'In normal procedure, policemen wear helmets to protect ourselves from lathi, sticks, poles, bamboos of a rampaging mob - but how do we protect ourselves from bullets?'
'Raman Singh will certainly be defeated by the alliance we have created," says Chhattisgarh's first chief minister Ajit Jogi.
'We worked hard, brought a very positive manifesto saying this is what we have done and this is what we will do.' 'But people liked something else.' 'They didn't like expressways, they want a bullet train.' 'I have realised that in a democracy, the poor doesn't know what they want.'
'For the first time since I've been following Indian politics, one heard voters talking about India's role on the world stage and the fact that, due to Modi's leadership, India was once again a great power.'
'Both Hindus and Muslims should work together to construct both the masjid and mandir.'
The fight for freedom was long and hard and that is why it is important to go back to the monuments that celebrate those who fought the good fight.
In view of the threat perception to Kanhaiya, strict security arrangements have been made in Bihat and around his home during his stay.
Because no other leader cared for Indians as selflessly as he did -- and it all started from a remote corner at the edge of this vast country, 100 years ago.
'After the water receded, the house was full of mud.' 'The furniture, television, the workshop, car -- everything is destroyed.'
'We must understand that the LAC is a political issue for China, so any action on the LAC will keep India focussed on the LAC which gives China the opportunity for any adventurism in the Indian Ocean.'
Lance Naik Mohan Nath Goswami met a hero's end battling Lashkar-e-Tayiba terrorists in the jungles of Kashmir. His valour earned him the nation's highest gallantry award in peacetime this Republic Day. Archana Masih/Rediff.com travelled to Lal Kuan, Haldwani, to find out who this hero was.
'India's challenge is status quo ante. China's challenge is a face-saving exit'
'The central BJP has worked out an arrangement -- Yogi manages the state while Modi manages the Centre.'
'... that they should listen to people of the soil of the North East and find a permanent solution to tribal problems.'
The Agniveer passing out parade was as much about family celebration as it was a military event. Alongside the pomp, pageantry and discipline of the parade were the personal stories of families, their struggles and how far they had come.
'Nobody is killing you in Kerala because you are Hindu unlike in North India where Muslims have been killed only because they are Muslims and were carrying some meat.'
'It is a great honour and responsibility because I will be a representative of India at the wedding,' Suhani Jalota -- whose Myna Mahila Foundation was selected by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as one of the seven charities to benefit from donations from the Royal Wedding - tells Rediff.com's Archana Masih.
A salute to the youngest Param Vir Chakra Awardee, Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Yogendra Singh Yadav who has retired from the Indian Army.
'We would have faced many more Galwans had Indian troops not reacted and retaliated the way they did.'
We asked colleagues, present and past, to reflect on a man who has made such a difference to their lives and careers. Here it is then, a rich collection of memories that offer enchanting glimpses of the enigmatic Ajit Balakrishnan.
'Mr Badal wanted to talk to a member of the Gandhi family to bring about some sort of rapprochement between the Akalis and the Congress which were the two major parties at that time.'
'Terrorists who are active in Poonch and Rajouri are not relying on random locals for logistics, guidance etc.' 'They are being supported by a selected few who are being vetted, cleared and directed from across the LoC.'
'We have to be equally vigilant in the central sector which is where Barahoti lies and also in the Joshimath area.'
'I used to be scared because operating in Kashmir is always fraught with danger.' 'His absence will be felt lifelong.'
'There are three pillars of concern: The expansion of Hindu majoritarianism, the concentration of executive power and decay of independent institutions, and curbs on free expression and dissent.'
'A fragile Sri Lanka will have a serious impact on the security of India.'
'This is a historical moment in the political history of Sri Lanka.' 'You can see the amount of pressure that is coming from the people because nobody addressed the policy blunders, multiple corruption charges and huge scandals.'
'Those who say that conventional war is a thing of the past or that war is not an option, or that diplomacy alone can prevent war -- are wrong and we see that in Ukraine.'
'If the BJP continues with Nitish as CM, it will not consolidate its position further in future.'
'The fight is between the Congress and Akali Dal.'
'That is the one headline the world is reading about India this week, and it is a potentially damaging story...' 'I don't think a panic mentality has set in, but this story is one that investors and market watchers are absolutely seized with.'
'He too can become a good BJP worker like Rajmata and those from his family before him.'
'Whatever ED officers do -- issue summons, conduct searches or arrest a person -- they have to face the courts.'
'While the US-Pakistan relationship has been stabilised, it's still mired in uncertainty.'
'You don't want to harm the satellites of other countries, but you also don't want your own satellite to be harmed.'
'All political parties have exploited the police. The current government at the Centre is blatant and unapologetic about it.'
'It is because of the bravery of Colonel Santosh Babu and his men that we have not seen a violent escalation anywhere else along the LAC.'
Vicky Toppo is a young man who transforms into a woman each time he takes to the stage to dance to Bhojpuri or Bollywood songs. He tells Archana Masih about life as an entertainer in the interiors of Bihar's villages.
'Since we don't have toilets, we go in the fields. It is worse for the women. Men and women have demarcated different area for themselves. But it is most difficult for us during the monsoon.'
'Hatred increases with every killing.' 'It sets one family against another.' 'The sooner it is stopped, the better.'
