Page 2 - Anurag Thakur

Govt does not agree with World Press Freedom Index: Anurag Thakur

The government does not subscribe to the views and country rankings of the World Press Freedom Index, published by foreign NGO Reporters Without Borders', Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said on Tuesday. In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Thakur said the government also does not agree with the conclusions drawn by this organization for various reasons including very low sample size, little or no weightage to fundamentals of democracy and adoption of a methodology which is questionable and non-transparent. "In pursuance of its policy to uphold the freedom of press, the government does not interfere in the functioning of the press," the minister said in response to a question by YSRCP member Adala Prabhakar Reddy. He said the Press Council of India (PCI), a statutory autonomous body, has been set up to preserve the freedom of the press and improve the standards of newspapers and news agencies in the country. PCI considers complaints filed 'by the .

Brand India has arrived, says Anurag Thakur on winning Oscar awards

Lauding India's achievements at the Oscars, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur on Tuesday said 'brand India' has arrived as he called for concerted efforts to make the country a content hub of the world. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, he said "RRR's" "Naatu Naatu" has not only won hearts in the country but also across the world. "It is a matter of pride for India that the Indian film industry has won two world awards in Oscars. "Brand India has arrived and it is just a beginning. India has the potential to become the content hub of the world. Let us work together to make India the content hub of the world," he told the House. At the Academy Awards, the foot-tapping Telugu chartbuster "Naatu Naatu", composed by MM Keeravaani and penned by Chandrabose, won the Original Song award and made SS Rajamouli's "RRR" the first Indian feature film production to bring home the Oscar. Tamil documentary "The Elephant Whisperers", directed by debutante Kartiki Gonsalves and produc

National Film Heritage Mission a lifeline to Indian cinema: Anurag Thakur

Information and Broadcasting minister Anurag Thakur has said that nearly 1,300 feature and 1,062 short films and documentaries have been digitised under the National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM). Thakur, who reviewed the progress made under the Mission during his visit to the National Film Archives of India in Pune on Saturday, said an additional 2,500 feature and shorts films and documentaries were in the pipeline to be digitized. Till date, 1,293 feature and 1,062 shorts and documentaries have been digitized in 4K and 2K resolution, an official statement said. It said conservation works on 1,433 celluloid reels have been completed in collaboration with an International Agency, L'immagine Ritrovata, the world's foremost expert in film conservation. NFHM is giving a new lifeline to the heritage of Indian cinema, where many films which were not previously accessible at all, will be made available to audience worldwide in the best quality available, while simultaneously ensuring the

Thakur hails role of youth in India's progress; says Pune ideal for Y20

Pune is the ideal location for the fourth 'Y20' consultation meeting as the city has been a beacon of knowledge and culture for generations, in the process attracting students and scholars from across the world, Union Minister for Youth Affairs Anurag Thakur said on Saturday. 'Youth 20' is an official consultation forum for youth from G20 nations to have a dialogue with each other. The theme of the fourth Y20 consultation meet is 'Peace building and Reconciliation: Ushering in an era of no war- the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and the future of work'. Thakur, who was the chief guest at the meet being held in Symbiosis International University (SIU) here, said, "Young people are equal stakeholders in the present. Their role is today, now and here. Look around, India is making headlines as it is the world's fastest growing large economy. From being among fragile five economies in 2014, we are now among the top five economies of the world." "In a span of eight years, we have ...

Misinformation, lies killed thousands globally: Anurag Thakur on Covid-19

Union minister Anurag Thakur on Saturday described the spread of misinformation and lies during the COVID-19 pandemic as "infodemic", and said thousands of people lost their lives due to it across the world. Thakur was speaking at the Youth 20 (Y20) consultation meeting organised at a private university in Pune city. Y20 is an official consultation forum for youth from all G20 member countries to be able to dialogue with each other. Talking about mental health issues, Thakur said, "More than a pandemic, it was an infodemic because of the spread of lies and misinformation. And it led to the loss of thousands and thousands of lives across the world." Infodemic is a blend of two words - information and pandemic or epidemic. "At times, we have to see whether technology is an enabler or not," the Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Youth Affairs and Sports said. He also said that India's position in the world has changed positively. "Today, India decides the position of its nat

