News for 'COLUMN'

Bhushan Steel Case: Urgent Need For IBC Reforms

Bhushan Steel Case: Urgent Need For IBC Reforms

Rediff.com29 May 2025

The Supreme Court's ruling in the BPSL case exposes deep flaws in the IBC's institutional framework and raises concern about judicial overreach, notes Rajeswari Sengupta.

Improve Customer Service, Banks Told, Or Else!

Improve Customer Service, Banks Told, Or Else!

Rediff.com28 May 2025

In 2023-2024, 95 scheduled commercial banks received over 10 million complaints from their customers. The process of KYC at many banks has become 'HYC' -- harass your customer, points out Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Golden Opportunity For Modi To Reverse Brain Drain

Golden Opportunity For Modi To Reverse Brain Drain

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

President Trump with his MAWA has unwittingly provided us this opportunity. Will PM Modi grasp this and leave a legacy of an ushered in scientific and technological revolution in India, asks Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

History in Minutes: When Nehru's Kerchief Became Sudan's Flag

History in Minutes: When Nehru's Kerchief Became Sudan's Flag

Rediff.com27 May 2025

On Jawaharlal Nehru's 61st death anniversary, Utkarsh Mishra recalls how India's first prime minister cultivated a unique role for the newly independent country on the world stage.

What Travel Boycott Can Teach Turkiye, Azerbaijan

What Travel Boycott Can Teach Turkiye, Azerbaijan

Rediff.com27 May 2025

Just as Gandhiji's spinning wheel became a symbol of resistance, Indian travellers today can turn their passports into instruments of peaceful protest, argues Harsh Roongta.

What you will see in Republic Day parade on Kartavya Path

What you will see in Republic Day parade on Kartavya Path

Rediff.com24 Jan 2025

India will display its military prowess and cultural heritage at the 76th Republic Day celebrations on Kartavya Path in New Delhi. The parade will feature 16 tableaux from states and Union Territories, 15 from central ministries, and a tri-services tableau showcasing the spirit of "jointness" among the armed forces. The event will also include a flypast featuring 40 IAF aircraft and three Indian Coast Guard Dornier aircraft, as well as a display of cutting-edge defense platforms including BrahMos, Pinaka and Akash.

Why South Cinema Scores Big Over Bollywood

Why South Cinema Scores Big Over Bollywood

Rediff.com26 May 2025

South Indian filmmakers have kept their focus on the single-screen cinemagoer. They have kept their finger on the pulse of the single-screen cinema fan, who goes to movies once a month or more, to forget his weekly chores, explains Ambi Parameswaran.

Pakistan's Evil Designs: What India Must Do!

Pakistan's Evil Designs: What India Must Do!

Rediff.com26 May 2025

'Will this near-war, India's strongest military response so far, buy India another seven years of deterrence?' asks Shekhar Gupta.

R-Day Parade: India to celebrate 75 years of Constitution with military might

R-Day Parade: India to celebrate 75 years of Constitution with military might

Rediff.com25 Jan 2025

India will showcase its military prowess and rich cultural heritage on Kartavya Path in New Delhi on January 26 to mark the 76th Republic Day. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will be the chief guest at the event, which will also see the participation of a marching contingent and a band contingent from Indonesia. The theme of the parade is 'Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas', focusing on the platinum jubilee of the enactment of the Constitution. The parade will feature a number of cutting-edge defense platforms, including BrahMos, Pinaka and Akash, as well as the Army's Battle Surveillance System 'Sanjay' and DRDO's surface-to-surface tactical missile 'Pralay'.

'May All Know The Greatness Of India'

'May All Know The Greatness Of India'

Rediff.com10 Mar 2025

Many ordinary citizens are drawn to by a sense of history and India's remarkable journey from bondage to freedom which culminated in this monumental building.

Pahalgam Attack: 'Munir Would Have Known'

Pahalgam Attack: 'Munir Would Have Known'

Rediff.com6 May 2025

'Pakistan's only concern has been while they were on the FATF watch list was to distance their State institutions and organs from any direct connection with the actual execution of militancy inside Kashmir.'

Pralay missiles battlefield surveillance systems to debut on Republic Day

Pralay missiles battlefield surveillance systems to debut on Republic Day

Rediff.com23 Jan 2025

Ahead of Republic Day, the Indian Army announced on Thursday the addition of two new features to this year's parade: battlefield surveillance systems and a Defebce Research and Development Organisation tableau showcasing Pralay, short-range ballistic missiles.

