News for 'Centre for Policy Research'

Indians' love for things foreign

Indians' love for things foreign

Rediff.com22 Sep 2020

...Is this a virus more dangerous than Covid-19, asks Ajit Balakrishnan.

SC dismisses PIL to make yoga compulsory in schools

SC dismisses PIL to make yoga compulsory in schools

Rediff.com8 Aug 2017

A bench said, "We are nobody to say what is to be taught in schools. It is none of our business. How can we direct that."

Twitter blocks IT minister's account for one hour over 'violations'

Twitter blocks IT minister's account for one hour over 'violations'

Rediff.com26 Jun 2021

Twitter on Friday temporarily blocked IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad's account for alleged violation of the US Copyright Act, a move that the minister slammed as being arbitrary and gross violation of IT rules.

India's destiny and the US-Pakistan embrace

India's destiny and the US-Pakistan embrace

Rediff.com1 Sep 2017

'There appears to be greater convergence of interests between China and the US in the Afghan-Pakistan theatre than between India and the US. This is hardly a recipe for a super-alliance,' says former foreign secretary Ambassador Shyam Saran.

US court asks ISRO arm Antrix to pay $1.2bn to Devas for cancelled deal

US court asks ISRO arm Antrix to pay $1.2bn to Devas for cancelled deal

Rediff.com30 Oct 2020

A US court has asked Antrix Corporation, the commercial arm of Indian Space Research Organisation, to pay a compensation of USD 1.2 billion to a Bengaluru-based startup, Devas Multimedia, for cancelling a satellite deal in 2005.

Nilekani couple gifts Rs 50 crore to NCAER

Nilekani couple gifts Rs 50 crore to NCAER

Rediff.com18 Dec 2013

Nilekani is the president of NCAER's governing body, while Rohini Nilekani is the Founder-Chairperson of Arghyam, a foundation that supports initiatives around the country for safe and sustainable water and sanitation.

'NRC could be the 21st century Ram Janmabhoomi'

'NRC could be the 21st century Ram Janmabhoomi'

Rediff.com30 Mar 2022

'Even if the government does not implement an all-India NRC before 2024, it will be part of the party's long-term project.'

India's mood: 'Pessimism, confusion, sadness'

India's mood: 'Pessimism, confusion, sadness'

Rediff.com4 Jun 2020

'Give cash assistance of Rs 75 per person per day and an android phone and you will see the economy reviving.'

PM to lay foundation stone for N-plant in Haryana on Jan 13

PM to lay foundation stone for N-plant in Haryana on Jan 13

Rediff.com8 Jan 2014

Work on a 2,800 MW nuclear power plant in Haryana will be kickstarted on January 13 when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh lays the foundation stone for it. The plant in Fatehabad district will have four units, each of 700 MWs, at the cost of Rs 22,000 crore.

Meet the 3 experts appointed by SC in Pegasus probe

Meet the 3 experts appointed by SC in Pegasus probe

Rediff.com27 Oct 2021

Three experts on cyber security, digital forensics, networks and hardware were roped in by the Supreme Court on Wednesday to "enquire, investigate and determine" whether Pegasus spyware was used for snooping on citizens and their probe would be monitored by former apex court judge R V Raveendran.

Indian IT cos ready plan to cope with stricter H-1B laws

Indian IT cos ready plan to cope with stricter H-1B laws

Rediff.com5 Dec 2018

Canada and Mexico emerge as preferred destinations to service clients in the US; east Europe and Nordic nations are favoured alternatives

'No space for national parties in Tamil Nadu'

'No space for national parties in Tamil Nadu'

Rediff.com8 May 2021

'With the deaths of Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi, the BJP and Congress thought that they had a chance.' 'They have conceded that power is with the Dravidian parties.'

Is a blanket ban on use of plastic really necessary?

Is a blanket ban on use of plastic really necessary?

Rediff.com21 Jul 2018

The problem, say experts, is not so much the use of plastic as the lack of effort to recycle and reuse it.

SC seeks govt's reply on restoring 4G services in J-K

SC seeks govt's reply on restoring 4G services in J-K

Rediff.com21 Apr 2020

The Centre opposed the plea by telling the apex court that it is a question of national security as militancy still poses a serious threat in Jammu and Kashmir and cited a recent incident where hundreds of people gathered in the valley for a funeral of a militant killed by security forces.

