News for 'Civilization of Ancient India'

'Why Can't Mr Modi Reopen The Passes To Tibet?'

'Why Can't Mr Modi Reopen The Passes To Tibet?'

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

On August 5, 1953, Jawaharlal Nehru sent a strange note to the foreign secretary. It is worth mentioning because it was symptomatic of the lack of knowledge about Western Tibet in India and in South Block in particular, notes Claude Arpi.

RSS leader hails NCERT tweak on Akbar, Tipu titles in textbooks

RSS leader hails NCERT tweak on Akbar, Tipu titles in textbooks

Rediff.com22 Nov 2025

RSS leader Sunil Ambekar says history textbooks have been revised, with titles like 'the great' removed from historical figures like Akbar and Tipu Sultan. He highlights the importance of India's ancient knowledge and the need to understand its history.

'Ancient Mantras In A Global Bed Of Music'

'Ancient Mantras In A Global Bed Of Music'

Rediff.com5 Feb 2025

'It was great to have the Indian roots reflected in full force.'

'Dravidian South Was Cradle Of Early Urban Modernity'

'Dravidian South Was Cradle Of Early Urban Modernity'

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

'At Keeladi, we have not come across any evidence for organised religion.'

What Does Keeladi Tell Us About Our Civilisation?

What Does Keeladi Tell Us About Our Civilisation?

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

'Archaeological sites like Keeladi, having remained buried for 2,500 years, have come out and speak now.'

China used May conflict as 'live lab' to back Pak: Army deputy chief

China used May conflict as 'live lab' to back Pak: Army deputy chief

Rediff.com4 Jul 2025

'An important consideration was that we should always be at the top of the escalation ladder. When we reach a military objective, we should try and put a stop to it'

FULL TEXT: President's address to the nation on I-Day eve

FULL TEXT: President's address to the nation on I-Day eve

Rediff.com15 Aug 2025

President Droupadi Murmu's address to the nation on the eve of the 79th Independence Day.

Allahabad HC junks Sambhal mosque's plea against survey

Allahabad HC junks Sambhal mosque's plea against survey

Rediff.com19 May 2025

The Committee of Management, Shahi Jama Masjid, moved the high court challenging the suit and the Sambhal court order which directed the survey through an advocate commissioner.

India, China working to restore pre-2020 conditions along LAC: Modi

India, China working to restore pre-2020 conditions along LAC: Modi

Rediff.com16 Mar 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized dialogue over discord in India's relationship with China, acknowledging natural differences between the two countries but stressing that stronger cooperation is essential for their mutual interests and global stability. In a podcast with Lex Fridman, Modi highlighted the ongoing efforts to restore normalcy along the border following the 2020 clashes, emphasizing the importance of a stable and cooperative relationship.

India, China should meet halfway: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi

India, China should meet halfway: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi

Rediff.com27 Jan 2025

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday called on Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussed issues of bilateral interest.

Why Stalin Is Pushing Keeladi Over Indus Valley

Why Stalin Is Pushing Keeladi Over Indus Valley

Rediff.com2 Jun 2025

'It has the potential to sow seeds of furthering discord when the direction of the discourse is aimed at propagating the perceived supremacy of 'cultural nationalism' from a distant past over the prevailing dominance of 'Constitutional nationalism',' argues N Sathiya Moorthy.

'Nothing Wrong If We Rewrite The Constitution'

'Nothing Wrong If We Rewrite The Constitution'

Rediff.com20 May 2025

'The time has come to have a relook at the Constitution as every document has a shelf life.'

'BJP's Survival Depends On Muslims'

'BJP's Survival Depends On Muslims'

Rediff.com8 Apr 2025

'The irony of this country is that the party in Opposition and the party in power both depend on Muslims.'

Deep State And Beyond: The Rise of Conspiracy Theories

Deep State And Beyond: The Rise of Conspiracy Theories

Rediff.com25 Feb 2025

From bhikshus of Ashokan 3rd century BC and medieval Sufis to Oxfam, Omidyar and Soros now, non-State actors have any real power only when they work in conjunction with a real State, asserts Shekhar Gupta.

