News for 'COLUMN'

Pilot Training In India Is Below The Mark

Pilot Training In India Is Below The Mark

Rediff.com14 Oct 2025

The principal problem lies in lack of training infrastructure and relatively lax safety standards.

Can CBI Karur Stampede Probe Impact TN Polls?

Can CBI Karur Stampede Probe Impact TN Polls?

Rediff.com14 Oct 2025

If the TVK joins the NDA, there is every likelihood of the AIADMK winning an absolute majority in the 234 seat assembly and wanting to form a stand-alone government. In turn, it could mean that the BJP especially and the TVK equally so, will want to restrict the AIADMK's seat share closer to the cut-off figure, if only to ensure that EPS won't get the absolute majority that he desires (if the NDA won, that is) and will have to settle for a coalition government, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

From Russia With Love

From Russia With Love

Rediff.com10 Oct 2025

Red Square and VDNKh easily rank among the most striking places I've visited -- both for their historical significance and architectural splendour.
My admiration for Russian culture, vision and ambition grew with every step as I clocked the miles, Nitin Sathe tells us after a visit to Moscow and St Petersburg.

Visa Shock Stalls India's Talent Race

Visa Shock Stalls India's Talent Race

Rediff.com13 Oct 2025

If the Indian government is indeed serious about reversing brain drain, it needs to put much more emphasis on research and innovation, especially in areas that will determine the future, asserts Prosenjit Datta.

Afghans Are Adept At Playing India Against Pakistan

Afghans Are Adept At Playing India Against Pakistan

Rediff.com13 Oct 2025

'During the 5-day visit, Amir Khan Muttaqi would have, conceivably, bumped into our powerful security agencies one way or another and some interaction would have ensued, which, in turn, can lead to future dealings.' 'Indeed, this will be the one crucial template of the Indo-Afghan relationship that Pakistan will be monitoring closely,' points Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Will Tata Sons Go Public?

Will Tata Sons Go Public?

Rediff.com13 Oct 2025

Clarity on Tata Sons' position on listing, as of 2025, would help define the future of the group better, irrespective of the RBI stand. As of now, the ball is in the RBI's court, and everyone is watching the space, points out Nivedita Mookerji.

Why Trump Wanted Nobel Peace Prize

Why Trump Wanted Nobel Peace Prize

Rediff.com13 Oct 2025

Look at any picture or video of Donald Trump and infer if that inspires any thought of peace. Does he represent peace or does he symbolise aggression? asks Biswajit Dasgupta.

'India must not adjust for him, Bumrah must'

'India must not adjust for him, Bumrah must'

Rediff.com16 Aug 2025

As debates around Jasprit Bumrah's workload continue, Sanjay Manjrekar has taken a firm stance - arguing that the onus lies on the pacer to adapt, not the system.

Olympic champion Richardson arrested in Seattle

Olympic champion Richardson arrested in Seattle

Rediff.com2 Aug 2025

The report said she was detained on the evening of July 27 and released the following day.

'Dead Or Alive, Not A Single Man Will Turn Back'

'Dead Or Alive, Not A Single Man Will Turn Back'

Rediff.com23 Sep 2025

10 Heroes of the 1965 War which ended on September 23 60 years ago.

Why Has ISI Chief Been Given An Extension?

Why Has ISI Chief Been Given An Extension?

Rediff.com7 Oct 2025

While Asim Malik's role in Pakistan's recent warming up of relations with the US is acknowledged, army watchers note a recent distancing, what with Asim Munir not wanting his DG, ISI to share the limelight during his subsequent sojourns to Tampa and Brussels, points out Rana Banerji, who headed the Pakistan desk at RA&W.

Will Vijay's Next Film Rescue His Political Career?

Will Vijay's Next Film Rescue His Political Career?

Rediff.com6 Oct 2025

'Karur could still impact Jana Nayagan's box-office success if Vijay and the TVK do not get their act together,' points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

Why Trust In Ambani, Adani, India Inc Is Vital

Why Trust In Ambani, Adani, India Inc Is Vital

Rediff.com12 Sep 2025

Who else will take on the might of Microsoft, Google, and Amazon if not the Adanis, Ambanis, Birlas, or Tatas?, asks R Jagannathan.

