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US regulator to vote to rollback Obama’s net neutrality rules
Washington, Nov 22 (IANS) The US Federal Communications Commission has announced that it will vote next month to rollback rules adopted in 2015 that require Internet service providers to treat all online traffic equally, a media report said.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Ajit Pai said in a statement on Tuesday that the so-called net neutrality rules “imposed heavy-handed, utility-style regulations” upon the Internet that have “depressed investment in building and expanding broadband networks”, Xinhua news agency reported.
“Today I have shared with my colleagues a draft order that would abandon this failed approach and return to the longstanding consensus that served consumers well for decades,” Pai said.
“Under my proposal, the federal government will stop micromanaging the Internet.”
The FCC will vote on the proposal, known as Restoring Internet Freedom Order, at its December 14 open meeting.
Jessica Rosenworcel, a Democrat FCC Commissioner, lashed out at Pai’s proposal as “ridiculous and offensive to the millions of Americans who use the Internet every day”.
Mignon L. Clyburn, another Democrat FCC Commissioner, criticized the plan as “simply a giveaway to the nation’s largest communications companies, at the expense of consumers and innovation”.
However, Pai’s proposal is almost certain to pass, with Republicans controlling three of the commission’s five seats.
Under the rules adopted in 2015 under former President Barack Obama, internet service providers may not block or degrade access to legal content, applications, services or non-harmful devices.
They also may not favour some lawful Internet traffic over other lawful traffic in exchange for payment.
In addition, the Obama-era rules ban providers from prioritizing content and services of their affiliates.
In the past two years, AT&T Inc. and other broadband providers have asked the US Supreme Court to overturn the net neutrality rules.
Michael Beckerman, President and CEO of Internet Association, a trade association that represents Internet companies such as Amazon, Google and Facebook, said that Pai’s proposal, if implemented, “represents the end of net neutrality as we know it and defies the will of millions of Americans”.
Jonathan Spalter, CEO of the industry group USTelecom, welcomed the move as a critical step towards “closing the digital divide and ensuring net neutrality protections for all”.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.