England captain Buttler steps down

England captain Buttler steps down

Rediff.com28 Feb 2025

'And obviously two losses and being out of the tournament and a bit of hangover of the few tournaments before I think it probably reached the end of the road foe me and my captaincy, is a shame, I'm sad about that.'

When India Is At War, Opposition-Government Is At Peace

When India Is At War, Opposition-Government Is At Peace

Rediff.com19 May 2025

When the country has been at war, the Opposition has buried its differences with the government, points out Aditi Phadnis.

Why Asim Munir Wanted War

Why Asim Munir Wanted War

Rediff.com19 May 2025

The launch of the first-ever direct train service from Delhi to Kashmir would be a big turning point in the Valley's mood and its integration with India. He had to thwart it at any cost, asserts Shekhar Gupta.

Did US Intervention Off-Ramp Conflict?

Did US Intervention Off-Ramp Conflict?

Rediff.com17 May 2025

In the India-Pakistan situations, off-ramps have come either through foreign mediation (after months of kinetic warfare over Kargil, and a long stand-off with Op Parakram) or when a situation made it possible for both sides to claim a win, explains Shekhar Gupta.

Why China Shield's Pakistan's Terror Agenda

Why China Shield's Pakistan's Terror Agenda

Rediff.com16 May 2025

'It is typical of China's strategic deception of making virtue out of necessity,' observes Rup Narayan Das.

Operation Sindoor: The Precision Of Surprise

Operation Sindoor: The Precision Of Surprise

Rediff.com16 May 2025

'You can be sure that the Pakistanis knew when the Indian Air Force aircraft took off, which type these were, and what their likely targets were.' 'The question was: How would they determine that the IAF wanted to fire, and when to bounce them?', notes Shekhar Gupta.

How Will Trump Change The World On April 2?

How Will Trump Change The World On April 2?

Rediff.com1 Apr 2025

We have entered a new era in human history, asserts Aakar Patel.

Israel Took 6 Days, India Nailed In 2!

Israel Took 6 Days, India Nailed In 2!

Rediff.com15 May 2025

'For weeks, months and years, it would continue to be debated if India should have pushed the early advantage and decapacitated Pakistan militarily.' 'India refused to bite the provocatively proverbial bullet and escalate it into a full-fledged war,' notes N Sathiya Moorthy.

Will US Host India-Pakistan Talks In Washington?

Will US Host India-Pakistan Talks In Washington?

Rediff.com15 May 2025

Acutely conscious that he's left with less than four years to create his legacy, Trump is undoubtedly a man in a hurry, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Vibe Coding's Challenge For India's IT Cos

Vibe Coding's Challenge For India's IT Cos

Rediff.com14 May 2025

'Could the impending new crisis, vibe coding, similarly create not a disaster like what befell Indian handlooms during the Industrial Revolution but another opportunity like what the Y2K crisis created?' asks Ajit Balakrishnan.

How China Supported Pakistan's Attacks

How China Supported Pakistan's Attacks

Rediff.com12 May 2025

China supplied more than $20 billion worth of arms to Pakistan. These include 20 J-10CE and JF-17 Block III fighter aircraft, Wing Loong drones, frigates, submarines, Hongqi HQ-9P surface-to-air missiles, 240 PL-15E air-to-air missiles, LY-80 air defence systems, ZDK early warning aircraft and other weapons.

After The Ceasefire: What Can India Expect?

After The Ceasefire: What Can India Expect?

Rediff.com12 May 2025

'One good outcome of Operation Sindoor -- perhaps, its best outcome -- could be that India has resumed meaningful contact directly with Pakistan at the military-to-military level,' observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Strategic Calculus Driving Pakistani Actions

Strategic Calculus Driving Pakistani Actions

Rediff.com10 May 2025

It is important for India to pay close attention to both the tone and substance of authoritative remarks coming out of Pakistan, explains former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.

76th Republic Day Parade: Key highlights and what to expect

76th Republic Day Parade: Key highlights and what to expect

Rediff.com26 Jan 2025

India as a sovereign democratic republic completed 75 years of its eventful journey on Sunday, with the stage set at the Kartavya Path in New Delhi for the ceremonial parade during which the country will showcase its military prowess and rich cultural heritage.

