News for 'COLUMN'

Stalin Goes To Bihar: What Gives?

Stalin Goes To Bihar: What Gives?

Rediff.com3 Sep 2025

Like his father Karunanidhi and AIADMK rivals MGR and Jayalalithaa, Stalin would like to confine his real political work to Tamil Nadu, and not want to take after the late Congress leader K Kamaraj and take up a national role, even if to create greater political space for son Udhayanidhi, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

A New Way To Retire Gracefully

A New Way To Retire Gracefully

Rediff.com3 Sep 2025

This isn't just a home for the elderly. It's a place where life stories, generations, and cultures weave themselves into something quietly extraordinary, discovers Nitin Sathe.

Will GST 2.0 Fix Deeper Weaknesses?

Will GST 2.0 Fix Deeper Weaknesses?

Rediff.com3 Sep 2025

GST 2.0 may cushion consumers against US tariffs, but like the 2019 corporate tax cut, it risks being another tactical fix rather than a structural growth strategy, expects Debashis Basu.

Modi And The Art Of Practising External Affairs

Modi And The Art Of Practising External Affairs

Rediff.com3 Sep 2025

'Personalities are temporary, policies provide for stability.' 'With the former, when personalities change so does the nature of the relationship.' 'Policies and structures, on the other hand, are idiot-proof, as well as maverick-resistant,' explains Saisuresh Sivaswamy.

Why Sholay Never Got A Sequel

Why Sholay Never Got A Sequel

Rediff.com2 Sep 2025

What if Sholay were produced now, in our technologically advanced era, with AI vying for our attention?, asks Atanu Biswas.

Taxpayers Stuck In Bureaucratic Nightmare

Taxpayers Stuck In Bureaucratic Nightmare

Rediff.com24 Jul 2025

The tax department has created many circular traps -- flawed reporting formats, penalties for those who point out the flaws, and faceless assessors with no accountability. The result: Millions of taxpayers face needless harassment and procedural dead ends, highlights Harsh Roongta.

India Must Be Ready For Chinese Challenge

India Must Be Ready For Chinese Challenge

Rediff.com2 Sep 2025

'One Chinese interlocutor said India should realise that "China can do without India, but India could not do without China", pointing to its inability to do without Chinese intermediates and components,' former foreign secretary Shyam Saran discovers on a visit to China.

Why Trump Turned on India, Embraced Pakistan

Why Trump Turned on India, Embraced Pakistan

Rediff.com6 Aug 2025

Trump's new rules for how countries should treat him have led to the current breakdown in India-US relations, explains Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

Azizul Haque, towering leader of Naxalbari uprising, dies at 83

Azizul Haque, towering leader of Naxalbari uprising, dies at 83

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

Azizul Haque, a prominent figure in India's Naxalite movement, has died at the age of 83. His passing marks the end of an era in Bengal's radical Left history.

A Deal Is Possible Only On Trump's Terms

A Deal Is Possible Only On Trump's Terms

Rediff.com31 Jul 2025

For India, the challenge is to strike a balance between tactical necessity and economic priorities, point out Pravin Krishna and Monil Sharma.

'Jadeja's job was to win the match, not take singles': Chappell

'Jadeja's job was to win the match, not take singles': Chappell

Rediff.com19 Jul 2025

Greg Chappell said that the Indian management should have sent a clear message to Ravindra Jadeja to hit boundaries and go for the win instead of looking to play out time, during the third Test against England at Lord's.

'He has to count himself fortunate to have played 56 games'

'He has to count himself fortunate to have played 56 games'

Rediff.com7 Jul 2025

Vaughan slams Crawley for failing to pounce on opportunities

The Leverage Trump's US Has On Xi's China Has Shrunk

The Leverage Trump's US Has On Xi's China Has Shrunk

Rediff.com31 Jul 2025

The stock and bond markets told Trump firmly that any idea of isolating China would lead to harming the US economy and this forced Trump to backtrack, points out Aakar Patel.

