News for '-free-india'

A remarkable Indian you never heard of

A remarkable Indian you never heard of

Rediff.com8 Mar 2017

ACN Nambiar's life was extraordinary and intricately linked to momentous turns in history. Having lived in Europe for five decades, he was witness to and entangled with what we today -- with the benefit of hindsight -- call recent history.

Rahul V2.0 tears into BJP, says democarcy not rule by one man

Rahul V2.0 tears into BJP, says democarcy not rule by one man

Rediff.com17 Jan 2014

Seeking to dispel the demoralisation in Congress in the wake of recent electoral debacle, a combative Rahul Gandhi today mounted a blistering attack on Narendra Modi saying those dreaming about Congress-free India will themselves be destroyed.

What Kejriwal told students at Columbia

What Kejriwal told students at Columbia

Rediff.com9 Dec 2014

Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal said that the MadisonSquareGarden congregation is not a sign of good foreign policy as prime ministers should not go abroad for "entertainment value" but hardcore diplomacy.

Why NRIs from California supported the AAP

Why NRIs from California supported the AAP

Rediff.com26 Dec 2013

'I know of at least one techie who quit his job to join the AAP in Delhi. Many others traveled to India to volunteer during the election. If you ask these volunteers why they were doing it when they can't even vote in India, they say, "We want a corruption-free India".' Ritu Jha looks back on the year that was; it was party time, she says, for news junkies like her.

Debating Article 370 is an expression of confidence in our strength

Debating Article 370 is an expression of confidence in our strength

Rediff.com4 Dec 2013

When Narendra Modi called for a debate on 370, he was simply reiterating a demand made long back, it was not a dilution of any stated position, nor was it a display of opportunism, it was rather a demand for the assertion of India's unity, says Dr Anirban Ganguly.

UPA brought fundamental reset in foreign policy: PM

UPA brought fundamental reset in foreign policy: PM

Rediff.com4 Nov 2013

We present the highlights of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's address at the annual conclave of Indian ambassadors/high commissioners abroad in New Delhi on Monday.

IMAGE: Poonam Pandey visits Kumbh mela

IMAGE: Poonam Pandey visits Kumbh mela

Rediff.com11 Sep 2015

A look at the top tweets from your favourite Bollywood celebrities.

Rahul Gandhi's more elastic than steel now

Rahul Gandhi's more elastic than steel now

Rediff.com27 Aug 2016

The transformation of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, once a naive politician, into the most elastic entities in Indian politics is complete.

India@70: Reliving the struggle for freedom

India@70: Reliving the struggle for freedom

Rediff.com14 Aug 2016

As India celebrates its 70th Independence day, Rediff.com pays homage to millions who laid their lives for the country's freedom.

Open to alliance with PDP, National Conference: Amit Shah

Open to alliance with PDP, National Conference: Amit Shah

Rediff.com23 Dec 2014

With the Bharatiya Janata Party emerging as potential kingmaker in Jammu and Kashmir, party chief Amit Shah on Tuesday did not rule out joining hands with either the People's Democratic Party or the National Conference saying "all options are open".

50 Years On: Who was the real Veer Savarkar?

50 Years On: Who was the real Veer Savarkar?

Rediff.com26 Feb 2016

'One hopes the younger generation sees Savarkar him for what he was and does not view him through a distorted prism.' 'This is the least one could do for someone who devoted his whole life to Indian freedom struggle, elimination of caste, succour to Dalits, and instilling of strategic culture in India,' says Lieutenant General Ashok Joshi (retd) and Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

India's handy man Raina values his wicket now more than ever

India's handy man Raina values his wicket now more than ever

Rediff.com18 Mar 2015

'I've played a lot of matches up and down the order so I think I've become a more mature player after 2011' 'I know that if I play till the 50th over, the team can get 20-25 runs extra'

Netaji died of injuries sustained in plane crash: UK website

Netaji died of injuries sustained in plane crash: UK website

Rediff.com16 Jan 2016

"There are no two opinions between the five witnesses about the fact that Bose's end came on the night of 18 August 1945," www.bosefiles.info said in a statement.

Power is poison but I am ready: Rahul on PM's post

Power is poison but I am ready: Rahul on PM's post

Rediff.com14 Jan 2014

Congress Vice-president Rahul Gandhi, in an interview to a leading daily, has stated that he is "ready to take charge".

