News for 'Column'

The Illusion Of India's 8% Growth

The Illusion Of India's 8% Growth

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

The key question is how much of the latest growth record represents recovery from the 2020-2021 downturn, and what is the sustainable growth rate now, asks T N Ninan.

Will Nitin Nabin Really Be Modi's 'Boss'?

Will Nitin Nabin Really Be Modi's 'Boss'?

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

Given Modi's track record from the time he became Gujarat chief minister in October 2001, it is highly improbable that Nabin will get opportunities to display his individual capacity. Even the team of organisational leaders that he will 'appoint' in a few weeks or months, will unlikely to be his choice, predicts Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

Greg Chappell: How England Can Make Bazball Work In Ashes

Greg Chappell: How England Can Make Bazball Work In Ashes

Rediff.com3 Dec 2025

Greg Chappell said that while he admires positive cricket, a "full-frontal assault" approach is insult to the intelligence of the players and the public alike.

Modi unveils India's first nature-themed airport in Guwahati

Modi unveils India's first nature-themed airport in Guwahati

Rediff.com20 Dec 2025

The Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport in Guwahati has inaugurated a new nature-themed terminal building, designed to handle 13.1 million passengers per year and serve as a key aviation hub for the northeast and a gateway to Southeast Asia.

Why China's Claim On Shaksgam Valley Is Baseless

Why China's Claim On Shaksgam Valley Is Baseless

Rediff.com19 Jan 2026

Today's situation in the Shaksgam Valley is the consequence of what happened in Gilgit in 1947. But is India ready to militarily get back its territories? asks Claude Arpi.

'If A Player Doesn't Respect IPL...'

'If A Player Doesn't Respect IPL...'

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

'The IPL is the best T20 league in the world and anybody taking it lightly should not be considered at all.'

18 Assam workers killed, 3 missing as truck falls into gorge in Arunachal

18 Assam workers killed, 3 missing as truck falls into gorge in Arunachal

Rediff.com11 Dec 2025

A truck accident in Arunachal Pradesh has resulted in the deaths of 18 labourers from Assam. The truck, carrying 22 workers, fell into a gorge in a remote area. Rescue operations are underway to find the missing.

Army guns down 4 militants in Manipur encounter

Army guns down 4 militants in Manipur encounter

Rediff.com4 Nov 2025

At least four militants belonging to a banned outfit were killed in an encounter with security forces in Manipur's Churachandpur district.

Why Venezuela Did Not Celebrate Maduro's Fall

Why Venezuela Did Not Celebrate Maduro's Fall

Rediff.com14 Jan 2026

Years of repression and disappearances have taught Venezuelans, the hard way, not to voice either their anger or their joy, observes Radha Roy Biswas who spent her formative years in Venezuela.

Why India-US Trade Deal Is Delayed

Why India-US Trade Deal Is Delayed

Rediff.com14 Jan 2026

A trade deal makes sense only if it is fair and reciprocal. If the cost is strategic dependence or loss of policy space, waiting is the wiser option, asserts Ajay Srivastava.

States Have Thrown A Spanner In RBI's Easy-Money Machine

States Have Thrown A Spanner In RBI's Easy-Money Machine

Rediff.com7 Jan 2026

State debt is rising because revenues are disappointingly weak. Ten states have debt ratios exceeding 30 per cent. In 2023-2024, states were borrowing simply to meet day-to-day expenses, points out Debashis Basu.

AstroSpeak: Your Predictions For 2026

AstroSpeak: Your Predictions For 2026

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

Astrologer Chirag Daruwalla, who is following in the footsteps of his famed astrologer father, the late Bejan Daruwalla, helps you navigate the Naya Saal.

The Man The LTTE Couldn't Kill

The Man The LTTE Couldn't Kill

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

The Tigers refused to forgive Douglas Devananda and tried to assassinate him repeatedly. He later said: "(LTTE chief Velupillai) Prabhakaran cannot kill me." Destiny proved him right.

How Winter Session Sets Stage For Budget

How Winter Session Sets Stage For Budget

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

Three laws passed in Parliament could boost central revenues, reshape GST cess flows, shift MGNREGA costs to states and create new budget headroom ahead of the 2026-2027 Union Budget, points out A K Bhattacharya.

