News for '-special-arrangement'

Wankhede Celebrates Sachin@50

Wankhede Celebrates Sachin@50

Rediff.com23 Apr 2023

Sachin Tendulkar, who turns 50 on Monday, cut a chocolate cake near the team's dugout during the Punjab Kings innings.

Siddaramaiah or Shivakumar? Cong to pick Karnataka CM on Sunday

Siddaramaiah or Shivakumar? Cong to pick Karnataka CM on Sunday

Rediff.com14 May 2023

The first meeting of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) in Karnataka will be held at 5.30 pm on Sunday, according to All India Congress Committee in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Surjewala.

TMC volunteers leave Kolkata for Delhi in 25 buses

TMC volunteers leave Kolkata for Delhi in 25 buses

Rediff.com30 Sep 2023

Around 25 buses carrying Trinamool Congress volunteers set out from Kolkata on Saturday for the planned protest programme in Delhi on October 3 against the alleged withholding of funds by the Centre, party leaders said.

Has Congress Flunked Ram-Given Revival Opportunity?

Has Congress Flunked Ram-Given Revival Opportunity?

Rediff.com22 Jan 2024

Wouldn't it be better to join the celebrations with the vast Hindu majority while at the same time criticising Mr Modi/BJP/RSS for politicising it? notes Shekhar Gupta.

SC/STs not homogeneous, observes top court in quota within quota hearing

SC/STs not homogeneous, observes top court in quota within quota hearing

Rediff.com7 Feb 2024

The Supreme Court, examining whether states can sub-classify Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for grant of quota inside quota, on Wednesday said all SCs and STs may not be homogeneous in terms of their sociological, economic, education and social status.

IAF to monitor Delhi sky for drone threats during G20 summit

IAF to monitor Delhi sky for drone threats during G20 summit

Rediff.com30 Aug 2023

Indian Air Force fighter planes will be on standby to keep a close watch on any suspicious activity in the Delhi sky, including UAVs or drones, as the national capital gets ready to host the G20 summit, a senior official from a department engaged in airport operations said.

How Can Congress Defeat Modi?

How Can Congress Defeat Modi?

Rediff.com25 Jan 2024

The most important lesson is that you have to build your political proposition, and sell it yourself. You can't leave it to the courts, media, NGOs and civil society and expect them to play the role of the Opposition. That's precisely what Mr Modi's challengers have been doing and we know the results, notes Shekhar Gupta.

SC closes Govindacharya's plea on preserving copyright on YouTube livestream

SC closes Govindacharya's plea on preserving copyright on YouTube livestream

Rediff.com10 Apr 2023

The Supreme Court on Monday said it has started "action" and disposed of a plea moved by former RSS ideologue KN Govindacharya, seeking a direction for a special arrangement with YouTube to safeguard the copyright of its live-streamed proceedings in accordance with a 2018 judgment.

How UPA Govt Failed To Honour Sam Manekshaw

How UPA Govt Failed To Honour Sam Manekshaw

Rediff.com1 Jan 2024

'We failed as a country because those who should have been there to say goodbye did not show up.'

Why MoSha Are Worried About 2024 Lok Sabha Poll

Why MoSha Are Worried About 2024 Lok Sabha Poll

Rediff.com22 Dec 2023

Even if the BJP gets 60, 70, or even 100 per cent of the votes in the seats where it scored more than 50 per cent in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, these will still add up to only 224 seats, argues Shekhar Gupta.

Did 'Modi Ki Guarantee' Work Its Magic?

Did 'Modi Ki Guarantee' Work Its Magic?

Rediff.com3 Dec 2023

Narendra D Modi and his party campaigned in these elections uncharacteristically without any big ideas. Of course, winning each election at all costs could be a big idea as well, observes Shekhar Gupta.

Abrogation of Article 370 valid, rules SC, calls for polls by Sep '24

Abrogation of Article 370 valid, rules SC, calls for polls by Sep '24

Rediff.com11 Dec 2023

In an emphatic victory for the Modi government, the Supreme Court on Monday unanimously upheld its decision to abrogate Article 370 of the Constitution that bestowed special status upon the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, ordered restoration of statehood "at the earliest" and set a September 30, 2024, deadline for holding the assembly elections.

