News for 'Armed Forces and First Citizen'

Few expectations of the 'aam aadmi' from Union Budget 2015

Few expectations of the 'aam aadmi' from Union Budget 2015

Rediff.com25 Feb 2015

Common people expect the government to be aggressive and opt for growth related measures in the upcoming Budget.

PIX: Desisa wins midnight marathon; Hassan bags double

PIX: Desisa wins midnight marathon; Hassan bags double

Rediff.com6 Oct 2019

Images from Saturday's proceedings at the World Athletics Championships in Doha.

They sit there, stoic, implacable, defiant

They sit there, stoic, implacable, defiant

Rediff.com2 Jan 2020

It is a sight that both warms and breaks the heart. The women of Shaheen Bagh seem oblivious of the cold, these women and their children, the latter ranging in age from 19 days to early teens, who have been occupying the road for over two weeks now. Some of them have not gone home for days, but their faces are clear, unlined by fatigue, their eyes bright and fierce as those of the falcon, shaheen, the area is named for.

What Indira Gandhi's Emergency proved for India

What Indira Gandhi's Emergency proved for India

Rediff.com23 Jun 2010

'If Indira Gandhi's Emergency proved anything at all, it established that India would be governed, to the extent it can be governed, democratically or not at all,' says Inder Malhotra.

Do this nation proud, Mr Modi, heal it, build it and be true to your word

Do this nation proud, Mr Modi, heal it, build it and be true to your word

Rediff.com17 May 2014

'You have a chance to use this massive mandate to push through life changing reforms, transform India into a superpower because our nation's biggest strength are its people, and we the people are the most hardworking industrious and entrepreneurial the world has ever seen.' 'Arm us with a society which lives without fear, a governance where business can be conducted smoothly without greasing palms, instill in this great nation a sense of pride once again. Let this nation be bigger than you and the party.' Suparn Verma's impassioned appeal to Narendra Modi.

'So you've come to arrest me for Gandhi's murder?'

'So you've come to arrest me for Gandhi's murder?'

Rediff.com18 Oct 2019

'There was the indisputable fact that Savarkar knew Godse, Apte and Karkare well, he had corresponded with them closely, and funded their extremely provocative newspaper, and they looked up to him as their icon.'

PM-Sharif talks: India should not hope for too much

PM-Sharif talks: India should not hope for too much

Rediff.com28 Sep 2013

Two suicide bombers rammed into the All Saints Church in the Kohati Gate area of Peshawar, Pakistan, when Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was on his way to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly session.

Sheena Bora Case: Why was Indrani's voice recorded?

Sheena Bora Case: Why was Indrani's voice recorded?

Rediff.com22 Feb 2020

At the prison, both Ranjan and Manglik's cell phones were pressed into service by the CBI. Why the CBI didn't bring its own equipment seems a mystery... Ranjan's cell handset was given to Indrani and Manglik dialed it. Indrani then spoke and her speech, that emanated from the phone, via speaker mode, was recorded.

Women take back Bengaluru

Women take back Bengaluru

Rediff.com6 Feb 2017

They are shaken by the mass molestation in the city on New Year's Eve. But they are not waiting to be rescued. Nikita Puri reports.

Has Didi begun her campaign to be PM?

Has Didi begun her campaign to be PM?

Rediff.com4 Feb 2019

With her various overtures and right noises at the right time, Mamata is once again trying to reshape her image from being a regional leader to one with national appeal and acceptability. After all, the charge of building a Federal Front may also bring to the fore Mamata's chances to become prime minister in 2019.

Pakistan is 'terrorist state', carries out war crimes: India to UN

Pakistan is 'terrorist state', carries out war crimes: India to UN

Rediff.com22 Sep 2016

India said Pakistan was a democracy deficit country and practises terrorism on its own people.

US: Not enough to ban LeT, Pak must bring 26/11 killers to book

US: Not enough to ban LeT, Pak must bring 26/11 killers to book

Rediff.com17 Dec 2015

'We think Pakistan has moved decisively against terrorists that threaten Pakistan internally, but still needs to devote attention to those that represent a threat to their neighbours.'

LS polls: Bihar sees lowest turnout with 50%, WB tops with 81%

LS polls: Bihar sees lowest turnout with 50%, WB tops with 81%

Rediff.com12 Apr 2019

This time however, the poll panel did not share the overall polling percentage at its briefing.

Ghoul makes it terrifying to be a Muslim

Ghoul makes it terrifying to be a Muslim

Rediff.com28 Aug 2018

'Any Muslim who shows even the slightest hint of revolutionary thought is marked as 'infected'.' 'At that point, he is taken to the nearest Detention Centre where a procedure called Reconditioning awaits him.' 'Areas with a high Muslim population have been designated as Scheduled Religion Zones.' 'To be an active participant in this social cleansing ritual, there is only one prerequisite: You have to be an undying patriot whose friend and family is his country.'

