News for 'Ashoka'

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.

'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.

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.

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 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?

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.

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.

'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.'

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.

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.

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.

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.

Low fares might leave airlines stranded in the long run

Low fares might leave airlines stranded in the long run

Rediff.com8 May 2015

The sooner the airlines get their act together, the better.

Modi's Mongolia visit is important too

Modi's Mongolia visit is important too

Rediff.com12 May 2015

India should enhance its economic, cultural and defence ties with Mongolia. It is high time Modi should focus on gaining clout in smaller Asian countries such as Mongolia. It is in this context, India's engagement with Mongolia would give much-needed impetus to India's foreign policy, says Sana Hashmi.

Shashi Kapoor's good looks helped launch Saeed Jaffrey's film career in India

Shashi Kapoor's good looks helped launch Saeed Jaffrey's film career in India

Rediff.com17 Nov 2015

'Once Attenborough had locked the shot, Jaffrey turned to Amitabh and told him in a very controlled but stern voice that he should never talk to an actor in between takes.'

Future of travel: India's OrcaPod

Future of travel: India's OrcaPod

Rediff.com28 Aug 2017

The OrcaPod is a prototype of what comes after boats, cars, trains and planes. It's India's foray into what Tesla founder Elon Musk calls the 'fifth form of transportation' and India's only entry at the ongoing Hyperloop competition by Elon Musk's SpaceX.

How illegal sat phones are a big headache for intelligence agencies

How illegal sat phones are a big headache for intelligence agencies

Rediff.com12 Feb 2014

The arrest of three foreigners in connection with a case relating to possession of satellite phones once again goes on to show the lacklustre approach many have towards the Indian law. Three persons were arrested at Jalpaiguri in west Bengal for possessing satellite phones and were charged with violation under the Indian Wireless Telegraph Act 1933, Indian Telegraph Act 1885, the Indian Penal Code and the Foreigners Order of 1948.

Why Gorakhpur loves Adityanath

Why Gorakhpur loves Adityanath

Rediff.com15 Apr 2017

Almost everyone in Gorakhpur has a story about an Adityanath intervention that helped push through a piece of work that would've been otherwise impossible.

Films, books that inspire corporate head honchos

Films, books that inspire corporate head honchos

Rediff.com4 Mar 2016

Here's a list of the favourites of the billionaires.

Yumm! Pineapple Corn Chaat recipe

Yumm! Pineapple Corn Chaat recipe

Rediff.com23 Oct 2014

Reader Tanu Pathak shares this recipe of an unusual yet very sumptuous starter or snacks for Diwali.

What Anandiben Patel is really like

What Anandiben Patel is really like

Rediff.com22 May 2014

'Anandiben is a strict taskmaster. She is accepted much less among the party cadres, but the bureaucrats in Gujarat bow to her dictates. In charisma, she is not a patch on Modi, and her acceptance among the masses will never become a reality.' Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com reveals what Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel is really like.

20 years after Pokhran: PMs and India's nuclear ambitions

20 years after Pokhran: PMs and India's nuclear ambitions

Rediff.com11 May 2018

20 years ago this day, May 11, 1998, India conducted its second nuclear test at Pokharan in Rajasthan. In a fascinating interview on Rediff.com, K Subrahmanyam revealed how Indian PMs reacted to nuclear ambitions.

Congress cannot be erased; BJP does politics of blood: Rahul

Congress cannot be erased; BJP does politics of blood: Rahul

Rediff.com23 Feb 2014

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has accused BJP of practicing "politics of blood" by pitting one religion against another and one caste against another to come to power at any cost, escalating the Congress attack against the opposition party.

Modi was unusually soft and humble

Modi was unusually soft and humble

Rediff.com27 May 2014

Glimpses of the change Narendra Modi promised million of voters were visible at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Modi has now no excuse, but to perform and change India for the better. Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com reports from the presidential palace. A feature on the swearing-in ceremony like none other.

How Modi plans to deal with China

How Modi plans to deal with China

Rediff.com7 Jul 2017

How Modi plans to deal with China

'Obama must not finish his term without meeting Modi again'

'Obama must not finish his term without meeting Modi again'

Rediff.com17 Jul 2015

Aziz Haniffa/Rediff.com listens to four Indian and American national security advisers recalling the hard work that went into negotiating the nuclear deal.