Things to look forward to in 2016

Things to look forward to in 2016

Rediff.com28 Dec 2015

With all its ups and downs, 2015 is now concluding. And the New Year will bring new expectations to all of us. So tell us your expectations from 2016:

Mufti Sayeed: The suave politician with an astute political sense

Mufti Sayeed: The suave politician with an astute political sense

Rediff.com7 Jan 2016

A man of perseverance and great survivor, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed had an astute political sense honed by decades of experience in Kashmir politics that has stood him in good stead in crafting a delicate alliance with Bharatiya Janata Party to return as chief minister for the second time.

Opposition demands apology from PM for minister's hate speech

Opposition demands apology from PM for minister's hate speech

Rediff.com3 Dec 2014

Lok Sabha was on Tuesday adjourned briefly as a united opposition created an uproar demanding the resignation of Union minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over her controversial remarks.

India lost Rs 12 lakh cr due to BJP's opposition to GST: Moily

India lost Rs 12 lakh cr due to BJP's opposition to GST: Moily

Rediff.com29 Mar 2017

Criticising various provisions in the proposed GST regime, Moily said it will be a "technological nightmare" and the anti-profiteering provisions in it are "far too draconian."

Arvind Kejriwal on becoming PM: 'Who knows?'

Arvind Kejriwal on becoming PM: 'Who knows?'

Rediff.com9 Feb 2014

He calls himself a "political revolutionary" now, but Arvind Kejriwal says that he had never imagined that he would one day plunge into politics, form a party and contest elections.

Pravasi Special: My expectations from PM Modi

Pravasi Special: My expectations from PM Modi

Rediff.com9 Jan 2015

The time is nigh for India to ensure that investment by its former citizens is encouraged by protecting their rights, says C B Patel.

Why government employees don't deserve a pay hike

Why government employees don't deserve a pay hike

Rediff.com4 Jul 2016

Upon implementation of the 7th Pay Commission the expected yearly burden on the central exchequer will be more than Rs 100,000 crore. Central government employees will get on an average a 24 per cent pay hike. Still, the unions aren't happy.

IPL experience will help me plan against India's players, says Shakib

IPL experience will help me plan against India's players, says Shakib

Rediff.com17 Mar 2015

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan on Tuesday said it is important for his team to look at it as just another game and not get burdened by any additional pressure against India in the ICC World Cup quarter-final.

It is a comedy of errors by Varun Gandhi, says Congress opponent

It is a comedy of errors by Varun Gandhi, says Congress opponent

Rediff.com15 Apr 2014

Varun Gandhi contesting from the Bharatiya Janata Party and describing the seat as his late father Sanjay Gandhi's karambhoomi is seen as a comedy of errors by his opponent, Congress' Amita Singh, who asserts that while bringing in these emotions, he forgets that his father was a Congressman.

WTO Trade Facilitation pact, food security signed

WTO Trade Facilitation pact, food security signed

Rediff.com28 Nov 2014

The decision preceded long hours of tense negotiations and last minute hiccups from Argentina and Pakistan

The Englishman who was more Indian than Indians

The Englishman who was more Indian than Indians

Rediff.com11 Aug 2016

Buried in a Kolkata cemetery is an Englishman who served India well during her struggle for freedom. Charles Freer Andrews was a benevolent force that neither the Indians, nor the British could ignore.

Modi slams Rahul, says he is proud of ideology

Modi slams Rahul, says he is proud of ideology

Rediff.com29 Mar 2014

Bharatiya Janata Party prime ministerial Narendra Modi on Saturday hit back at Congress Vice president Rahul Gandhi for attacking him on his links with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, saying he was "proud" of the ideology and the principles based on the "altar of sacrifice and service".

T issue perfect example of Cong sowing 'seeds of poison': Modi

T issue perfect example of Cong sowing 'seeds of poison': Modi

Rediff.com16 Feb 2014

Accusing Congress of pursuing vote-bank politics, Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the turmoil over the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh was a perfect example of how the ruling party sowed "seeds of poison".

Modi's Hyderabad show may not thaw Andhra's Muslim votebank

Modi's Hyderabad show may not thaw Andhra's Muslim votebank

Rediff.com12 Aug 2013

Thousands of people may have gathered at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday to attend a rally by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi but it remains to be seen whether the mammoth turnout will actually translate into votes for the Bharatiya Janata Party in Andhra Pradesh.

