Sheela Bhatt And George Joseph

Stories by Sheela Bhatt And George Joseph

'Pakistan would like to wash its hands of Kashmir'

'Pakistan would like to wash its hands of Kashmir'

Rediff.com   5 Sep 2014

'I have never seen the Kashmiris in a more conciliatory mood or a more defensive and reasonable mood than I did when I went there in May. All of them said, "raasta nikaliye".' 'Farooq Abdullah has said hundreds of times that the LoC has to be recognised as the international boundary. So that is where the solution lies, it lies on the LoC.' A S Dulat, former RAW chief, explains why he is perplexed by the Modi government's decision to call off foreign secretary-level talks with Pakistan.

'The ISI doesn't care for Kashmir'

'The ISI doesn't care for Kashmir'

Rediff.com   4 Sep 2014

'The ISI doesn't trust the Kashmiris. They hate them...' 'We can never take Kashmir for granted, so there is that element of unpredictability. Anything can happen anytime.' 'The next chief minister will still be from the Valley. Even if a BJP chief minister or a BJP chosen candidate comes, he will be from the Valley. And he will be a Muslim.' A S Dulat, the former R&AW chief, on why he is perplexed by the BJP's Mission 44 plan for the J&K assembly election.

Indian-American gets $1.4 million grant for stem cell research

Indian-American gets $1.4 million grant for stem cell research

Rediff.com   2 Sep 2014

Dr Prashanth Rangan was among the 22 outstanding early-career researchers who were named Pew Scholars in the Biomedical Sciences. Rediff.com's George Joseph reports

Indian American Niraj Antani set to become Ohio state Rep

Indian American Niraj Antani set to become Ohio state Rep

Rediff.com   1 Sep 2014

If elected, Niraj Antani, 23, will be the second Indian American -- after Jay Goyal, who served 3 terms from 2006 from the 73rd District -- in the Ohio House. George Joseph reports

Robots to guard Cochin airport

Robots to guard Cochin airport

Rediff.com   26 Aug 2014

CIAL is all set to implement a high-end robotic security system with Canadian-built robotic equipment at an estimated Rs 12 crore (Rs 120 million).

Exclusive! 'Modi has taken his job seriously in letter and spirit'

Exclusive! 'Modi has taken his job seriously in letter and spirit'

Rediff.com   22 Aug 2014

'Modi as the PM of the country has to take everybody on board and deliver on good governance. That is his responsibility. In that talking alone won't help, he's working.' Commerce Minister Dr Nirmala Sitharaman tells Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com how the Modi government plans to change India.

'I have never been kept down by the PM'

'I have never been kept down by the PM'

Rediff.com   22 Aug 2014

'I am almost tempted to say there is some kind of a vested interest operating to play down the achievements of Modi.' 'I think the focus should be on what has been achieved in 70 days and not on how this government functions.' Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's exclusive interview with Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com on how the Modi sarkar is changing India.

10 things that the Modi government is doing right

10 things that the Modi government is doing right

Rediff.com   20 Aug 2014

Despite criticism of a lack of transparency and communication from the Modi-led government, BJP leaders point to "good beginnings" on several fronts to defend its performance. Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com reports.

Toilet speech for the greater national change

Toilet speech for the greater national change

Rediff.com   15 Aug 2014

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has created a flutter with his first Independence Day speech. While diverted the national attention to social issues, Modi smartly avoided political traps.

'Modi wants to be Patel, but might end up as Indira'

'Modi wants to be Patel, but might end up as Indira'

Rediff.com   14 Aug 2014

'It is obvious within these two months that in many ways Narendra Modi has a great degree of resemblance with Indira Gandhi.' 'The same style of management of power. The same kind of attempt to reduce a large section of the political leadership into, if not spectators, bureaucrats. His leaders are taking orders from him and executing those orders.' 'This is the model that has worked in Gujarat. And he is hoping that it will work in India.'

Madison Square Garden gears up to receive PM Modi

Madison Square Garden gears up to receive PM Modi

Rediff.com   13 Aug 2014

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants the event at the Madison Square Garden in NEw York to be representative of an emerging India

Smriti Irani got a certificate for leadership programme: Yale University

Smriti Irani got a certificate for leadership programme: Yale University

Rediff.com   11 Aug 2014

Yale University has issued a statement saying that Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani attended a weeklong programme and received a certificate from the university last year, along with several other lawmakers from India. George Joseph/Rediff.com reports from New York

Indian govt has no clue over fate of kidnapped workers in Mosul

Indian govt has no clue over fate of kidnapped workers in Mosul

Rediff.com   11 Aug 2014

It seems that Indian negotiators, who are trying to free the kidnapped workers, have no clue about fate of their countrymen in Mosul.

Exclusive! Sri Sri Ravi Shankar speaks out!

Exclusive! Sri Sri Ravi Shankar speaks out!

Rediff.com   8 Aug 2014

The spiritual guru responds to Sheela Bhatt/Redifff.com's quick-fire questions with prompt answers.

Diwali holiday decision divides US town

Diwali holiday decision divides US town

Rediff.com   1 Aug 2014

Asked to declare a holiday on the Hindu festival, the school board in Millburn Township, New Jersey, instead comes up with a solution that angers many. Rediff.com/India Abroad's George Joseph reports.

So how is the Modi sarkar doing?

So how is the Modi sarkar doing?

Rediff.com   23 Jul 2014

The kind of people Narendra Modi has chosen, the decisions he has taken and the rail and central budgets suggests that he is treading carefully in New Delhi. There is less of innovation and more of continuity, so far. He is not ready to rock the boat and start from scratch, says Sheela Bhatt.

'No Indian has been harmed in captivity in Iraq'

'No Indian has been harmed in captivity in Iraq'

Rediff.com   21 Jul 2014

'That the Indian nationals have been sighted, they are unharmed, they are in captivity, and we know their captors. This is the sort of information I think everybody has the right to know and we would share it. Information beyond that we feel would be detrimental to the safety of those who are in captivity and it is not at all in the interest of our countrymen to share that information,' says MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin.

President seeks blessings at Padmanabhaswamy temple

President seeks blessings at Padmanabhaswamy temple

Rediff.com   19 Jul 2014

The President asked many questions on the treasure found in the temple, however, he wasn't shown the actual treasure since it's sealed under a Supreme Court order. Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com, who accompanied the President, reports from Thiruvananthapuram.

How Air India crew averted a major air disaster

How Air India crew averted a major air disaster

Rediff.com   18 Jul 2014

The pilot's decision and professional competence to bring flight AI 144 safely back to Newark Liberty International Airport after an engine fire, saved the lives of 300 passengers and 15 crew members. George Joseph/Rediff.com reports

At Kerala university, President Pranab rallies students

At Kerala university, President Pranab rallies students

Rediff.com   18 Jul 2014

"If students are the future of the nation, it is the teacher who shapes them. I was a teacher before I came into public life. I know how gratifying it is to be a part of this noble profession," he said.