Latest news with #BhaskarRao
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘Longer waits, manual overrides': Ex-top cop sparks debate on Bengaluru's new AI traffic signals
BJP leader and former Bengaluru Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao on Wednesday condemned the use of artificial intelligence-powered traffic signals in the city, terming them 'counter productive'. He took to social media site X and posted that the new AI-powered traffic signals in Bengaluru are causing longer waits and making commutes worse. Manual overrides are also becoming a common occurrence, he said. Rao, who first joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and switched to the BJP later, added that the "smart" electric meters in auto rickshaws are no better. READ | Nithin and Nikhil Kamath's mother says she raised sons with 'nutritious food': 'Never ever ordered outside food' 'The New signals with AI in Bengaluru seems to be counter productive. Longer waiting time..!! Manual intervention is going on. Journey time is taking longer. Similar is the experience with Smart Electrical Meters, again manual intervention. Who in the Government is doing this,' he wrote. 'Exciting Intervention with IT…Brilliant IT Minister should also address constant 'Server Down' in Revenue and Sub Registrar offices.. @PriyankKharge can leave Trump and Modi to run the world, he could address t the Citizens Issues,' he added, tagging BESCOM, the power supply body of Bengaluru, as well as the city's Joint Commissioner of Police for traffic. READ | Bengaluru traffic '5X worse' after bike taxi ban? Residents complain of choking roads He also shared a video of an auto rickshaw driver who echoed the sentiments and said the old signals were better for daily commutes. The post quickly garnered attention online, and accumulated over 13,000 views at the time this article is being written. It also triggered a discussion on Bengaluru's never-ending traffic woes, with a social media user writing, 'Japanese have probably designed the algorithms considering lane discipline and roads of Japan . Tech is not translating to the chaos of our city.' READ | 'Two bombs…': Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport gets hoax bomb threat 'VAC signals are a farce, they have set a fixed timing for pedestrians and it defeats the very purpose of vehicle authentication, some signals turn red after 15 seconds even though a long pile up is there,' another posted. "The Japanese "Moderato" AI traffic signals were just a huge waste of money! Instead of that, govt must've just speeded up metro construction," a user said.
The Hindu
07-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Bengaluru stampede: Bhaskar Rao says police made scapegoats to shield political leadership
Former Bengaluru Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao sought the resignation of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, and Home Minister G. Parameshwara, holding them responsible for the death of 11 persons in a stampede during the celebrations of the victory of Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL. Speaking to media persons in Mysuru on June 7, Mr. Rao said the buck stops with the Chief Minister, the Deputy CM and the Home Minister, and they should resign. 'It is their criminal negligence that led to the stampede in which 11 persons lost their lives.' Criticising the suspension of police officials, including Bengaluru Police Commissioner B. Dayananda, Mr. Rao called it a brazen attempt to shield the political leadership and deflect responsibility. Solo protest by Bengaluru policeman The suspension of Mr. Dayananda and others amounts to humiliating the entire police department which, Mr. Rao said, was now demoralised as officials have been made scapegoats. The officials could have been sent on leave or transferred, but instead the government choose to suspend them, he added. The suspended officers could approach the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) and challenge it, but they may not do so fearing political retaliation or loss of rapport with the political leadership, said Mr. Bhaskar Rao. He called for a judicial probe by a sitting High Court judge, not a retired one, and insisted that political figures must also be investigated. ''Mr. Siddaramaiah comes across as a weak and timid Chief Minister in his second tenure, and one wonders who is advising him as he is stumbling and committing one mistake after another,' said Mr. Rao The former IPS officer questioned the hasty organisation of the victory parade, held within hours of RCB's IPL win, and accused the government of Karnataka of trying to hijack the team's victory for political mileage. 'Did the government sponsor the team, select the players, or train them? It had no role, yet tried to bask in its glory,' he said, adding that such celebrations have traditionally occurred days after the victory, not immediately. ''The government wanted to endear itself with the youth and seems to be in a tearing hurry to organise the event though it is neither the victory of the State or the country. It was after all a victory of a club,' he added. He accused the political leadership of bowing to pressure from the BCCI and the IPL to conduct the victory parade, and said the elected government is responsible for seven crore people, and not for a few organisations or individuals.
NDTV
07-06-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
A Commissioner As A Scapegoat For Colossal, Collective Failure?
