News for 'COLUMN'

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.

Unclear Goals Of The 130th Amendment

Unclear Goals Of The 130th Amendment

Rediff.com2 Sep 2025

'Non-BJP state governments and their leaders, navigating today's political landscape, know well they have no clue what awaits around the corner.' 'The chances of charges pressed and oneself getting parked in custody play out on an uneven playing field,' points out Shyam G Menon.

'Siraj is India's new bowling leader'

'Siraj is India's new bowling leader'

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

Siraj, who bowled 185.3 overs in five Tests, ended with 23 wickets and his nine-for in the final Test at the Oval earned India a memorable series levelling six-run win over England.

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.

7 dead as cloudburst hits J-K's Kathua; rescue ops on

7 dead as cloudburst hits J-K's Kathua; rescue ops on

Rediff.com17 Aug 2025

A cloudburst in a remote village in Kathua district, Jammu and Kashmir, resulted in four fatalities and six injuries. Rescue operations are underway, and the district administration is monitoring the situation.

New LAC Road Revives Memories Of China's 1962 Push

New LAC Road Revives Memories Of China's 1962 Push

Rediff.com29 Aug 2025

At the end of the discussion, the older Monpa said that if today the Chinese were to come inside India, "I will fight and kill them", prudently adding, "if they are of my age, if they are younger soldiers, I will not be able to fight". The entire village had a good laugh.

Rs 295 crore spent on Modi's foreign visits in 3 yrs

Rs 295 crore spent on Modi's foreign visits in 3 yrs

Rediff.com24 Jul 2025

The Indian government has released data detailing the expenses incurred on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign visits from 2021 to 2025, including trips to the US, France, and other countries.

Why Is US Going Through This Madness?

Why Is US Going Through This Madness?

Rediff.com9 Aug 2025

The answer is to be found in the rise of the global south and in particular, the rise of China, explains Aakar Patel.

Mumbai, Malegaon Verdicts: Collective National Failure

Mumbai, Malegaon Verdicts: Collective National Failure

Rediff.com6 Aug 2025

The blame must be shared by the investigating agencies, the government of the day and the nation at large, points out Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Weaker Nations Get Used. Warning For India

Weaker Nations Get Used. Warning For India

Rediff.com17 Sep 2025

'Trump does have a master plan in mind to put pressure on India with the additional tariff of 25 per cent to get Modi to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to freeze the Ukraine war.' 'It has not worked so far. By end-September only we'll know for sure the future trajectory of India's oil purchases from Russia,' observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Is Arundhati Roy Scared Of The Really Powerful?

Is Arundhati Roy Scared Of The Really Powerful?

Rediff.com17 Sep 2025

'Arundhati Roy is like a ballerina performing on a high wire, cool, supremely at ease but conscious of all the adoring eyes on her,' notes P Vijaya Kumar.

India's Startup Dreams, Ready to Bloom

India's Startup Dreams, Ready to Bloom

Rediff.com17 Sep 2025

Let's work flat out and create a policy framework that fosters the growth of Indian non-family business VC and private equity firms. This will allow our Indian startups' dreams to flourish, explains Ajit Balakrishnan.

How Modi Changed Indian Politics

How Modi Changed Indian Politics

Rediff.com17 Sep 2025

In the last 11 years, India and the world witnessed what he stood for, what he promised and did not deliver, and what he actually stood for and practised without fearing how history would judge him. Modi's tenure has been punctuated with headline-grabbing decisions, symbolic gestures, and stage-managed moments that continue to define his leadership and India's politics, points out Ramesh Menon.

US Farm Distress Real Reason For Trump's Tariff Tantrums

US Farm Distress Real Reason For Trump's Tariff Tantrums

Rediff.com16 Sep 2025

'What the US appears to be doing is to force India to be "the buyer of last resort", on whom their products can be dumped, 1.4 billion people have to eat something, so why not eat American corn?' 'What is exercising the Trump lot is the fact that most of the farms are in solidly Republican Midwestern states: Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin,' points out Rajeev Srinivasan.

BJP-AIADMK Gift Stalin An Election Issue

BJP-AIADMK Gift Stalin An Election Issue

Rediff.com16 Sep 2025

Amit Shah seemingly encouraging AIADMK dissident Sengottaiyan after party boss Edappadi K Palaniswami had removed his one-time mentor from all party posts has not gone down well with party cadres. They are now ready to buy Team EPS' theory that the BJP and Amit Shah are out to liquidate the AIADMK, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

What Was The Need To Play Pakistan?