'This Isn't About Rejecting Our Heritage'

'This Isn't About Rejecting Our Heritage'

Rediff.com27 Aug 2024

'...but subjecting our heritage to rigorous evidence-based understanding.'

'The Largest Peaceful Gathering Of Pilgrims'

'The Largest Peaceful Gathering Of Pilgrims'

Rediff.com11 Feb 2025

Through history, the Mela has held different meanings for ascetics, the colonised, colonisers, and tourists, but all have been moved by its grandeur points out Atanu Biswas.

Events that shaped Indian businesses in 2024

Events that shaped Indian businesses in 2024

Rediff.com1 Jan 2025

Unprecedented bribery charges, farewells, separation, failed union, monumental mergers and record-breaking IPOs, along with a healthy dose of online happenings in the form of spat and lessons in customer care, corporate India saw it all in 2024.

Adopt nation-first approach to decision making, Modi tells civil servants

Adopt nation-first approach to decision making, Modi tells civil servants

Rediff.com21 Apr 2022

Addressing civil servants on the 15th Civil Services Day at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, he said every decision should be evaluated on the basis of its capacity to strengthen the country's unity and integrity.

The Indus Civilization demystified

The Indus Civilization demystified

Rediff.com11 Feb 2009

Who were the people of ancient Indian civilizations? Has archaeological evidence confirmed the existence of common features of Vedic and Indus culture(s)? Is there an indigenous continuity of the culture in India and Pakistan or did the people come from outside the subcontinent? A two-day international conference on the Indus Valley Civilization, organized by the Loyola Marymount University in Los Angles, California, will attempt to answer some of these questions.

China 'welcomes' India-Europe corridor so long as it doesn't...

China 'welcomes' India-Europe corridor so long as it doesn't...

Rediff.com11 Sep 2023

China welcomes all initiatives that truly help developing countries build infrastructure and sincere efforts to promote connectivity and common development, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

Don't mock India's scientific past!

Don't mock India's scientific past!

Rediff.com27 Feb 2020

It is important to approach the belief of people in ancient India's achievements with a sense of proportion, balance and empathy, argues B S Raghavan, the distinguished civil servant.

BJP releases manifesto for LS polls: No NRC in 'Modi ki guarantee'

BJP releases manifesto for LS polls: No NRC in 'Modi ki guarantee'

Rediff.com14 Apr 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a pitch for electing a strong and stable government in an uncertain world beset by geopolitical tensions as the Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday released its manifesto, prioritising development and welfare while shunning populist measures and contentious issues like the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

'Landslides Used To Be Quite Frequent In The Olden Days'

'Landslides Used To Be Quite Frequent In The Olden Days'

Rediff.com2 Aug 2024

'Except that the population was much less.' 'I remember my uncle and family moving away from the base of a hill whenever it rained for more than a couple of days without a dry day in between.' 'Perhaps the older generations knew if it rained for more than a certain time, they must pack up to a camp or to a relative.' 'As some of the interviews of the survivors on the Malayalam television channels show, the elderly people had a premonition a tragedy would happen, and those who acted on those premonitions survived.'

Modi's Invincibility Is Gone And Gone Forever

Modi's Invincibility Is Gone And Gone Forever

Rediff.com21 Jun 2024

It is possible to be blind to this and pretend to carry on as if nothing has happened but that will not change the reality, asserts Aakar Patel.

Enough room in world for China, India to develop together: Outgoing envoy

Enough room in world for China, India to develop together: Outgoing envoy

Rediff.com26 Oct 2022

In his farewell remarks posted on the Chinese embassy website, Sun said it is only natural for important neighbours China and India to have some differences but the key is how to handle the differences.

HC reserves verdict in plea against Gyanvapi case

HC reserves verdict in plea against Gyanvapi case

Rediff.com8 Dec 2023

The Allahabad high court reserved its judgment on Friday in a petition challenging the maintainability of a suit seeking 'restoration' of a temple at the site of the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi.

Mohenjo Daro: Campy trip to ancient civilisation!

Mohenjo Daro: Campy trip to ancient civilisation!