Ajit Doval must read out the riot act to Pakistan

Ajit Doval must read out the riot act to Pakistan

Rediff.com18 Aug 2015

'The Modi government's pusillanimity vis-a-vis Pakistan makes almost certain that India will, in the coming weeks and months, be confronted with cross border terrorist actions of increasing intensity,' warns Satish Chandra, former deputy national security adviser.

Ban Pakistani artistes? Are we serious?

Ban Pakistani artistes? Are we serious?

Rediff.com27 Sep 2016

'We have never had a policy regarding Pakistani artistes working in India.' 'We welcome them with open arms and that remains the official policy of the Indian government, including the current dispensation.'

What we learnt about Michelle Obama from her memoir

What we learnt about Michelle Obama from her memoir

Rediff.com16 Nov 2018

From her thoughts on a black woman becoming First Lady to marital struggles with her husband Barack, Michelle Obama hasn't held back in her memoir, which is being praised as honest and telling, Becoming.

'Government cannot, should not regulate the Internet'

'Government cannot, should not regulate the Internet'

Rediff.com31 Mar 2015

'What the Supreme Court decision does is encourage more and more young Indians to get involved in citizenship and democracy and do so more fearlessly.' 'Obviously, this is not a licence to be rude or go defaming people or be obnoxious online or do illegal activities online.' 'But this is a licence and green light for people to get more involved in the country, its politics and governance, its businesses, and be freely expressing your views on it.'

Phase 2 of Lok Sabha polls concludes with 68% voting

Phase 2 of Lok Sabha polls concludes with 68% voting

Rediff.com18 Apr 2019

Barring Maharashtra, the poll percentage in rest of the states was in excess of 60 per cent while in Puducherry it was 80.47 per cent.

So is the Hindu Rashtra here?

So is the Hindu Rashtra here?

Rediff.com4 Jun 2019

This theory of 'Hindus vs the rest' sees the two communities as two separate blocs. Isn't that the two-nation theory? What of the deep bonds that the communities have on the ground? asks Jyoti Punwani.

Terror ploughs into France once again; 10 kids among 84 killed

Terror ploughs into France once again; 10 kids among 84 killed

Rediff.com15 Jul 2016

At least 10 children are among the dead in the Riviera city following a "cowardly and barbaric" atrocity believed to have been carried out by 31-year-old Mohamed Bouhlel.

President Pranab's address to Parliament: The transcript

President Pranab's address to Parliament: The transcript

Rediff.com9 Jun 2014

President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday addressed the first joint sitting of Parliament as mandatorily required under the Constitution after the general elections. The address is the political, economic and foreign policy road map of the Narendra Modi government and covers virtually all crucial areas.

Why Shia Hazaras are fleeing Pakistan

Why Shia Hazaras are fleeing Pakistan

Rediff.com30 Jun 2014

Civilian and military security forces deployed in Balochistan have done little to investigate attacks on Hazara or take steps to prevent the next attack, says a Human Rights Watch report.

Decoding The Kim-Donald Show

Decoding The Kim-Donald Show

Rediff.com13 Jun 2018

'In the run-up to the summit, Trump had indicated that he might strike a nuclear deal in the course of a single meeting or over several days, but as it transpired, Trump departed Singapore soon after the meeting.' 'This raises questions if his aspirations for an ambitious outcome had been scaled back,' says Rajaram Panda.

Is Mumbai about to get back its nightlife?

Is Mumbai about to get back its nightlife?

Rediff.com4 Oct 2013

Aditya Thackeray may want Mumbai's shops and restaurants to remain open 24x7 but the Maharashtra government won't be okaying it in a hurry, says Neeta Kolhatkar.

Ajit Doval brings a compulsive operational mind to his job

Ajit Doval brings a compulsive operational mind to his job

Rediff.com9 Jan 2016

'He is still compulsively an operations man. Just a whiff of a live operation, and he is back in the field, at least in his mind. That is why the immediate decision to send the NSG to Pathankot.' 'But there is a difference between classical intelligence or counter-terror operation and dealing with a larger threat to a place as sensitive and sprawling as an air force base. This is what led to confusion and mix-ups,' says Shekhar Gupta.

The Politics of Fake News and WhatsApp Forwards

The Politics of Fake News and WhatsApp Forwards

Rediff.com11 Oct 2017

'This is a Frankenstein's monster that will engulf us all in its rage and greed.' 'This fake news/WhatsApp forwards industry -- and especially, the use of it in politics -- is one of the biggest threats to our world today,' warns Amit Mehra.

