A Correspondent

Stories by A Correspondent

Sonia's key aide Ahmed Patel opts out of RS race

Sonia's key aide Ahmed Patel opts out of RS race

Rediff.com   13 Apr 2011

Ahmed Patel's third tenure in the Upper House ends in August this year. He has opted out of the election despite the Congress having enough votes from Gujarat to ensure his re-election to the Upper House. Naturally, his decision to not enter Parliament again has surprised many, and speculation is rife over the decision

NSA gets a staff boost

NSA gets a staff boost

Rediff.com   11 Apr 2011

The prime minister's office has approved setting up of a Strategic Programme Staff to function under the National Security Advisor. This unique back up to National Security Advisor will be headed by a secretary level officer, to be packed with directors and deputy secretaries as staff members.

PM briefs President on the Lokpal standoff

PM briefs President on the Lokpal standoff

Rediff.com   8 Apr 2011

In the midst of continued stand-off between the government and civil society activists on the proposed Lokpal bill, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday met President Pratibha Patil and briefed her about the efforts being made to resolve the issue.

Anna Hazare to fast unto death over Lokpal Bil

Anna Hazare to fast unto death over Lokpal Bil

Rediff.com   4 Apr 2011

Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare will observe fast unto death from Tuesday until the government enacts a comprehensive law such as the Jan Lokpal Bill to tackle the menace.

Chiranjeevi to meet Sonia to finalise merger

Chiranjeevi to meet Sonia to finalise merger

Rediff.com   20 Mar 2011

Praja Rajyam Party chief and film star Chiranjeevi is to meet Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on Monday afternoon to discuss the merger arrangements between the two parties.

EC transfers 4 collectors, 7 IPS officers in TN

EC transfers 4 collectors, 7 IPS officers in TN

Rediff.com   19 Mar 2011

In the poll bound Tamil Nadu..the Election Commission went on a transfer overdrive on Saturday, shifting 4 collectors and 7 senior Indian Police Service officers.

Advani blasts PM over 'indefensible defence'

Advani blasts PM over 'indefensible defence'

Rediff.com   19 Mar 2011

Bhartiya Janata Party veteran leader Lal Krishna Advani on Saturday blasted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for putting up "indefensible defence" of bribery his Congress Party paid to survive the trust vote in the Lok Sabha in July 2008, in the wake of the WikiLeaks expose by citing the 2009 elections as the answer to the charge.

Panel seeks report on killing of Indian fishermen

Panel seeks report on killing of Indian fishermen

Rediff.com   19 Mar 2011

The National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to the ministry of external affairs, based on a complaint filed by Bharatiya Janata Party president Nitin Gadkari, about barbaric killings of more than 500 fishermen in the past few decades by the Sri Lankan Navy.

Enviroment ministry puts Nirma plant on hold

Enviroment ministry puts Nirma plant on hold

Rediff.com   12 Mar 2011

The Environment and Forests Ministry has put on hold construction of Nirma's 1.91 tonne per annum capacity cement plant, along with its captive power and coke oven plant near Padhiarka village in Bhavnagar district. It has sent them a show-cause notice, as to why its environment clearance of December 2008 should not be revoked.

Sonia to deliver Commonwealth lecture in London

Sonia to deliver Commonwealth lecture in London

Rediff.com   11 Mar 2011

Congress President Sonia Gandhi will be away from Delhi for three days next week to deliver the 14th Commonwealth lecture in London on March 17.

Advani cheers up Swaraj after Gadkari's CVC dig

Advani cheers up Swaraj after Gadkari's CVC dig

Rediff.com   11 Mar 2011

Upset over Bharatiya Janata Party president Nitin Gadkari ticking her off at a his press conference in New Delhi on Wednesday, a sulking Lok Sabha Opposition leader Sushma Swaraj tried to lodge her protest by skipping a meeting of the Central Election Committee held on Thursday to decide candidates for the upcoming assembly elections.

ACSU: Why DDCA official was in dressing room

ACSU: Why DDCA official was in dressing room

Rediff.com   11 Mar 2011

Pradeep Agarwal, a member of the DDCA's sports working committee, was seen in the Indian dressing room, where only team members and officials are allowed.

CWG: CBI files cases against Delhi local bodies

CWG: CBI files cases against Delhi local bodies

Rediff.com   10 Mar 2011

The Central Bureau of Investigation on Thursday went beyond probing only the officials of the Suresh Kalmadi-led Commonwealth Games Organising Committee to start cracking on those allegedly involved in corruption in construction and renovation of the stadiums.

Karunanidhi to thank Sonia for saving alliance

Karunanidhi to thank Sonia for saving alliance

Rediff.com   7 Mar 2011

After a see-saw week, the Congress-Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam alliance seems to firmly back on track with reports suggesting that DMK chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi will speak to Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday and thank her for the Congress's acceptance of their seat-sharing formula.

Government plans to publicise bureaucrats' assets

Government plans to publicise bureaucrats' assets

Rediff.com   7 Mar 2011

In a bid to change the public perception of bureaucrats as being corrupt, the government has initiated a move that will require them to put details their assets on a government website and update them every year.

We don't expect a patch up, says Alagiri

We don't expect a patch up, says Alagiri

Rediff.com   6 Mar 2011

In a further jolt to the fragile ties between the Congress and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Union minister for Chemicals and DMK leader MK Alagiri has said that, " We (DMK) have no expectations of a patch-up with the Congress. The split will not affect our poll results."

Yogathon draws thousands across US

Yogathon draws thousands across US

Rediff.com   1 Mar 2011

Despite the unusually chilly weather, the 10,071 participants in 225 cities and towns in 40 states warmed themselves during this two-week Yogathon with 984,481 repetitions of the yoga routine. Participating organisations included 17 public schools, 25 universities, 14 yoga schools, and many temples.

In New York, a protest against corruption in India

In New York, a protest against corruption in India

Rediff.com   1 Mar 2011

The discussion was civil, most of it mature and nuanced, some of it a little more passionate.

Bharat Gaurav Award for cancer specialist

Bharat Gaurav Award for cancer specialist

Rediff.com   1 Mar 2011

Past recipients of the award include Mother Teresa, cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, actors Dev Anand, Shammi Kapoor and Rajesh Khanna, among others.

US Congress honours Indian American cardiologist

US Congress honours Indian American cardiologist

Rediff.com   28 Feb 2011

A tribute to Indian American cardiologist Dr Rao Musunuru was entered into the Congressional Record during the first session of the 112th United States Congress on January 6, for his extensive community service and medical, scientific, humanitarian, educational and philanthropic contributions, by United States Representative Gus Bilirakis, Florida Republican.