News for 'Centre for Policy Alternatives'

The US Nexus: India Must be Careful

The US Nexus: India Must be Careful

Rediff.com27 Oct 2020

Indians at large harbour a notion that their country is cherrypicking out of the American basket of goodies, but the policymakers in Delhi and the political leadership are well aware that it can only be a pipe dream since a military alliance with a superpower is a profound irrevocable commitment, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Brave new world: Modi's 100 days,10 top moves

Brave new world: Modi's 100 days,10 top moves

Rediff.com28 Aug 2014

Modi government has taken some interesting policy decisions in the 100 days since the time he met President Pranab Mukherjee to present his claim as Prime Minister of the world's largest democracy, says Tanmaya Nanda.

Indians in America are victims, not targets

Indians in America are victims, not targets

Rediff.com30 Mar 2017

Three hate crimes have deepened the fear among South Asians that Trump's rhetoric encouraged violence against them, but there is no evidence that Indians have been specifically targeted, says Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

How to save democracy from Facebook

How to save democracy from Facebook

Rediff.com7 Apr 2018

All the fixes require either the enactment of a data-protection law, or the amendment of our existing competition law. This can take many years. However, there is an opportunity for the government to act immediately if it wishes to, says Sunil Abraham.

The new BJP is like the old Congress

The new BJP is like the old Congress

Rediff.com11 Dec 2019

While it took the Congress nearly a half century to earn the hatred of other political outfits, the BJP appears set to reach there in around six years, says Arun Bhatnagar, former secretary to the GoI.

Can solar energy power India's growth story?

Can solar energy power India's growth story?

Rediff.com31 Mar 2018

India has an unprecedented opportunity to develop solar industry because like China, it offers scale which is critical to reducing costs and to stimulate innovation, says Shyam Saran.

Telecom operators can't make rules for the Internet

Telecom operators can't make rules for the Internet

Rediff.com14 Apr 2015

The Internet is too important to let a few private telecom players decide what the rules will be for consumers, says Rajeev Chandrasekhar, independent member of Parliament who was one of the key petitioners seeking the scrapping of Section 66A of the Information Technology Act.

Yes, we are comfortable on streets, unlike Jaitley: Yogendra Yadav

Yes, we are comfortable on streets, unlike Jaitley: Yogendra Yadav

Rediff.com7 Feb 2015

Aam Aadmi Party chief spokesperson Yogendra Yadav tells Somesh Jha how Delhi has moved beyond Shahi Imam-type politics. Yadav also takes a dig at Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, and says the AAP had formulated its policies on the streets, unlike the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Navy is vital for India's future security

Navy is vital for India's future security

Rediff.com14 Jun 2019

'Notwithstanding the realisation among the Indian leadership to build up its navy for the force's expanding role, the Indian Navy was allocated only 15% of the interim defence budget presented in Parliament in February 2019.' 'The outlay for the navy's capital acquisition is not even adequate to meet its committed liabilities,' points out Brigadier S K Chatterji (retd).

'There will be social unrest in India'

'There will be social unrest in India'

Rediff.com6 Feb 2015

'Growth is predicated on the misery of large sections of people.' 'Maybe Hindutva will be used to suppress any such unrest.'

Will India's gold schemes succeed?

Will India's gold schemes succeed?

Rediff.com9 Nov 2015

Chirag Mehta, senior fund manager -- alternative investments at Quantum AMC, shares his views.

Teaching of Bhagavad Gita to be introduced in schools: Khattar

Teaching of Bhagavad Gita to be introduced in schools: Khattar

Rediff.com15 Mar 2015

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday said that government will introduce teaching of Bhagavad Gita in schools across the state from coming academic session.

'US-China trade war beneficial for India'

'US-China trade war beneficial for India'

Rediff.com28 Jun 2019

'India has an advantage because we produce more cotton and we have more workforce.'

Interesting facts about the 1st Indian-American in the White House run

Interesting facts about the 1st Indian-American in the White House run

Rediff.com29 Jun 2015

Swati Snigdha Suar brings you some interesting factoids about the Indian-American who is eager to take on Washington.

This Khobrage won't go away for a long time

This Khobrage won't go away for a long time

Rediff.com15 Jan 2014

'A senior US diplomat last week asked me when things will go back to normal. I had to tell her that if normalcy meant getting back these perks, it is not going to happen for a very long time, if ever at all,' says Mohan Guruswamy. 'For the Indian public now is outraged that US diplomats have enjoyed all these winking at the rulebook.'

How India's young innovators do well by doing good

How India's young innovators do well by doing good

Rediff.com25 May 2018

'Let me talk about young Indian startups with their hearts in the right place and how they are proving that innovations that represent 'affordable excellence' -- breaking the myth that 'affordability' and 'excellence' cannot go together -- is indeed possible!' says Dr R A Mashelkar, the eminent scientist, in this fascinating feature.

The challenges Modi govt faces in 2015

The challenges Modi govt faces in 2015

Rediff.com7 Jan 2015

Four specific areas will be watched carefully in the first half of FY16

Lift AFSPA, ban pellet guns, Opposition suggests at all party meet on Kashmir

Lift AFSPA, ban pellet guns, Opposition suggests at all party meet on Kashmir

Rediff.com12 Aug 2016

It was also suggested that an all-party delegation should visit Kashmir to assess the situation but the government did not make commitments regarding any of their demands.

At 1st ISA meet, Modi presents 10-point action plan

At 1st ISA meet, Modi presents 10-point action plan

Rediff.com11 Mar 2018

Indian 'Vedas' have since thousands of years considered sun as at soul of the universe and a nourisher of life, the PM said.

