for the diaspora and friends of India to gather in honor of this historic recognition.
The Embassy expressed gratitude to all participants for making the event memorable and reaffirmed its commitment to promoting India’s rich cultural heritage in the host country.
(Based on a Press Release Issued by the Embassy of India in Bucharest)
Observed on May 3 every year, The United Nations created this day to highlight the basic principles of press freedom worldwide. By celebrating World Press Freedom Day, journalists and supporters of democracy help protect freedom of speech, access to information, and media independence, which are constantly under attack globally.
World Press Freedom Day is observed annually on May 3rd. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, this day serves to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, assess the state of press freedom throughout the world, defend the media from attacks on their independence, and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
The day also acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression as enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It highlights the importance of a free, independent, and pluralistic media in fostering transparency, accountability, and democracy.
World Press Freedom Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of press freedom and the challenges faced by journalists worldwide, including censorship, harassment, imprisonment, and violence. It also encourages dialogue and collaboration among media professionals, policymakers, civil society organizations, and the public to promote and protect press freedom around the globe.
World Press Freedom Day History
On the recommendation of the twenty-sixth session of UNESCO’s General Conference, World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993.
May 3 acts as a reminder for the Governments to respect their commitments to press freedom. This day is a reflection for media professionals on issues of press freedom and professionals.
World Press Freedom Day is a support day for media persons who are involved in press freedom, Journalists, media, etc. World Press Freedom Day 2024 Theme
World Press Freedom Day is observed every year on May 3. It is significant for the press which deals with the information of the public on the Global Scale.
The Theme of World Press Freedom Day 2024 is “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the environmental crisis”. Significance
The Significance of World Press Freedom Day was to celebrate the principles of press freedom, to prevent the media from attacks, and to assess the state of press freedom.
The main aim of World Press Freedom Day was to raise awareness of the freedom of the press and freedom of expression. This day also represents a day of reflection for media professionals about issues of press freedom.
The Global Conference provides an opportunity for journalists, civil society representatives, national authorities, and to work together for identifying solutions.
The United Nations has celebrated World Press Freedom Day before 1993. In 1948, Article 19 said that everyone has the Right to Freedom of opinion, everyone has the right to say their opinion without fear, and everyone has the right to receive and impart their ideas through the Press and Media to the people. Prizes
UNESCO marks World Press Freedom Day by conferring the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize on a deserving individual, organisation or institution that has made an outstanding contribution to the defence and/or promotion of press freedom anywhere in the world, especially when this has been achieved in the face of danger. Created in 1997, the prize is awarded on the recommendation of an independent jury of 14 news professionals. Names are submitted by regional and international non-governmental organisations working for press freedom, and by UNESCO member states.
The Prize is named in honour of Guillermo Cano Isaza, a Colombian journalist who was assassinated in front of the offices of his newspaper, El Espectador, in Bogotá, on 17 December 1986. Cano’s writings had offended Colombia’s powerful drug barons.
UNESCO also marks World Press Freedom Day each year by bringing together media professionals, press freedom organisations and UN agencies to assess the state of press freedom worldwide and discuss solutions for addressing challenges. Each conference is centred on a theme related to press freedom, including good governance, media coverage of terrorism, impunity and the role of media in post-conflict countries. UNESCO to host 2024 World Press Freedom Day in Chile
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) will host 2024 World Press Freedom Day ceremonies in Santiago, Chile, from May 2 to 4, 2024. Celebrated every May 3, theme for this year is “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the face of the Environmental Crisis” and focuses on the importance of journalism and freedom of expression in the context of the current global environmental crisis The 31st edition of World Press Freedom Day aims to highlight the significant role played by the press, journalism, access, and dissemination of information to ensure and secure a sustainable future that respects the rights of individuals and their diversity of voices, as well as gender equality.
World Press Freedom Day 2024 is an important opportunity for the international community to collectively reflect on these multidimensional challenges, the fundamental role of journalism, and the transformative power that reliable information has to protect our planet, achieve sustainable development, and consolidate democracies. Partners from the media, academia, and civil society will also organize events in Santiago and around the world centered on this year’s theme.
The Day will serve as a platform to bring together key actors and to reflect on the fundamental role of journalism and reliable information in protecting our planet, and discuss topics, including the importance of reliable and accurate information, especially that which denounces and investigates the environmental crisis and its effects. The conference will touch on the following
The importance of reliable and accurate information, especially that which denounces and investigates the environmental crisis and its effects.
Violence faced by journalists and communication workers when promoting sustainable development and environmental protection, encouraging a gender-responsive perspective that promotes non-sexist journalistic discourse.
Support for the media to strengthen their institutional capacities to report on climate change and environmental crises, paying special attention to the viability of the media.
Dis- and misinformation about environmental issues and its impact on public and political support for climate action, effective policies, and the protection of vulnerable communities affected by climate change.
Use the occasion to recall the Santiago Declaration, which stresses the importance of respecting media pluralism and cultural, linguistic, and gender diversity as a fundamental factor of our democratic societies and which should be reflected in all media.
The role of other critical voices, such as scientists and artists, will also be discussed. The urgency of tackling the massive waves of dis and misinformation about the current global environmental crisis will occupy a prominent space in next year’s agenda.
World Press Freedom Day 2024 promises to be a pivotal moment for reflection, dialogue, and concerted action towards ensuring a press that is truly dedicated to safeguarding our planet and promoting a sustainable future for all. Persecution of Journalists
Latin America and the Caribbean continues to be the region with the highest number of murders of journalists, according to the 2022 UNESCO Director-General’s Report on the Safety of Journalists and the Danger of Impunity.
Since 1993, more than 1,600 journalists have been killed for reporting the news and bringing information to the public. In nine out of ten cases the killers go unpunished, according to the UNESCO observatory of killed journalists. Impunity leads to more killings and is often a symptom of worsening conflict and the breakdown of law and judicial systems.
While killings are the most extreme form of media censorship, journalists are also subjected to countless threats – ranging from kidnapping, torture and other physical attacks to harassment, particularly in the digital sphere. Threats of violence and attacks against journalists, in particular, create a climate of fear for media professionals, impeding the free circulation of information, opinions and ideas for all citizens. Women journalists are particularly impacted by threats and attacks, notably by those made online. According to UNESCO’s discussion paper, The Chilling: Global trends in online violence against women journalists, 73 percent of the women journalists surveyed said they had been threatened, intimidated and insulted online in connection with their work.