The Difference Between Drishyam And Thudarum

The Difference Between Drishyam And Thudarum

Rediff.com8 May 2025

The similarities between the two movies may be striking but where they differ is in the way each focuses your curiosity, observes Sreehari Nair.

Why Did Rohit Sharma Abruptly End Test Career?

Why Did Rohit Sharma Abruptly End Test Career?

Rediff.com8 May 2025

Was it a lack of confidence about whether he would perform in England that influenced his decision? asks K R Nayar.

MVPI: Pooran Takes Early Lead

MVPI: Pooran Takes Early Lead

Rediff.com7 Apr 2025

Srinivas Bhogle and Purnendu Maji present Rediff's first Most Valuable Player Index for IPL 2025.

Leaders, Heed The 11-Year Rule!

Leaders, Heed The 11-Year Rule!

Rediff.com20 Mar 2025

There is a reason this 11 year phenomenon is a rule as much as it is an observation. It speaks to the nature of man and what humans are like, explains Aakar Patel.

Why The ISI Targeted Hindus In Pahalgam

Why The ISI Targeted Hindus In Pahalgam

Rediff.com6 May 2025

The ISI strategy has been to use its proxies to target Hindus in India. They want an outrage and counter-targeting of India's minorities. Further, even the whiff of it restores the Pakistan army's popularity, especially when it's in the dumps, like now, points out Shekhar Gupta.

Uber Liable For Poor Service

Uber Liable For Poor Service

Rediff.com3 May 2025

Though Uber functions as a cab aggregator, the Delhi state commission ruled it should ensure timely and reliable delivery of services offered through its platform.

It's The Enemy's Flag. I Still Won't Step On It

It's The Enemy's Flag. I Still Won't Step On It

Rediff.com3 May 2025

'I'm not dismissing the anger that drives people to stomp on the enemy's flag. 'In times of collective grief and rage, that kind of expression is understandable, especially in the age of viral content. 'But must I do it too?' asks Nikhil Narayanan.

Will The Caste Census Boomerang On Modi?

Will The Caste Census Boomerang On Modi?

Rediff.com3 May 2025

The government has to specify what it intends to do with caste census data. It will be closely tracked if the government would simultaneously move towards removing the present 50% bar on reservations using means which are permitted in law. If this is not done, the entire exercise will become meaningless and could boomerang on the BJP, observes Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

Where A Heroic Battle Against The Chinese Was Fought

Where A Heroic Battle Against The Chinese Was Fought

Rediff.com10 Apr 2025

The Battle of Lhagyala on November 23, 1962, fought by the 4 Rajput Regiment against the Chinese PLA, remains a forgotten chapter of heroism, with no survivors left to tell their story.

The Politics of A Caste Census

The Politics of A Caste Census

Rediff.com2 May 2025

While data can empower communities, it reinforces identities, making local politics more caste-centric, with decisions increasingly contested on the grounds of representation.

Such dynamics could lead to shifting alliances and, in the worst case, local governance getting paralysed as each group demands proportional power-sharing, explain Amitabh Kundu and Mehebub Rahaman.

Why This Banker Didn't Get Promoted!

Why This Banker Didn't Get Promoted!

Rediff.com2 May 2025

The bank made a Rs 67 crore net profit, up 21% from the previous year. Its deposits grew 8%, the loan book 10%. Net bad loans dropped from 7.53% to 6.07%. So why was the banker, who headed the bank, not promoted?

Has US Averted India-Pakistan War?

Has US Averted India-Pakistan War?

Rediff.com2 May 2025

The 'mediation' by the United States from behind the scene on the diplomatic track appears to be once again working, which calls on both Delhi and Islamabad to show restraint and pull back from a military confrontation, notes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Column: Why Modi Should Not Get 400 Plus Seats

Column: Why Modi Should Not Get 400 Plus Seats

Rediff.com3 Jun 2024

'Imagine what the BJP's urges would be if India's electorate awarded it truly brute majorities like the 400 plus seats the prime minister called for in the 2024 general elections?' asks Shyam G Menon.

India Should Tread Warily On Battlefield

India Should Tread Warily On Battlefield

Rediff.com1 May 2025

Pakistan has warned the international community that any military moves by India shall be 'responded to assuredly and decisively... onus of any escalatory spiral and its consequences shall squarely lie with India.' Implicit in the statement is a veiled threat that even a nuclear threshold may be reached if push comes to shove, warns Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.