BJP cracks Bihar poll deal with allies; to contest 160 of 243 seats

BJP cracks Bihar poll deal with allies; to contest 160 of 243 seats

Rediff.com14 Sep 2015

The National Democratic Alliance on Monday finalised its seat sharing for Bihar polls with the Bharatiya Janata Party contesting 160 out of the 243 assembly constituencies while allies Lok Janshkati Party and Jitan Ram Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha being allotted 40 and 20 seats respectively.

'Yash Chopra said, Tumne haste, haste, sub kuch keh diya'

'Yash Chopra said, "Tumne haste, haste, sub kuch keh diya"'

Rediff.com4 Jan 2016

'The new Indian cinema has still not found its voice and identity. It's trapped under the deadwood weight of Bollywood and popular Indian cinema.'

Modi invokes Netaji: 'You give me 60 months, I will give you a life of peace'

Modi invokes Netaji: 'You give me 60 months, I will give you a life of peace'

Rediff.com23 Jan 2014

Narendra Modi on Thursday hit out at Congress for 'chai-wala' barbs, saying the ruling party was mocking at the poor whom it has used only as a vote-bank without doining anything for them.

'Why is govt delaying relief for families of anti-Sikh riot victims?'

'Why is govt delaying relief for families of anti-Sikh riot victims?'

Rediff.com17 Nov 2014

As Delhi gears up for assembly polls, Upasna Pandey speaks to Aam Aadmi Party leader HS Phoolka about the Modi factor, the issues on which the Sikh electorate and why the AAP is likely to return to power.

'Vajpayee was a statesman, Modi is a doer'

'Vajpayee was a statesman, Modi is a doer'

Rediff.com14 Jun 2016

'Narendra Modi is one person who came up fighting many injustices. So, he is a fighter all the time, and that makes all the difference.'

BJP set to form govt in Maharashtra, storms to power in Haryana

BJP set to form govt in Maharashtra, storms to power in Haryana

Rediff.com19 Oct 2014

Knocking out Congress from its bastions, the Modi wave placed BJP on the cusp of forming a government in Maharashtra with unexpected support from Nationalist Congress Party while it stormed to power on its own in Haryana.

The myth of the Magna Carta

The myth of the Magna Carta

Rediff.com26 Jun 2015

The Magna Carta was not quite a grand demand for equality, freedoms and rule of law but just a narrow demand for restricting the ruler's powers to ring fence the interests of the elite. But its consequences greatly expanded over the centuries into a charter, which guarantees individual liberties, equality and justice to all, irrespective of race, religion and class, says Mohan Guruswamy.

Zombie wheat case: GM food safety debate far from settled

Zombie wheat case: GM food safety debate far from settled

Rediff.com3 Jul 2013

Efforts by Indian activists to challenge the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority Bill, now pending in Parliament, may get a boost from a controversy that has broken out in the US

Prez seeks cooperation of MPs as budget session of Parliament begins

Prez seeks cooperation of MPs as budget session of Parliament begins

Rediff.com23 Feb 2015

With clouds of storm hovering over Parliament's budget session, President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday sought the "cooperation" of all MPs in the smooth conduct of legislative business but gave no indication of plans to bring changes in the controversial land acquisition ordinance.

Amitabh Bachchan for President? No way!

Amitabh Bachchan for President? No way!

Rediff.com1 Apr 2016

With the images of Rajendra Babu, Radhakrishnan, K R Narayanan, V V Giri and Kalam in my mind, the image of my beloved hero dancing ungainly to 'Merey angney main tumharra kya kaam hai', doesn't make a smooth transition, says Sudhir Bisht.

Buried Adarsh report may come back to haunt Congress

Buried Adarsh report may come back to haunt Congress

Rediff.com26 Dec 2013

The much-hyped 'clean chit' to Congress leader Ashok Chavan is particularly embarrassing as the party had been forced to sack him after the Adarsh scam surfaced, says Anita Katyal

AAP must take its time to draw its vision document: Captain Gopinath

AAP must take its time to draw its vision document: Captain Gopinath

Rediff.com16 Jan 2014

Vicky Nanjappa in a conversation with Air Deccan founder Captain Gopinath regarding the AAP