In many cases, threats of violence and attacks against journalists are not properly investigated. This impunity emboldens the perpetrators of the crimes and at the same time has a chilling effect on society, including journalists themselves. UNESCO is concerned that impunity damages whole societies by covering up serious human rights abuses, corruption, and crime. Journalists who were murdered
From high-profile deaths like Jamal Khashoggi’s killing inside Istanbul’s Saudi consulate, to a shooting outside a journalist’s home in Yemen, to an attack on a convoy in South Sudan that killed five, such targeted acts to silence the press reflect government corruption and suppression of people’s rights and weaken public trust in a country’s judiciary. Jamal Khashoggi (Saudi Arabia)
Jamal Khashoggi, former editor-in-chief of the Saudi newspaper Al-Watan and columnist for The Washington Post, was killed by a team of Saudi military and intelligence officials on October 2, 2018, shortly after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Turkish and Saudi courts have tried and sentenced several suspects in the case. It was revealed in September 2020 that, after Khashoggi’s murder, U.S. President Donald Trump admitted to helping shield Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who ordered the journalist’s murder according to a report released by the CIA. A current lawsuit against the U.S. intelligence community seeks the release of documents that may provide information on its awareness of threats to Khashoggi’s life. Ahmed Hussein-Suale Divela (Ghana)
In 2018, a member of parliament during a TV appearance threatened and encouraged violence against Ahmed Hussein-Suale Divela, and Divela had said he feared for his life. A member of the investigative journalism outlet Tiger Eye Private Investigations, 33-year-old Divela was shot and killed by two men on a motorbike in January 2019. He was driving in the Madina neighborhood of Ghana’s capital, Accra, and had been assisting government prosecutors with an investigation into corruption within the country’s soccer leagues. A Tiger Eye lawyer has called for charges to be brought upon the member of parliament, in addition to the two suspects. Dalia Marko (South Sudan)
Dalia Marko, a reporter for the local radio station Raja FM, was among five journalists killed when unidentified gunmen ambushed an official convoy in South Sudan in 2015. There were 11 victims in total. According to reports, the convoy was returning from Sepo to Raja, having visited families of individuals killed in another attack by unidentified gunmen, when it was attacked with gunfire and machetes and set on fire. The motive for the attack remains unclear, and government spokesmen pointed blame at the time at different rebel groups. This is the deadliest attack on journalists in South Sudan since CPJ began collecting data in 1992. Natalia Estemirova (Russia)
Since 2000, at least five journalists from independent Moscow newspaper Novaya Gazeta have been killed, including Natalia Estemirova. She also contributed to Caucasus news website Kavkazsky Uzel, served as a consultant for Human Rights Watch and was one of few people reporting on human rights abuses in Chechnya. In 2009, four men forced the 50-year-old into a car in Grozny, the capital of Chechnya, as she was leaving her apartment for work. According to press reports, the journalist shouted that she was being kidnapped as the car sped away, and later that day her body was found in the neighboring region of Ingushetia with gunshot wounds in her head and chest. A colleague believes Chechen authorities were behind the murder, condemned by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Larry Que (Philippines)
Publisher of weekly community newspaper Catanduanes News Now and owner of a local insurance company, Larry Que was entering an office building in December 2016 when a gunman fatally shot him in the head at close range and escaped on a motorcycle driven by an accomplice. The newspaper had recently published a column by Que alleging “official negligence” over an illegal methamphetamine laboratory and naming Catanduanes Governor Joseph Cua as responsible. Que’s wife believes Cua hired a hitman to “silence” Que. She filed a murder complaint, which police said is still under investigation as of August 2020. She also pursued charges of graft and misconduct against Cua; they were dismissed for lack of evidence. Nabil Hasan al-Quaety (Yemen)
Secessionist conflict threatens justice in journalist’s murder. Journalist Nabil Hasan al-Quaety, 34, whose wife was expecting their fourth child, was killed in the southern port city of Aden on June 2, 2020. A group of men in military uniforms attempted to hit al-Quaety with their car as he exited his home and opened fire when he ran, shooting him in the head, chest and hand. The assailants then fled. A freelance reporter, videographer and photographer, al-Quaety had worked with the news outlet Agence France-Presse since 2015. The Yemeni government claims sole authority in Aden, but the city is effectively run by the Southern Transitional Council fighting for separation from the country. Both have condemned the killing, but an official investigation could prove difficult due to this makeup. A spokesman for the secessionist group said it recently embedded al-Quaety as a photographer and speculated that forces within the government may be responsible for his death. Danilo López (Guatemala)
Two gunmen shot Danilo López in March 2015, while the reporter for Guatemala City daily Prensa Libre was walking in a park with a fellow journalist. In more than a decade with the newspaper, López had often written about corruption and misuse of public funds and had received threats in connection to his reporting. The case awaits a murder trial against Julio Juárez Ramírez, a former lawmaker who has been charged with orchestrating the attack and sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department under the Global Magnitsky Act. Courts sentenced the getaway driver to 30 years in prison, charged but have not arrested the alleged gunman and acquitted two other suspects. Authorities believe the case may be linked to an organized crime network working with a drug cartel and transferred the case in 2015 to a special court in the capital after local prosecutors investigating the crime received threats. Shujaat Bukhari (India)
Four suspects are yet to be charged in the June 2018 killing of Shujaat Bukhari, founding editor of Rising Kashmir newspaper. Several unidentified gunmen fired at him as he was leaving his office for an iftar party. He suffered injuries to the head and abdomen and died, as did two police officers who had been assigned to protect him after an attack in 2000. In the days preceding the incident, Bukhari had requested additional security amid the conflict-ridden situation in Kashmir. Police claimed that Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based militant group was responsible, but the group has denied involvement. In November 2018, police and the army killed one of the prime suspects in a shootout. There have been no updates in the case since. Norma Sarabia Garduza (Mexico)
In June last year, unknown attackers shot and killed reporter Norma Sarabia, 46, at the front door of her residence in Huimanguillo, in the southern state of Tabasco. She had received frequent death threats as a correspondent for newspapers Diario Presente and Tabasco HOY and had recently reported on a series of violent crimes, including murders and a kidnapping. Soon after her death, the Tabasco state attorney general’s office said in a statement released on Twitter that it had opened an investigation. To date, however, there has still been little movement in the investigation. Sarabia is one of 56 journalists killed in Mexico since 1992. Daphne Caruana Galizia (Malta)
Daphne Caruana Galizia, a prominent journalist who reported on corruption and helped cover the Panama Papers, was killed in Malta in October 2017 by a car bomb near her house. Her widely read blog, Running Commentary, included investigative reports and commentary on politicians. Former Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat considered Galizia a harsh critic of his but condemned the “barbaric” attack and stepped down in January 2020 over the political crisis sparked after the case. Four men have been in detention—some since December 2017—but no trial date has been set. CPJ and 18 other organizations have called on authorities to prevent political interference in the investigation.