Somnath@1,000: The Power Of Unbroken Faith

Somnath@1,000: The Power Of Unbroken Faith

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

If the Somnath temple, which was attacked 1,000 years ago and faced continuous attacks thereon, could rise again and again, then we can surely restore our great nation to the glory it embodied 1,000 years ago before the invasions, asserts Narendra Modi.

Why Is Media Silent On Kashmir Times?

Why Is Media Silent On Kashmir Times?

Rediff.com29 Nov 2025

It is shameful that Kashmir Times has been attacked in the way it has and that Anuradha Bhasin has not found more voices to speak in support of her and her paper, points out Aakar Patel.

Usman Khawaja Batted For Integrity On And Off The Field

Usman Khawaja Batted For Integrity On And Off The Field

Rediff.com3 Jan 2026

'In choosing to be fully himself, even when it was uncomfortable, Usman Khawaja expanded the meaning of representation and conscience in Australian sport,' notes Asif Ullah Khan.

The Putin Visit: The US-Pakistan Connection

The Putin Visit: The US-Pakistan Connection

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

Luckily for us, a Russia that is desperate to stay relevant in an emerging multipolar world finds in India a reliable geostrategic partner. The Russian proximity to India also keeps China from exploiting its economic dominance vis a vis Russia, points out Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Gavaskar's Warning For World Champions

Gavaskar's Warning For World Champions

Rediff.com10 Nov 2025

Sunil Gavaskar, who was part of India's first World Cup triumph in 1983, said the players must not get disappointed if some 'shameless' brands and individuals use the victory to get free publicity.

The AI Financial Bubble Is For Real

The AI Financial Bubble Is For Real

Rediff.com1 Jan 2026

'I don't see how a company like OpenAI can honestly expect to generate revenue significant enough to maintain its spending habits via John and Jane Q. Public,' points out Sree Sreenivasan.

Why Dhurandhar Is Unsettling

Why Dhurandhar Is Unsettling

Rediff.com29 Dec 2025

Dhurandhar does not ask audiences to cheer blindly, notes Kumar Abhishek. It asks them to see how power operates in grey zones, and at moral cost.

How Could Markets Be At All-Time Highs While Portfolios Languished?

How Could Markets Be At All-Time Highs While Portfolios Languished?

Rediff.com29 Dec 2025

There are vexing questions around the disconnect between Nifty returns and portfolio returns, between economic growth and earnings growth, and finally, between earnings growth and market returns, points out Debashis Basu.

Why Modi And Shah Like Nitin Nabin

Why Modi And Shah Like Nitin Nabin

Rediff.com29 Dec 2025

Both Mr Modi and Amit Shah like Nabin because they know he will never answer back, points out Aditi Phadnis.

The 14 Longest Hindi Movies

The 14 Longest Hindi Movies

Rediff.com13 Nov 2025

We look at the longest Hindi movies through the years, and interestingly, most of them have done well.

Vietnam: A Boat Ride To Remember!

Vietnam: A Boat Ride To Remember!

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

A boat ride through Vietnam's most glorious landscape.

India Still Features In Trump's Security Plan

India Still Features In Trump's Security Plan

Rediff.com26 Dec 2025

The new US national security strategy signals a retreat from global dominance while reaffirming continuity in India's role in Indo-Pacific security and Quad cooperation, points out former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.

How Trump's Rules Are Killing American Tourism

How Trump's Rules Are Killing American Tourism

Rediff.com25 Dec 2025

'America has historically been a magnet for people who aren't from here.' 'That sort of thing -- the promise of opportunity, no matter what that looks like -- doesn't grow on trees.' 'It also happens to be geopolitical gold that Trump is flushing down the toilet,' points out Sree Sreenivasan.

Lessons India Taught China In 1962 War

Lessons India Taught China In 1962 War

Rediff.com24 Nov 2025

The well-fought defensive battles in Aksai Chin and eastern Arunachal, in remote and forbidding locations such as Galwan, Rezang La, Gurung Hill and Walong, effectively halted Chinese advances not once but twice during the campaign. These engagements, fought with grit and without adequate support, were not immediately known to the world in 1962, points out Dr Kumar.

