News for 'Ashoka'

When Rakesh Sharma found himself in a different kind of space

When Rakesh Sharma found himself in a different kind of space

Rediff.com9 Nov 2015

Though this time India's first astronaut remained earth bound, P Rajendran/Rediff.com finds out more about his journey off the beaten track along America's East Coast.

The iconic hotel that Nehru built

The iconic hotel that Nehru built

Rediff.com28 Dec 2016

Nehru decided to build The Ashok in New Delhi to host a UNESCO conference. For a prime minister focussed on India building with projects like the Bhakra-Nangal Dam, IITs and factories, "the hotel spoke of the gumption of the country at that time." Manavi Kapur traces the eventful journey of the hotel, which has now completed 60 years.

Designing a flag for an upcoming revolution

Designing a flag for an upcoming revolution

Rediff.com28 Aug 2017

Ajit Balakrishnan envisions a flag to capture the spirit of the impending conflicts of the Information Age.

Partition: What we must remember

Partition: What we must remember

Rediff.com15 Aug 2018

The world had almost completely forgotten about Partition, and many never learned about it, says Guneeta Singh Bhalla, the woman who founded the 1947 Partition Archive.

Varsities should be place of debate, not violence: President Mukherjee

Varsities should be place of debate, not violence: President Mukherjee

Rediff.com2 Mar 2017

The president also said that there should be no room in the country for the "intolerant Indian" as this nation has been a bastion of free though, speech and expression since ancient times.

Tourist spot or time-bomb?

Tourist spot or time-bomb?

Rediff.com31 Jan 2017

The Sikkim government is planning to convert an artificial lake, formed by a massive landslide in the state's northern part in August last year, into a tourist spot.

Sheena Bora Trial: What the top cop revealed

Sheena Bora Trial: What the top cop revealed

Rediff.com8 Mar 2019

Indrani exclaimed excitedly, her face lighting up like a little girl's: "I know him soo0o well." Sanjeev Khanna, Accused No 2, jokingly suggested to Badami: "Influencing the witness!" Badami retorted good humouredly: "She can't influence witnesses. She can only influence you and Peter."

Sheela Says: All the Prime Minister-in-Waiting's Men

Sheela Says: All the Prime Minister-in-Waiting's Men

Rediff.com13 Mar 2014

For the first time ever, the BJP's headquarters for a Lok Sabha election is outside New Delhi. Meet the folks behind Narendra Modi's campaign for prime minister.

You can lease Delhi's Taj Mansingh if you have Rs 400cr to spare

You can lease Delhi's Taj Mansingh if you have Rs 400cr to spare

Rediff.com17 May 2017

Given the hotel's prime location, it is obvious that there will be some serious bidders trying their luck when an auction is held in the second half of this calendar year.

The shocking silence of Muzaffarpur

The shocking silence of Muzaffarpur

Rediff.com2 Aug 2018

Articulate segments of Muzaffarpur have been at the the forefront of all anti-establishment mobilisation, which makes their silence over the atrocities in a shelter home in the town puzzling. Could it be that if those accused of horrific crimes belong to dominant castes and if the victims belong to the vulnerable groups, then the middle classes become mute, asks Mohammad Sajjad.

Sweet cravings: Jalebis in a jiffy

Sweet cravings: Jalebis in a jiffy

Rediff.com24 Oct 2014

Reader Sarani Tarafder tells us how to make Jalebis in 30 minutes.

'Tipu would have enjoyed status of Shivaji if he was Hindu,' says Karnad

'Tipu would have enjoyed status of Shivaji if he was Hindu,' says Karnad

Rediff.com10 Nov 2015

Jnanpith awardee Girish Karnad on Tuesday said 18th century Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan would have enjoyed the same status as of Maratha king Chhatrapathi Shivaji, if he was a Hindu and not a Muslim.

Modi's spiritual break, bonds with monks as 'ghar ka ladka'

Modi's spiritual break, bonds with monks as 'ghar ka ladka'

Rediff.com10 May 2015

Taking a brief spiritual break, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday visited two famous shrines of West Bengal -- Belurmath, with which he has an emotional connect as he had tried in vain to join its order thrice.

Market falls flat on New Year eve's hangover

Market falls flat on New Year eve's hangover

Rediff.com1 Jan 2014

Bombay Stock Exchange Sensex closed 30 points lower at 21,140 levels.

