Loknath Das, Author at Triadoro

Apps streaming TV channel may come under regulatory ambit

After introducing new tariff rules for television channel earlier this year, the Telecom Regulatory authority of India (Trai) has now shifted its focus to OTT apps that stream TV channels to bring them under the ambit of regulatory framework.

Carriage of TV programming by apps such as Hotstar, Airtel TV, Sony Liv is currently unregulated. This puts registered broadcasters in a disadvantageous position who are allowed to give content to cable operators and satellite players only under a licensing framework.

When apps show the same channels without paying the carriage charges and licencing fees, it creates disparity, a Trai official was quoted as saying in an ET report.

The broadcasters operate under a licence which is valid for 10 years. Under the cable TV (regulation) Act, the licensee has to comply with the programming and advertising code and must adhere to guidelines set by I&B ministry. Whereas apps come under IT Act, but do not have to seek licence.

Trai is expected to issue a consultation paper on the matter by July-August.

Adding to the complication are broadcasters such as Star India, Sony, Zee and Times Network which have their own streaming apps. For them, OTT platforms are only another medium for viewers to watch TV channels. They view any additional licensing framework an unnecessary hassle.

Broadcasters such as Star India have opposed the move saying that Trai does not have the authority to regulate apps under the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997 as the entire internet ecosystem is regulated by the Information Technology Act, 2000.

However, DTH companies and cable operators’ associations content that a non-level playing field has been created with the same show playing on TV and an app at the same time. They have demanded OTT players be also regulated under the principle of ‘same-service, same-rules’.

With the rising popularity of OTT apps, Trai is wary of being caught off-guard if a legal redressal is sought for the level playing field in the space.

It is of relevance here that Supreme Court has issued a notice to Centre to regulate the content featured on OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hotstar. The petition was filed by an NGO alleging that the online media streaming platforms show “uncertified, sexually explicit and vulgar” content.

[“source=entrackr”]

ISRO Launch Live: Online Registrations to Watch PSLV C-46 RISAT 2B Launch Live from Sriharikota Begins

ISRO launch live is something space science enthusiasts across the length and breadth of the country look forward to doing. In order to encourage such viewers, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has opened up the online registrations to watch the take-off of the ISRO PSLV C-46 RISAT 2B launch live from Sriharikota. The ISRO PSLV C-46 RISAT 2B launch is scheduled on 22 May 2019 at 5:27 am IST.

While only 1200 viewers could witness the PSLV-C45 launch live from the launch view gallery last month, this time it is expected that 5000 registrations will be allowed. “1200 people watched and enjoyed today’s PSLVC-45 launch from the new viewers’ gallery at Sriharikota. Next time we will have 5000 people watching the launch,” Dr K Sivan, Chairman, ISRO, had said last month.

The launch view gallery has a clear line of sight to two launch pads along with large screens placed to explain the launcher and satellite features. Also, replicas of all the ISRO launch vehicles like the Sounding Rocket, ASLV, PSLV, Mk-III, SLV, and GSLV will be available at the Space Theme Park along with a provision to go inside. A Space Museum educating viewers of the history of the Indian Space Research Organisation will also be created.

How to Register to Watch the ISRO Launch Live?

Viewers need to log onto to the official website of SDSC SHAR, and go to a microsite “Click here for registering to witness PSLV-C46/RISAT-2B Mission”. Viewers will first need to send a valid email address and get it verified, after which they can proceed with the online registrations to watch the ISRO launch live. Following which, visitor details such as individual or institute, no of people visiting, mode of transport and vehicle number needs to be submitted. Visitor’s contact details need to be provided after which terms and conditions need to be accepted. The final step would be the visitor’s capcha verification. The website mentions that 550 visitors have already registered to watch the ISRO launch live.

ISRO PSLV C-46 RISAT 2B: What is PSLV?

PSLV full form is Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. The launch vehicle was developed to allow the country to launch its Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites into sun-synchronous orbits. This was commercially available only from Russia service until the advent of the PSLV in 1993. The PSLV-C46 mission, which will be the 72nd launch vehicle mission from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota and 36th launch from the First Launch pad, is the 14th flight of PSLV in ‘core-alone’ configuration, which means without the use of solid strap-on motors.

RISAT-2B, which is a Radar imaging earth observation satellite, will be placed into an orbit of 555 km at an inclination of 37 degree, says ISRO. The satellite possesses day and night as well as all-weather monitoring capability, thus helping in providing the country with real-time information.

[“source=dqindia”]

5 Ways To Make Money Online In India

Internet access and a digital device can open a world of opportunities for you. It is also possible to make money online that does not require you to have a specific qualification requirement or experience.

However, make sure you verify the authenticity of the website before you enter any kind of agreement. Also, while these may seem like easy ways to earn the extra buck, it requires consitency and dedication, like any other job, for it to give any significant results.

PTC websites

Paid-to-click (PTC) is an online business model where one can make money by clicking on and reading advertisements for around 30 seconds and receive payment for doing so.

These PTC websites act as middlemen between the viewers and the advertisers. It charges the advertisers for driving online traffic and with the same revenue pays the clickers for their time.

The payments are made in the form of money or gift cards.

The service may be extended to completing surveys, playing games, etc where you will be required to provide your feedback on a company’s product (like the game) or take a survey being conducted by the company.