Ayushman Bharat may help patients access life-saving drugs

Ayushman Bharat may help patients access life-saving drugs

Rediff.com16 May 2018

'We have often heard the mythical argument that patents block access to life-saving drugs, but only 5% of medicines from multinational companies are under patent protection in India.' 'Where these patented products are beyond the reach of Indian patients, the companies have programmes to facilitate access to their drugs, for free or for a fraction of the price,' points out Ranjana Smetacek, former director general, Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India.

Modi @ 4: How 'swachh' is our Bharat?

Modi @ 4: How 'swachh' is our Bharat?

Rediff.com30 May 2018

While household toilets are only one part of the large challenge for the government, having liquid and solid waste management facilities, along with water delivery across the entire country, is a trickier one.

Gaganyaan's unmanned space mission likely to be delayed

Gaganyaan's unmanned space mission likely to be delayed

Rediff.com16 Aug 2020

The Gaganyaan mission aims to send a three-member crew to space for a period of five to seven days by 2022 when India completes 75 years of Independence.

Cong to elect president by June 2021 at any cost: CWC

Cong to elect president by June 2021 "at any cost": CWC

Rediff.com22 Jan 2021

After a three-and-a-half-hour meeting, which was stormy at times, the Congress Working Committee, the party's highest policy making body, authorised incumbent chief Sonia Gandhi to schedule the internal elections after the conclusion of assembly polls in five states due to be held in April-May.

'BJP may have a lot of money, but their organisational resources are weak'

'BJP may have a lot of money, but their organisational resources are weak'

Rediff.com22 Mar 2021

'Mamata is campaigning hard and not giving the BJP a walkover.'

How UP Women Powered BJP Victory

How UP Women Powered BJP Victory

Rediff.com16 Mar 2022

'Economic issues do not matter during elections; it is the emotional connect that helps swing votes.'

Steely Stalin steals Modi's show too

Steely Stalin steals Modi's show too

Rediff.com2 May 2021

Stalin owes his victory this time, like in 2019, to the hate-campaign of the local Hindutva forces, which kept haranguing him, and even his dead father, notes N Sathiya Moorthy.

Full Text: President's joint address to both houses of Parliament

Full Text: President's joint address to both houses of Parliament

Rediff.com31 Jan 2022

Here's the full text of President's Ram Nath Kovind's address to the joint sitting of both houses of Parliament on the first of Budget Session 2022.

Ajay Kumar wants to make India a global defence power

Ajay Kumar wants to make India a global defence power

Rediff.com10 Aug 2018

The secretary defence production wants to make India (currently the largest importer of weaponry) one of the world's top five defence manufacturers and a global leader in artificial intelligence and cyberspace.

4 Questions On Crypto Regulation

4 Questions On Crypto Regulation

Rediff.com8 Dec 2021

It is not the job of regulators to ensure that users make profits. It is not the job of regulators to prevent people from making losses. It is not the job of regulators to prevent people from doing stupid things, argues Ajay Shah.

'Drone attacks are an evolving threat'

'Drone attacks are an evolving threat'

Rediff.com23 Jul 2021

'India needs offensive and defensive security measures to protect itself.'

India Sitting on COVID Time Bomb

India Sitting on COVID Time Bomb

Rediff.com12 Aug 2021

Whether the third wave will ravage us depends on the pace of vaccinations, careful and calibrated opening up of establishments, and a strategy to contain the spread in specific states or pockets.

Focus on double vaccination first: Experts amid calls for booster

Focus on double vaccination first: Experts amid calls for booster

Rediff.com4 Dec 2021

'Scientific data has proven that masks can reduce COVID-91 transmission by 53 per cent...A booster dose of vaccine, even if it works, is just a temporary fix'

How to enhance your medical insurance coverage

How to enhance your medical insurance coverage

Rediff.com25 Mar 2019

A sum insured of Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh may have been sufficient seven-eight years ago but would be inadequate today, especially for people living in metros, points out Sanjay Kumar Singh.