'Hindutva has nothing to do with Hinduism'

'Hindutva has nothing to do with Hinduism'

Rediff.com17 Nov 2018

'No civilised nation can thrive if it is possessed with the spirit of Hindutva.'

Measures likely to protect electoral donor's anonymity

Measures likely to protect electoral donor's anonymity

Rediff.com7 Feb 2017

Under the scheme coming into effect from April 1, 2018, a donor could purchase bonds from authorised banks against cheques or digital payments. These would be redeemed only in the designated account of a registered political party.

Sensex ends near 28K; banks, metal shares in limelight

Sensex ends near 28K; banks, metal shares in limelight

Rediff.com2 Jan 2015

The Sensex ended up 380 points at 27,888 and the Nifty advanced 111 points to end five points shy of 8,400.

CID to probe suicide of senior cop in Karnataka

CID to probe suicide of senior cop in Karnataka

Rediff.com8 Jul 2016

CM Siddaramaiah announced the CID probe and warned of action against the seniors accused of harassing Ganapathy.

PHOTOS: Telangana stands tall with 291-ft tall tiranga

PHOTOS: Telangana stands tall with 291-ft tall tiranga

Rediff.com2 Jun 2016

T S Sudhir, who was present at the occasion, reports

'Hindiuism is inclusive, assimilative and based on dialogue'

'Hindiuism is inclusive, assimilative and based on dialogue'

Rediff.com23 Oct 2018

'It is exceptionally important for Hindus to once again get in touch with the foundation of Hinduism.' 'Aggressive evangelists are reducing Hinduism to its lowest common denominator.'

Demographic dividend or impending catastrophe?

Demographic dividend or impending catastrophe?

Rediff.com26 Aug 2016

No country has grown without educating its people. India's shameful lag in primary and secondary education has persisted for several decades, and the crisis in higher education is now threatening a social and political calamity, says Ashoka Mody.

Rashtrapati Bhavan guest house to open after 19 years

Rashtrapati Bhavan guest house to open after 19 years

Rediff.com5 Jan 2014

The Rashtrapati Bhavan will showcase India's hospitality at its very best when the doors of its gleaming new guest wing are thrown open on Monday for foreign dignitaries after it remained unused for over two decades.

Court awards life term to 'Bandit Queen' murderer

Court awards life term to 'Bandit Queen' murderer

Rediff.com14 Aug 2014

Sher Singh Rana, the lone convict in the sensational murder of bandit-turned-politician Phoolan Devi in 2001, was on Thursday awarded life imprisonment by a Delhi court which also imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on him.

Markets end flat amid consolidation; Metals outshine

Markets end flat amid consolidation; Metals outshine

Rediff.com6 Apr 2016

The broader markets, however, outperformed the benchmark indices -- BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices ended up 0.6%-1%.

Election 2014: Modi versus Macaulay's ghost

Election 2014: Modi versus Macaulay's ghost

Rediff.com17 Jun 2014

The post mandate comments that 'darkness has descended on India' shows the kind of opposition Modi has to overcome. It is this aspirational India that is attempting to throw away shackles of Macualayism. Make no mistake it is a tectonic shift and a beginning of the end of Maculayan mindset that has 'ruled' India for close to 60 years, says Colonel (retd) Anil Athale.

FULL TEXT: Pranab's address at RSS headquarters

FULL TEXT: Pranab's address at RSS headquarters

Rediff.com7 Jun 2018

The soul of India resides in pluralism and tolerance. This plurality of our society has come through assimilation of ideas over centuries. Secularism and inclusion are a matter of faith for us. It is our composite culture which makes us into one nation.

The second quit India movement

The second quit India movement

Rediff.com24 Nov 2014

Anjuli Bhargava explains why so many young Indians are packing their bags to study abroad and the steps that need to be taken to stem this outflow.

MUST READ: How India, China can work together

MUST READ: How India, China can work together

Rediff.com2 Mar 2019

'As China rises and India grows to reclaim their earlier positions on the world stage as two of the largest economies and most important countries, there will indeed be some contention between these two powers.' 'There will also be plenty of space and room for cooperation amongst the two of us.' 'As our economic size increases to match the fact that we are the two most populous nations on earth, it will be all the more important for us to keep the interests of our peoples as well as those of the rest of the world in mind.' 'We shall have to grow together rather than as separate and disparate entities,' points out Ambassador Gautam Bambawale -- who served as India's ambassador to China -- in the 7th annual lecture of the Indian Association of Foreign Affairs Correspondents on March 1, 2019.