Anurag Thakur slams NYT, other foreign media for 'defaming' India, PM

He said, "Some foreign media nourishing a grudge against India and our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi have long been systematically trying to peddle lies about our democracy and pleuritic society

Don't betray India, says Anurag Thakur to Rahul Gandhi, Congress leaders

Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Monday hit out at Rahul Gandhi for his remarks seeking intervention from the US and European nations over "disappearing" democracy in India and asked the Congress leader not to betray the nation. "Don't betray India, Rahul Gandhi ji. The objections to India's foreign policy is an evidence of your scant understanding of the issue. No one will believe the lies you spread about India from foreign soil," Thakur told reporters here. Speaking at a function in London, Gandhi alleged that the structures of Indian democracy were under "brutal attack" and regretted that democratic parts of the world, including the US and Europe, have failed to notice it. "His party had done it earlier, when it took local issues to the United Nations, and now to ask other countries to intervene in India. They have not yet come out of the thought of slavery," the Information and Broadcasting Minister said. Thakur said Gandhi has resorted to "maligning India" from foreign soil as

Rahul Gandhi unable to accept poll defeats, maligning India: Anurag Thakur

Union minister Anurag Thakur on Friday hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his claims of being under surveillance by intelligence agencies and accused him of maligning India on foreign soil after facing successive electoral setbacks. Thakur wondered what prevented Gandhi and other Congress leaders from submitting their phones to a Supreme Court-appointed technical committee that probed the Pegasus snooping issue. Thakur's remarks came after Gandhi claimed in a speech at the Cambridge University that Indian democracy was under threat and that several politicians, including himself, were under surveillance using Israeli spyware Pegasus. "We can understand his hatred towards the prime minister, but the conspiracy to malign the country on foreign soil with the help of foreign friends raises questions on the agenda of the Congress," Thakur, the information and broadcasting minister, told reporters here. Thakur said Gandhi was aware of the electoral rout the Congress was facing

ED raids on Cong leaders should not be given political colour: Thakur

Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur on Saturday said the recent raids by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on the properties of leaders of the ruling Congress in Chhattisgarh should not be given political colour. Those who have "looted" the country would face action, he said, speaking to reporters here. Asked about the Congress accusing the BJP-led Union government of misusing probe agencies against its political opponents, Thakur said, "The probe agencies take action against those who indulge in corruption, and those who have not done corruption should not be scared of them." India is being made "corruption-free" and "the action should not be given political colour," he added. "If anyone has looted the resources of the state and country, then probe agencies take action, the minister added.

New Telecom Bill: National security, consumer safety to be priority

The Department of Telecom (DoT) has resolved issues regarding the possible dilution of the powers of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai)

Anurag Thakur to inaugurate 3-day All-India Taekwondo Championship

Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur to inaugurate the 3-day All-India Taekwondo Championship

Not an era for war, India reiterates, as G20 finance meet starts

India has kept a neutral stance on the war, declining to blame Russia for the invasion, seeking a diplomatic solution and increasing its purchases of Russian oil over the past year

G20 can contribute to finding solutions to global challenges: Anurag Thakur

Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur on Wednesday said the G20 can contribute significantly to find a solution to global challenges such as climate change and geo-political tensions. Speaking at the inaugural session of the G20 Second Finance and Central Bank Deputies (FCBD) Meeting here, he noted that the theme of India's G20 Presidency is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (one earth, one family, one future). The world is facing the lingering effect of COVID pandemic, issues around food and energy security, and inflation, worsening climate change and geo-political tensions, the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, and Youth Affairs & Sports said in his address. He pointed out that the impact of these crises can affect the progress of key developmental paradigm. The G20 can make significant contribution to find pragmatic solutions to these challenges through a focused and thoughtful dialogue and deliberations, he told the gathering. The theme Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' reflects the ...