Gauri Lankesh (India)
She was an Indian activist and journalist from Bangalore, Karnataka. She worked as an editor in Lankesh Patrike, a Kannada weekly started by her father P. Lankesh, and ran her own weekly called Gauri Lankesh Patrike. She was murdered outside her home in Rajarajeshwari Nagar on 5 September 2017. At the time of her death, Gauri was known for being a critic of right-wing Hindu extremism. She was honoured with Anna Politkovskaya Award for speaking against right-wing Hindu extremism, campaigning for women’s rights and opposing caste based discrimination.
Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Madhya Pradesh, is known around the world for its stunning temples adorned by erotic and sensuous carvings. A small town located in the Bundelkhand region, Khajuraho is a brilliant example of Indian architecture and its culture back in the medieval period. The architecture of these Hindu and Jain temples depict the erotic forms of love, the carvings on the walls display passion in the most sensuous yet aesthetic ways. Built between 950 to 1050 AD the sheer confrontational nature of these carvings shows a stark paradox with the conventional Indian ideals about eroticism, leaving everybody spellbound.
Art in this small town is engrained in all of its structures and are a classic example of the finesse of India’s cultural and artistic heritage. The best part about Khajuraho is that although scores of plunderers tried to destroy the whole complex, they could never succeed, even though they managed to reduce the number of temples and caves to 25 from a staggering 85 at the time it was created.
Dulhadev Temple
Built in the year 1130 the Dulhadev Temple enshrines a beautiful shivalingam and striking sculptures of Apsaras and other ornamented figures. The temple also has a stunning sculpture of Lord Shiva with his wife Parvati, the intricate details of the carvings adding to the charm of the overall architecture.
Kandariya Mahadev Temple
Built around 1025-1050 AD, this temple exudes grandeur and finesse in its architecture. With beautiful frescos of women in various postures adorning the walls of this temple, this place is one of the most stunning tourists sites in Khajuraho.
Kandariya Mahadev Temple has an artistically engraved shrine with over 800 images of women, most of which are more than 3 feet high. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has a shivalingam at the centre of Garba Griha. Made of a typical sandstone structure, the artisitic representation of eroticism on the walls of this temple are bound to give a new perspective on India’s cultural heritage.
Lakshman Temple
The oldest and most aesthetically pleasing temples among the Western group of Temples, the Lakshman temple is named after the ruler of that time. The trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva is depicted in the horizontal beam over the entrance of the temple.
Parsvanath temple
This temple is the largest among the Eastern group of temples and has intricately detailed carvings on its walls. The most intriguing side of the architecture of this temple is the aesthetic blend of Hindu, muslim and Buddhist styles.
The highlights of the temple are the sculptures on the northern outer walls.
Vishwanath Temple
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is one among the western group of temples. It has a beautiful marble shivalinga as the main deity. An imposing image of Brahma is also housed in this temple. A massive sculpture of Nandi the Bull is also enshrined alongside the Shivalingam.
Ruchira Kamboj is the Permanent Representative of India / Ambassador of India to the United Nations in New York. On presentation of her credentials to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on 2 August 2022, she became the first lady diplomat from India to assume this position.
In her over three-decade long diplomatic career, she has served in many key positions.
Ruchira Kamboj joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1987. She was the All India woman topper of the 1987 Civil Services batch as well as topper of the 1987 Foreign Service batch.
She began her diplomatic journey in Paris, France where she was posted as the Third Secretary (later Second Secretary) in the Indian Embassy to France from 1989-1991.
On presentation of her credentials to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in August 2022, Ruchira Kamboj became the first lady diplomat from India to assume the position of Permanent Representative of India / Ambassador of India to the United Nations.
From Paris, she returned to Delhi where she worked as Under Secretary in the Europe West Division of India’s Ministry of External Affairs from 1991–96. In this capacity, she also represented India at the 14th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 1995 at Auckland, New Zealand.
From 1999-2002, she served as Deputy Secretary and later Director in charge of Foreign Service Personnel and Cadre in the Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi.
Ruchira Kamboj was posted as Counsellor at India’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York from 2002-2005, where she dealt with a wide range of political issues, including UN Peacekeeping, UNSC Reform, the Middle East crisis, etc. Upon release of Secretary-General Kofi Anan’s Blue Ribbon Panel Report in December 2014, she was part of the G-4 team that worked on the reform and expansion of the UNSC.
From 2006-2009, she was India’s Consul General in Cape Town, South Africa. The position involved close liaison with the Parliament of South Africa. In this period, she also steered the visits of the President of India to Cape Town in 2008.
Ruchira Kamboj was picked to be the Deputy Head of the Office of the Secretary-General at the Commonwealth Secretariat, London. She was among the two Staff Officers of the Commonwealth Secretary-General in a multilateral setting, overseeing a wide range of political and economic issues, attending as well in this period the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in 2009 at Trinidad and Tobago. Chief of Protocol, India
From 2011-2014, she was India’s Chief of Protocol, the first and only woman in Government to have held this position. In this capacity, she directed all outgoing visits of the President of India, the Vice President of India, the Prime Minister of India, and the External Affairs Minister of India. She also dealt with all incoming Heads of Government and State in India.
As Chief of Protocol, she was involved in the organization of international Summits in India inclusive of the 4th BRICS Summit in New Delhi in 2012 and the 11th Council of Ministers Meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association at Bangalore, India in 2011. She also successfully steered the ASEAN India Commemorative Summit in December 2012 marked by the presence of 10 Heads of State and Government in New Delhi. In 2013, she directed the 11th Asia Europe Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held at Gurgaon, Haryana which was attended by 52 Foreign Ministers from Asia and Europe with over 1500 participants. PM Modi’s Swearing-in Ceremony
In her third tryst with multilateralism, she was posted as India’s Ambassador to UNESCO Paris in April 2014. However, she was called back to direct the swearing-in of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which was marked by the presence of Heads of State and Government from the SAARC countries and Mauritius. She resumed her duties in Paris on completion of this special assignment.