The stampede at the Chinnaswamy Stadium is among the most tragic events I have witnessed in my life as a reporter. I was there at 2 pm, dancing and singing with the crowds in an RCB jersey. I am not an IPL fan, did not even watch the final, yet at the stadium, it felt like an India World Cup win. Everyone was carried away - young to old, all congregated. As the clock ticked along, the crowds thronged and thronged. By 4 pm, I began moving out towards Cubbon Park. It was clear that chaos would unravel, but no one expected a tragedy of this scale. A few policemen were desperately trying - and failing. The traffic was a mess; there was no way you could even walk. The stadium gates wouldn't hold fort. People started climbing over the gates from the adjoining walls. The security guard at Gate 21 told me a day later that he ran for his life. "If I stayed, I'd have died as well," he said to me casually. No one anticipated what would unravel - that 11 young, tender lives would be snuffed out and over 40 would be injured. I was angry with myself for drumming up the fervour. Everyone has to reflect: the government, the police, RCB, KSCA, the journalists who were building the frenzy, and the cricketers, too. Multiple questions were raised, and the final answer is - it wasn't worth it. But this is not India's first stampede. I'm not sure this will be the last. Now, fixing the blame and taking legal action is due process. Cases have been filed. Organisers and police officers have faced legal action. But the political leadership remains immune, with just emotional statements of "shock." The question now is whether the suspension of an IPS officer of ADGP rank - the Commissioner of Police - along with two other IPS officers and two other policemen, is a fair call. Especially since a formal inquiry report is awaited. Prima facie, everyone seems to have done something wrong, but the government is yet to state on the record exactly who asked for the celebratory events in such a tearing hurry, what the police said, and who was part of the decision. It was a collective failure. Against this backdrop, suspending the top cop is a huge hit on the police force. The morale will take a huge hit. One serving young officer asked me, "If the commissioner can't protect himself, why would we follow his orders? It's very demotivating." Transfers of senior officers and suspensions of those lower down the hierarchy in the force are a professional hazard that officers accept as par for the course. But a suspension of this scale, despite the nature of the tragedy, has shaken them up. If the commissioner is suspended, then shouldn't the Home Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and Chief Minister also face action? Serving officers are angry. Former officers have firmly expressed a demand for revocation of the suspension. Even those with the BJP - like former Commissioner Bhaskar Rao - have categorically demanded the suspension be revoked and have told their party to demand the same. The suspension order of an IPS officer has to be ratified by the Centre in 30 days. There is pressure from IPS officers on the Centre not to ratify the suspension of the commissioner and the other IPS officers. The state government may have gone too far with the suspensions, and it also reflects that they have admitted to the guilt of a failure. Their argument is that the event at the stadium was a private event, and the commissioner did not brief the CM and ministers clearly about the plan. However, the full truth has to be placed on record, and versions need to be investigated. If there is categorical proof of guilt, then action must be taken - no matter how senior the officer is. However, until such categorical proof is declared in public, suspending such a senior officer has rattled the force, and this may not be taken lightly. It will be important to see whether the Union Home Ministry will ratify the order. Finally, as a young IPS officer said, "Okay, suspend the commissioner, but let the CM, DyCM, or HM also suspend themselves or go on a leave of absence, taking moral responsibility till the magisterial report comes." Ultimately, it's a colossal, collective failure. Everyone needs to reflect and share the guilt. Penal action is essential - but against all those responsible, especially the political leadership, which our celebrated cricketers basked in the glory with on stage for a feat they had nothing to do with.
India Today
07-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Security forces eliminate top Maoist leader with reward of Rs 45 Lakh
As part of the ongoing anti-Naxal operation in the National Park area of Bijapur district in Chhattisgarh, security forces have recovered the body of an high-ranking Maoist leader, who was killed during an encounter. His body was recovered on Friday, along with an AK-47 rifle, explosives and other arms and identification indicated the recovered body to be of Bhaskar Rao alias Mailarapu Adellu a member of the Telangana State Committee of the CPI (Maoist) outfit. advertisementBhaskar, a resident of Adilabad district in Telangana, was the Secretary of the Mancherial-Komarambheem (MKB) division of the Telangana State Committee of the CPI (Maoist) outfit. He was also a member of the Special Zonal Committee (SZC) of the Telangana State Committee and had a total bounty of Rs 45 lakh on him. This includes a bounty of Rs 25 lakh in Chhattisgarh and Rs 20 lakhs in Telangana. Earlier, on Thursday, the dead body of Central Committee member Gautam alias Sudhakar was recovered by the forces during the operation. An Ak-47 rifle was also recovered from him. Must Watch
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SGI Q1 Earnings Call: Revenue Miss, Guidance Cut, and Tariff Mitigation Plans Detailed
