Sheela Bhatt And Nikhil Lakshman

Stories by Sheela Bhatt And Nikhil Lakshman

Why did Lalu Yadav surrender to Nitish Kumar?

Why did Lalu Yadav surrender to Nitish Kumar?

Rediff.com   9 Jun 2015

Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com explains the compulsions that forced Bihar strongman Lalu Yadav to play second fiddle to Nitish Kumar.

'India has a vital stake in the digital renaissance'

'India has a vital stake in the digital renaissance'

Rediff.com   5 Jun 2015

'Everywhere our younger computer professionals are in the forefront, defending our national interest in every forum and keeping our flag flying high.'

'We now have a prime minister who talks'

'We now have a prime minister who talks'

Rediff.com   2 Jun 2015

'This is not a small change, it's a BIG change. People wanted to hear the voice of their PM. They can do so now. This is a big parivartan.'

K V Chowdary tipped to be new CVC, Vijai Sharma may be CIC

K V Chowdary tipped to be new CVC, Vijai Sharma may be CIC

Rediff.com   2 Jun 2015

The anti-corruption watchdog posts have been vacant for the last nine months.

'Modi's Kashmir policy is very imaginative'

'Modi's Kashmir policy is very imaginative'

Rediff.com   29 May 2015

'I could have never imagined any other prime minister giving time to a separatist leader.' 'I think the Hurriyat should not be ignored. I think like Pakistan, they are being unnecessarily ignored.' A S Dulat, the former RA&W chief who visited Kashmir recently, speaks to Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com

'Mufti now is very different from the Mufti of 2002'

'Mufti now is very different from the Mufti of 2002'

Rediff.com   29 May 2015

'Mufti is much more mellowed, much more accommodating. He knows he is stuck and he knows that he cannot retreat now.'

Why did Dr Singh walk into Modi's web?

Why did Dr Singh walk into Modi's web?

Rediff.com   28 May 2015

Appraising Rediff.com about the meeting, a source close to Dr Singh said Modi sought Dr Singh's advice on the economy and foreign policy. Dr Singh told Modi that he concurs with the Reserve Bank of India's concerns about the Indian economy.

'What will someone do within a year?'

'What will someone do within a year?'

Rediff.com   27 May 2015

Why this non-BJP MP became a Modi bhakt.

Amit Shah exclusive 2: 'We have added nishtha, sincerity of purpose, to governance'

Amit Shah exclusive 2: 'We have added nishtha, sincerity of purpose, to governance'

Rediff.com   19 May 2015

The second part of BJP president Amit Shah's interview to Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com, to mark the completion of one year of the Narendra Modi government.

Amit Shah exclusive: 'Not an inch of acquired land will go to industrialists'

Amit Shah exclusive: 'Not an inch of acquired land will go to industrialists'

Rediff.com   19 May 2015

In the first part of an exclusive interview with Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com on the eve of the first year of the Narendra Modi-led NDA government, BJP President Amit Shah talks about the government's achievements and the controversy over the land ordinance.

Modi@1: Exclusive interview with Amit Shah!

Modi@1: Exclusive interview with Amit Shah!

Rediff.com   19 May 2015

On the occasion of the Narendra Modi government completing one year in office, Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com speaks to BJP president Amit Shah who is yin to Modi's yang. Don't miss it!

Beyond great 'optics', no great push in Indo-China ties

Beyond great 'optics', no great push in Indo-China ties

Rediff.com   15 May 2015

Modi's arrival has changed the optics of the visit. There is a different demonstration of the confidence level in the Indian leadership, but not much has changed beyond that, reports Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com.

Why Modi means business with China

Why Modi means business with China

Rediff.com   14 May 2015

'The image of Modi as a tough taskmaster is completely wrong'

'The image of Modi as a tough taskmaster is completely wrong'

Rediff.com   28 Apr 2015

'Our intentions are clear. If I keep all the acquired land under the ownership of the government, why do you raise questions about my intentions?' 'One achievement of my ministry would be the gas pricing policy. Two, we made a delivery mechanism (for domestic LPG) which is the largest in the world. We are crediting money to the poor directly. It is the biggest structure of direct subsidy transfer.' 'It is very easy to work with Modi. He gives everyone a chance in decision-making. I have become a minister for the very first time, but if we want to raise any issues in the Cabinet, we have full freedom to do so.' The second and final part of Union Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's exclusive interview with Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com.

Minister Dharmendra Pradhan: 'Benefits of falling oil prices passed on to consumers'

Minister Dharmendra Pradhan: 'Benefits of falling oil prices passed on to consumers'

Rediff.com   24 Apr 2015

Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan speaks to Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com.

The man fighting for Americans to learn the truth about Hinduism

The man fighting for Americans to learn the truth about Hinduism

Rediff.com   22 Apr 2015

'For years American academia has used the concerns about Hindutva in India to almost completely trash the concept of Hinduism.' 'In the American debate, Wendy Doniger's point of views perpetuated Hinduphobia.' 'Americans were willing to change... Indian intellectuals let us down badly.'

'Hinduism has been failed by seculars and the right-wing'

'Hinduism has been failed by seculars and the right-wing'

Rediff.com   22 Apr 2015

'The real danger in India right now is that identity politics is being stoked in extremely dangerous ways.' 'The narrative you get about churches in the mainstream Indian media and the narrative you get in the social media is very different.' 'Many Americans today want to appropriate Indian culture. They want yoga, but they say yoga has nothing to do with Hinduism. They want Ayurveda, but they say it's got nothing to do with Hinduism.' 'Hinduism has been failed by political constituencies in India -- seculars and the right-wing.'

Power Minister tells Rediff: '24/7 power in every home by 2019'

Power Minister tells Rediff: '24/7 power in every home by 2019'

Rediff.com   20 Apr 2015

'This country has become cynical, the country has lost hope. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is getting back hope in this country.' 'We are deconstructing the past which had corruption, inefficiency, policy paralysis, a tottering economy where investors had lost confidence, and people had become cynical. We are changing that, we are bringing confidence back to the people of India.'

Exclusive! 'The Modi government refuses to give anything for free'

Exclusive! 'The Modi government refuses to give anything for free'

Rediff.com   20 Apr 2015

'The Modi government believes the industrialist, the capitalist, has to pay for the assets of the government which belong to the people of India.'

E-auction of coal mines: Will cartels trump the consumers?

E-auction of coal mines: Will cartels trump the consumers?

Rediff.com   15 Apr 2015

The Modi government's e-auction policy for coal, meant to shield the consumer against hike in electricity charges, has already led to serious allegations of cartelisation among the bidding corporates. Matters came to such a pass that the government at one point last week was considering inviting the Central Bureau of Investigation to probe the matter, reports Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com.