Ruchira Kamboj had a stellar three-year stint at UNESCO. In 2016, history was made when three Indian sites were added to UNESCO’s World Heritage list including Nalanda Mahavihara. The same year, she steered India to victory when Yoga was declared as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
In April 2016, she organized an International Conference on the Zero at UNESCO showcasing the great and glorious tradition of India in Mathematics and Science. A bust of ancient Indian mathematician Aryabhata was gifted to UNESCO.
In 2015, she was called back to assist in the organization of the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit held in New Delhi, which was marked by the presence of Heads of State and Government of the 54-member African Union. High Commissioner to South Africa
Ruchira Kamboj was the High Commissioner of India to South Africa, with concurrent accreditation to the Kingdom of Lesotho from 2017 to 2019. This stint was marked by the first-ever India-South Africa Business Summit held in Johannesburg in 2018. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj participated in a unique commemoration of the 125th anniversary of the Pietermaritzburg ‘incident’ (involving Mahatma Gandhi), celebrating people-to-people ties between India and South Africa. The visit of PM Modi to Johannesburg in July 2018 for BRICS10 was a reaffirmation of the salience of the India-South Africa relationship and BRICs. Ruchira Kamboj was appointed as Ambassador to Bhutan in 2019.
During her tenure, many important initiatives were successfully undertaken in both traditional and newly identified areas of cooperation. Seven new trade routes were opened with Bhutan, including Allhay, which facilitated the movement of essential and non-essential goods during the Covid pandemic. In the IT Sector, the India – Bhutan E-Library project was completed; the connection between the National Knowledge Network of India and its counterpart, Druk-Ren was facilitated and arrangements were firmed up for a Third International Internet Gateway for Bhutan. The India – Bhutan Satellite project was due for a launch in 2022. In appreciation of the positive and contributory role played by India during Covid pandemic to strengthen India – Bhutan relations, His Majesty The King of Bhutan conferred Bhutan’s highest civilian honor, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo, upon PM Modi in 2021. Publications and Family
Ruchira Kamboj has written several OpEds in newspapers and magazines. She has also been called upon to speak at prestigious events in India and abroad on a wide range of issues.
Ruchira Kamboj, a native of Lucknow, is married to businessman Diwakar Kamboj and has one daughter. Her late father was an Officer in the Indian Army and her mother is a writer-professor (Retd.) of Sanskrit from the University of Delhi. She speaks three languages, Hindi, English and French.
She was recently featured in the “Top 100 Women Achievers of India” in India Today ‘She’ List of 1st January 2024.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj received the Guinness World Record for most nationalities in one yoga session organized at the UN Headquarters in New York in 2023. During her stint at Unesco, she steered India to victory when Yoga was declared the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016.
Ambassador Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra and Mayor of Xela, Mr. Juan Fernando Lopez, collaboratively hoisted the Tricolour during the Flag Hoisting Ceremony at the Chancery Premises on the morning of January 26, 2024
GUATEMALA CITY (TIP): The Embassy of India in Guatemala marked the 75th Republic Day with the traditional Flag Hoisting Ceremony in the morning and organizing a grand National Day Reception in the evening.
The day commenced with a Flag Hoisting Ceremony at the Embassy premises in the morning, where Ambassador Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra unfurled the Indian Tricolor. Chief Guest Mayor of Xela H.E. Mr. Juan Fernando Lopez, alongside other local dignitaries, members of the Indian community, ITEC students, and friends of India in Guatemala attended the event. Following the Flag Hoisting, Ambassador Dr. Mohapatra shared excerpts from the speech of Hon’ble President of India Smt. Draupadi Murmu, conveying greetings to all present and highlighting the historical significance of the day and India’s unwavering commitment to democratic values.
The event continued with captivating cultural performances by local Indian community members. Notably, two Letters of Intent were signed during the ceremony between the Municipality of Xela and Indian company Lakshmi Capital, outlining plans for the supply of 800 buses and the initiation of a 75 MW Solar power plant in Xela. Mayor of Xela, H.E. Juan Fernando Lopez, and Mr. Wendal Rodas, CMD of Lakshmi Capital, signed the LoIs, marking significant strides toward the infrastructural betterment of Xela. Further, Embassy also organized donation of 10 computers by another Indian company in Guatemala, 24X7 to the school Mixta el Tablon in Sololá to enhance the educational betterment. The event concluded with a vibrant Garba Dance Celebration to mark the inscription of this popular Gujarati Dance on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO. Indian snacks were served to the attendees in the end.
In the evening, the Embassy hosted a National Day Reception to further celebrate the momentous occasion. The event began with the lightning of lamp by prominent dignitaries. The event brought together a diverse gathering, including newly designated Ministers and Vice Ministers of the new Government, newly elected Congressmen, Mayors, members of diplomatic corps, prominent local dignitaries, government officials, and members of the business and cultural communities.
Ambassador Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra delivered his remarks at the Republic Day Reception, recounting India’s democratic journey and emphasizing the strengthened bilateral relations with Guatemala.
The National Day Reception showcased cultural performances, highlighting India’s rich heritage through vibrant Bollywood dance and music. The venue’s colorful display of the Indian flag added to the festive ambiance, symbolizing the enduring cultural bonds between India and Guatemala. Ambassador Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra delivered his remarks, recounting India’s democratic journey and emphasizing the strengthened bilateral relations with Guatemala. He announced a substantial investment by Indian companies in the Central American region, with a significant portion earmarked for Guatemala. The Ambassador disclosed plans for a proposed Metro line project and the supply of 5000 buses in El Salvador, along with a substantial investment of US$1200 million in Xela, Guatemala. Two Letters of Intent were signed earlier in the day, with two more signed during the National Day Reception by the Mayor of Xela and CMD of Lakshmi Capital. The remaining two LoIs are scheduled for signing in Xela on January 29, 2024.
At the end, Indian cuisines, specially curated for the event, was served to the guests. The reception provided a platform for fostering diplomatic ties, cultural exchanges, and discussions on potential areas of collaboration for the future. The Embassy of India in Guatemala extended its gratitude to all attendees for making the Republic Day celebrations a memorable and joyous occasion.
Ambassador Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra and Mayor of Xela, Mr. Juan Fernando Lopez celebrated India’s Republic Day at Municipality of Xela to mark the strong relationship between the two countries.
