News for 'Centre for Policy Research'

Why This Military Hero Entered Politics

Why This Military Hero Entered Politics

Rediff.com26 Sep 2022

Colonel Ajay Kothiyal, Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra, is one of the most decorated soldiers to join politics. He still has two bullets lodged inside his body sustained in a gun battle with terrorists in J&K.

Were The Chola Kings Hindus Or Not?

Were The Chola Kings Hindus Or Not?

Rediff.com11 Oct 2022

The aftermath of Mani Ratnam's Ponniyin Selvan has led to an argument that there was no religion as Hinduism in Chola times.
Instead, there was only Saivism, Vaishnavism, etc, and that the Cholas were Saivites, and hence not Hindus, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

EXPLAINED: Why Kerala is seeing a rise in Covid cases

EXPLAINED: Why Kerala is seeing a rise in Covid cases

Rediff.com6 Aug 2021

Bad management, an exhausted government vigilance mechanism, delay in roping in private players, relaxing norms, and over-dependence on antigen tests may be the reason behind the surge, reports Shine Jacob.

Cabinet clears Rs 76,000-crore incentive scheme for semiconductors

Cabinet clears Rs 76,000-crore incentive scheme for semiconductors

Rediff.com15 Dec 2021

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a Rs 76,000 crore policy boost for semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem in the country in an bid to position India as a global hub for hi-tech production. Announcing the decision of the Cabinet, IT and Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw observed that electronics plays an important role in everyday life, and semiconductor chips forms a crucial part of electronics. Outlining the details of the scheme, he said the Rs 76,000 crore programme has been approved for the development of semiconductors and display manufacturing ecosystem.

Can Karnataka become the hub of electric vehicles?

Can Karnataka become the hub of electric vehicles?

Rediff.com14 Sep 2017

Eyes investments of Rs 31,000 cr in research and manufacturing of electric vehicles

Economists slam govt's economic outlook

Economists slam govt's economic outlook

Rediff.com13 Sep 2013

Prime Minister's key economic advisor C Rangarajan on Friday lowered the growth forecast for the current fiscal to 5.3 per cent from 6.4 per cent projected earlier and listed out host of measures including further liberalisation of foreign direct investment norms to improve economic condition.

'Rural spread poses significant danger'

'Rural spread poses significant danger'

Rediff.com18 May 2021

'There is a deep stigma or taboo attached to COVID-19 in rural areas.' 'People don't want to test because they fear social exclusion.' 'Even those who test positive may not reveal and not follow the quarantine protocol.'

Who will clean the Indian education system?

Who will clean the Indian education system?

Rediff.com5 Sep 2020

'Education is disconnected from social reality and does not even attempt to solve the real problems of our country,' observe Peehu Pardeshi and Sandeep Pandey.

Twitter withholds 50 tweets related to Ghaziabad incident

Twitter withholds 50 tweets related to Ghaziabad incident

Rediff.com21 Jun 2021

Twitter has 'withheld' 50 tweets related to a communally sensitive video clip of an elderly Muslim man in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh on the microblogging platform, according to sources.

2 Indians in global commission on web governance

2 Indians in global commission on web governance

Rediff.com1 Apr 2014

GCIG is a two-year initiative launched by the Centre for International Governance Innovation and Chatham House.

Vintage Beetle gets new life as electric car

Vintage Beetle gets new life as electric car

Rediff.com18 Dec 2020

Besides opening up the possibility of a policy that allows vintage cars retrofitted with electric batteries to ply on roads, this also gives a clue to how cars older than 15 years that are banned can be valued again by a similar conversion to EVs, says Ritwik Sharma.

RBI buys record gold this year: At 700 tonnes, reserves up 27% in 2 years

RBI buys record gold this year: At 700 tonnes, reserves up 27% in 2 years

Rediff.com19 Aug 2021

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has increased its gold purchases, as part of its foreign exchange (forex) reserves. In the first half (H1) of calendar year 2021 (CY21), the addition of gold to India's forex reserves has been the highest - on a half-yearly basis -at 29 tonnes. Now, the RBI's gold holding - as a proportion of its forex reserves - has for the first time crossed 700 tonnes.