Budget may announce fuel subsidy reforms

Budget may announce fuel subsidy reforms

Rediff.com23 Jan 2015

FM indicates adherence to fiscal road map, benign tax rates, correction in inverted duty structure

Global uncertainty demands some holding in gold

Global uncertainty demands some holding in gold

Rediff.com27 Jul 2015

Movements in gold prices will depend on the US' interest rates.

Patnaik's biggest challenge in 17 years

Patnaik's biggest challenge in 17 years

Rediff.com15 May 2017

As the Odisha CM prepares to face the BJP onslaught, the BJP hopes to rope in some BJD heavyweights.

Govt plans Rs 2 lakh-cr solar and wind power projects in deserts

Govt plans Rs 2 lakh-cr solar and wind power projects in deserts

Rediff.com4 Jul 2014

The idea is to set up renewable energy generation capacity, including both solar and wind, along with the associated evacuation infrastructure, at a mega scale in the four Indian deserts -- Thar in Rajasthan, Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, Lahul & Spiti in Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh in Jammu & Kashmir.

'We are building the First Front, not the Third Front'

'We are building the First Front, not the Third Front'

Rediff.com19 Feb 2014

anata Dal-United president Sharad Yadav says leaders of all 11 parties who've formed a new front will meet after the current Parliament session to finalise a name, coordination strategy and programmes. Mayank Mishra reports

An agenda for Amma

An agenda for Amma

Rediff.com20 May 2016

Fulfilling the promises made in the manifesto, a resurgent Opposition in the state assembly, impending local body polls... Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa may have made history by winning two assembly elections in a row, but the real test begins now, says N Sathiyamoorthy.

'Farmers can no more be hoodwinked'

'Farmers can no more be hoodwinked'

Rediff.com6 Apr 2015

Vinay Sahasrabuddhe explains BJP's strategy.

An agenda for India's Hillary Clinton

An agenda for India's Hillary Clinton

Rediff.com2 Jun 2014

Sushma Swaraj, like Clinton, has a strong political base in her own party and is likely to have her imprint on foreign policy, says Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

Amma creates poll history as Tamil Nadu remains 'Dravidian', yet

Amma creates poll history as Tamil Nadu remains 'Dravidian', yet

Rediff.com19 May 2016

With Tamil Nadu's electoral fate decided, all eyes would now veer round to the pending 'disproportionate assets case' against Jayalalithaa in the Supreme Court, and Stalin's own future within the DMK, says N Sathiya Moorthy.

Madhya Pradesh: 'BJP is losing its pool of voters'

Madhya Pradesh: 'BJP is losing its pool of voters'

Rediff.com21 Nov 2018

'Shivraj Singh Chouhan gave an affidavit in the Supreme Court that his government will give reservation in promotions which resulted in a powerful reaction by the youth.' 'These youth used to vote for the BJP, but will not vote for it in this election.' 'Even if the Congress does not make any gains, the BJP is losing voters in the current situation. It is losing farmers, OBC votes.'

Post Bhima Koregaon, the road for Indian politics

Post Bhima Koregaon, the road for Indian politics

Rediff.com11 Jan 2018

'The continuing crisis in agriculture, the inability of successive governments to provide secure jobs to millions of youths having varying degrees of skills, and fragmentation of politics have created a sense of despondency.'

An open letter to the Congress party: Remember the Aam Aadmi?

An open letter to the Congress party: Remember the Aam Aadmi?

Rediff.com21 Jun 2013

Few readers will remember the socialist utopia of Indira Gandhi when food queues were the norm even for the middle class and tankers supplied water at odd hours of the night twice a week. Is that what you are trying to return us to, dear Congress, asks Jaideep Prabhu

Can social media turn fortunes of a political party?

Can social media turn fortunes of a political party?

Rediff.com17 May 2019

Digital campaigns compared to billboards or even print ads not only have the power to reach wider audiences but also reduce the campaign costs. The focus on social media by political parties at election time, therefore, is hardly misplaced.

'Strict decisions have to be made for the good of the poor'

'Strict decisions have to be made for the good of the poor'

Rediff.com25 Jun 2014

'You cannot judge a government within a month. Give us five years' time.' 'At times, strict economic decisions have to be made for the good of the poor in the long run.' Dharmendra Pradhan, one of the Modi government's stars, speaks exclusively to Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com about why the government is forced to roll out 'bitter medicine.'

How to make India a hotspot for foreign investors

How to make India a hotspot for foreign investors

Rediff.com30 Mar 2016

Whatever the critics may say, the numbers suggest that India continues to be a favourite destination for foreign investors.

Budget: A milestone towards ushering in reforms

Budget: A milestone towards ushering in reforms

Rediff.com1 Mar 2015

The Budget sets out a comprehensive vision.

Besieged by the BJP, Left struggles to stay alive

Besieged by the BJP, Left struggles to stay alive

Rediff.com15 Jun 2017

As the BJP snaps at its heels, can the Communists stay relevant in the electoral game?

'China didn't expect India's military intervention in Doklam'

'China didn't expect India's military intervention in Doklam'

Rediff.com23 Oct 2017

'The Chinese media was beside itself with rage that how can a country with one-fifth of its economic power and maybe one-third of its military power stand up to them.'

Steps that govt must take to help India's ailing healthcare

Steps that govt must take to help India's ailing healthcare

Rediff.com10 Aug 2015

China's Xiaomi to unveil its first India-made phone on Monday

'2019 election won't be a cakewalk for the BJP'

'2019 election won't be a cakewalk for the BJP'

Rediff.com29 May 2018

'Despite the BJP's successes at the state-level, replicating their 282-seat majority in 2019 is going to be an uphill climb.'

Why we need a national market for electricity

Why we need a national market for electricity

Rediff.com27 Apr 2016

Power plant load factors are at historic lows of around 60 per cent.