As is the tradition every year, the Republic Day celebrations extended beyond the Chancery building. The Embassy reached out to other venues and cities to commemorate the occasion with the local community. As part of these efforts, Brahm Kumaris in Guatemala, displaying their cultural and spiritual commitment, raised the Tricolour alongside Ambassador Dr. Mohapatra, celebrating the 75th Republic Day at their premises on January 28, 2024. Similarly, Ambassador Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra and Mayor of Xela, Mr. Juan Fernando Lopez, marked the Republic Day at the Municipality premises, showcasing their strong relationship.
Hampi, the city of ruins, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated in the shadowed depth of hills and valleys in the state of Karnataka, this place is a historical delight for travellers. Surrounded by 500 ancient monuments, beautiful temples, bustling street markets, bastions, treasury building and captivating remains of Vijayanagar Empire, Hampi is a backpacker’s delight. Hampi is an open museum with 100+ locations to explore and a favourite way to see the city from the perspective of its history.
Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagar empire around 1500 AD, and by some accounts, the second largest city in the world at that time. Over the next centuries it fell out of importance, and now you can explore the ruins of a lot of temples and other structures spread out over a vast area. The terrain around Hampi is as mysterious as the ruins itself – the city is surrounded by boulders of different sizes, and you can climb to the top of them with a little effort to get a stunning view of the entire city and the geography. It is located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. Famous for its massive, beautifully carved temples, especially the Virupaksha Temple, dedicated to the patron deity of the empire. You can also find remains of the old aqueducts, canals and military barracks and stables here. Hampi was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986 and many efforts have been taken to restore the lost glory of the place – very limited (if any) modern establishments are allowed in the main area, which gives an authentic feel to the ruins.
Virupaksha Temple, Hampi
The Virupaksha temple (or Prasanna Virupaksha temple) is located on the banks of the Tungabhadra river at Hampi. Built during the 7th century, the beautiful architecture and history of the temple have made it a UNESCO World Heritage site. The temple is abode to one of the forms of Lord Shiva called Lord Virupaksha. While it is located at present-day Hampi, it was once a smaller shrine in the middle of the ancient and majestic Vijayanagara empire. You will find beautiful stone inscriptions dating back to the 7th century on the walls of the temple as proof of its rich heritage. Architecture-lovers and history-buffs, do visit the temple when you are in Hampi!
The temple has tall towers or gopurams acting as gateways to the inner sanctums, as is usually seen in temples of south Indian style architecture. The gopurams lead to many inner corridors and halls, all decorated with ornate stone-work. The sculptures depict mythological stories of numerous Gods and Goddesses. The main deity of the temple is Lord Virupaksha, but it is also abode to few other Hindu deities too. While many devotees visit the temple during festival seasons like the Car Festival, it is otherwise less crowded.
Vithala Temple
The most impressive structure in Hampi, the Vithala Temple dates back to the 16th century and is a truly splendid example of rich architecture. The famous stone chariot, which has become an iconic symbol of the architecture of Hampi, is located inside the premises of this temple.
The temple complex is spread over a huge area. The main gate has an impressive arch with carvings, and opens in a large courtyard which has the famous stone chariot in the center. The main temple is located just behind the chariot and has beautiful carvings. There are also several other smaller temples inside the courtyard, all of which are definitely worth a visit. The carvings on the walls/pillars of these structures depict various gods in different forms.
Lotus Palace
The Lotus Palace in Hampi is one of the most iconic landmarks in the town. Named so for the way the structure looks like a lotus in bloom, this palace was the designated area for the royal women of the Vijayanagara Empire and is found within the Zenana Enclosure. Known widely as one of the few edifices in Hampi that was not lost either to the Mughal raids of the town or to the ravages of time, the Lotus Mahal stands tall in its courtyard.
Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple
On top of the Anjaneya Hill, at a distance of 2 kilometres from the Virupaksha Temple, the beautiful Yantradharaka Hanuman Temple also known as the Monkey Temple is present inside a cave. The temple being 500 years old is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. Sri Vyasaraja, who was the Rajaguru of the Vijayanagara Kingdom and a Dwaita philosopher, was the one to install the idol of Lord Hanuman in the temple. Being one of the most famous attractions of the Anjeyanadri Hill, the Monkey Temple is considered as a sacred spot for Hindus.
Hampi Bazaar
Also known as the Virupaksha Bazaar, the Hampi Bazaar is the place to go to pick up knick-knacks, souvenirs, cheap clothes and trinkets to remember your trip to Hampi by. Situated right in front of Virupaksha temple, hence its alternate name, this bazaar which stretches for over a kilometre long is one of the main landmarks of Hampi. From embroidered shawls, fibre handicrafts, to stone carvings, this is the place to pick up anything Hampi-related. The Hampi Utsav which happens every November is also a big tourist draw and should be noted.
Hippie Island
While most tourists stay to the south of Tungabhadra where most of the ruins are located, some prefer the north banks which have a vibrant hippie culture. Virapapur Gadde or Hippie Island is a small island situated across the Tungabhadra river. It takes 5 minutes to travel to the island via coracle or boat. The last boat for the island leaves at 5.30 pm. The backpacker’s delight, Hippie Island (Virupapur Gadde) is an epitome of scenic beauty and is known for laidback ambient and lodges. Source: Holidify.com
TIMES SQUARE, NY CITY (TIP): Times Square reverberated with the beats and music of ‘Garba’ as members of the Indian-American community performed the traditional Gujarati dance at the iconic New York City destination to celebrate its inclusion in UNESCO’s cultural heritage list.
FIA NY-NJ-CT-NE along with support from a host of community organizations and Consulate General of India NY, held a commemorative garba celebration at the ‘Crossroads of the world’, – Times Square. The celebration marked the recent inclusion of Garba as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Garba, considered to be among the oldest forms of group dance and longest dance festival spanning 9 nights (Navratri) is a very popular group folk dance form in key states of India including Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. It has gained sensational liking among the overseas Indian diaspora in countries like the UAE (Dubai), USA, UK, Australia, Canada and many others. This historic, prestigious and distinguished milestone Tag of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity was announced during UNESCO’s 18th session in Kasane, Botswana on December 6th 2023. The leading organization for this initiative, the Federation of Indian Associations NY-NJ-CT-NE (FIA) extended an open invitation to the entire Indian American community to join in this momentous celebration at Times Square, NYC which was supported by Consulate General of India NY. Free transportation, complimentary refreshments and participation certificates shall be provided for all performing attendees. The event was a spectacular showcase of the rich cultural heritage of Gujarat as attendees donned traditional Garba attires. The vivid colors and intricate designs of their attire were a sight to behold, and one could feel the energy and pride emanating from them as they represented their culture on a global platform. The atmosphere was electric with excitement and anticipation, and it was clear that everyone was thoroughly enjoying themselves.