Trump's Tariffs: India's Second 1991 Moment

Trump's Tariffs: India's Second 1991 Moment

Rediff.com29 Aug 2025

The crisis may not be as visible this time, but the stakes are just as high, points out Rajeswari Sengupta.

Sindoor: Pakistan Air Force Was No Match For IAF

Sindoor: Pakistan Air Force Was No Match For IAF

Rediff.com29 Aug 2025

'Operation Sindoor had three objectives.' 'One, destroy the Lashkar-e-Taiba headquarters at Muridke and the Jaish-e-Mohammed headquarters at Bahawalpur.' 'Second, deter and defend any counterstrike by Pakistan.' 'And third, if they persist, demonstrably deliver counterforce punishment.' 'All of the three boxes, the IAF checked,' points out Shekhar Gupta.

Why *Everyone* Is Hooked On To This Show

Why *Everyone* Is Hooked On To This Show

Rediff.com29 Aug 2025

Season 3's eighth episode titled Last Kiss ended with the cliffhanger that is guaranteed to make you yearn for what might come next, anticipates Divya Nair.

200-Year-Old Border Dispute Sparks India-Nepal Tensions

200-Year-Old Border Dispute Sparks India-Nepal Tensions

Rediff.com29 Aug 2025

Nepal's claim on Lipulekh and Kalapani reopens a 200-year-old border dispute, while historical maps and treaties show the area belongs to India, asserts Lieutenant General Shakti Gurung (retd).

Should Pant have been subbed? Vaughan thinks so

Should Pant have been subbed? Vaughan thinks so

Rediff.com25 Jul 2025

He felt sticking to the old rules "is intentionally depleting a contest by making one of the teams effectively play with 10 men for four days of the match, on the back of bad luck".

Pandering To Trump Means Serial Humiliation

Pandering To Trump Means Serial Humiliation

Rediff.com28 Aug 2025

'No respite from economic pain is worth the loss of dignity and self-respect,' asserts former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.

Train ferrying oil catches fire in Tamil Nadu, services disrupted

Train ferrying oil catches fire in Tamil Nadu, services disrupted

Rediff.com13 Jul 2025

A moving goods train carrying diesel caught fire on Sunday at Tiruvallur in northern Tamil Nadu severely affecting train services on the arterial Chennai-Arakkonam rail route, which also links Chennai with Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, officials said.

Why Academic Freedom Isn't Absolute

Why Academic Freedom Isn't Absolute

Rediff.com27 Aug 2025

Confusing academic freedom with the right to free speech of an individual and expecting unconditional institutional support is not realistic. Academic freedom provides an opportunity for an academic to pursue their passion and contribute to the society through the outcome of their research and/or thought process, points out N Ravichandran.

India Must Only Agree To A Deal If It Is A Win-Win

India Must Only Agree To A Deal If It Is A Win-Win

Rediff.com27 Aug 2025

To those who ask, "Is all this really worth it? Why can't domestic demand fill the gap?", it is important to remind them that only 13 economies since the Second World War have grown at 7 per cent or more for 25 years -- like India needs to. They all had one thing in common: Strong export growth underpinned by strong global engagement, explains Sajjid Z Chinoy.

Thermostat Setting: India's Cool Move

Thermostat Setting: India's Cool Move

Rediff.com27 Aug 2025

'Are there other ways to reduce the energy airconditioners consume?' asks Ambi Parameswaran.

Asim Munir Shuffles His Generals

Asim Munir Shuffles His Generals

Rediff.com27 Aug 2025

Asim Munir will have to find a well trusted aide to fill the crucial ISI post's when Asim Malik retires soon.

Gill: More Dhoni Than Kohli

Gill: More Dhoni Than Kohli

Rediff.com26 Aug 2025

A few months after his U-19 World Cup heroics, three senior journalists sought his cellphone number, which he readily provided -- only, he gave three different, but similar, numbers to the three of them!

Trump's Tariffs: No More Protectionism Please!

Trump's Tariffs: No More Protectionism Please!

Rediff.com26 Aug 2025

Brave statements such as we will continue to be the fastest growing large country are of no consolation, because the direction of trade also determines the flow of investment, points out M Govinda Rao.

