Sheela Bhatt And George Joseph

Stories by Sheela Bhatt And George Joseph

Lokpal issue: Narendra Modi stands exposed!

Lokpal issue: Narendra Modi stands exposed!

Rediff.com   8 Apr 2011

The case of Gujaratis also the eye-opener for all Indians, who are agitating for the Lokpal bill.

Pranab against Hazare's demand for Lok Pal panel

Pranab against Hazare's demand for Lok Pal panel

Rediff.com   8 Apr 2011

According to sources in the government, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is firmly against activist Anna Hazare's demand for formally constituting a joint committee, with representatives from the civil society and the government, to draft a strong anti-corruption bill. Hazare has been on an indefinite fast in New Delhi since Wednesday to press for his demand.Mukherjee has stopped the government from issuing a notification to make the joint committee formal.

Indian American is president at Buffalo university

Indian American is president at Buffalo university

Rediff.com   6 Apr 2011

Satish K Tripathi, who as provost raised academic standards and spurred student development, has been appointed president of the University at Buffalo in Buffalo, New York.Tripathi, who maintains close relations with several major educational institutions in India, is the first Indian American to become president of one of the 63 research universities that are part of the American Association of Universities.

More Indo-Pak matches to pave way for peace talks?

More Indo-Pak matches to pave way for peace talks?

Rediff.com   30 Mar 2011

Does Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh want to capitalise over the craze between the high-voltage World Cup semi-final between India and Pakistan? If high-level sources are to be believed the answer is a yes. One of the options that governments of both the nations is considering is to have more cricket matches between the two-arch rivals, sources told rediff.com.

'Nationalism is legitimate expression in cricket'

'Nationalism is legitimate expression in cricket'

Rediff.com   30 Mar 2011

"I am going to cheer for a good game of cricket," said Arun Jaitley, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, member of the Board of Control for Cricket in India and a powerful voice in the world of Indian cricket, who is in Mohali to witness the mega semi-final between India and Pakistan.

Rahul Gandhi to accompany PM in his Mohali venture

Rahul Gandhi to accompany PM in his Mohali venture

Rediff.com   30 Mar 2011

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has invited Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi to join him to watch the much awaited World Cup semi final between India and Pakistan, and also to join in a special dinner organised in honour of visiting Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday night.

'Govt's laughter in Parliament will haunt them'

'Govt's laughter in Parliament will haunt them'

Rediff.com   24 Mar 2011

A senior non-Congress MP, while briefing about their focus in the JPC on the 2G spectrum scam, said, "This JPC is very important. We understand the issue and we will fight tooth and nail to corner the government. My question is: can you sell petrol, milk or even vegetables in 2009 at the price of 2002? This government did it in the name of continuation of NDA's policy. How can you sell a new product at the price of an old product, at old rates?"

A day in the life of Sam Pitroda

A day in the life of Sam Pitroda

Rediff.com   23 Mar 2011

The prime minister's advisor offers proof that the government of working -- behind the scenes.

Why Fukushima-like crisis will not happen in India

Why Fukushima-like crisis will not happen in India

Rediff.com   16 Mar 2011

Experts tell the PM that India's nuclear power plants are designed differently from the ones in Japan, so a similar crisis is unlikely to happen here. Also it seems certain that events in Japan are unlikely to dampen India's nuclear energy plans. Sheela Bhatt reports.

Is media hampering dialogue with Somali pirates?

Is media hampering dialogue with Somali pirates?

Rediff.com   12 Mar 2011

The government of Egypt and Dubai has complained to India about the excessive media coverage given to relatives of the kidnapped Indian sailors by Somali pirates. According to them, the hype by the Indian media is not helping negotiators who are trying to strike a deal with pirates for the early release of the sailors.

Resource crunch may hit Japan's rebuilding efforts

Resource crunch may hit Japan's rebuilding efforts

Rediff.com   11 Mar 2011

"This is very, very shocking! The images are very dramatic on television," says Mihir Bhatt, managing director of the All India Disaster Mitigation Institute, on seeing the images of Tsunami-ravaged Japan.

Black money and a sloppy government probe

Black money and a sloppy government probe

Rediff.com   11 Mar 2011

"Does that mean the Enforcement Directorate mislead Supreme court? It seems so. This is very serious. I am surprised to know about the judgment," said apex court's topnotch lawyer Harish Salve reacting to a Mumbai court's rejection to the plea by the ED seeking remand of Hasan Ali Khan for his custodial interrogation in a money laundering case.

Mamata vs Congress: Who will blink first?

Mamata vs Congress: Who will blink first?

Rediff.com   10 Mar 2011

'Mamata needs the Congress more than the Congress needs the alliance,' says a Congress leader. 'If the Trinamool and Congress fight the election together, a party survey claims the Trinamool will get around 165 out of 294 seats, but without us, the Trinamool could get somewhere around 130. It will be a few seats less than a majority.'

Indian NSA Menon meets Iranian President

Indian NSA Menon meets Iranian President

Rediff.com   8 Mar 2011

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says Iran and India need to help spread justice in the world as the duo share humane perspectives on international affairs. Ahmadinejad spoke in a meeting with India's National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon on Monday in Tehran.

Pranab puts Cong-DMK alliance back on track

Pranab puts Cong-DMK alliance back on track

Rediff.com   7 Mar 2011

The Congress-Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam alliance is back on track, with the re-opening of communication channels between the two parties. Sources said the Congress is set to agree to contest 60 seats, which was the DMK's final offer after three rounds of hard bargaining.

'India not to aid military intervention in Libya'

'India not to aid military intervention in Libya'

Rediff.com   3 Mar 2011

A senior minister in United Progressive Alliance government and an influential Congress leader told rediff.com that, "India will never be party to any military intervention in any part of the Middle East or in any of the Gulf countries."

Samin Sharma leads Mount Sinai's safety record

Samin Sharma leads Mount Sinai's safety record

Rediff.com   26 Feb 2011

The New Jersey-based Mount Sinai Medical Center's Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory and its director Dr Samin Sharma have yet again achieved the highest safety among New York state institutions that perform angioplasty or Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, and did so in every category measured.

Libya bound warships are only escorts, says Ravi

Libya bound warships are only escorts, says Ravi

Rediff.com   25 Feb 2011

Vyalar Ravi, minister for Civil Aviation and overseas Indians told rediff.com that the Indian Navy's warships are going to Libya only to escort the hired ships that would be bringing back Indian citizens being evacuated from the troubled country.

Godhra: 'Let no family suffer like we have'

Godhra: 'Let no family suffer like we have'

Rediff.com   22 Feb 2011

"I don't have any words to describe our plight in the last nine years. My Ammi (mother) says if Islam allows suicide she would like to end her life," says Saeed Omerjee, son of Maulvi Omerjee, one of the main accused in the Godhra train burning case.

'Godhra judgement should pass by peacefully'

'Godhra judgement should pass by peacefully'

Rediff.com   22 Feb 2011

"The mood of the nation is sober. If we can take the Ayodhya judgment in our stride, we can very well pass through the Godhra judgment peacefully. I am very confident." says Kamal Farooqui, member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board.