News for 'COLUMN'

The OTT Battle Is For Audiences And Their Time

The OTT Battle Is For Audiences And Their Time

Rediff.com20 Dec 2025

Only firms that have scale in content and a technology engine that drives its discovery and monetisation can compete,' explains Vanita Kohli Khandekar.

The Dilemma Of A Missing Workforce For Climate Action

The Dilemma Of A Missing Workforce For Climate Action

Rediff.com19 Dec 2025

This was perhaps a missed opportunity for India to spotlight a core domestic challenge: The scale of workforce preparation required for a young, populous, rapidly growing country seeking to reach net zero, points out Radha Roy Biswas.

Why Is Media Silent On Kashmir Times?

Why Is Media Silent On Kashmir Times?

Rediff.com29 Nov 2025

It is shameful that Kashmir Times has been attacked in the way it has and that Anuradha Bhasin has not found more voices to speak in support of her and her paper, points out Aakar Patel.

Frankenstein: Aesthetically Pleasing, Visually Lush, Morally Unequivocal

Frankenstein: Aesthetically Pleasing, Visually Lush, Morally Unequivocal

Rediff.com18 Dec 2025

Guillermo del Toro restores and amplifies the morality tale Shelley had meant her book to be. His message is kindness and forgiveness are the greatest virtues and arrogant ego meets its own just end, notes Shreekant Sambrani.

What Is DMK's Plan To Counter Vijay?

What Is DMK's Plan To Counter Vijay?

Rediff.com18 Dec 2025

The DMK may consider a two-tier campaign, where they keep the focus on Chief Minister Stalin, as a senior statesman with 50-plus years of political experience, and let EPS and the BJP shout in the wilderness. In such a case, the second-tier may project Udhayanidhi as the contender and chosen obstructionist in Vijay's path. The attempt, if any, would be to reduce Vijay to Udhayanidhi's level when the former is aiming at Stalin and Stalin alone in the state's political horizon, predicts N Sathiya Moorthy.

The New Found Importance Of Nitin Nabin

The New Found Importance Of Nitin Nabin

Rediff.com18 Dec 2025

'The move to appoint a person with a profile, markedly lower than the leader Nitin Nabin will replace, has the potential to put the brakes on the careers of several others in the party and government in the positions they currently hold,' points out Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

The Blasphemous Idea Dhurandhar Promotes

The Blasphemous Idea Dhurandhar Promotes

Rediff.com16 Dec 2025

Dhurandhar's most dangerous idea is that Director Aditya Dhar envisions an Indian state run by a deep state -- an intelligence machinery not accountable to Parliament, courts, or voters. A future political system where unelected officials decide when Indian democracy is 'fit' to function, observes Syed Firdaus Ashraf.

Army guns down 4 militants in Manipur encounter

Army guns down 4 militants in Manipur encounter

Rediff.com4 Nov 2025

At least four militants belonging to a banned outfit were killed in an encounter with security forces in Manipur's Churachandpur district.

Vietnam: A Boat Ride To Remember!

Vietnam: A Boat Ride To Remember!

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

A boat ride through Vietnam's most glorious landscape.

Why The '2 Gujaratis' Chose Nitin Nabin

Why The '2 Gujaratis' Chose Nitin Nabin

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

Nitin Nabin's selection is a bold political decision by the Two Gujaratis. When Rahul Gandhi has resurrected the issue of social justice, the BJP and the Two Gujaratis are sticking to their plan and agenda, explains Sheela Bhatt.

What If Sardar Patel Had Not Passed Away In 1950...

What If Sardar Patel Had Not Passed Away In 1950...

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

If Patel had lived a few years more, he may or may not have become prime minister. But for sure, his presence would have kept Nehru in check, points out Harishchandra.

IndiGo Crisis: What Was Its Board Doing?

IndiGo Crisis: What Was Its Board Doing?

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Where was the Board when a predictable regulatory change brought the country's largest airline to its knees? asks Dr Sudhir Bisht.

How Modi's Committee-Led Governance Is Driving Reforms

How Modi's Committee-Led Governance Is Driving Reforms

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

The change in the government's engagement with the economy's need for reforms is more nuanced than how analysts have so far perceived it, points out A K Bhattacharya.

Digital Scams Are Getting Smarter

Digital Scams Are Getting Smarter

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

'Just like oral hygiene, cyber hygiene must become a daily habit,' says Beena Vaheed, executive director, Bank of Baroda. 'It is not enough to rely only on banks, companies, or the government. Each of us must play our part.'

