News for 'Central Region'

Maoist Tarakka, 'veteran' of 35 encounters, surrenders

Maoist Tarakka, 'veteran' of 35 encounters, surrenders

Rediff.com1 Jan 2025

Vimala Chandra Sidam alias Tarakka, a top Naxal leader with a Rs 25 lakh reward on her head, surrendered before Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Gadchiroli along with ten other senior Maoists. Tarakka, who joined the Naxal movement in 1986, rose through the ranks over 38 years to become a Dandkaranya Special Zonal Committee member. She is the wife of Central Committee Member Sonu alias Bhupati. The surrendered Naxals, eight women and three men, were collectively carrying a bounty of Rs 1.03 crore. Fadnavis also felicitated C 60 personnel for the July 17, 2024 encounter wherein 12 hardcore Maoists were killed in a forested area bordering Chhattisgarh.

Only Olympic, CWG, Asiad sports for National Games?

Only Olympic, CWG, Asiad sports for National Games?

Rediff.com16 Jan 2025

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha has proposed that only disciplines featuring in the Olympics, Commonwealth and Asian Games be considered for inclusion in the future National Games,

Union Carbide waste incineration begins on trial basis in MP

Union Carbide waste incineration begins on trial basis in MP

Rediff.com28 Feb 2025

The trial incineration of 10 tonnes of waste from the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, responsible for the 1984 gas tragedy, began on Friday afternoon in Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh. The process, ordered by the Madhya Pradesh High Court, is expected to take 72 hours to complete. The waste includes soil, reactor residues, pesticide residues, and other materials. The State Pollution Control Board says the chemicals in the waste have become "almost negligible" and there is no presence of methyl isocyanate gas. The incineration process is being monitored by the Pollution Control Board and broadcast live.

Biden hails fall of Assad regime, outlines what 'the US will do'

Biden hails fall of Assad regime, outlines what 'the US will do'

Rediff.com9 Dec 2024

The fall of the Assad regime that brutalised, tortured and killed thousands of innocent Syrians over the past half a century is a historic opportunity for the people of the country, outgoing United States President Joe Biden said on Sunday.

Pollution: Centre announces staggered working hours for Delhi staffers

Pollution: Centre announces staggered working hours for Delhi staffers

Rediff.com21 Nov 2024

The Indian government has announced staggered working hours for its employees in Delhi due to the severe air pollution in the city. The move comes after a week of 'severe' pollution levels, which have slightly improved but are still in the 'very poor' zone. The order also encourages employees to pool vehicles and use public transport to minimize vehicular pollution.

Terror hits 8 Jammu districts, 18 jawans among 44 killed this year

Terror hits 8 Jammu districts, 18 jawans among 44 killed this year

Rediff.com11 Nov 2024

To counter the threat and thwart the attempts of Pakistan-based handlers to spread terror in the peaceful areas of the region, officials said the Army, in close synergy with the police and the central armed police forces, has launched relentless operations in the vulnerable regions, especially in the dense forests.

Cyclone Fengal: IMD issues red alert for northern Kerala

Cyclone Fengal: IMD issues red alert for northern Kerala

Rediff.com2 Dec 2024

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued a warning of significant rainfall in Kerala due to cyclone Fengal, currently positioned as a strong low-pressure area over northern Tamil Nadu.

Why The South Is Worried About Delimitation

Why The South Is Worried About Delimitation

Rediff.com28 Feb 2025

'Peninsular Indians could ask 'Why should we contribute half of India's tax revenues if we account for only a quarter of the seats in the Lok Sabha?'.' 'The rest of the country seems likely to counter that 'democracy means one vote per person irrespective of where that person resides in India'.' 'With no easy answers to this thorny debate, the south's economic ascendancy could end up creating a Hobson's choice.' A revealing excerpt from Nandita Rajhansa and Saurabh Mukherjea's book, Behold the Leviathan: The Unusual Rise of Modern India.