Bedding manufacturer Somnigroup (NYSE:SGI) missed Wall Street's revenue expectations in Q1 CY2025, but sales rose 34.9% year on year to $1.6 billion. Its non-GAAP EPS of $0.49 per share was 5.1% above analysts' consensus estimates. Is now the time to buy SGI? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Revenue: $1.6 billion (34.9% year-on-year growth) Adjusted EPS: $0.49 vs analyst estimates of $0.47 (5.1% beat) Adjusted Operating Income: $182.8 million vs analyst estimates of $185.4 million (11.4% margin, 1.4% miss) Management lowered its full-year Adjusted EPS guidance to $2.47 at the midpoint, a 11.6% decrease Operating Margin: 0.8%, down from 11.1% in the same quarter last year Market Capitalization: $13.6 billion Somnigroup's first quarter performance was shaped by the initial integration of Mattress Firm and the ongoing launch of new product lines, particularly the Sealy Posturepedic collection in North America. CEO Scott Thompson cited 'continued strong performance in our international business' and highlighted solid mid-single-digit sales growth in key markets, despite the impact of foreign exchange. Management also addressed weaker-than-expected U.S. consumer demand over the President's Day period and a challenging market backdrop. The company's operational focus included expanding distribution, accelerating private label initiatives, and streamlining logistics, all of which were intended to counteract industry headwinds and drive market share gains. Looking forward, Somnigroup's revised outlook reflects lowered expectations for the U.S. bedding market, with management now projecting a mid-single-digit industry decline for the year. CFO Bhaskar Rao attributed the guidance cut primarily to a 'rapid change in consumer confidence or sentiment in the U.S.,' describing it as volatile and policy-driven. The company plans to offset new tariff costs by combining supplier negotiations and price increases, which are set to take effect in the third quarter. Management emphasized upcoming marketing campaigns and the ongoing rollout of the Sealy collection as potential drivers for a modest second-half improvement, though they cautioned that overall industry demand is likely to remain subdued. Management discussed the integration of Mattress Firm, evolving market conditions, and the company's response to tariff developments as major themes impacting the quarter. International business momentum: The international segment, led by the Tempur brand, delivered mid-single-digit sales growth on a reported basis and high single digits in constant currency. Management highlighted the success of new Tempur products and an expanded price range that increased distribution opportunities and market reach. Sealy Posturepedic launch progress: The comprehensive rebranding and rollout of the Sealy Posturepedic collection in North America was a major operational focus. Early locations showed encouraging results, and the product is expected to be widely available by Memorial Day, supported by a national advertising campaign. Mattress Firm integration and synergies: Somnigroup completed the first phase of integrating Mattress Firm, focusing on leadership alignment, cost reduction, and logistics optimization. The company increased its near-term synergy target for 2025 to $15 million and is leveraging Mattress Firm's home delivery network for enhanced operational efficiency. Tariff mitigation strategy: Facing new tariffs, Somnigroup acted to reduce exposure through supplier changes and cost-sharing arrangements. The remaining impact will be addressed by a 2% price increase in North America, effective in the third quarter, with management expecting the combination of actions to fully offset the tariff cost. Advertising and merchandising changes: Somnigroup is doubling down on advertising scale, aiming for more effective campaigns by aligning messaging and leveraging buying power. Mattress Firm is also expanding its assortment through new vendor partnerships and increasing the share of Tempur Sealy-manufactured products, including an expanded private label offering. Somnigroup's updated outlook centers on cautious U.S. consumer sentiment, cost pressures from tariffs, and the pace of synergy realization from the Mattress Firm acquisition. Consumer confidence uncertainty: Management attributed the lower guidance to a double-digit decline in U.S. consumer confidence, which it sees as the main determinant of short-term demand. While this index is considered highly volatile and policy-sensitive, any recovery in sentiment could improve sales trends. Tariff pass-through and cost management: The company expects to manage increased tariff-related costs by shifting suppliers and raising prices. While these actions are intended to neutralize the margin impact, there is a lag in implementation, leading to a temporary headwind in the second quarter. New product and marketing initiatives: The ongoing rollout of the Sealy Posturepedic collection and the reimagined Mattress Firm advertising campaign are expected to drive incremental demand in the second half. Management is also focused on merchandising changes and expanded vendor partnerships to enhance store traffic and average order value. In the coming quarters, the StockStory team will be watching (1) the pace of synergy realization and operational improvements following the Mattress Firm acquisition, (2) the market response to new product launches and expanded vendor partnerships, and (3) the effectiveness of tariff mitigation and price increase strategies. Progress on these fronts, as well as shifts in U.S. consumer confidence, will be key indicators of future performance. Somnigroup currently trades at a forward P/E ratio of 22.7×. Should you double down or take your chips? See for yourself in our full research report (it's free). Market indices reached historic highs following Donald Trump's presidential victory in November 2024, but the outlook for 2025 is clouded by new trade policies that could impact business confidence and growth. 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