'The disaster in Nepal has brought everything to zero'

'The disaster in Nepal has brought everything to zero'

Rediff.com23 Sep 2015

Ramon Magsaysay winner Anshu Gupta, whose non-governmental organisation Goonj has been leading the relief efforts in Nepal which was ravaged by a devastating quake in April this year, speaks to Ankita Mishra.

The Making of A Terrorist

The Making of A Terrorist

Rediff.com10 Jul 2017

How did Mansoor Peerbhoy, an academically bright, suave and soft-spoken young man, who never exhibited any jihadist tendencies, go on to head the Indian Mujahideen's media cell?

IAS officer's death: Govt orders CID probe

IAS officer's death: Govt orders CID probe

Rediff.com17 Mar 2015

As the 35-year-old IAS officer D K Ravi's death rocked the Assembly with public pressure also building up for a CBI probe, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the Crime Investigation Department would probe the case to unravel the "truth" -- whether it was a suicide or murder or due to "some other" reasons.

'Why does the prime minister follow trolls?'

'Why does the prime minister follow trolls?'

Rediff.com28 Dec 2016

'Which leader in the world follows people who make rape threat to their rivals?' 'Which prime minister in the world follows people who give death threats routinely?' 'It is shocking. There is no other world leader who does it.'

Microfinancier Bandhan is banking on people's trust

Microfinancier Bandhan is banking on people's trust

Rediff.com27 Jul 2015

There are perks for banking with the newest bank in India.

Rana convicted for murder of bandit queen-turned-politician Phoolan

Rana convicted for murder of bandit queen-turned-politician Phoolan

Rediff.com8 Aug 2014

A Delhi court on Friday convicted key accused Sher Singh Rana in the 13-year-old sensational murder of bandit-turned-politician Phoolan Devi, who was then a Lok Sabha member, in front of her Ashoka Road residence.

Why the BJP lost: 5 reasons from 'expat' Biharis

Why the BJP lost: 5 reasons from 'expat' Biharis

Rediff.com9 Nov 2015

'The greatness of Indian democracy is that it never lets any political pundit master the pulse of the electorate. Sometimes people vote for change and sometimes they vote for the status quo.'

Bihar saves India again

Bihar saves India again

Rediff.com9 Nov 2015

'The BJP should realise that a very large number of people -- from the 'perfumed liberals' to the 'illiterate' masses of Bihar -- is trying to tell them that this is not the 'development' they wanted.' 'Stop telling people what to eat, what to wear, what to read, who to love and how not to show dissent.'

Modi's 2014 after-glow is over

Modi's 2014 after-glow is over

Rediff.com9 Nov 2015

Why the Bihar defeat can be the best thing for him as PM, but only if he has the humility to read the writing on the wall, says Shekhar Gupta.

BJP's Goel threatens to resign if not named Delhi CM candidate

BJP's Goel threatens to resign if not named Delhi CM candidate

Rediff.com20 Oct 2013

Upset over not being projected as Bharatiya Janata Party's chief ministerial candidate for the Delhi assembly polls, Vijay Goel on Sunday staked his claim for the position before the party's top leadership and indicated his opposition against any move to declare Harsh Vardhan's name for it.

Is the Indian economy finally turning around? Yes!

Is the Indian economy finally turning around? Yes!

Rediff.com8 Apr 2016

If the economy gains momentum, that is a big positive for markets, given the strong macro of low inflation, falling rates, and a stable rupee, says Akash Prakash.

'Richard Attenborough was unassuming, he never lost his temper'

'Richard Attenborough was unassuming, he never lost his temper'

Rediff.com25 Aug 2014

Veteran theatre personality Dolly Thakore, who made her film debut as a casting director with Richard Attenborough's Gandhi, kept in touch with him till much after work on the multiple award-winning biopic was over. Distraught upon hearing the unfortunate news, the Indian thespian revisits her long and 'wonderful' association with Sir Richard Attenborough.