J-K polls: Congress sees worst performance in Jammu with 1 seat

J-K polls: Congress sees worst performance in Jammu with 1 seat

Rediff.com8 Oct 2024

The Congress was fighting the elections in a pre-poll alliance with National Conference and had fielded 32 candidates, mostly in Jammu region, compared to 51 by the regional party.

Ola Electric: Can It Spark EV Adoption?

Ola Electric: Can It Spark EV Adoption?

Rediff.com26 Mar 2025

Why has the shift from ICE to electric slowed down despite initial enthusiasm?

Tiger count rises in Shivalik-Gangetic region, dips in Western Ghats: Report

Tiger count rises in Shivalik-Gangetic region, dips in Western Ghats: Report

Rediff.com9 Apr 2023

According to the data, the tiger population in the country increased from 2,967 in 2018 to 3,167 in 2022.

More To Delimitation Than Meets The Eye

More To Delimitation Than Meets The Eye

Rediff.com1 Apr 2025

There is a proposal from the BJP camp that they would resort to a proportion-based increase in the number of Lok Sabha seats for individual states, based on what they now have. On the face of it, this sounds like a fine argument that those demanding a 'freeze' now cannot oppose without reasons and justification, avers N Sathiya Moorthy.

We too should have committed cadre like RSS: Pawar

We too should have committed cadre like RSS: Pawar

Rediff.com10 Jan 2025

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar has praised the RSS for its dedicated cadre and urged his party to create a similar base committed to progressive ideas. He attributed the NCP's recent electoral setbacks to complacency and a failure to communicate its work for the OBC community. Pawar also emphasized the need for social engineering to address caste tensions and announced that 50% of the tickets for upcoming local body elections will be given to new faces.

HSBC downgrades Indian stock markets to 'neutral' from 'overweight' for 2025

HSBC downgrades Indian stock markets to 'neutral' from 'overweight' for 2025

Rediff.com9 Jan 2025

As India faces slowing economic growth, HSBC Global Research has downgraded the Indian stock market outlook from "overweight" to "neutral". In a report, the global financial services firm said profits at India Inc appeared to have softened while valuations are elevated. After annualized growth of 25 per cent in recent years, profits appear to have softened while valuations are elevated at 23x forward earnings.

Lingayats hold key for 50 seats in Kittur Karnataka region

Lingayats hold key for 50 seats in Kittur Karnataka region

Rediff.com7 Apr 2023

The Bharatiya Janata Party had won 30 of the total 50 seats in the region in the 2018 assembly polls, followed by Congress 17, Janata Dal-Secular 2, and others (KPJP-Shankar) 1.

Tough Road Ahead For NC, Congress

Tough Road Ahead For NC, Congress

Rediff.com9 Oct 2024

The road ahead will require navigating complex financial challenges while fostering job creation and sustainable development in the region.

Exodus Rocks Uddhav's Sena

Exodus Rocks Uddhav's Sena

Rediff.com24 Feb 2025

'Those seeking short-term benefits are joining the Shinde-led Sena and the ones looking at long-term benefits are joining the BJP.'

Samajwadi Party exits MVA over Uddhav aide's Babri post

Samajwadi Party exits MVA over Uddhav aide's Babri post

Rediff.com7 Dec 2024

The Samajwadi Party announced on Saturday that it would walk out of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi after Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray chief Uddhav Thackeray's close aide hailed the demolition of Babri mosque and a related newspaper advertisement.

Will budget for agri research get a big boost this year?

Will budget for agri research get a big boost this year?

Rediff.com28 Jan 2025

Several leading scientists, academicians, and agriculturalists have called for raising government support for research and development to make Indian agriculture future-ready.

Will Regional Parties Come To Congress Or...

Will Regional Parties Come To Congress Or...

