Quote of the Day

Having my integrity left, earning the respect my job gives is tough- PD

Internet and e-Commerce Misused - 26 Million Americans Duped Online

The chief of Saradha group Sudipto Sen was detained as he was cooling his heels from the 'heaven on earth' Kashmir, little he knows that hell like situation is awaiting eagerly for him and his accomplices once he lands in Kolkata. His empire of 120 companies ranged from real estate, chit funds and media.

Well, if you thought it were poor Indians who fell into such ponzie schemes, you (Americans) need to be alert once again.According to an FTC data for 2011 an estimated 25.6 Million Americans (10.8 percent of the adult population) fell victim to fraud of various kinds.

Victim Who?
The fast paced online or e-commerce businesses have certainly has benefitted consumers leaving them with higher choice added with convenience, however it’s not always true as consumers are vulnerable and do not know the kind of risks associated with online transactions. The online section (email, social media, auction sites and classified ads, followed by print advertising, and TV and radio) is an ensemble mix of wrong doings as well.

Most consumers bought fraudulent items via Internet and telephone respectively.

15 specific categories of fraud

• Weight-loss Products (5.1 million estimated)
• Prize Promotions (2.4 million est.)
• Unauthorized Billing for Buyers’ Club Memberships (1.9 million est.)
• Unauthorized Billing for Internet Services (1.9 million est.)
• Work-at-Home Programs (1.8 million est.)
• Credit Repair Scams (1.7 million est.)
• Debt Relief (1.5 million est.)
• Credit Card Insurance (1.3 million est.)
• Business Opportunities (1.1 million est.)
• Mortgage Relief Scams (800,000 est.)

Types of Victims (Classification)

a) Consumers who were more willing to take risks and those who had recently experienced a negative life event (such as a divorce, death of a family member or close friend, serious injury or illness in their family, or the loss of a job) were much more likely to have been victims.
b) Consumers who indicated they had more debt than they could handle were significantly more likely to have been fraud victims than those who were more comfortable with the amount of debt they had.

Conclusion – If an advanced population can fall prey to such online deceits, imagine what can possibly happen at the third world nations. The government should take a look at this alarming situation.

Indian Cinema 100 years celebrated in Delhi

Cut and uncut festival and Screening of Silent film Throw of Dice 

In an effort to bring the festival to the doorstep of film lovers in the capital the government is celebrating “100 years of Indian Cinema.” The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is organizing a six day Centenary Film Festival to celebrate Indian Cinema and it’s glory. The Festival begins on April 25th, at Siri Fort auditorium as well as other venues such as Jamia Milia University, Jawaharlal Nehru University and India Habitat Center. The inauguration will be followed with the screening of a silent film "Throw of Dice' accompanied with LIVE musical orchestra by maestro Nishat Khan.  

The six day extravaganza will show Screenings of some classics as well as contemporary Indian films by

• Bimal Roy
• Guru Dutt
• Shyam Benegal
• Adoor Gopalakrishnan

The festival should pay respects one of the best actors who are no longer around us, they include

• Balraj Sahni
• Dev Anand
• Shammi Kapoor
• Rajesh Khanna

The films being screened represent a sprinkling of various flavours of Indian cinema cutting across major film producing regions in the country. Eminent film makers and actors have been invited to interact with the audiences over the course of the six day festival.

A key highlight of the festival –

“Satyajit Ray Retrospective”- which includes  rich content procured by the Films Division’s archive, news reels documentaries, shorts, features and animation films on diverse subjects.

 “Cut-Uncut” – is a three day workshop conceived and executed by CBFC (Censor Board). This event will showcase the growth and evolution of censorship in Indian cinema, through workshops and insightful panel discussions. It will also show rare censored scenes from the films in the past. It will screen Anurag Kashyap's 'Gangs of Wasseypur' and 'Subramaniapuram' a Tamil movie. 

At the end a play on the life and times of Dadasaheb Phalke by Aamir Raza Hussain would be shown on 30th April. The Centenary celebrations would culminate in the National Film Award ceremony at Vigyan Bhavan on 3rd May. The awards including the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award will be conferred by the Hon’ble President of India.

Image source – Viacom 18 and bombaytalkies

Tongam Rina - Arunachal Journalist On her way to Germany

Braveheart journalist Ms.Tongam Rina will be heading Germany this month. The Associate editor of Arunachal Times, Ms Tongam has has been invited by “Hamburger Stiftung” and will stay for a year, a Press Release said. Hamburger Stiftung is a German NGO that cares for journalists in need.

It should be remembered that Tongam (then 32) was shot at a point-blank range when she was entering her office in Itanagar on 15 July 2012. She was shot by men and bullets tore through her stomach and ultimately hit her vertebrae.The culprits are unfortunately still unidentified. Hamburger Stiftung is responsible for organising and sponsoring her visit and stay in Germany. For one-year Ms. Rina is expected to interact with German colleagues, learn more about political and economic developments in Germany and Europe, pursue own projects. Besides, during her stay, Tongam Rina can report as a permanent Indian correspondent from Germany – most probably the only one at present.

NOTE- Kolkata journalists can meet Ms. Rina German Consul General on Monday, 15 April 2013, at lunchtime.


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