Sensex, Nifty close at lifetime highs

Sensex, Nifty close at lifetime highs

Rediff.com7 Jun 2021

PowerGrid was the top gainer in the Sensex pack, rallying over 4 per cent, followed by NTPC, UltraTech Cement, Tech Mahindra, Reliance Industries and IndusInd Bank.

Group of scientists seeks President's intervention to withdraw proposed LDAR

Group of scientists seeks President's intervention to withdraw proposed LDAR

Rediff.com24 Jun 2021

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Lakshadweep Research Collective said it along with 60 other signatories from the scientific community have written to President Ram Nath Kovind seeking his intervention to withdraw the "incautious draft" Lakshadweep Development Authority Regulation of 2021.

Why Stalin Wants NEET To Go

Why Stalin Wants NEET To Go

Rediff.com15 Sep 2021

The real battle for NEET abolition can take much more time and energy, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

Time for Supreme Court to revisit Mandal Verdict

Time for Supreme Court to revisit Mandal Verdict

Rediff.com24 Sep 2021

Tamil Nadu's unending legislative fight for exemption from NEET has now flagged the question if it's time to review the Supreme Court's famous verdict in the 'Mandal case', fixing 50-per cent upper-limit for all reservations, asks N Sathiya Moorthy.

How India can counter China

How India can counter China

Rediff.com28 Jul 2020

'If Asia does become a Chinese dominated space, it will not only be because India failed to get its economic act together but also because it did not stand up for its democratic credentials,' warns Shyam Saran, the former foreign secretary.

How governments can overcome land acquisition woes

How governments can overcome land acquisition woes

Rediff.com20 Mar 2017

The problem can be met, according to Shubhashis Gangopadhyay, research director of India Development Foundation, by the government tapping into its own land holdings.

'India is Amazon's second-largest technology hub'

'India is Amazon's second-largest technology hub'

Rediff.com16 Sep 2021

India is the second-largest technology hub for Amazon globally and its teams are powering innovations not only for customers in the country but globally as well, a top company executive said on Thursday. Speaking at Amazon India Career Day, Amazon global senior vice president and country head India Amit Agarwal said the e-commerce company employs over one lakh professionals in India across diverse areas from engineering, supply chain, content creation, marketing, video and others. "India is also the second-largest technology hub for Amazon globally, with some of the most talented software developers, product managers, machine learning scientists, and research scientists as part of the team," he said.

India detects 2 more Omicron Covid cases; total tally reaches 4

India detects 2 more Omicron Covid cases; total tally reaches 4

Rediff.com4 Dec 2021

Cases with the Omicron variant have already been detected in Karnataka and Gujarat.

Is Facebook answerable to Delhi?

Is Facebook answerable to Delhi?

Rediff.com9 Oct 2020

'Under Section 79 of the IT Act, Facebook is mandated to exercise care. Once you have a duty, you do not have the right to silence; you need to show compliance.'

Muslim thinker: Government should withdraw Haj subsidy

Muslim thinker: Government should withdraw Haj subsidy

Rediff.com30 Oct 2012

'The Haj subsidy is a trap used by politicians to curry Muslim votes,' says Abusaleh Shariff, member, Rajinder Sachar Committee.

Rajan receives Deutsche Bank Prize, 2013

Rajan receives Deutsche Bank Prize, 2013

Rediff.com27 Sep 2013

The academic prize is sponsored by the Deutsche Bank Donation Fund and carries an endowment of euro 50,000.

Haryana's local hire law may impact 150,000 IT jobs in the state

Haryana's local hire law may impact 150,000 IT jobs in the state

Rediff.com17 Mar 2021

A majority of the companies said the law, aimed at jobs with a monthly salary cap of Rs 50,000, will result in them leaving Haryana or growing their operations in other states and abroad.

Why Xi's China resembles Nazi Germany

Why Xi's China resembles Nazi Germany

Rediff.com17 May 2021

Chinese hubris and the slippery slope it finds itself on have important lessons for authoritarian leaders elsewhere, including in India, observes Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

What Defeat in UP Will Mean for Brand Modi

What Defeat in UP Will Mean for Brand Modi

Rediff.com1 Feb 2022

Any defeat for the BJP now would imply that anti-incumbency against Modi has set in, says N Sathiya Moorthy.