In addition to the Federation of Indian Associations NY-NJ-CT-NE, the event was made possible through the support and collaboration of esteemed partner organizations, including the Consulate General of India, New York, GANA, BJANA, Siddhivinayak Temple USA, Times Group, Aaj Tak, The Indian Panorama, EBC Radio, The South Asian Times, AUM Dance Academy, Parikh WorldWide media, TV Asia, ITV gold, World BB TV, New India Abroad, The Indian Eye, Radio Zindagi, and Radio Dil.
World Press Freedom Day is observed annually on May 3
UNITED NATIONS (TIP): U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on May 2 urged the international community to “speak with one voice” and call for stopping the detention and imprisonment of journalists for doing their jobs, as he sounded an alarm that freedom of the press is under attack in every corner of the world.
Mr. Guterres underscored that “all our freedom” depends on press freedom.
“Freedom of the press is the foundation of democracy and justice,” he said in his video message ahead of World Press Freedom Day 2023.
World Press Freedom Day is observed annually on May 3.
“On this and every World Press Freedom Day, the world must speak with one voice – Stop the threats and attacks. Stop detaining and imprisoning journalists for doing their jobs. Stop the lies and disinformation. Stop targeting truth and truth-tellers,” Guterres said in the message telecast in the UN General Assembly Hall here at a special event organized by UNESCO. Mr. Guterres voiced concern that in every corner of the world, freedom of the press is under attack. “Truth is threatened by disinformation and hate speech, seeking to blur the lines between fact and fiction, between science and conspiracy,” he said.
He noted that at least 67 media workers were killed in 2022, an “unbelievable” 50 per cent increase over the previous years and nearly three-quarters of women journalists have experienced violence online and one in four have been threatened physically.
“Journalists and media workers are directly targeted on and offline as they carry out their vital work. They are routinely harassed, intimidated, detained and imprisoned,” he said.
The U.N. chief also added that the increased concentration of the media industry into the hands of a few, the financial collapse of scores of independent news organizations and the increase of national laws and regulations that stifle journalists are further expanding censorship and threatening freedom of expression.
The event organized by UNESCO marks 30 years since the U.N. General Assembly’s decision proclaiming an international day for press freedom. This year’s theme for the Day is ‘Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights.’
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said hundreds of journalists globally have been attacked and imprisoned “just because they are doing their work. It is unacceptable.” She added that the level of impunity of crimes against journalists sends a “frightening” message and stressed that the security of journalists is a matter for society as a whole.
Delivering the keynote address, Chairman and Publisher of The New York Times A.G. Sulzberger said that when the free press erodes in a society, “democratic erosion almost always follows.” He said all over the world, autocrats and those who aspire to join their ranks have used censorship, media repression and attacks on journalists to consolidate power. “That’s because gaining control of information is essential to gaining control of everything else.” He added that in countries where press freedoms were strong, including the United States, journalists now face systematic campaigns to undermine their credibility, followed by attacks on the legal
protections that safeguard their work.
In countries where press freedoms were already weak, journalists now face surging levels of violence, detention and harassment, he said adding that more journalists are being killed today for their work and the number of imprisoned journalists has reached a grim new record.
“Spin a globe and you’ll find examples of these trends. In China, journalists are surveilled, intimidated and jailed…In Egypt, the government has used security services to buy up outlets and block uncooperative news sites…In India, authorities have raided newsrooms and treated journalists essentially as terrorists,” Sulzberger said.
Referring to the situation in Russia, he said journalists who “dare to even acknowledge the war in Ukraine face long prison terms.” He called for the release of The Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, “who remains in Russian custody for sham charges.” Gershkovich was detained in March this year by Russian security services and is being held on an allegation of espionage.
(Source: PTI)
Popular and named after a mountainside that resembles a horse’s face, Kudremukh is famous for its biodiversity and scenic beauty. A popular hill-station among the Bangalore crowd, Kudremukh is actually a hill range in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka. Kudremukh Peak is a paradise for trekkers and naturists alike, with its mountainous paths and floral and faunal diversity.
With its rolling meadows, grasslands and dense forests, this place is a biodiversity hotspot. Kudremukh is an enchanting place to visit, still retaining much of its natural beauty despite persistent threats from various sources to its ecology. Varaha Parvatha, another mountain range nearby at a height of 1458m above sea level is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kudremukh Peak Trek
At an altitude of 1894 m above sea level, the Kudremukh Peak is a paradise for trekkers and naturists alike, with its mountainous paths and floral and faunal diversity.
The scene from the peak is breathtaking with the view of the skies and clouds over the Arabian Sea. One of the unique characteristics of this trek is the myriad landscapes that it offers en route, ranging from tall bamboo shrubs and shola forests to gushing streams and rolling hills. The peak is located in the Kudremukh National Park which is rich in flora and fauna. Kudremukh along with its beauty of the Western Ghats and the surreal landscapes also offers various treks on the lush green hills of Western Ghats. The most famous and scenic trek of Kudremukh is the trek to Kudremukh peak. The trek takes you through the wildlife sanctuary of Kudremukh which is a habitat for tigers, leopards, wild dogs, deer among other species of fauna.
The trek begins from the small hamlet of Mullodi. The short distance of 9 km (one way) takes you at an altitude of 1,894 km above the sea level offering some of the most breathtaking views of the Western Ghats. From the beauty of the Western Ghats, various streams, and waterfalls and the aromatic coffee plantations you get to see all at one place. The most important attraction along with the Kudremukh peak is the Hanuman Gundi Falls, which falls on your way uphill to the highest peak. Located amidst the hilly terrain of Western Ghats, Hanuman Gundi falls is a beautiful water cascade of Kudremukh.
Kudremukh National Park
Located amidst mountains, Kudremukh National Park is popular for its scenic beauty. Designated the status of a national park in the year 1987, the 600-kilometre square area is one of the most well preserved national parks in the state. The Kudremukh National Park is jewelled with natural beauty, high rising peaks studded with a plethora of flora and fauna to picturesque trekking routes overseeing verdant grasslands, there is much to experience here! The wildlife protected area is the second-largest belonging to a tropical wet evergreen forest in the zone of the Western Ghats.