'Pakistan May Get More Adventurous Towards India'

'Pakistan May Get More Adventurous Towards India'

Rediff.com4 Oct 2025

'What we need to watch is how Saudi Arabia's financial assistance will be used by Pakistan. If the funds go to build their military hardware and operations, it should worry us.'

V K Malhotra: Professor, Politician, Gentleman

V K Malhotra: Professor, Politician, Gentleman

Rediff.com3 Oct 2025

In seniority in the BJP leadership team, V K Malhotra, who passed into the ages this week, was next only to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L K Advani and Nanaji Deshmukh, notes Sudhir Bisht.

AI Mania Drives Global Markets

AI Mania Drives Global Markets

Rediff.com3 Oct 2025

'India may never fully participate in the AI hype cycle, but we can position ourselves to benefit from its inevitable disenchantment and the cycle of disillusionment,' alerts Akash Prakash.

Will RBI Governor Play Santa In December?

Will RBI Governor Play Santa In December?

Rediff.com3 Oct 2025

While the economy will wait for a rate cut in December, the banking industry should be happy with the wave of liberalisation -- a big push for growth in bank credit, points out Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Are We Making A Chinese Mistake Again?

Are We Making A Chinese Mistake Again?

Rediff.com6 Sep 2025

'Xi is an individual led by a harder calculus and would scoff at melting over gestures.' 'That we did not know this was our failure,' asserts Aakar Patel.

'Gen Z Knows Their Movement Has Been Hijacked'

'Gen Z Knows Their Movement Has Been Hijacked'

Rediff.com12 Sep 2025

'College-going Gen Z students are devastated by the killings and destruction.' 'These are not the kind of people who would burn somebody's home or beat up political leaders or set fire to people and snatch guns from the policemen.' 'So obviously a huge infiltration has happened.'

How India Let Sri Lanka Steal Its Tea Crown

How India Let Sri Lanka Steal Its Tea Crown

Rediff.com2 Oct 2025

India, the land that gave the world Darjeeling and Assam tea, risks losing its place at the global tea table, not because of its leaves, but because of its lost opportunities, notes Kanika Datta.

When Indian Soldiers Went Through Hell

When Indian Soldiers Went Through Hell

Rediff.com2 Oct 2025

Can Imperial Japan be forgiven for what it did to Indian soldiers it was supposed to protect as PoWs?

Chiraj Paswan's MP, JD-U MLC have 2 voter IDs: Tejashwi

Chiraj Paswan's MP, JD-U MLC have 2 voter IDs: Tejashwi

Rediff.com14 Aug 2025

The RJD leader on Wednesday had accused senior BJP leader and Muzaffarpur Mayor, Nirmala Devi and her two relatives of "having dual voter ID cards".

'Shocking': SC directs HCs to report on delayed judgments

'Shocking': SC directs HCs to report on delayed judgments

Rediff.com26 Aug 2025

The Supreme Court has directed registrar generals of all high courts to furnish details to their chief justices on verdicts reserved but not pronounced for three months, expressing concern over delays in judgment delivery.

Has Karur Tragedy Halted Vijay's Political Rise?

Has Karur Tragedy Halted Vijay's Political Rise?

Rediff.com28 Sep 2025

The Karur tragedy has exposed the huge gaps in Vijay's understanding of realpolitik, elections and political administration, asserts N Sathiya Moorthy.

The Malayalee Who Captained UAE's Cricket Team

The Malayalee Who Captained UAE's Cricket Team

Rediff.com5 Sep 2025

C P Rizwan led the UAE to its first win in a T20 World Cup match, played 42 ODIs and 18 T20Is before he retired this week. 'I end my international career with a heavy heart, but I feel proud of what I have achieved,' Rizwan tells K R Nayar.

US Needs India As Much As India Needs The US

US Needs India As Much As India Needs The US

Rediff.com6 Sep 2025

India-US relations, like Rome, were not built in a day, nor can they be demolished in a day.
All said and done, when the new global order emerges, India can only remain with the democracies, asserts Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

GST 2.0: India's Answer To Trump's Tariffs

GST 2.0: India's Answer To Trump's Tariffs

Rediff.com4 Sep 2025

Simplifying GST rates, removing exemptions, easing disputes, and speeding up refunds can boost investment in India and offer the best reply to Trump's tariffs, observes V S Krishnan, former member, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.