Govt cancels Rs 200-crore green fine on Adani

Govt cancels Rs 200-crore green fine on Adani

Rediff.com2 Jul 2016

Adani Ports & SEZ was ordered to pay for damage to environment during the UPA govt

Meet India's 'barefoot' lawyers!

Meet India's 'barefoot' lawyers!

Rediff.com30 Sep 2017

Geetanjali Krishna looks at how one organisation's unique idea is helping marginalised communities to gain legal access.

Over half of Plan panel staff to be farmed out

Over half of Plan panel staff to be farmed out

Rediff.com2 Sep 2014

New body to replace Plan panel might retain 40% of existing staff

How India can NEUTRALISE Enemy Drones

How India can NEUTRALISE Enemy Drones

Rediff.com23 Jul 2021

'An armed helicopter equipped with counter-drone systems will provide the airborne counter-drone capability and flexibility needed to protect India's critical assets.'

Lockdown: Definitely not a 'success'

Lockdown: Definitely not a 'success'

Rediff.com27 Jun 2020

The lockdown should have been used to drum into Indians' head the reasons for social distancing and the necessity for it, and the costs of not applying it in our daily lives and it should have been used to set up the systems that would manage large numbers of infected, observes Mihir S Sharma.

Assam passes bill to scrap state-run Madrassas

Assam passes bill to scrap state-run Madrassas

Rediff.com30 Dec 2020

From April 1 next year, over 600 state-run Madrassas will be converted into upper primary, high and higher secondary schools with no change of status, pay, allowances and service conditions of the teaching and non-teaching staff.

Crippled road transport hits supply of essentials

Crippled road transport hits supply of essentials

Rediff.com1 Apr 2020

The possibility of harassment by cops and fear of the unknown have forced a large number of truck drivers to abandon vehicles at the transport centres and flee home. Transport of goods remains badly hit as confusion remains among various stakeholders and road transport becomes the victim of disconnect between policy makers and local authorities.

'Economy to turn positive in Q3, Q4 of FY21'

'Economy to turn positive in Q3, Q4 of FY21'

Rediff.com22 Nov 2020

India's macroeconomic situation is improving fast and the country's GDP growth will turn positive in the third and fourth quarters of the current financial year, eminent economist Ashima Goyal said on Sunday. Goyal in an interview to PTI said the management of the COVID-19 pandemic and gradual unlocks announced by the government have helped in avoiding multiple COVID-19 peaks. The growth estimates by different agencies are being continuously revised, she said.

Which stocks should you invest in this election season?

Which stocks should you invest in this election season?

Rediff.com16 Nov 2018

Analysts caution a non-BJP government is not an impossible scenario. In case of a Modi-led coalition, they advise investors to focus on discretionary consumption, select private banks and financials, RIL, housing, and IT.

India's high antibody count could mean less severe Covid 3rd wave

India's high antibody count could mean less severe Covid 3rd wave

Rediff.com16 Aug 2021

While some experts believe that a large part of India is still vulnerable to the virus that could trigger a third wave, others feel the country is not likely to be engulfed by another deadly wave unless a new variant emerges.

Modi 2.0: Rs 70,000-crore rural road building project on agenda

Modi 2.0: Rs 70,000-crore rural road building project on agenda

Rediff.com21 Jun 2019

It would involve constructing over 125,000 kilometres of roads and would form part of the third phase of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.

G-20: Modi pitches for new crisis management protocol

G-20: Modi pitches for new crisis management protocol

Rediff.com26 Mar 2020

In his address at an extraordinary video conference of the G-20 leaders, Modi also urged the grouping to come out with a concrete action plan to fight the pandemic and said human beings rather than economic targets should be put at the centre of its vision for global prosperity and cooperation.

Why India should watch out for Trump's agenda

Why India should watch out for Trump's agenda

Rediff.com16 Mar 2017

India needs to consider whether the Donald Trump administration can actually deliver, observes former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.

What India needs to do at COP26, Glasgow

What India needs to do at COP26, Glasgow

Rediff.com1 Nov 2021

Rather than talking endlessly about lost and marginal opportunities, India's climate envoys need to start thinking bigger, says Mihir S Sharma.