The Blue Revolution: Indian Cricket's Success Story

The Blue Revolution: Indian Cricket's Success Story

Rediff.com30 Nov 2023

It is a tribute to a system so robustly meritocratic that this team represents India's diversity better than any other institution: The Union Cabinet, our chief ministers, the civil services, the leadership of our armed forces and security agencies, the judiciary and more than all of these, our typical newsroom. That is the biggest message from this breathless rise of Indian cricket, asserts Shekhar Gupta.

Can Israel's Army Win The War?

Can Israel's Army Win The War?

Rediff.com8 Nov 2023

If military power is all it would take to finish the menace of an awful terrorist organisation like Hamas, how come five Israeli wars in Gaza since 2003 have failed to do so? asks Shekhar Gupta.

All You Wanted to Know About Gift Nifty Index

All You Wanted to Know About Gift Nifty Index

Rediff.com30 Jun 2023

Gift Nifty will provide Indian investors cues on how domestic markets could react to global events.

Can't Defeat Modi Using Caste Census!

Can't Defeat Modi Using Caste Census!

Rediff.com19 Oct 2023

Will a caste census make tens of millions desert Mr Modi?, asks Shekhar Gupta.

There is only one victim in this case, and it is Israel

There is only one victim in this case, and it is Israel

Rediff.com23 Oct 2023

There is only one perpetrator, Hamas. It is a terrorist organisation. It is obscene to argue that until the Palestinian question is solved, anybody has the right to use terrorism as an instrument of policy, argues Shekhar Gupta.

Ask Sikhs In Punjab If They Want Khalistan...

Ask Sikhs In Punjab If They Want Khalistan...

Rediff.com11 Oct 2023

Almost all will say no. Then ask them why they don't push back at those who rise the slogan of Khalistan. Somebody would confront you with a counter-question: If people can talk of a Hindu Rashtra, why get so upset if others talk of a Sikh Nation, points out Shekhar Gupta.

Modi's 3rd Term Isn't A Done Deal

Modi's 3rd Term Isn't A Done Deal

Rediff.com20 Sep 2023

With the general election campaign less than six months away, the BJP has more to think about than it had on the eve of 2019. It's the states that will be robbing BJP strategists of their sleep at this point, not the Lok Sabha, asserts Shekhar Gupta.

What I Discover When I Open A Heart?

What I Discover When I Open A Heart?

Rediff.com28 Sep 2023

We should fill our heart with things that we will be proud of when anyone opens our hearts -- fill it with love rather than hate, fill it with confidence rather than fear, with care rather than apathy, with warmth rather than indifference, suggests Cardiac Surgeon Dr Sanjeeth Peter.

The Punjabis Are Fleeing

The Punjabis Are Fleeing

Rediff.com19 Sep 2023

There's an entire gurdwara dedicated to immigration. People present tiny airliner models here in the hope that Waheguru will soon give them a ticket, passport and visa to leave, reveals Shekhar Gupta.

What Was The Most Dangerous Decade Post Independence?

What Was The Most Dangerous Decade Post Independence?

Rediff.com12 Sep 2023

The competition for the worst or most perilous 10 years has always been between the 1960s and the 1980s, points out Shekhar Gupta.

Is China New Leader Of Global South?

Is China New Leader Of Global South?

Rediff.com5 Sep 2023

Today, with China centrally seated and located, the Global South has an intriguing road ahead. Odds of it becoming a Chinese bloc in the emerging new bipolar world are higher than we'd wish them to be, observes Shekhar Gupta.

Cong workers detained ahead of Rahul's ED appearance

Cong workers detained ahead of Rahul's ED appearance

Rediff.com13 Jun 2022

The Delhi Police said that it has imposed section 144 CrPC preventing the assembly of more than four people in the area asking them not to violate the law.

Why Statehood Needs To Be Restored In J&K

Why Statehood Needs To Be Restored In J&K

Rediff.com25 Jul 2023

The best, wisest, and fairest next step in strengthening our own cause is to restore statehood to Jammu & Kashmir and allow the resumption of robust political activity. That's a box that remains unchecked on the Modi government's report card as we approach the fourth anniversary of Kashmir's Constitutional shift, notes Shekhar Gupta.

Will India See Return Of Two-Party Politics?

Will India See Return Of Two-Party Politics?

Rediff.com20 Jul 2023

If only the Congress could rebuild on its strengths and develop a modern enough ideology, we could again be moving towards a clearer two-party political landscape, asserts Shekhar Gupta.