How India Got The MiG-21 63 Years Ago

How India Got The MiG-21 63 Years Ago

Rediff.com26 Sep 2025

The MiG-21 episode demonstrates that procurement is always strategic.
Choices about what aircraft to acquire, who builds them, who supplies the spares, who trains the pilots and technicians are decisions with political consequences lasting for decades.

Vijay Or EPS: Who Will Fill Anti-DMK Space?

Vijay Or EPS: Who Will Fill Anti-DMK Space?

Rediff.com23 Sep 2025

The two weeks that EPS took fending off the Sengottaiyan rebellion has since become lost time for the AIADMK as that was also the time Vijay took to go all-out against Stalin and the DMK, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

Nirmalaji, Streamline GST Assessment Machinery!

Nirmalaji, Streamline GST Assessment Machinery!

Rediff.com23 Sep 2025

'It must become faceless, just as the entire direct tax assessment system has already become fully online, without any human intervention in the normal course,' recommends A K Bhattacharya.

Road Ahead For Nepal Not An Easy One

Road Ahead For Nepal Not An Easy One

Rediff.com23 Sep 2025

The GenZ violence that engulfed Nepal is not only against nepo-babies -- its anger is broader and riddled with contradictions, making it difficult for interim PM Sushila Karki, points out Aditi Phadnis.

Sitharaman Orders Banks to Return Unclaimed Citizens' Money

Sitharaman Orders Banks to Return Unclaimed Citizens' Money

Rediff.com23 Sep 2025

Given that a sizeable part of this money is part of the coveted current accounts and savings accounts, it is surprising that banks are not in a hurry to revive these accounts, notes Tamal Bandyopdhyay.

Under New Bill Modi, Mantris Face Risk Of Arrest Too

Under New Bill Modi, Mantris Face Risk Of Arrest Too

Rediff.com27 Aug 2025

BJP strategists are missing something somewhere, and they have not acknowledged it, to be able to repair it in good time, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

J-K cloudburst: 60 dead, 69 missing, over 100 hurt

J-K cloudburst: 60 dead, 69 missing, over 100 hurt

Rediff.com15 Aug 2025

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a devastating cloudburst in Kishtwar district that claimed 60 lives and injured over 100. Abdullah expressed condolences and assured assistance, while also questioning potential administrative lapses.

GST 2.0 Needs Deeper Reforms

GST 2.0 Needs Deeper Reforms

Rediff.com22 Sep 2025

Since items in the 12% category account for only about 5% of total GST, the additional boost to consumption may not be significant, points out M Govinda Rao.

For Too Long, The World Has Let Pakistan Get Away

For Too Long, The World Has Let Pakistan Get Away

Rediff.com22 Sep 2025

For too long has Pakistan gotten away with running with the terrorists and hunting with the forces. This duplicity needs to end, asserts Saisuresh Sivaswamy.

India Needs SuperGen To Fight Corruption

India Needs SuperGen To Fight Corruption

Rediff.com22 Sep 2025

Correction of India's ills requires focussed direction of our energy. For this, we need a collective Conscience. We need Commitment. We need Cleanliness. We need Cooperation. We need Collaboration. We need Courtesy. And, we need enlightened Conversation, asserts Biswajit Dasgupta.

Will The GST Cut Make A Difference?

Will The GST Cut Make A Difference?

Rediff.com22 Sep 2025

These changes certainly bring India's GST a lot closer to what an ideal GST would look like, points out Karan Bhasin.

'Gill Is Sending The Right Signal'

'Gill Is Sending The Right Signal'

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

'It would have been understandable if, after a gruelling tour where five Test matches were crammed into a little over six weeks, he had opted to rest.''

The Dangerous Reality Behind Maharashtra's 'Urban Naxal' Law

The Dangerous Reality Behind Maharashtra's 'Urban Naxal' Law

Rediff.com21 Aug 2025

'The law under the guise of security represents a grave and unnecessary expansion of State power at the cost of fundamental rights,' asserts Aakar Patel.