SYED FIRDAUS ASHRAF, HITESH HARISINGHANI

Stories by SYED FIRDAUS ASHRAF, HITESH HARISINGHANI

First Drive: Is Mahindra XUV 7XO better than XUV7OO?

First Drive: Is Mahindra XUV 7XO better than XUV7OO?

Rediff.com   10 Jan 2026

The XUV 7XO comes with high tech features, comfort and safety but it will be interesting to see if 7XO can match the popularity of XUV 700, notes Rediff's Hemant Waje.

Shifting My House Erased My Voter Record!

Shifting My House Erased My Voter Record!

Rediff.com   9 Jan 2026

'I don't want to be called a new Indian voter when I am an old Indian voter.'

'Venezuela's Current Leaders Gave Maduro As A Trophy To Trump'

'Venezuela's Current Leaders Gave Maduro As A Trophy To Trump'

Rediff.com   8 Jan 2026

'Trump had done a deal with the current regime minus Maduro. The current regime is giving Trump entry into Venezuelan oil. They are obeying him and doing whatever he says.' 'They are happy because they have saved their heads by sacrificing only two, Maduro and his wife. Thousands of Venezuelan military leaders would have been jailed or killed in American action had Maduro stayed in power.'

'Democracy Is On Sale In Maharashtra'

'Democracy Is On Sale In Maharashtra'

Rediff.com   7 Jan 2026

'This daylight robbery of elections is happening in the commercial capital of India, Mumbai city, so you can imagine what they will do to win elections in the interiors of India.'

Recipe: Hitesh's Shakshouka

Recipe: Hitesh's Shakshouka

Rediff.com   5 Jan 2026

North African delicacy in a desi avatar!

'Dehradun Police Wanted To Protect The Killers'

'Dehradun Police Wanted To Protect The Killers'

Rediff.com   1 Jan 2026

'The worst part is that after the attack on December 9, the Dehradun police refused to register an FIR for the murder.'

25 More Candid Pictures From 2025

25 More Candid Pictures From 2025

Rediff.com   30 Dec 2025

Bollywood stars always make for good pictures but catching them in their most unguarded, candid moments is what makes for great pictures.

The Man Challenging 18% GST On Air Purifiers

The Man Challenging 18% GST On Air Purifiers

Rediff.com   27 Dec 2025

'If a common man wants to buy an air purifier for Rs 10,000, then he will have to shell out Rs 11,800 with 18 percent GST.' 'If he is charged GST at 5 percent the same air purifier will cost Rs 10,500.' 'This saves a one time amount of Rs 1,300 -- and that too just to breathe clean air.'

The 25 Best Candid Pictures Of 2025

The 25 Best Candid Pictures Of 2025

Rediff.com   26 Dec 2025

Bollywood stars always make for good pictures but catching them in their most unguarded, candid moments is what makes for great pictures.

'Yunus Government Has Given Space To Pakistanis'

'Yunus Government Has Given Space To Pakistanis'

Rediff.com   24 Dec 2025

'There is no substantive basis for Bangladesh-Pakistan relations. The only real link they can have is mischief, with Pakistan's intelligence agency using Bangladesh to create trouble along our eastern borders.'

Avatar: Fire And Ash Review: Predictable

Avatar: Fire And Ash Review: Predictable

Rediff.com   19 Dec 2025

Avatar: Fire And Ash is visually stunning and emotionally engaging, offering strong performances and thrilling action, notes Syed Firdaus Ashraf.

Sweet Dreams: How A Banker Became A Chocolatier

Sweet Dreams: How A Banker Became A Chocolatier

Rediff.com   18 Dec 2025

'If I were a housewife, it would have been Ok. But I was set in my job and then suddenly I quit.'

'G RAM G Isn't A National Employment Guarantee Law'

'G RAM G Isn't A National Employment Guarantee Law'

Rediff.com   18 Dec 2025

'MGNREGA was about a guaranteed right to work.' 'The new law does not guarantee employment at all.' 'It removes everything that made MGNREGA a legal guarantee.'

The Blasphemous Idea Dhurandhar Promotes

The Blasphemous Idea Dhurandhar Promotes

Rediff.com   16 Dec 2025

Dhurandhar's most dangerous idea is that Director Aditya Dhar envisions an Indian state run by a deep state -- an intelligence machinery not accountable to Parliament, courts, or voters. A future political system where unelected officials decide when Indian democracy is 'fit' to function, observes Syed Firdaus Ashraf.

'My Life Has Been Paused Without My Consent'

'My Life Has Been Paused Without My Consent'

Rediff.com   12 Dec 2025

Thousands of Indian H-1B workers are stranded in India after sudden visa appointment cancellations at US consulates.

Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2: Delightful Comedy!

Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2: Delightful Comedy!

Rediff.com   12 Dec 2025

Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2 may be a comedy filled with chaos, but in its indirect way, it speaks about a time when the Constitution mattered more than one's religion and when the idea of India was larger than personal hate, observes Syed Firdaus Ashraf.

'Thar Desert Will Reach Delhi Soon'

'Thar Desert Will Reach Delhi Soon'

Rediff.com   11 Dec 2025

'The natural barrier that is Aravalli, you are demolishing it, then who will stop the desert?' 'In future, I predict that people will roam around with oxygen cylinders in Delhi because they won't be able to breathe.'

Test Drive: On the road with the 2025 Tata Sierra

Test Drive: On the road with the 2025 Tata Sierra

Rediff.com   10 Dec 2025

You know the Tata Sierra is a true icon when driving on the highways and hill climbs of Chandigarh, the car instantly drew all eyes to it.

'IndiGo Must Be Broken Up Into 3 Or 4 Airlines'

'IndiGo Must Be Broken Up Into 3 Or 4 Airlines'

Rediff.com   9 Dec 2025

'IndiGo is fooling the country and the government has succumbed to it.'

1,751 Maoists; 1,910 Troops, Civilians Killed In 11 Years

1,751 Maoists; 1,910 Troops, Civilians Killed In 11 Years

Rediff.com   5 Dec 2025

After recent high-intensity operations in the Bastar region and the neutralisation of several senior Maoist leaders, officials say the insurgency has lost its ability to mount large-scale coordinated attacks.