A Correspondent In Washington, DC

Stories by A Correspondent In Washington, DC

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.

Hazare threatens fast unto death for Lokpal bill

Hazare threatens fast unto death for Lokpal bill

Rediff.com   26 Feb 2011

Veteran social activist Kisan Baburao alias Anna Hazare is going on fast unto death at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi from March 5 to press for Parliament to enact the 'Jan Lokpal bill' drafted by former Supreme Court Judge Santosh Hegde to effectively tackle corruption in the government.

Jamshed Bharucha to head Cooper Union College

Jamshed Bharucha to head Cooper Union College

Rediff.com   25 Feb 2011

Mumbai-born Jamshed Bharucha will take charge as president of the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, one of the topmost educational institutions in the United States.

Sibal riles BJP with comments on 2G scam

Sibal riles BJP with comments on 2G scam

Rediff.com   24 Feb 2011

Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal brought the government into another stand-off with the Bhartiya Janata Party, accusing it of stalling Parliament in the winter session to prevent the cover up the National Democratic Alliance regime's lapses.

Ahmed Patel declines Wakf Board post

Ahmed Patel declines Wakf Board post

Rediff.com   24 Feb 2011

Reacting sharply to his appointment as a member of the Gujarat state Wakf Board by Chief Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Ahmed Patil said that he would not be able to take up the post.

Ship to reach Libya by Saturday to rescue Indians

Ship to reach Libya by Saturday to rescue Indians

Rediff.com   23 Feb 2011

With the situation in Libya remaining volatile, government on Tuesday said it was putting in place plans for possible evacuation of Indians whose number is around 18,000.

M K Stalin to meet A Raja in Tihar jail

M K Stalin to meet A Raja in Tihar jail

Rediff.com   23 Feb 2011

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin is in New Delhi on Wednesday and is expected to visit colleague and former Telecom Minister A Raja in the Tihar jail.

US: No respite for Tri Valley students

US: No respite for Tri Valley students

Rediff.com   23 Feb 2011

A tremendous effort made by the Indian government to stop the arrest and harassment of the Indian students who are victims of the Tri-Valley University seems in vain, as students are still been taken to the detention center by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.

Cong faces obstacles over tenure, staffing of JPC

Cong faces obstacles over tenure, staffing of JPC

Rediff.com   23 Feb 2011

There is still no clarity from the government side on the number of members of the JPC as to whether there will be 21 or 31. If it is 21, the Lok Sabha will have 14 members and the Rajya Sabha 7. If it is 31, the Lok Sabha will get 21 berths, including that of chairman, and the Rajya Sabha will get 10.

RS to take up Justice Sen's impeachment

RS to take up Justice Sen's impeachment

Rediff.com   23 Feb 2011

The Rajya Sabha is slated to take up impeachment motion against Calcutta High Court Judge Soumitra Sen on March 14. Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari has admitted a motion for Sen's impeachment after a three-member committee headed by sitting Supreme Court judge Justice B Sudarshan Reddy, found him guilty of misconduct.

Karunanidhi may visit A Raja in Tihar jail

Karunanidhi may visit A Raja in Tihar jail

Rediff.com   18 Feb 2011

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi is likely to visit former telecom minister A Raja inside the Tihar jail early next week.

Advani's apology to Sonia stuns BJP

Advani's apology to Sonia stuns BJP

Rediff.com   18 Feb 2011

Bhartiya Janata Party leaders are quite upset over their leader Lal Krishna Advani rushing an apology letter to Congress President Sonia Gandhi without any consultations within the party. Though no one is ready to speak out on Advani regretting in response to Sonia Gandhi protesting at his party accusing her and her late husband Rajiv Gandhi had accounts in foreign banks, insiders said his letter has triggered a crisis in the party.

UPA may have 30-member JPC to fit in more parties

UPA may have 30-member JPC to fit in more parties

Rediff.com   18 Feb 2011

The United Progressive Alliance is seriously considering increasing the strength of the proposed Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on 2G scam from 21 to 30 members to accommodate more parties, but it is in no mood to expand its scope of the JPC to cover Commonwealth Games (CWG) fiasco, the Adarsh Society scam and the cancelled ISRO S-band spectrum sale.