EC order on Shiv Sena made things crystal clear, asserts Anurag Thakur

Union minister Anurag Thakur has said the Election Commission's decision to recognise the Eknath Shinde-led faction as the real Shiv Sena has made things "crystal clear" and former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray should now understand who actually has the support of party workers. He also taunted Thackeray saying what was the use of repenting over what has been lost. The rival factions led by Maharashtra CM Shinde and his predecessor Thackeray are locked in legal battles over the control of the Shiv Sena. When asked about it, Thakur told reporters in Indore late on Tuesday night that the Election Commission (EC) has given a very detailed decision in this matter. "Iske baad doodh ka doodh aur pani ka pani ho chuka hai (everything is crystal clear now)," the Union Information and Broadcasting Minister said. "Thackeray should now understand who has the number (support) of Shiv Sainiks, party's MLAs, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs. This number alone tells the entire story,"

Netflix global CEO meets union minister Anurag Thakur in New Delhi

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur here on Friday met Netflix Chief Executive Officer Ted Sarandos and discussed the expanding creative economy of the country. During their meeting, Thakur highlighted how India had emerged as a content and post-production hub, backed by the talent of Indians. "Pleasure meeting you Mr Ted Sarandos @netflix, best wishes on your new role! India has emerged as a content & post production hub backed by talent; Our original content is being dubbed globally. Look forward to the story of India & Indians expanding even further across the world," Thakur tweeted. The two also discussed India's regional content which is amongst the most viewed content internationally. In 2022, the central government ministry had announced a partnership with Netflix to produce 25 short films on inspirational stories of individuals and the freedom struggle under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav that celebrated 75 years of independence of India. The first set ..

India now aid giver, lauded for relief operations worldwide: Anurag Thakur

Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur on Friday said India has now emerged as an aid giver that rushes to help nations in need and its efforts in disaster relief operations have been lauded worldwide. "The new India is now extending help to others. India's stature and capabilities have changed. This is the face of transforming India, the face of an empowered India," Thakur said after releasing a book 'Operation Ganga' authored by senior IAS officer Tarun Pithode, on the relief operations mounted to evacuate Indian nationals, mostly students, after war broke out in Ukraine last year. Thakur said when Prime Minister Narendra Modi says this is not an era of war, the world pays attention. "Today, the world looks at India as a land of opportunities, whether it be the International Solar Alliance or our Mission LiFE," he said. In the time of crisis, India has extended help everywhere, be it Nepal, Afghanistan or Sri Lanka, Thakur said. The minister said during the Ukraine

Efforts afoot to have built-in satellite tuners in TV sets: Anurag Thakur

Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur on Monday said efforts are afoot to have a built-in satellite tuner in television sets to offer access to over 200 channels, a move that could make set-top boxes redundant. He said there has been a humongous expansion of general entertainment channels on Free Dish, which has helped attract crores of viewers. "I have made a new beginning in my department. If your television has a built-in satellite tuner, then there will be no need to have a separate set-top box. One can have access to more than 200 channels at the click of the remote," he told reporters. The minister, however, made it clear that the decision in this matter is yet to be taken. In December last year, Thakur had written to Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to issue directions to television manufacturers to adopt the standards issued by the Bureau of Industrial Standards for built-in satellite tuners. Television sets with built-in satel

WPL auction LIVE: Mandhana goes for Rs 3.4 cr to RCB; Harmanpreet to MI

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Uttar Pradesh steadily becoming India's sports hub, says Anurag Thakur

Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Sunday said that Uttar Pradesh is steadily becoming a hub of sports in India as the state is building a strong foundation for athletes to bring medals to the country

Anurag to tour Mumbai South Central LS seat on Monday to shore BJP fortunes

Senior BJP leader Anurag Thakur will visit Mumbai on Monday to shore up the BJP's fortunes in Mumbai South Central Lok Sabha seat, currently held by Rahul Shewale of the Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde faction. The Union minister for Information and Broadcasting, and Sports will tour six assembly constituencies under the Lok Sabha seat and hold meetings with the district core committee to assess the political situation in the region, where elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) are long overdue. Of the six assembly constituencies, the BJP has legislators in two R Tamil Selvan in Sion Koliwada and Kalidas Kolambkar in Wadala. Mahim assembly seat is held by Sada Sarwankar of the Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena. NCP leader Nawab Malik and Congress leader Varsha Gaikwad represent Anushakti Nagar and Dharavi assembly seats respectively. Prakash Phaterpekar from the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction of the Shiv Sena represents Chembur. This will be Thakur's second visit to Mumb