Archis Mohan, Abhijit Lele

Stories by Archis Mohan, Abhijit Lele

Uber mired in controversies; debacle to hit other taxi services

Uber mired in controversies; debacle to hit other taxi services

Rediff.com   9 Dec 2014

Home-grown taxi booking companies which have a business model similar to Uber's might have stricter security norms imposed on them.

United Janata Dal will give a voice to the majority: Sharad Yadav

United Janata Dal will give a voice to the majority: Sharad Yadav

Rediff.com   8 Dec 2014

Sharad Yadav, President of the Janata Dal (United), is one of the architects of the proposed merger of six political parties who trace their roots to the erstwhile Janata Dal. Yadav tells Archis Mohan how the grand alliance with Left parties and even the Congress is the need of the hour.

Banks link fresh funds to Mallya's ouster from boards

Banks link fresh funds to Mallya's ouster from boards

Rediff.com   3 Dec 2014

Kolkata-based United Bank of India, which had earlier declared Kingfisher Airlines and its four directors, including Mallya as wilful defaulters, on Tuesday identified UBHL, the guarantor of the grounded Kingfisher Airlines, also a wilful defaulter.

Ram Madhav: From RSS pracharak to Modi's 'ambassador at large'

Ram Madhav: From RSS pracharak to Modi's 'ambassador at large'

Rediff.com   29 Nov 2014

From planning Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign trips to playing a key role in the Jammu and Kashmir elections, former RSS spokesperson Ram Madhav is become increasingly important in the BJP

The lord of the Rs 100 crore cult

The lord of the Rs 100 crore cult

Rediff.com   21 Nov 2014

Devotees from as far away as Nepal throng Sant Rampal's ashram for blessings, particularly the kheer made from the milk in which he takes his daily bath. That's how revered the godman is. But all that might be coming to an end.

'Kashmiris are no longer interested in the cause of separatists'

'Kashmiris are no longer interested in the cause of separatists'

Rediff.com   18 Nov 2014

Barely a week before Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to launch the Bharatiya Janata Party's election campaign in Jammu and Kashmir, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on Monday sought to downplay the Sangh Parivar's long-standing demand repealing Article 370 of the Constitution.

Banks cut lending on gold as prices fall

Banks cut lending on gold as prices fall

Rediff.com   17 Nov 2014

Banks have swung into action as gold prices continue to slide. Reduced loan-to-value ratio (LTV), cautious lending, and a close monitoring of the gold loan portfolio have prompted them to hedge their loan books against the reduction in prices.

The election in Valley will be pathbreaking for the BJP

The election in Valley will be pathbreaking for the BJP

Rediff.com   16 Nov 2014

After landslide victories in the Lok Sabha and assembly elections, the BJP is hoping to crest the tide in Jammu and Kashmir, confident of both Hindu and Muslim votes

Public sector banks yet to join the e-commerce boom

Public sector banks yet to join the e-commerce boom

Rediff.com   7 Nov 2014

Customers using e-commerce websites are young and techno-savvy.

SBI limits free ATM transactions to 5, will others follow?

SBI limits free ATM transactions to 5, will others follow?

Rediff.com   4 Nov 2014

Even as State Bank of India, the country's largest lender, has decided to charge its customers for more than five transactions through automated teller machines (ATMs), private sectors banks continue to be on a wait-and-watch mode.

'Narendra Modi is swallowing the Congress'

'Narendra Modi is swallowing the Congress'

Rediff.com   22 Oct 2014

Permissive communalism, as represented by the Sachar Committee report, cannot become the basis to counter the threat of majoritarianism, says D L Sheth.

BJP-Sena divorce came now, discord began a decade ago

BJP-Sena divorce came now, discord began a decade ago

Rediff.com   9 Oct 2014

Late Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray made BJP leaders remove posters that proclaimed Modi, then CM of Gujarat, as the 'Hindu Hriday Samrat'.

India-USA: A friendship that began way back then

India-USA: A friendship that began way back then

Rediff.com   26 Sep 2014

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins his historic visit of the United States of America, here's a look at some landmark visits by Indian prime ministers to the United States of America.

Maharashtra: BJP-Sena 'Mahayuti' on the brink

Maharashtra: BJP-Sena 'Mahayuti' on the brink

Rediff.com   23 Sep 2014

With neither the Bharatiya Janata Party nor the Shiv Sena willing to yield ground on the number of Assembly seats they want to contest, the alliance between them seems to be on the brink.

No more Gandhi tags on schemes, Modi looks for new names

No more Gandhi tags on schemes, Modi looks for new names

Rediff.com   18 Sep 2014

The move is aimed at reflecting the diversity of India and highlighting the contribution of prominent personalities.

RSS launches strategy for repeal of Article 370

RSS launches strategy for repeal of Article 370

Rediff.com   11 Sep 2014

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has launched an ambitious plan to reach out to at least 10,000 key opinion makers -- jurists, bureaucrats, etc -- in the next two years to dispel "misinformation" related to Article 370 of the Constitution.

How PM Modi keeps babus on tight leash

How PM Modi keeps babus on tight leash

Rediff.com   10 Sep 2014

New Delhi bureaucrats, accustomed to leisurely lunches, golf in the afternoon and long weekends, have been shaken out of their somnolence, say authors. Fear and suspicion hang heavy over the red-sands.

Image overhaul: Congress, SP field fewer Muslim candidates for UP bypolls

Image overhaul: Congress, SP field fewer Muslim candidates for UP bypolls

Rediff.com   8 Sep 2014

The Bharatiya Janata Party's historic Lok Sabha election success in Uttar Pradesh has influenced its two main rivals in the state, the Samajwadi Party and Congress, to field fewer Muslim candidates for the 11 assembly seats that go to the by-polls on Saturday.

SBI to raise global biz share to 25% in 3 years

SBI to raise global biz share to 25% in 3 years

Rediff.com   8 Sep 2014

SBI's number of foreign offices increased from 186 in March 2013 to 190 in March 2014, in 36 countries.

RBI begins review of Jan Dhan rollout

RBI begins review of Jan Dhan rollout

Rediff.com   5 Sep 2014

A senior RBI official said the regulator was focusing on performance of banks' statewise and in each district.