Lessons India Taught China In 1962 War

Lessons India Taught China In 1962 War

Rediff.com24 Nov 2025

The well-fought defensive battles in Aksai Chin and eastern Arunachal, in remote and forbidding locations such as Galwan, Rezang La, Gurung Hill and Walong, effectively halted Chinese advances not once but twice during the campaign. These engagements, fought with grit and without adequate support, were not immediately known to the world in 1962, points out Dr Kumar.

The India-Russia Defence Link That Lasts

The India-Russia Defence Link That Lasts

Rediff.com11 Dec 2025

Russia, being bogged down by the Ukraine war and prioritising the requirements of its own armed forces, along with India's consistent diversification policy, will remain a major challenge to the bilateral partnership, note Harsh V Pant and Aleksei Zakharov.

Gavaskar's Warning For World Champions

Gavaskar's Warning For World Champions

Rediff.com10 Nov 2025

Sunil Gavaskar, who was part of India's first World Cup triumph in 1983, said the players must not get disappointed if some 'shameless' brands and individuals use the victory to get free publicity.

Will Deepa Thoon Controversy Damage Stalin's DMK?

Will Deepa Thoon Controversy Damage Stalin's DMK?

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

The Deepa Thoon controversy, if not allowed to die a natural death, could take the election focus away from the anti-incumbency impacting the DMK and into the secular space. Stalin would love to have it that way, all over again, after the three past elections, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

The 14 Longest Hindi Movies

The 14 Longest Hindi Movies

Rediff.com13 Nov 2025

We look at the longest Hindi movies through the years, and interestingly, most of them have done well.

'Why Can't Mr Modi Reopen The Passes To Tibet?'

'Why Can't Mr Modi Reopen The Passes To Tibet?'

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

On August 5, 1953, Jawaharlal Nehru sent a strange note to the foreign secretary. It is worth mentioning because it was symptomatic of the lack of knowledge about Western Tibet in India and in South Block in particular, notes Claude Arpi.

Trump's Language Of Fascism

Trump's Language Of Fascism

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

'Non-compatible with Western Civilization' is about as vague and jingoistic as it gets and Trump saying this gives full license to his acolytes to go full throttle on making life as difficult and scary as possible for as many non-white people as possible,' notes Sree Sreenivasan.

The Dangers Of Sanchar Snoop

The Dangers Of Sanchar Snoop

Rediff.com6 Dec 2025

Once the OS layer is opened to the State, it doesn't close, notes Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (retd).

How Indian Institutions Can Shine On Global Stage

How Indian Institutions Can Shine On Global Stage

Rediff.com5 Dec 2025

The recipe for Indian higher education institutions to succeed in the global markets is excellence in academics, promoting contemporary socially relevant material, and enabling individuals (learners) to realise their full potential, suggests N Ravichandran.

The Importance Of Putin's India Visit

The Importance Of Putin's India Visit

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

The enduring relationship between the two countries have survived the disintegration of the erstwhile USSR in 1991, the end of the Cold War and the regime change in both countries, points out Rup Narayan Das.

Why Rupee Depreciation Should Not Be Resisted

Why Rupee Depreciation Should Not Be Resisted

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

'Calibrated depreciation will help rebalance external fundamentals, offset some of the tariff differentials with competitors, improve the competitiveness of domestic substitutes vis-a-vis Chinese imports, and contribute to the easing of financial conditions at a time when the inflation rate is unusually low,' explains Sajjid Z Chinoy, head of Asia Economics at JP Morgan.

What Gave Birth To Maoists In Bastar

What Gave Birth To Maoists In Bastar

Rediff.com3 Dec 2025

The Maoists in Bastar went from one village to another with kits providing badly needed medical intervention. The medical help was one key reason why the tribals were attracted to the Maoists, points out M R Narayan Swamy.

In An AI-Obsessed World, India's Craft May Redefine 'Made In India'

In An AI-Obsessed World, India's Craft May Redefine 'Made In India'

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

What is currently perceived as a massive, low-tech liability could become a high-value, export-oriented economic engine, points out Ajit Balakrishnan.

Time To Elect, Not Select Governors

Time To Elect, Not Select Governors

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

In a federal democracy, the people must have a say (indirect or direct) in an office as important as that of governor. Especially in a governor who can now effectively veto a bill by simply refusing to sign it, argues Harishchandra.