L'affaire Sushma Swaraj marks end of Modi Sarkar's honeymoon

L'affaire Sushma Swaraj marks end of Modi Sarkar's honeymoon

Rediff.com16 Jun 2015

Right now, in Modi's Cabinet and in the BJP, there is no challenge whatsoever to Modi's leadership but even those leaders who have some potential, who the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh can think of backing in an unforeseen circumstance, are fast turning into damaged goods, reports Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com.

India's Cloth Man on winning the Magsaysay

India's Cloth Man on winning the Magsaysay

Rediff.com4 Aug 2015

Anshu Gupta, the founder of Goonj, has transformed the culture of giving in the country. He has for 15 years now, worked tirelessly to bridge the gap between the haves and the have-nots, by making discarded materials a resource for the poor. His weapon, he says, is 'cloth as a tool of social change.'

Do you need commandos with AK 47s to control a church protest?

Do you need commandos with AK 47s to control a church protest?

Rediff.com12 Feb 2015

Active citizenship through peaceful protest is a powerful tool, says Merril Diniz, who was part of a peaceful march that was struck down by police and CRPF personnel, while protesting against church attacks in Delhi.

When A P J Abdul Kalam met Pramukh Swami Maharaj

When A P J Abdul Kalam met Pramukh Swami Maharaj

Rediff.com14 Aug 2016

'This can lift us out of confusion, misery, melancholy and failure, and indeed guide us when it is contacted.' 'For us to ignite our spirituality, we need to look inward and transcend our egos. We need to recognize, connect with and integrate the eternal spirit within,' says A P J Abdul Kalam in his latest book, Transcendence.

Copybook President Mukherjee completes an eventful year

Copybook President Mukherjee completes an eventful year

Rediff.com25 Jul 2013

An active politician for over four decades, Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday completed one year in office as a copybook President, a period that was marked by proactive steps within and outside Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Remembering Kalam: 'When a problem arises, become the captain of the problem and defeat it!'

Remembering Kalam: 'When a problem arises, become the captain of the problem and defeat it!'

Rediff.com27 Jul 2016

'We have 200 million families. Parents have the responsibility to make their children righteous -- where there is righteousness in the heart, there is beauty in the character.' 'Only three people can give a good citizen before s/he turns 17. Father, mother, the spiritual environment and the primary school teacher.' President A P J Kalam on India becoming a developed country by 2020-2022, the heroes he admired; how 90 per cent of India's space programme is intended for the people and the individual's potential to become unique.

'Everybody has rallied around one leader. One vision'

'Everybody has rallied around one leader. One vision'

Rediff.com18 May 2014

'I don't think you would have seen this level of enthusiasm or phenomenon in the NRI community ever before.' 'Even before he was chief minister, Modi had lots of friends, lots of supporters throughout the world. That support has become more and more popular within Gujarat as his achievements have become more well known in India and overseas.' NRI and Modi supporter Manoj Ladwa tells Vaihayasi Pande Daniel how a Modi win will galvanise global Indians.

10 things that the Modi government is doing right

10 things that the Modi government is doing right

Rediff.com20 Aug 2014

Despite criticism of a lack of transparency and communication from the Modi-led government, BJP leaders point to "good beginnings" on several fronts to defend its performance. Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com reports.

When Hindus ate beef, India was NEVER conquered

When Hindus ate beef, India was NEVER conquered

Rediff.com24 Mar 2015

'There is a remarkable link between the eating of beef (or at the very least, tolerating the eating of beef) and India being a superpower.' 'In India, whenever an empire was strong, religion took a back seat.' 'Alternatively, whenever religion asserted itself, the main empire of India crumbled...'

'Don't accept the stereotype of being the weaker sex'

'Don't accept the stereotype of being the weaker sex'

Rediff.com11 Mar 2015

Winners of the Stree Shakti Puruskars share their stories on how they are empowering women. Upasna Pandey/Rediff.com reports

A house for Mr Modi

A house for Mr Modi

Rediff.com17 May 2014

Life inside the prime minister's official residence is highly regulated, but it comes with its perks, says Veenu Sandhu