Rediff.com22 Aug 2022

Some of the Congress's new-found enthusiasm for hitting the streets will show its result in the Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, and Karnataka elections. That is when we will know if the Congress will go to the regional parties or the parties will come to the Congress.

TMC MLAs protest against Moitra for exclusion from party events

TMC MLAs protest against Moitra for exclusion from party events

Rediff.com5 Dec 2024

Seven TMC MLAs within the Krishnanagar Lok Sabha constituency of party MP Mahua Moitra have written to Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee demanding her removal as Nadia Uttar organisational district president. The lawmakers allege that Moitra has been ignoring Assembly representatives while undertaking party programmes and indulging anti-social elements, causing significant damage to the party's image. The MP has responded by dismissing the complaint as "district-level rubbish."

Rs 2,000 crore loans to Go First are now NPA: Central Bank of India

Rs 2,000 crore loans to Go First are now NPA: Central Bank of India

Rediff.com23 Oct 2023

Central Bank of India classified its loans to Go First as non-performing assets (NPAs) in the July-September quarter (second quarter, or Q2) of 2023-24 (FY24). The no-frills carrier has been under insolvency proceedings since May 2023 and ceased operating flights on May 3 this year. The public sector lender's exposure, including government-guaranteed emergency credit to the ailing airline, amounts to about Rs 2,000 crore.

Why Wayanad's Landslide Survivors Are Protesting

Why Wayanad's Landslide Survivors Are Protesting

Rediff.com27 Mar 2025

In the months immediately following the 2024 tragedy, reporting on the landslide per se had been a straightforward affair. On one side was death and destruction. On the other side, survivors and the business of survival. It was black and white. What direction to take was clear. Rehabilitation in comparison, felt like a complex situation. One that is fraught with shades of grey. As grey as human life, explains Shyam G Menon.

US-China rivalry a marathon, has led to regional arms race: Navy chief

US-China rivalry a marathon, has led to regional arms race: Navy chief

Rediff.com13 Mar 2023

Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar on Monday flagged concerns over growing geo-political power play in the Indo-Pacific, and noted that the US-China rivalry in the region is likely to be a "marathon".

Why do Bengal parties clash over attacks on Bangladesh Hindus?

Why do Bengal parties clash over attacks on Bangladesh Hindus?

Rediff.com5 Dec 2024

Recent attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh have ignited political debate in West Bengal, with the ruling TMC and opposition BJP utilizing the issue to advance their respective agendas. While the TMC emphasizes communal harmony and calls for international intervention, the BJP criticizes the TMC's inaction and links the situation to its push for the Citizenship Amendment Act. The issue has also brought other opposition parties into the fray, with all sides highlighting the interconnectedness of the region's socio-political fabric.

10 Naxalites killed in encounter in Chhattisgarh's Sukma

10 Naxalites killed in encounter in Chhattisgarh's Sukma

Rediff.com22 Nov 2024

Ten Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security personnel in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on Friday, a senior police official said. The gunfight broke out in the morning in a forest within the jurisdiction of the Bhejji police station when a joint team of security personnel was out on an anti-Naxalite operation. The operation was launched based on inputs about the presence of Maoists belonging to Konta and Kistaram area committees of Naxalites on forested hills of Korajguda, Dantespuram, Nagaram and Bhandarpadar villages. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai hailed security forces and said the era of peace and progress has returned to the Bastar region, which includes Sukma.

Is One Nation, One Election A Ploy?

Is One Nation, One Election A Ploy?

Rediff.com13 Dec 2024

What India needs more than one simultaneous election is better governance both at the central and state level. Yes, we need reforms, but our priority should be to make elections less expensive, make it more democratic, do away with freebies which are actually bribes before elections, allow only those who are educated to contest, and bring in a bill to make it impossible for criminals to contest, advocates Ramesh Menon.

Manipur: Villagers seek deployment of more central forces

Manipur: Villagers seek deployment of more central forces

Rediff.com19 Jul 2023

Security forces have been diligently working to create buffer zones, such as the one established between Churachandpur and Bishnupur. However, this has proven insufficient to quell the unrest.