Rediff.com21 Jun 2016

Hrithik's intensity around Mohenjo Daro's rambling spectacle is touching even if the promos pack in more swagger than substance and reveal Gowariker's preference for opulence over realism, feels Sukanya Verma.

Islam has pride of place among religions in India, says NSA Doval

Islam has pride of place among religions in India, says NSA Doval

Rediff.com11 Jul 2023

Asserting that terrorism is not linked to any religion, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Tuesday said it is no coincidence that despite there being around 200 million Muslims, the involvement of Indian citizens in global terrorism has been "incredibly low".

New airport, revamped railway station: Modi's gifts for Ayodhya ahead of Ram temple event

New airport, revamped railway station: Modi's gifts for Ayodhya ahead of Ram temple event

Rediff.com30 Dec 2023

This visit by the prime minister comes weeks ahead of the 'pran pratishtha' or consecration ceremony of the Ram temple.

SC rejects plea on renaming places, says can't be a prisoner of past

SC rejects plea on renaming places, says can't be a prisoner of past

Rediff.com27 Feb 2023

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a PIL seeking the constitution of a 'renaming commission' to restore "original" names of ancient, cultural and religious places "renamed" by invaders, saying India can't be a prisoner of the past.

The Times They Are A-Changin'

The Times They Are A-Changin'

Rediff.com17 Oct 2023

... And what explains the directions of change? asks Ajit Balakrishnan.

The People Have Spoken!

The People Have Spoken!

Rediff.com11 Dec 2023

Religion matters. Aspirational India is still poor. India admires strong leaders. India values decency. Shreekant Sambrani highlights the reasons why the BJP pulled off improbable victories in the Hindi heartland.

'Mughals had nothing to do with Mughal Gardens at Rashtrapati Bhavan'

'Mughals had nothing to do with Mughal Gardens at Rashtrapati Bhavan'

Rediff.com3 Feb 2023

'William Mustoe, the director of horticulture during British rule, named the Presidential Palace garden after the Mughals.' 'He simply kept the name because it was made on the pattern of a Mughal garden.''He simply kept the name Mughal gardens because it was made on the pattern of Mughal garden.'

Modi lands in South Africa, gets rakhi tied on his wrist

Modi lands in South Africa, gets rakhi tied on his wrist

Rediff.com23 Aug 2023

Modi is visiting the African country from August 22 to 24 at the invitation of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. South Africa is hosting the first in-person summit of BRICS comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, since 2019.

Saw White House from outside: Modi recalls US visit decades ago

Saw White House from outside: Modi recalls US visit decades ago

Rediff.com23 Jun 2023

The constitution of both countries begins with the "three words -- We the People -- as President Biden just mentioned", said Modi, who is on his first state visit to the US.

Monsoon session of Parliament begins today, set to be stormy

Monsoon session of Parliament begins today, set to be stormy

Rediff.com20 Jul 2023

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi has said that 31 bills will be taken up in the monsoon session. Among these include the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023.

India Wants World's Money, But Not World's Modernity

India Wants World's Money, But Not World's Modernity

Rediff.com14 Oct 2022

A bit of economic reforms stalled and decisions delayed -- what Narayana Murthy spoke of -- don't hurt if a country's compassionate and inclusive social fabric has survived intact; if the country is happy, observes Shyam G Menon.

Time to regain past glory, says PM on India-Iran ties

Time to regain past glory, says PM on India-Iran ties

Rediff.com23 May 2016

Invoking the age-old cultural bonds between India and Iran, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said it was time for the two countries to "march together" by regaining the "past glory" of historical ties

'India's growth is propelled by its youth'

'India's growth is propelled by its youth'

Rediff.com17 Jul 2009

Shashi Tripathi, member of India's Union Public Service Commission discusses India's changing demographics with Ajit Jain.

SC stays Varanasi court hearing in Gyanvapi case till Friday

SC stays Varanasi court hearing in Gyanvapi case till Friday

Rediff.com19 May 2022

The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the civil court in Varanasi to not proceed with hearing the Gyanvapi case till it takes up the matter on Friday.