Note: There are multiple fraudulent websites that claim to offer these service. Make sure to verify the authenticity.

Google AdSense

Google AdSense is an advertisement service whereby publishers of content get a chance to make money by placing ads on their website. These ads are managed, sorted and administered by Google.

However, making money from AdSense is not as easy as the PTC site. You can either start a website, or a blog (using Google’s blogger) or a YouTube channel (also a Google product) wherein you create content and drive traffic to your work.

The money is driven by the number of people that visit your website or channel. You will be paid for the number of viewers that see the ads or click on it.

To earn a higher income, you need to make content that drives greater traffic to the website, blog or videos.

Online selling

If you have the skill of making handicraft or any product that can be shipped to customers, you can open an online store and start selling.

Apart from dedicating a website for your product, you can tie up with large online retailers like Amazon, Flipkart, Zomato or Swiggy to help connect you with potential buyers and help you with making the delivery.

If you can make products like a mugs, rugs, designer wear, etc, you can sell these on Amazon or Flipkart. You need not make these products, you could even be a dealer who buys from producers.

Online selling is also big for chefs and cooks that lack an infrastructure for a restaurant or would like to drive higher sales than usual. Food delivery apps like Zomato and Swiggy enable order pick up and drop for food-makers.

Services by these brands are highly reliable and help you save on dedicating time and money towards marketing and delivery. You will, however, have to invest in packaging expenses as expected by the online retailer’s standards.

4. Freelancing

There are online website services that connect users with clients looking for freelancing jobs. These are popular among writers, graphic designers and software developers who have the freedom to work for Indian as well as international clients and sometimes earn in dollars.

If you do not wish to engage with a middleman, some content websites also connect directly with writers, graphic designers and software developers to create work that is paid on project basis.

These jobs not only allow the freelancers to work within the comfort of their home but gives them the opportunity to work as and when they can. It is also ideal for those looking to build their work portfolio at the early stages of their career.

5. Online market trading

There are multiple stock brokerage companies that allow you trade in equities, commodities or any investment instrument of your liking using just an app on your phone. However, stock trading comes with a great amount of unpredictability where you can stand to lose your money.

You will have to keep yourself updated with news in the business and political world and study the complex aspects of financial market on a regular basis.

With an internet connection, you have a plethora of websites and videos to read news and learn how to invest in the stock markets.

[“source=goodreturns”]

From patterns to personality: how creativity helps you find your own unique voice

PhotoSparks is a weekly feature from YourStory, with photographs that celebrate the spirit of creativity and innovation. In the earlier 335 posts, we featured an art festival, cartoon gallery. world music festival, telecom expo, millets fair, climate change expo, wildlife conference, startup festival, Diwali rangoli, and jazz festival.

As explained in books like The Creative Curve and Creative Confidence, the value of creativity is at a premium in a globalised, digitally connected world, where change and disruption are the new normal. It’s not just the number of ideas you have, but their quality, originality and customer or community value that are important.

Creativity can be cultivated by keenly observing patterns and connections in the world around us, engaging with audiences, and iterating ideas and prototypes. Engaging with the field and getting regular feedback helps build creative confidence and overcome fears about risk and mistakes.

In a chat with YourStory, insights on such creative patterns were shared by Satish Pujari,

Senior 3D Animator, Technicolor. Satish is also an artist, and his works are being showcased at the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat in Bengaluru. He graduated from Vijay Mahantesh Lalitakala Mahavidyalay in Hubballi, and was also team lead at Tata Elxsi’s Visual Computing Lab.

In this photo essay, we feature some of Satish’s works, along with samples of the other exhibiting artists: Sanjay Chapolkar, Nilanjan Guha, Vidhu Pillai, Ravindra Mahale, Nagabhushan, Satish Biradar, Vittal Kulkarni, H Sheshechala, and Ram Mohan.

Satish has been in the animation field for over 15 years, but has also created a range of unique paintings that feature bonsai trees. As shown in this photo essay, some of the bonsai trees also seem to have elements of animals, birds and human characters – such as eagles, peacocks, snails, and even a pregnant woman.

“Making a connection between patterns and finishing a work of art is itself an act of success,” Satish explains. He also sees success for himself as an artist in making a deep connect with audiences.

His art works are priced in the range Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000. “If someone shows an obvious liking to my painting but says he is unable to pay the full price, I don’t mind giving a discount. What matters is seeing that the art work gives him happiness,” Satish says, though he jokes that other artists may not see things his way.

The message he wishes to convey through his art is respect for nature, both plant and animal life – hence the duality of both forms in his works. “Imagine if all Indian citizens had to plant a tree in order to get an Aadhar card, and if the government then gave you benefits for planting the tree – how green India would be,” Satish explains philosophically.

He also offers advice for aspiring artists. “Observe the style of other artists, but don’t imitate them. Learn from them but don’t copy them – focus instead on developing your own unique style, based on your technique and the connections and meaning you see in the world,” he explains.

“Develop your own talent. Don’t constrain your creativity,” Satish signs off.

Now, what have you done today to pause in your busy schedule and see how to build impactful connections with the shifting trends around you?

Got a creative photograph to share? Email us at [email protected]!

See also the YourStory pocketbook ‘Proverbs and Quotes for Entrepreneurs: A World of Inspiration for Startups,’ accessible as apps for Apple and Android devices.

[“source=yourstory”]