Hijab row: K'taka college issues NOC to 2 Muslim girl students, TC to 1

Hijab row: K'taka college issues NOC to 2 Muslim girl students, TC to 1

Rediff.com23 Jun 2022

Of the three girl students, two had held a press meet and questioned the decision of the university to strictly implement the uniform rule inside the campus.

Phas Gaye Re Obama

Phas Gaye Re Obama

Rediff.com3 Jul 2023

The Democrats, especially the Biden administration, wanted to deliver a sharper message to Mr Modi than would be possible in a formal summit setting. So, why not get the most prominent Democrat in decades to deliver it?, explains Shekhar Gupta.

Why The Army Can't Fight In Manipur

Why The Army Can't Fight In Manipur

Rediff.com10 Jul 2023

For the most battle-hardened, specialised and successful counter-insurgency army in the world, this is an unfamiliar, first-time experience of dealing with the north east's deepest complexities, observes Shekhar Gupta.

Can India Afford To Frown At The Chinese?

Can India Afford To Frown At The Chinese?

Rediff.com20 May 2023

India would not be seen to be anything but rude with the Pakistanis. In the big picture, who is the bigger adversary right now? Who is the bigger pain in the neck? And who is it that is keeping more than 3,000 km of our borders active, throwing our military posture and deployments into imbalance? asks Shekhar Gupta.

Manipur: BJP's Formidable Internal Security Challenge

Manipur: BJP's Formidable Internal Security Challenge

Rediff.com12 Jun 2023

There are three things you never do in a small North East state: Undermine local leaders, divide and rule, push homogenisation, asserts Shekhar Gupta.

The Perils Of Democracy In Pakistan

The Perils Of Democracy In Pakistan

Rediff.com26 May 2023

Pakistan still has to acquire the patience you need in a democracy. The patience to accept that even if I do not like the government I have, I must wait till the next election to change it, explains Shekhar Gupta.

Modi's Dilemma: China and Pakistan

Modi's Dilemma: China and Pakistan

Rediff.com8 May 2023

Mr Modi might have questions to ask himself on the most formidable strategic challenge before India that he inherited from the United Progressive Alliance: The triangulation between China and Pakistan. The failure to break out of it, or even loosen it a bit, is something to reflect on, notes Shekhar Gupta.

Opposition Unity Is A Bogus Idea

Opposition Unity Is A Bogus Idea

Rediff.com3 May 2023

Our political history tells us this has never worked. A united Opposition does work in some specific, limited situations, especially in the states. But never as some brilliant pan-national collection of diverse interests with no ideological or political core, asserts Shekhar Gupta.

Why Did Supreme Court Strengthen UAPA?

Why Did Supreme Court Strengthen UAPA?

Rediff.com13 Apr 2023

Reversing the burden of evidence means that the principle of innocent until proven guilty does not apply. It is exactly the opposite: Guilty as charged, until you can convince the judges of the contrary, points out Shekhar Gupta.

How The BJP Has Changed Under Modi-Shah

How The BJP Has Changed Under Modi-Shah

Rediff.com26 Apr 2023

The BJP at 43 is a work in progress, with total ideological continuity and much substantive change in political method and style, observes Shekhar Gupta.

Is Adani a Modi Crony?

Is Adani a Modi Crony?

Rediff.com11 Apr 2023

This State-corporate 'cooperation' didn't begin with the arrival of the Modi government.
Many of the big licences, contracts, and even environmental clearances for the Adani group had come in the UPA's time, points out Shekhar Gupta.

This Budget Is A Statement Of Confidence

This Budget Is A Statement Of Confidence

Rediff.com2 Feb 2023

'Indian families' needs and expectations have gone through a revolution across economic demographics.' 'As this latest Modi-Sitharaman Budget demonstrated, politicians have understood this change. They are responding to it,' points out Shekhar Gupta.

Over 18,000 cops to be deployed for safe New Year celebrations in Delhi

Over 18,000 cops to be deployed for safe New Year celebrations in Delhi

Rediff.com29 Dec 2022

The traffic will be restricted at Connaught Place from 8 pm on Saturday and alcometer will be used for the drunk driving challans.

UP govt orders removal of illegal loudspeakers from religious places

UP govt orders removal of illegal loudspeakers from religious places

Rediff.com26 Apr 2022

The move comes days after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's directive for restricting the volume of loudspeakers at religious places in order to avoid trouble to people living nearby.