Munir's Moves: Why India Must Be On High Alert

Munir's Moves: Why India Must Be On High Alert

Rediff.com26 Aug 2025

A Pakistan that is more secure in its relations with the US is also one that might well wish to indulge in another cross-border misadventure.

Can Trump's Diplomacy End Ukraine War?

Can Trump's Diplomacy End Ukraine War?

Rediff.com25 Aug 2025

Trump has played throughout his career as a deal-maker who could deliver where others could not, and Ukraine represents the ultimate test of that image, notes Manish Dabhade.

For Pujara Batting Was Like Meditation

For Pujara Batting Was Like Meditation

Rediff.com25 Aug 2025

Every innings he played will be remembered along with every drop of sweat he shed to display the purity of technique with resilience, recalls veteran cricket correspondent K R Nayar.

'His job should not be to shore up bad batting'

'His job should not be to shore up bad batting'

Rediff.com8 Jul 2025

Boycott slams ECB over underperforming Woakes, Crawley

AI 171 Crash: Stabilizer Issue Under Scrutiny

AI 171 Crash: Stabilizer Issue Under Scrutiny

Rediff.com17 Jul 2025

An aviation expert suggests investigators should focus on a possible fault in the stabiliser of the crashed Air India flight.

Why Calcutta Remains A City Of Bhoy

Why Calcutta Remains A City Of Bhoy

Rediff.com8 Aug 2025

A year after the RG Kar rape-murder Swarupa Dutt/Rediff look at the city where it happened, Kolkata -- its study in dichotomy, at once the self-proclaimed cultural capital of India as also a petri dish for a peculiar rage that breeds crimes against women.

'Gill must define what sort of team he wants India to be'

'Gill must define what sort of team he wants India to be'

Rediff.com19 Jul 2025

Former Australia captain Greg Chappell believes Shubman Gill has displayed greatness with the bat and shown glimpses of his potential as a young captain.

When Voter ID Matters And When It Doesn't

When Voter ID Matters And When It Doesn't

Rediff.com23 Aug 2025

When the government chooses to either ignore or use identity documents only when it suits them, it shakes people's sense of stability, notes Shyam G Menon.

10 aces, total domination! Zverev unstoppable in Halle

10 aces, total domination! Zverev unstoppable in Halle

Rediff.com19 Jun 2025

World No. 3 Alexander Zverev of Germany cruised to a 6-2, 6-1 win over Marcos Giron

Never Before Has A PM Like Him Visited India!

Never Before Has A PM Like Him Visited India!

Rediff.com23 Aug 2025

Sitiveni Rabuka's visit to New Delhi marks a major shift in India-Fiji ties as the former coup leader who once expelled India's envoy now returns as an honoured guest, explains Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

Will Wang's Visit Help Improve Relations?

Will Wang's Visit Help Improve Relations?

Rediff.com22 Aug 2025

The Galwan clashes indicate to the limitations in relations if they do not address border stability, points out Srikanth Kondapalli.

Vijay's Political Challenge Begins Now

Vijay's Political Challenge Begins Now

Rediff.com22 Aug 2025

Vijay, with his chief ministerial ambitions, is a one-man army, at least as of now, and his campaign team considers him omnipresent. He has to be present in all districts, if not all constituencies at the same time, as there is no second-line leader or platform speaker in the party, who can draw crowds, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

Why We Hurt Those We Love Is A Mystery

Why We Hurt Those We Love Is A Mystery

Rediff.com21 Aug 2025

'We may rationalise that we say or do things to get those close to us on the right path.' 'The conversations could range from one's physical appearance to one's social standing or the choice of friends.' 'What we overlook is that we may cause someone deep pain while leaving them scarred for life,' notes Aarti David.

The Truth Behind The ISRO Spy Scandal

The Truth Behind The ISRO Spy Scandal

Rediff.com18 Jul 2025

It remains a mystery that when its scientists were accused of selling technologies which did not exist in ISRO, ISRO's leadership did not say to the public that they were searching in a dark room for a black cat which was not there, points out Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.