India's National Security is being transformed

India's National Security is being transformed

Rediff.com22 Oct 2018

Prime Minister Modi felt there were too many silos with no arrangement to take a comprehensive view on national security. The PM has entrusted NSA Ajit Doval to evolve a comprehensive roadmap and get it implemented, reveals Nitin Gokhale, Editor-in-Chief, Strategic News International.

NTRO ready to roll out but raises more questions than answers

NTRO ready to roll out but raises more questions than answers

Rediff.com24 Jan 2014

The National Technical Research Organisation, the ambitious project to protect India's cyber space, is all set to roll out in May. However, experts are sceptical on how the government will maintain a balance between cyber security and civil liberties, reports Vicky Nanjappa.

'Cut in small savings rates win-win for government'

'Cut in small savings rates win-win for government'

Rediff.com21 Mar 2016

Interest rate on Public Provident Fund scheme was cut to 8.1%.

'Protests have forced government on the backfoot'

'Protests have forced government on the backfoot'

Rediff.com21 Jan 2020

'The protests have forced the government to announce that the NRC is not an immediate priority.' 'Even if they are trying to pursue this policy in a different guise, through the NPR, the fact that they have been forced to pause and backtrack at least temporarily shows the positive impact of the protests.' 'Moreover, various state governments have opposed the NPR which cannot be carried out without their cooperation. That is also a success of the protests.' 'The state governments would not have taken this stance against the central government if their hand had not been forced by the popular mood.'

Education turns core poll issue in TN, can break AIADMK-BJP ties

Education turns core poll issue in TN, can break AIADMK-BJP ties

Rediff.com22 Oct 2020

Higher education policy may be at the core of the Tamil Nadu assembly polls next May, with a potential to break the ties between the ruling AIADMK in the state and the BJP counterpart at the national level, says N Sathiya Moorthy.

Budget 2020: Key demands of the IT sector

Budget 2020: Key demands of the IT sector

Rediff.com16 Dec 2019

A 15 per cent corporate tax rate for services companies in SEZs, setting up a fund for deep-tech startups and establishing clusters to demonstrate design-to-manufacturing capabilities of tech firms were some of the key demands made by the IT sector at the pre-Budget consultation on Monday. The participants shared their views and suggestions regarding Big Data, incentives for encouraging setting up of data centres, fiscal incentives for data localisation, incentives for pushing digital penetration in rural areas, and corporate guarantee to startups for competing with other nations.

India's COVID-19 tally tops 22 lakh with 62,064 new cases

India's COVID-19 tally tops 22 lakh with 62,064 new cases

Rediff.com10 Aug 2020

The recoveries surged to 15,35,743 with a record 54,859 more people recuperating in the past 24 hours, taking the recovery rate to 69.33 per cent. The case fatality rate has dropped to about 2 per cent, the govt said.

GE, Boeing, Honeywell back India on patents

GE, Boeing, Honeywell back India on patents

Rediff.com26 Mar 2016

India's IPR framework and enforcement were comparable to those in developed countries

Aarogya Setu tops charts with 75 million downloads

Aarogya Setu tops charts with 75 million downloads

Rediff.com25 Apr 2020

The exponential number of downloads can be attributed to a call by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking people to have the app on their mobiles, combined with the government's push for downloading of the app through other channels, reports Neha Alawadhi.

China, India spur rise of the South

China, India spur rise of the South

Rediff.com23 Sep 2010

The report, Perspectives on Global Development 2010 -- Shifting Wealth, is the centerpiece of a Global Policy Dialogue co-hosted by the OECD Development Center and Global Development Network -- a platform for economic research institutes from developing countries.

9 years after 9/11, US faces more terror threats

9 years after 9/11, US faces more terror threats

Rediff.com11 Sep 2010

Nine years after the 9/11 attacks, the United States faces the threat of more home grown terror assaults, including prospects of suicide bombings and assassinations of top leaders, apart from Mumbai-style strikes, a leading research group in Washington has warned.

Did Pakistan President pledge his support to Taliban?

Did Pakistan President pledge his support to Taliban?

Rediff.com18 Jan 2011

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari had a secret meeting with a group of senior Taliban operatives in April last year during which he expressed the Pakistan government's "support for their mission", a researcher studying developments in Afghanistan has alleged.