The area gains its name from the native language. Kudremukha translates to horse-face, referring to the highest mountain peak in the park which resembles the face of a horse from a particular side. It rises to a height of 1,894 meters (6,214 feet) and is the second highest peak in Karnataka. The area is the habitat of many endangered and endemic species of plants and animals, with mammals such as tigers, leopards and wild dogs as the primary predators of the region.
Primarily developed as an important iron-ore mining town, conservationists successfully campaigned against the adverse mining effects on the environment. Kudremukh and its lush green surroundings are a nature and wildlife lover’s paradise, serving you the best of Western Ghats in great detail.
Hanuman Gundi Falls
Gushing down from a height of more than 100 feet onto natural rocks, this calm and serene site is an attraction for those looking for a laidback day amongst nature’s beauty.
Kalasa
Kalasa, also known as the temple town is located in Chikkamagaluru district in Karnataka. The beautiful city lies on the banks of the Bhadra River. The reasons behind the birth of the place are both mythological and etymological. It is surrounded by rainforest and is a perfect place for a nature getaway. Being largely an agricultural economy this place depends on the River Bhadra for water. It plays fair with its name as Kalasa’s soil is blessed with great fertility which produces the best coffee and other herbs. Also, Kalasa is renowned for a shrine of Goddess Bhagavathi and a Varaha within a cave.
Kalasa is home to Sri Kalaseshwara Temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is also known as a temple town in Karnataka showcasing the architectural heritage of Southern India comprising of a variety of styles as well as design philosophies representing the rich culture of the land. Pilgrims from all over the region come down to the temple town to offer their prayers. Though it is considered as a pilgrimage spot, today it is also recognised as a tourist place. As it lies in the heart of Western Ghats, it enjoys a relatively pleasant climate throughout the year except for summers.
Gangamoola
Also known as the Varaha Parvatha, this mountain at a height of 1458m above sea level is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The source of the Rivers Tunga, Bhadra and Nethravati lie here.
The main attractions here are the temple of Goddess Bhagavathi and a cave with a 6 feet tall image of Varaha. This are is mineral rich with magnetite-quartzite deposits. It is also a hotspot with more than 107 species of birds.
Source: Holidify
India’s record on violations against Journalists has been among the worst in recent times. A nation, said to be the “beacon of hope” and the “largest democracy” in the world dropped eight laces to 150 — out of 180 countries — on the World Press Freedom Index compiled by the Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) for 2022. The index’s report notes that “with an average of three or four journalists killed in connection with their work every year, India is one of the world’s most dangerous countries for the media.” In the current year alone, it states, while one journalist has been killed, another 13 are behind bars.
By Ajay Ghosh
“Finally, it is also an important right in a free society to be freely allowed to contribute to society’s well-being. However, if that is to occur, it must be possible for society’s state of affairs to become known to everyone, and it must be possible for everyone to speak his mind freely about it. Where this is lacking, liberty is not worth its name,” Peter Forsskål, a philosopher, theologian, botanist and orientalist wrote in his pamphlet, Thoughts on Civil Liberty, published in Stockholm in 1759.
And, it’s noteworthy that The World Press Freedom Day in Helsinki in 2016 adopted the Access to Information and Fundamental Freedoms, which is the right of every human being around the world, and its three perspectives: freedom of information as a fundamental freedom and a human right; protecting press freedom from censorship and surveillance overreach; and ensuring safety for journalism online and offline. Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right, and a prerequisite for several other democratic rights. It is a right, but it implies responsibility and respect for the rights of others. The role of media has been changing rapidly, especially in recent times, with the advent of social media platforms where not only the news and views of the trained and well-established journalists are published, but anyone has the right reports, post a comment and be appreciative or critical of people, programs and policies for their worth. The media is expected to be the “watchdog” of the other three branches of the government. Promoting the safety of journalists and combatting impunity for those who attack them are central elements within UNESCO’s support for press freedom on all media platforms. Media is described as the Fourth Estate after the executive, legislature, and judiciary.
However, media has been constantly criticized, intimidated and their rights taken away for being the “watchdog.’ There are many forces assaulting journalism around the world: misinformation, intimidation, pressures on revenue models, and a growing trend of autocrats attacking press freedoms. Journalists are attacked, and imprisoned and their rights to disseminate news and views taken away in numerous countries across the globe. According to UNESCO, on average, every five days a journalist is killed for bringing information to the public. Attacks on media professionals are often perpetrated in non-conflict situations organized crime groups, militia, security personnel, and even local police, making local journalists among the most vulnerable. These attacks include murder, abductions, harassment, intimidation, illegal arrest, and arbitrary detention.”
These organized crimes and strategies to prevent journalists, media and media platforms are not unique to the Third World or autocratic/tyrant rule d states alone. They are occurring on a daily basis in well-established democracies, using so called “democratic laws” as well as in those nations and their rulers who have no regard for freedom of speech and do not tolerate dissent or criticism.
It’s noteworthy, after four years of contestant attacks on the media by his predecessor, President Jose Biden of the United States has kept the media at arm’s length while being decidedly less combative than his predecessor with reporters, an approach that was on display when he attended the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner this year. It’s an approach that administration officials say is deliberate, and that Democrats say is part of Biden’s effort to return the White House to a more normal rapport with the media.
Meanwhile, the US Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) under the Trump and Biden administrations are now going after tech giants in antitrust lawsuits, based on deals that were solidified under Obama’s watch. The FTC’s case against Facebook seeks to undo the company’s acquisitions of WhatsApp and Instagram that were approved under the former president.
Filipino American media executive and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa, founder of the digital media outlet Rappler in the Philippines in 2012, has become the target of a series of attacks. Ressa has been arrested several times. This month, with the new administration of Bongbong Marcos in place, Rappler was ordered to shut down, for being the voice of the people.
Rana Ayyub, a senior journalist summarized the state of today’s journalistic fraternity: “The burden of bearing witness and speaking truth to power comes at great personal risk for journalists in many countries around the world. They live a relentless struggle, slapped with lawsuits and criminal cases for sedition, defamation, tax evasion and more. Their lives, and too often the lives of their families, are made miserable.” Ayyub points to the heinous crimes inflicted on “Gauri Lankesh, Daphne Caruana Galizia and Jamal Khashoggi—all journalists with a profile, all brazenly killed in broad daylight. Their murders dominated the front pages of international publications. But their killers, men in power, remain unquestioned not just by the authorities but often by publishers and editors who develop a comfortable amnesia when meeting those in power. They do not want to lose access to them.”