What Was The Need To Play Pakistan?

Rediff.com16 Sep 2025

Operation Sindoor has not yet been formally called off. What was the crying need to send a team when it was known that there could be a match with Pakistan? asks Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta (retd).

Modi@75: The Man Who Changed India

Modi@75: The Man Who Changed India

Rediff.com16 Sep 2025

Let there be no doubt that Modi in these 24 years so far has reshaped politics and governance considerably, if not completely, asserts Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, author, Narendra Modi: The Man, The Times.

MFs Vs PMS: What Fits Your Portfolio?

MFs Vs PMS: What Fits Your Portfolio?

Rediff.com16 Sep 2025

MFs offer scale, simplicity, liquidity, and tax efficiency, and are an excellent vehicle for disciplined SIP investing. PMS is better suited for larger portfolios with equity allocation of Rs 3 crore to Rs 5 crore.

Boycott defends Jadeja, Sundar 'who deserved century'

Boycott defends Jadeja, Sundar 'who deserved century'

Rediff.com29 Jul 2025

Boycott defends Jadeja, Sundar for declining draw offer; slams England's bowling

Nepal Crisis: A Wake-Up Call For India

Nepal Crisis: A Wake-Up Call For India

Rediff.com15 Sep 2025

Having control over both digital media and NGOs, it was easy for the US to topple the government and destabilise Nepal -- to undercut Chinese influence and pressure India, argues Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (retd).

'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

US Wants To Undermine India Militarily, Economically

US Wants To Undermine India Militarily, Economically

Rediff.com11 Aug 2025

If the US' renewed closeness with Pakistan ends up strengthening Pakistan's military, it will clearly show that Washington no longer wants a strong India and could be ready to let China dominate Asia, notes Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

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.

'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.

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.

Can United Thackeray Cousins Take On BJP?

Can United Thackeray Cousins Take On BJP?

Rediff.com12 Sep 2025

The numbers tell us the BJP's acceptability in Maharashtra is growing -- at the expense of the Shiv Sena, no matter what the faction, points out Aditi Phadnis.

US Will Eventually Realise India Can't Be Bullied

US Will Eventually Realise India Can't Be Bullied

Rediff.com12 Sep 2025

'Things may get much worse before they get better,' predicts Ajay Chhibber.

Turbulence In Tokyo: What It Means For India

Turbulence In Tokyo: What It Means For India

Rediff.com12 Sep 2025

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's sudden resignation after only a year in office has thrown Japan into political turmoil, raising doubts about how the country will handle economic and regional challenges, observes Dr Rajaram Panda.

A Life In The Service Of Maa Bharti

A Life In The Service Of Maa Bharti

Rediff.com11 Sep 2025

'Mohanji is a living example of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, showing that when we rise above boundaries and consider everyone as our own, it strengthens trust, brotherhood and equality in society.'

Has Modi Sacrificed Palestine For Israel Bonhomie?

Has Modi Sacrificed Palestine For Israel Bonhomie?

Rediff.com10 Sep 2025

It is high time India ends its silence on the human cost of the Gaza war and takes a principled stand without diluting its relations with Israel. A largely friendless Tel Aviv today needs New Delhi more than the other way around. India's failure now may cost it diplomatically in the long run, cautions M R Narayan Swamy.

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.

Three Mega IPOs Set To Rewrite India Inc Story In 2026

Three Mega IPOs Set To Rewrite India Inc Story In 2026

Rediff.com10 Sep 2025

IPOs have been the flavour of the season for some time. But the coming together of three mega IPOs, from diverse businesses and historic relevance, could tell a story that's still in the making, points out Nivedita Mookerji.

Will Macron Be Ousted Before 2027?

Will Macron Be Ousted Before 2027?

Rediff.com10 Sep 2025

France today increasingly resembles the Italy of the past, when governments fell with bewildering regularity, prime ministers came and went in rapid succession, and political instability became the norm rather than the exception, point out Krishnan Srinivasan and Manoj Mohanka.

Should The Bengal Files Have Been Made?

Should The Bengal Files Have Been Made?

Rediff.com9 Sep 2025

Some of the issues Vivek Agnihotri raises in The Bengal Files are valid, but today, the need of the hour is to find ways of negotiating peace not pouring oil over troubled waters, asserts Deepa Gahlot.