Al Qaeda helping regional proxy to spread to J-K, says UN report

Al Qaeda helping regional proxy to spread to J-K, says UN report

Rediff.com27 Jul 2023

Terror group Al Qaeda is "shaping" its regional affiliate in the Indian subcontinent to spread its operations into Jammu and Kashmir, Bangladesh and Myanmar, according to a UN report.

When PM visits Arab nations...: Owaisi on 'vote jihad'

When PM visits Arab nations...: Owaisi on 'vote jihad'

Rediff.com9 Nov 2024

Owaisi said 324 farmers have died by suicide in "Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) division", but no one is talking about it.

Was Modi Right About The Opposition?

Was Modi Right About The Opposition?

Rediff.com8 Mar 2025

'While suppression of information is acceptable for the government, the Opposition's efforts at pinning the government and its leaders is labeled anti-national,' points out Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

Not Asian Paints, Berger and Indigo Paints may shine in H2FY25, says Nuvama

Not Asian Paints, Berger and Indigo Paints may shine in H2FY25, says Nuvama

Rediff.com19 Dec 2024

The paint sector is seeing heightened competition with the entry of deep-pocketed groups like Aditya Birla and JSW. However, some brokerages see an opportunity in select stocks.

Why are tigers in Maharashtra dying?

Why are tigers in Maharashtra dying?

Rediff.com18 Mar 2025

'The true measure of Project Tiger's success is not just rising tiger numbers, but our ability to ensure harmonious human-wildlife coexistence'

Intense heat sweeps east, south; more heat wave days likely in May

Intense heat sweeps east, south; more heat wave days likely in May

Rediff.com3 May 2024

Intense heat swept through east India and parts of the southern peninsular region on Thursday, testing power grids and prompting the Kerala government to order closure of educational institutions till May 6.

Saurashtra to south Gujarat, BJP sweeps all regions, makes up for 2017 setbacks

Saurashtra to south Gujarat, BJP sweeps all regions, makes up for 2017 setbacks

Rediff.com8 Dec 2022

A region-wise analysis of the Gujarat assembly results shows that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swept Saurashtra region, winning 40 of 48 seats, regaining its hold over a region where the Congress held sway in 2017 polls.

'BJP Will Use MNS To Pressurise Shinde'

'BJP Will Use MNS To Pressurise Shinde'

Rediff.com15 Feb 2025

'The message is loud and clear: "If you're not falling in line, we will open a line of understanding with the MNS, and then the Shiv Sena will be in trouble".'

Southwest monsoon retreats from India, records highest rainfall in 4 yrs

Southwest monsoon retreats from India, records highest rainfall in 4 yrs

Rediff.com15 Oct 2024

The IMD said India did not experience any "break monsoon" conditions this year because of the large number of low-pressure systems.

Indian cities sizzle at 48 deg C, respite likely after 3 days

Indian cities sizzle at 48 deg C, respite likely after 3 days

Rediff.com28 May 2024

Temperatures in 17 locations breached 48 degrees Celsius on Monday, with the relentless heat affecting health and livelihoods across large parts of northwestern and central India.

Will Nirmalaji Target Fiscal Deficit?

Will Nirmalaji Target Fiscal Deficit?

Rediff.com28 Jan 2025

The Budget should undertake further reductions in import tariffs and seriously consider an announcement of India's intention to join one or both of the two Asian mega-regional free trade agreements, suggests Shankar Acharya, former chief economic adviser to the Government of India.

Women We Admire: India's Brave Ranis

Women We Admire: India's Brave Ranis

Rediff.com6 Mar 2025

This Women's Day Week, we pay tribute to the extraordinary courage, resilience, and leadership of three iconic Indian queens -- Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, Rani Chennamma of Kittur, and Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Malwa.