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) Termed the recent murders of British journalist Dom Phillips and Indigenous issues expert Bruno Pereira, whom police suspect were killed by people with ties to illegal fishing in the Amazon, amounted to a “nightmare” come true. “Central African Republic authorities should investigate the threats made against journalist Erick Ngaba and ensure his safety,” said Angela Quintal, CPJ’s Africa program coordinator, in Durban, South Africa. “The security situation in the Central African Republic is worrisome enough for media professionals without additional online harassment.”
India’s record on violations against Journalists has been among the worst in recent times. A nation, said to be the “beacon of hope” and the “largest democracy” in the world dropped eight laces to 150 — out of 180 countries — on the World Press Freedom Index compiled by the Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) for 2022. The index’s report notes that “with an average of three or four journalists killed in connection with their work every year, India is one of the world’s most dangerous countries for the media.” In the current year alone, it states, while one journalist has been killed, another 13 are behind bars.
In fact, in the last 20 years, India, which was ranked 80th on the index in 2002, has seen its press freedom ranking progressively plummet. The country profile by RSF on India also says that “the Indian press used to be seen as fairly progressive but things changed radically in the mid-2010s, when Narendra Modi became prime minister and engineered a spectacular rapprochement between his party, the BJP, and the big families dominating the media.”
Twitter’s latest transparency report, for July-December 2021 says that the country made the highest number of legal demands to remove content posted by verified journalists and news outlets on Twitter. Of the total 326 legal demands Twitter received globally, against 349 accounts of verified journalists, India sent in 114 legal demands. India in fact also raised the second highest number of information requests, after the US, accounting for 19% of global information requests and 27% of the global accounts specified. Information requests seek details about an account and are issued by law enforcement or government agencies.
Terming the Indian press as “a colossus with feet of clay”, RSF adds that Indian “journalists are exposed to all kinds of physical violence including police violence, ambushes by political activists, and deadly reprisals by criminal groups or corrupt local officials” by “supporters of Hindutva” with the situation “very worrisome in Kashmir where reporters are often harassed by police and paramilitaries.”
If the powerful rulers of the countries use their power to intimidate the media world, the public are not immune to such ill thought out and narrow views. For some it’s their ideology that motivates them, for others it’s the belief in their “leader” who spreads lies and the flock follow them blindly, and for some who are so called well educated and well informed, it’s their goals to attain power, position and prestige in the society. Recently, I came across on a WhatsApp media posting, where a picture of half a dozen veterans, well respected and award-winning journalists meeting with a Justice of the Supreme Court of India were called as “traitors of India” because they criticize and point to the ruling party for its policies that do not benefit the people of India, but the members of the ruling regime.
Speaking at a Stanford University event, former US President Barack Obama called the present as “another tumultuous, dangerous moment in history,” where social media platforms are well-designed to destroy democracies. “Disinformation is a threat to our democracy, and will continue to be unless we work together to address it,” he said.
According to analysts, while free speech is protected by both the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights, these legal instruments offer governments much greater leeway than the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution when it comes to defining categories, such as hate speech, that can be regulated.
Reports state. the European Union is in the midst of finalizing the Digital Services Act (DSA), an ambitious legislative attempt to create a “global gold standard” on platform regulation. After five trilogues, on April 23, the European Parliament and European Council reached a provisional political agreement on the DSA. As such, the DSA is likely to affect the practical exercise of free speech on social media platforms, whether located in Silicon Valley or owned by American tech billionaires.
Freedom of expression is a vital part of democracy, considering it does not cross the “Lakshman Rekha” of public order and morality, said former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi.
Gogoi, while expressing his views on action against individuals over social media posts, said, “Now on social media — is a critical part of healthy democracy, so long as it does not cross the Lakshman Rekha of public order and morality, be it against an individual or an institution. If the opinion is within the line (of public order), it should not be restrained…,” said Gogoi.
Adding that such an opinion should be based on facts and bonafide information, the former CJI said, “If it is an opinion not based on facts and disturbs public order and transgresses morality or creates distrust among the public for the institution, posing a threat to national interest, action needs to be taken. Nothing can be bigger than national interest.”
Gogoi also said that the present generation youth in the country are fortunate to have the power of social media. “It is a powerful tool, but it can be misused, which is unfortunate… Youth today, who wish to enter public life or politics must be aware that they cannot be successful unless they work hard and base their journey on facts. This is because it is very easy for misinformation to be spread…”
Media reports pointed out that in the first quarter of 2018, Facebook removed 2.5 million pieces of content for the transgression of community standards on hate speech. By the third quarter of 2021, the number had increased almost tenfold to 22.3 million. This was mainly the result of increased reliance on AI-based content-filtering algorithms. In 2018, AI caught 4 out of 10 transgressions before any user complaint, but in the third quarter of 2021, this rose to 96.5 percent.
“We’ve come a long way towards realizing freedom of expression, and other fundamental freedoms. The right to access to information is entrenched in law in over a hundred countries,” said Secretary-General Guterres of the United Nations during the 70th anniversary of the Geneva Association of UN Correspondents (ACANU). “But despite these advances, in recent years, civic space has been shrinking worldwide at an alarming rate.”
In the midst of all these, some recommend a model that would “encourage the implementation of human-rights standards as a framework of first reference in the moderation practices of large social media platforms. This would result in a social media environment that would be both more transparent and protective of users’ free speech on categories such as hate speech and disinformation. Using human rights law as the standard of content moderation would also provide platforms with norms and legitimacy to resist demands to censor dissent made by authoritarian states keen to exploit the well-intentioned but misguided attempts by democracies to rein in harmful online speech.” Stating that Journalism and the media are “essential to peace, justice, sustainable development and human rights for all – and to the work of the United Nations,” Guterres noted, paying tribute to reporters who “go to the most dangerous places on earth, to bring us important information, to give a voice to people who are being ignored and abused, and to hold the powerful to account. Your work reminds us that truth never dies, and that our attachment to the fundamental right that is freedom of expressions must also never die… Informing is not a crime.”
(The author is Chief Editor of Universal News Network)
Signup to our Newsletter!
Don’t miss out on all the happenings around the world