The incredible lightness of being

The incredible lightness of being

Rediff.com4 Jul 2015

Pilates, a fitness system that focuses on stretching to help the muscles find their balance, is becoming popular. The author tries it out.

Why the law on sedition needs to be scrapped

Why the law on sedition needs to be scrapped

Rediff.com16 Jul 2018

'The best remedy would be to scrap Section 124-A of the IPC, a colonial vestige, altogether.' 'However, if legislators don't want to do so, they can do two things.' 'They can formally amend Section 124-A to bring it in line with what the Supreme Court has said about sedition.' 'The words which stand on the statute book today were inserted in 1898.' 'The Supreme Court's words are not a part of Section 124-A.'

Top 10 nations hit hardest by terrorism

Top 10 nations hit hardest by terrorism

Rediff.com20 Nov 2015

The number of people killed in acts of terror reached a record high last year, with almost four in five of these deaths occurring in just five countries, new research shows.

EXCLUSIVE: No country for the Rohingyas

EXCLUSIVE: No country for the Rohingyas

Rediff.com2 Mar 2017

Imagine being a part of a country, but being discriminated against by the majority community and atrocities being committed against you by the state. This is the deplorable conditions that the Rohingyas of Myanmar live in where they are cut off from their livelihoods and sources of income, unable to access markets, hospitals and schools, and have little or no access to relief aid. In order to understand the situation and the genesis of the tragedy unfolding, Rediff.com's Archana Masih speaks to Ambassador Vijay Nambiar, the United Nations' Chef de Cabinet (Chief of Staff), who had served a long stint with the UN in New York on the issue.

Why the Uttar Pradesh violence escalated

Why the Uttar Pradesh violence escalated

Rediff.com10 Sep 2013

The UP government, if it manages to remain in power now, must take immediate steps to ensure that no violence takes place as the country gears up for the elections. Action has to be taken to prevent this, not just through the law and order machinery, but through a secular campaign in which all non-communal political parties participate, says Seema Mustafa.

'Paris-style' attacks rock Jakarta; 5 gunmen among 7 killed

'Paris-style' attacks rock Jakarta; 5 gunmen among 7 killed

Rediff.com14 Jan 2016

ISIS suicide bombers and gunmen struck at the heart of the capital of Muslim-majority Indonesia, executing a Westerner and killing a local while blowing up a Starbucks cafe, leaving five attackers dead in the ensuing firing.

Parliament set to witness furore over note ban

Parliament set to witness furore over note ban

Rediff.com15 Nov 2016

A Congress-led opposition on Tuesday came together seeking to pin down the government on the demonetisation issue in the winter session of Parliament beginning tomorrow but a consenses eluded on Trinamoll Congress's proposed march to Rashtrapati Bhawan for meeting the President.

VOTE: Who made the biggest impact in 2015?

VOTE: Who made the biggest impact in 2015?

Rediff.com24 Dec 2015

Don't forget to make your pick for the newsmaker of 2015.

Lift AFSPA, ban pellet guns, Opposition suggests at all party meet on Kashmir

Lift AFSPA, ban pellet guns, Opposition suggests at all party meet on Kashmir

Rediff.com12 Aug 2016

It was also suggested that an all-party delegation should visit Kashmir to assess the situation but the government did not make commitments regarding any of their demands.

The danger signal from the Muzaffarnagar riots

The danger signal from the Muzaffarnagar riots

Rediff.com19 Sep 2013

It is rare for communal riots to spread to rural areas. The UP riot is the first time after the September 1969 Gujarat riots that a rural area have been affected. Electoral politics which divide society in majority/minority, going on since the early 1990s, is a major contributing factor to this heightened tension between communities, says Colonel (retd) Anil Athale in the first of a two part series.

'GIFT is just another Modi vanity project like Make in India'

'GIFT is just another Modi vanity project like Make in India'

Rediff.com23 Feb 2016

Percy Mistry says things at market regulator Sebi are also in bad shape.

US-China trade war: What India must do

US-China trade war: What India must do

Rediff.com8 Mar 2019

'If we play our cards right, we may even benefit from the competition between the US and China as seen from increased investment from each of these countries into India.' 'The size of our market gives us an important lever of power which we shall have to play adroitly and intelligently,' points out Ambassador Gautam Bambawale -- who served as India's envoy to China -- in the Professor V M Dandekar Memorial Lecture 2019, delivered on March 8, 2019 in Pune.

Extortion haunts Bihar again

Extortion haunts Bihar again

Rediff.com28 Jan 2016

'Hundreds of engineers have complained that they are being threatened by criminals for allotment of contracts and extortion.'