Should India Retain The Inflation Targeting Regime?

Should India Retain The Inflation Targeting Regime?

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

The best way for India to prepare is by preserving and strengthening the RBI's hard-won credibility, point out Rajeswari Sengupta and Vaishali Garga.

Will D K Shivakumar Go The Sachin Pilot Way?

Will D K Shivakumar Go The Sachin Pilot Way?

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

Even if D K Shivakumar wanted to oust Siddaramaiah, whose support would he take?
The shrewd politician that he is, Siddaramaiah figured his rival had no option but to lump it, points out Aditi Phadnis.

Disruptor Or Decider? What Will Vijay Choose?

Disruptor Or Decider? What Will Vijay Choose?

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

The likes of Sengottaiyan can help Vijay navigate it better and faster -- but not necessarily to his goal, which is farther, and can move towards or away from him as well in the weeks and months to come, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

Why Educated Muslim Youth Join Terror Modules

Why Educated Muslim Youth Join Terror Modules

Rediff.com27 Nov 2025

Radical Islamist networks are deliberately targeting Muslim youths embedded within the country's professional and academic ecosystems, leveraging their skills, mobility, and digital reach to quietly strengthen operational capabilities. This trend highlights a dangerous evolution in terror recruitment -- one that exploits ideological faultlines, online echo chambers and transnational radical Islamist influences to attract individuals who outwardly embody India's modern and aspirational narrative, points out Dr Kanchan Lakshman.

No Full-Stop To Govt Versus Governors Tussle

No Full-Stop To Govt Versus Governors Tussle

Rediff.com27 Nov 2025

The Supreme Court's opinion on the presidential reference can impact on any number of cases if and when governors, if not the President, take a literary view of the Supreme Court's 'ppinion' on their 'discretionary powers' without reference to the rider on 'reasonable time', points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

Will Xi Jinping's Enemies Stage A Coup?

Will Xi Jinping's Enemies Stage A Coup?

Rediff.com27 Nov 2025

If Xi Jinping is dethroned in the future, the instrument for that may well be embedded within the PLA, notes former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.

How Zohran Mamdani Went From 1% To Frontrunner

How Zohran Mamdani Went From 1% To Frontrunner

Rediff.com4 Nov 2025

What an achievement it will be if a young Gujarati-Punjabi man is able to give the most powerful nation in the world a new direction, asserts Aakar Patel.

Why Firing Gambhir Won't Fix The Real Problem

Why Firing Gambhir Won't Fix The Real Problem

Rediff.com26 Nov 2025

Sack Gambhir before he damages any more careers, if you must. But it cannot stop there. The project ahead must be bigger, more ambitious, and far more urgent: Rebuilding the spine of Indian cricket from the grassroots up, and giving the Test team the seriousness it deserves. Only then will Indian cricket stop lurching from one crisis to another and begin, once again, to imagine greatness, suggests Prem Panicker.

What Democrats Can Learn From Zohran Mamdani

What Democrats Can Learn From Zohran Mamdani

Rediff.com5 Nov 2025

His victory means that his party will have to learn from him, because after the rise of Donald Trump, the Democrats have been in disarray. They have had no real answer to the Trump phenomenon and Zohran, with his emphatic and clear policies aimed at working class Americans offers them a national path for a return, asserts Aakar Patel.

Arunachal Key To India-Japan Strategy Against China

Arunachal Key To India-Japan Strategy Against China

Rediff.com26 Nov 2025

If they act now, they can reshape the strategic map of Asia without firing a shot. If they wait, the next opportunity will come only after a serious Taiwan Strait incident -- by which time the price will be far higher, and the room for boldness far smaller -- the opportunity may well be lost by then. The question is no longer whether this can or should be done, points out Varun Arya.

How IAF Will Investigate Tejas Crash

How IAF Will Investigate Tejas Crash

Rediff.com24 Nov 2025

An IAF aircrash investigation typically concludes in two/three odd months. The reason for the crash is usually established in a week's time.

The World Is A Dangerous Place

The World Is A Dangerous Place

Rediff.com22 Nov 2025

After Donald Trump became president of the United States, he unleashed economic weaponisation, upsetting the old world order, leading to much unrest. If that wasn't all, the threat of an imminent nuclear war was issued by the US, Russia, China, North Korea and Pakistan. In today's fractious times, Dr Paulos Mar Gregorios would have made a dent, notes His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III.