What The 1962 War Taught The Chinese

What The 1962 War Taught The Chinese

Rediff.com24 Dec 2025

The fierce battles of Galwan, Rezang La, Gurung Hill, and Walong taught the PLA a hard lesson: Fighting the Indian Army would never be easy or inexpensive.

It Is Hard To Know How The Economy Is Truly Performing

It Is Hard To Know How The Economy Is Truly Performing

Rediff.com23 Dec 2025

The core dilemma remains: Why provide further stimulus to an economy that is already booming at an 8 per cent growth rate? asks Rajeswari Sengupta.

Why Even Class Acts Are No Longer Guaranteed A Spot in Team

Why Even Class Acts Are No Longer Guaranteed A Spot in Team

Rediff.com22 Dec 2025

When players select themselves, the selectors' job becomes delightfully simple. But did the Indian selectors have that luxury while picking the T20 World Cup squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup? asks K R Nayar.

Is India Standing Alone in 2025?

Is India Standing Alone in 2025?

Rediff.com22 Dec 2025

The 2025 US National Security Strategy marks a major pullback, with America turning backward and effectively allowing China greater dominance in Asia. while long-time partners like India are left to face an increasingly unstable global order largely on their own, observes Rajeev Srinivasan.

Is Renaming Govt Schemes A Solution?

Is Renaming Govt Schemes A Solution?

Rediff.com20 Dec 2025

This has been our history of good governance: Things that were difficult to do and required planning and implementation were first taken up and then abandoned, notes Aaakr Patel.

The OTT Battle Is For Audiences And Their Time

The OTT Battle Is For Audiences And Their Time

Rediff.com20 Dec 2025

Only firms that have scale in content and a technology engine that drives its discovery and monetisation can compete,' explains Vanita Kohli Khandekar.

The Dilemma Of A Missing Workforce For Climate Action

The Dilemma Of A Missing Workforce For Climate Action

Rediff.com19 Dec 2025

This was perhaps a missed opportunity for India to spotlight a core domestic challenge: The scale of workforce preparation required for a young, populous, rapidly growing country seeking to reach net zero, points out Radha Roy Biswas.

Frankenstein: Aesthetically Pleasing, Visually Lush, Morally Unequivocal

Frankenstein: Aesthetically Pleasing, Visually Lush, Morally Unequivocal

Rediff.com18 Dec 2025

Guillermo del Toro restores and amplifies the morality tale Shelley had meant her book to be. His message is kindness and forgiveness are the greatest virtues and arrogant ego meets its own just end, notes Shreekant Sambrani.

What Is DMK's Plan To Counter Vijay?

What Is DMK's Plan To Counter Vijay?

Rediff.com18 Dec 2025

The DMK may consider a two-tier campaign, where they keep the focus on Chief Minister Stalin, as a senior statesman with 50-plus years of political experience, and let EPS and the BJP shout in the wilderness. In such a case, the second-tier may project Udhayanidhi as the contender and chosen obstructionist in Vijay's path. The attempt, if any, would be to reduce Vijay to Udhayanidhi's level when the former is aiming at Stalin and Stalin alone in the state's political horizon, predicts N Sathiya Moorthy.

The New Found Importance Of Nitin Nabin

The New Found Importance Of Nitin Nabin

Rediff.com18 Dec 2025

'The move to appoint a person with a profile, markedly lower than the leader Nitin Nabin will replace, has the potential to put the brakes on the careers of several others in the party and government in the positions they currently hold,' points out Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

'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.

The Blasphemous Idea Dhurandhar Promotes

The Blasphemous Idea Dhurandhar Promotes

Rediff.com16 Dec 2025

Dhurandhar's most dangerous idea is that Director Aditya Dhar envisions an Indian state run by a deep state -- an intelligence machinery not accountable to Parliament, courts, or voters. A future political system where unelected officials decide when Indian democracy is 'fit' to function, observes Syed Firdaus Ashraf.