Upasna Pandey, For Rediff.Com

Stories by Upasna Pandey, For Rediff.Com

No POLITICS here: Pakistani trade fair does brisk business

No POLITICS here: Pakistani trade fair does brisk business

Rediff.com   15 Sep 2014

Despite the freeze on diplomatic ties between India and Pakistan and protests against the fair, traders at the recently concluded four-day Aalishan Pakistan exhibition did brisk business, reports Upasna Pandey.

Delhi elections: The stakes are highest for AAP

Delhi elections: The stakes are highest for AAP

Rediff.com   10 Sep 2014

The Bharatiya Janata Party is keen to return to power in Delhi but not at the cost of losing its high moral ground, says Upasna Pandey

'ISIS more ruthless than Al Qaeda, India needs to be cautious'

'ISIS more ruthless than Al Qaeda, India needs to be cautious'

Rediff.com   8 Sep 2014

Former RAW Additional Secretary Jayadeva Ranade tells Rediff.com's Upasna Pandey that India needs to be extremely cautious and watchful of the estimated 35-40 Indians who may have joined the ISIS in Iraq and may return to the country.

How AIIMS can handle VVIPs without inconveniencing patients

How AIIMS can handle VVIPs without inconveniencing patients

Rediff.com   2 Sep 2014

The dust has not yet settled on the public inconvenience and outcry over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the country's premier health centre All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi for a routine check-up on August 24. But medical superintendent Dr DK Sharma insists "there was minimal inconvenience of a few minutes" in an interview to Rediff.com's Upasna Pandey.

How BKS Iyengar revived Nivedita's life

How BKS Iyengar revived Nivedita's life

Rediff.com   25 Aug 2014

'The way to pay tribute to Guruji would be to continue on his path and principles and be steadfast on true and genuine practice, which I want my students to learn from me.' Nivedita Joshi, who overcame her physical ailments thanks to yoga guru BKS Iyengar, speaks to Upasna Pandey about his legacy.

Shazia Ilmi: Good, minority appeasement has ended

Shazia Ilmi: Good, minority appeasement has ended

Rediff.com   19 Aug 2014

'It has done a disservice to the cause of Muslims... Modi also spoke of Muslims progressing with the Quran in one hand and a computer in the other, which I think is welcome... I wish he had spoken his mind on the issue of communal discord much earlier and shown swiftness in nipping it in the bud,' says former AAP leader Shazia Ilmi.

Working to set up rape crises centers in every district: Maneka

Working to set up rape crises centers in every district: Maneka

Rediff.com   6 Aug 2014

Union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi says her ministry is working on four core areas of "safety, education, employment and confidence building," which are critical for the 58 crore women population in India which includes over 41 crore in rural areas. She also lays out the detailed roadmap for her ministry including setting up of one stop rape crises centres, hostels for working women among others.

'Cancelling the Kousar Nag yatra shows the state's brazen intolerance towards pluralism'

'Cancelling the Kousar Nag yatra shows the state's brazen intolerance towards pluralism'

Rediff.com   3 Aug 2014

Kashmiri Pandits complain that the Jammu and Kashmir government has simply cowered to hardline sentiments and that the real reason for canceling the pilgrimage was not due to ecological concerns but because of religion. Upasna Pandey reports

Tension between Punjab, Haryana govts continue to simmer

Tension between Punjab, Haryana govts continue to simmer

Rediff.com   28 Jul 2014

Confrontation between the Sikh bodies of Punjab and Haryana has become more political than religious, says Rediff.com contributor Upasna Pandey.

Mixed reaction in Srinagar to decision to move UN observer group

Mixed reaction in Srinagar to decision to move UN observer group

Rediff.com   22 Jul 2014

The recent decision of the Union government asking United Nations Military Observer Group on Kashmir to vacate a government-provided bungalow in New Delhi, is garnering mixed reactions in Kashmir. While many feel there would be no real impact if the UNMOGIP was to close its main offices in Srinagar, there are others who believe that the UN would continue to have a critical role till the Kashmir issue is resolved.

Budget gets a thumbs-up from the industry

Budget gets a thumbs-up from the industry

Rediff.com   10 Jul 2014

The captains of Indian industry described Narendra Modi government's maiden budget as one with "the right intent and in the right direction".

'There is no comparison between Irani and Sibal as HRD minister'

'There is no comparison between Irani and Sibal as HRD minister'

Rediff.com   24 Jun 2014

Activist and journalist Madhu Kishwar on Smriti Irani and the controversy over the four-year course offered by the Delhi University.

Will Modi deliver on his promise made to Kashmiri Pandits

Will Modi deliver on his promise made to Kashmiri Pandits

Rediff.com   27 May 2014

The positivity over Narendra Modi's election speech in Jammu is unanimous, but it comes with guarded optimism as many would like to wait and watch to see how the new government actually manages the 25-year-old issue, says Upasna Pandey

Caste or progress: What young Dalit voters want

Caste or progress: What young Dalit voters want

Rediff.com   25 Apr 2014

'Young Dalits are looking for better educational opportunities, more job avenues in the private sector, which need not necessarily mean job quotas, but a more welcoming corporate world that offers a liberated social environment, essentially a new India.'

Political parties bet big on mobile campaigns to woo voters

Political parties bet big on mobile campaigns to woo voters

Rediff.com   16 Apr 2014

While phone call-outs was a weapon of choice for the Aam Admi Party in the 2013 Delhi elections, both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party and other national and regional parties are extending their reach to voters through mobile phones, smart phones and in the general election campaign.

'Quality of civil servants, political executive has deteriorated'

'Quality of civil servants, political executive has deteriorated'

Rediff.com   15 Apr 2014

The quality of both civil servants and political executive members in India has deteriorated, former coal secretary P C Parakh tells Upasna Pandey

'People want change, they are fed up with corruption and inflation'

'People want change, they are fed up with corruption and inflation'

Rediff.com   1 Apr 2014

Hema Malini spoke with Upasna Pandey about her preparedness and exuded confidence to win the election with "the grace of Lord Krishna and love of people of Mathura."

'Congress and BJP have failed to take a robust stand against corruption'

'Congress and BJP have failed to take a robust stand against corruption'

Rediff.com   24 Mar 2014

Rajmohan spoke with rediff.com, sharing his thoughts on what ails East Delhi, the future of AAP and his plans for strengthening the party.

Finally! Political parties frantically search for 'honest' candidates

Finally! Political parties frantically search for 'honest' candidates

Rediff.com   26 Feb 2014

Like the Hindi film industry, where formulas for hit films are done to death, the political fraternity in India is making an all out effort to 're-brand' itself to follow the hit script of the AAP, says Upasna Pandey

Jan Lokpal to be Kejriwal's Lok Sabha campaign agenda

Jan Lokpal to be Kejriwal's Lok Sabha campaign agenda

Rediff.com   14 Feb 2014

The Delhi assembly witnessed unprecedented noise and cacophony on Friday as Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal made a fervent attempt to table the Jan Lokpal Bill.