Sheela Bhatt And George Joseph

Stories by Sheela Bhatt And George Joseph

All eyes on PM Modi's first international summit

All eyes on PM Modi's first international summit

Rediff.com   12 Jul 2014

Narendra Modi's engagement at the upcoming BRICS Summit in Brazil will be keenly watched as the prime minister will interact with some of the world's most powerful leaders. The summit to be held in Fortaleza will also see the launch of the significant BRICS bank whose idea was mooted by India. Rediff.com's Sheela Bhatt gives a lowdown on Modi's first major international rendezvous.

Arun Jaitley always stands for the long term

Arun Jaitley always stands for the long term

Rediff.com   11 Jul 2014

'Power sits lightly on Arun Jaitley's shoulders. Just because earth-shaking election results have brought his party in power, he has not gone recklessly ambitious. "Too soon, too fast" is not what he likes,' says Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com about Budget 2014.

Exclusive Jaitley's wife: 'Don't expect miracles from the Budget'

Exclusive Jaitley's wife: 'Don't expect miracles from the Budget'

Rediff.com   9 Jul 2014

"In view of our economic condition, I expect bitter-sweet Budget. I think the Budget will be good for the country. It can be bitter but may be sweet, too," says Dolly Jaitley.

Amit Shah wins his next gamble

Amit Shah wins his next gamble

Rediff.com   9 Jul 2014

Amit Shah is the man of the moment. The architect of the BJP's stunning transformation in the Hindi heartland during the Lok Sabha elections is all set to emerge as the CEO of Modi's political dreams and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's cultural passion, says Sheela Bhatt.

'It will be business as usual when Modi visits US'

'It will be business as usual when Modi visits US'

Rediff.com   9 Jul 2014

The second and final part of former cabinet secretary Naresh Chandra's interview to Sheela Bhatt.

'What civil service expects will be a test for Modi'

'What civil service expects will be a test for Modi'

Rediff.com   7 Jul 2014

Naresh Chandra, former cabinet secretary, diplomat and well-known strategic thinker, tries to explain what the Modi government is up to and assesses what will work and what may not work and why. He spoke to Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com, also, on diplomatic issues.

Indian origin lawyer sworn in Connecticut Superior Court judge

Indian origin lawyer sworn in Connecticut Superior Court judge

Rediff.com   4 Jul 2014

Rupal Shah Palanki was officially sworn in as a judge of the superior court of Connecticut, United States recently.

'For achche din, give us at least a year'

'For achche din, give us at least a year'

Rediff.com   4 Jul 2014

'Understand one thing, if you want immediately and magically that things should become cheap, it's not possible. It's a long-term policy.' 'Inflation is linked to the storage system and with the production system. Whenever production rises, prices go lower. So if we store when the prices are low and release them when prices rise, prices can be maintained.' 'The problem is that in our country fruits and vegetables worth Rs 110,000 crore go to waste as they rot. And grains worth Rs 85,000 crore rot. So the storage system is another big reason for inflation.' Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari in an exclusive interaction with Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com

US: Indian origin Vin Gopal named vice chair of key Democrat position

US: Indian origin Vin Gopal named vice chair of key Democrat position

Rediff.com   2 Jul 2014

Vin Gopal, chairman, Monmouth County Democrats, was last week named deputy vice chair of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee by its chairman, John Currie.

'Strict decisions have to be made for the good of the poor'

'Strict decisions have to be made for the good of the poor'

Rediff.com   25 Jun 2014

'You cannot judge a government within a month. Give us five years' time.' 'At times, strict economic decisions have to be made for the good of the poor in the long run.' Dharmendra Pradhan, one of the Modi government's stars, speaks exclusively to Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com about why the government is forced to roll out 'bitter medicine.'

'We're not forcing Hindi on anyone. We have nothing against English'

'We're not forcing Hindi on anyone. We have nothing against English'

Rediff.com   24 Jun 2014

Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas with independent charge Dharmendra Pradhan on the controversy over the government's use of Hindi in the social media and how the government is going ahead to execute its plans to honour the 60-month mandate it has been given.

Students left in lurch as UGC, Delhi university spar over FYUP

Students left in lurch as UGC, Delhi university spar over FYUP

Rediff.com   23 Jun 2014

The fight over FYUP is between a highly controversial decision taken during the United Progressive Alliance rule and how the National Democratic Alliance government perceives it and how it is determined to resolve it in its own way, reports Sheela Bhatt.

Exclusive! NCP may merge with Cong; Pawar can be named Maha CM candidate

Exclusive! NCP may merge with Cong; Pawar can be named Maha CM candidate

Rediff.com   21 Jun 2014

It's possible that to counter the onslaught of the saffron aggression in the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra, both Congress and NCP will checkmate Narendra Modi by pitting Sharad Pawar as the chief ministerial candidate. However, the Congress wants the NCP to merge first, and only then it will be ready to nominate Pawar. Sheela Bhatt reports.

India has limited options in securing hostages' release

India has limited options in securing hostages' release

Rediff.com   18 Jun 2014

The ground situation in Iraq is so bad that there is no scope for any non-conventional action or any kind of bravery. Patience, slow movement, and full backing to Indian negotiators would help in a big way, says Sheela Bhatt.

'Pay the ransom to save kidnapped Indians'

'Pay the ransom to save kidnapped Indians'

Rediff.com   18 Jun 2014

As envoy Suresh K Reddy readies to leave for Baghdad, distinguished diplomat Chinmaya Gharekha says India will have to tread carefully in the strife-torn nation.

All about Modi's PMO

All about Modi's PMO

Rediff.com   13 Jun 2014

Who are the men the prime minister relies on to execute his impressive agenda?

Mathuram Santosham feted for vaccine that saves millions of children

Mathuram Santosham feted for vaccine that saves millions of children

Rediff.com   6 Jun 2014

Mathuram Santosham has been conferred the Albert B Sabin Gold Medal for his pioneering role in the prevention of deadly H influenza type b (Hib) diseases, including paediatric bacterial meningitis and pneumonia. George Joseph reports

Is Narendra Modi really an OBC?

Is Narendra Modi really an OBC?

Rediff.com   5 Jun 2014

It is unusual to see Narendra Modi highlight his OBC status -- something he has never done in his long political career. Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com examines Modi's compulsions for bringing his caste to the foreground

Narendra Modi's check-in baggage

Narendra Modi's check-in baggage

Rediff.com   30 May 2014

The prime minister is checking in with baggage of the kind that will make history, any which way things take a turn, says Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com

Exclusive! Modi-Sharif had one-on-one meeting without aides

Exclusive! Modi-Sharif had one-on-one meeting without aides

Rediff.com   28 May 2014

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brought Hindi into vogue in the external affairs ministry and managed a diplomatic coup by inviting SAARC leaders, including Nawaz Sharif, to New Delhi for his swearing-in. Sheela Bhatt's impressions of the Indian prime minister's first day in office.