News for 'Column'

Is Modi's 'Mr India' Image Fading?

Is Modi's 'Mr India' Image Fading?

Rediff.com20 Aug 2025

'The Election Commission's involvement in the avoidable SIR controversy has carried a message down to the last voter -- who just does not like it,' observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

How Business Schools Must Evolve In AI Era

How Business Schools Must Evolve In AI Era

Rediff.com20 Aug 2025

Shift from producing graduates proficient in analysis and strategy to producing graduates capable of initiating, executing, and scaling impactful actions in real-world environments, points out Ajit Balakrishnan.

Time India Learnt From China Playbook

Time India Learnt From China Playbook

Rediff.com20 Aug 2025

If India caves in to US pressure as Trump hopes it will, he will further try to blackmail it into submission, points out Ramesh Menon.

Growth: RBI Sees Too Many Uncertainties

Growth: RBI Sees Too Many Uncertainties

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

For the time being, the RBI is done with the cuts. A cut in October, which many are still predicting, is not certain. Of course, if growth nosedives, the script will be different, expects Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Modi's Diplomacy Needs To Get More Done

Modi's Diplomacy Needs To Get More Done

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

One must wonder whether Mr Modi's efforts to wine and dine the Big Two of today's world were seen as a sign of weakness rather than a proffered arm of friendship, points out R Jagannathan.

Sholay Still Speaks to India's Soul

Sholay Still Speaks to India's Soul

Rediff.com18 Aug 2025

Even after 50 years, Sholay remains a lasting reminder of unity, shared memories and the joy of cinema, notes Mohammad Asim Siddiqui.

Trump Is Winning Tariff War Hands Down

Trump Is Winning Tariff War Hands Down

Rediff.com18 Aug 2025

Donald Trump's tariffs, meant as political punishment, have avoided the predicted chaos, lifting US growth, weakening rivals, and letting him claim victory in a resilient global economy, observes T T Ram Mohan.

What C P Radhakrishnan's Choice Means For Modi, BJP

What C P Radhakrishnan's Choice Means For Modi, BJP

Rediff.com18 Aug 2025

By naming a sworn swayamsevak for vice president, the Modi-Shah duo have sent out a clear and positive message to Nagpur, where the RSS headquarters is located, explains N Sathiya Moorthy.

Chappell backs 'best spinner since Warne' to play at Edgbaston

Chappell backs 'best spinner since Warne' to play at Edgbaston

Rediff.com30 Jun 2025

'There is a reason why wickets often fall after a change of bowling. It forces the batter to recalibrate. That variability isn't available to Shubman Gill with his current crop'

The Alaska Fiasco: Lessons For India

The Alaska Fiasco: Lessons For India

Rediff.com16 Aug 2025

The point to note for India is that we must not panic. The United States may be our largest export destination, but high tariffs will not exactly mean gloom and doom. Sure, we can throw some morsels as we continue negotiating, but we must be firm that some red lines cannot be crossed, no matter what, asserts Shreekant Sambrani.

Beginning Of The End For Trump?

Beginning Of The End For Trump?

Rediff.com16 Jul 2025

Unless Donald Trump takes a major U turn, this is possibly the beginning of the end for Trumpian politics, argues Colonel Anil A Athale (retd). Unless President Trump takes a major U turn, this is possibly the 'beginning of the end' for Trumpian politics driven by TV trp's, points out Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

How Jana Sangh Was Born 75 Years Ago

How Jana Sangh Was Born 75 Years Ago

Rediff.com11 Jul 2025

'As we read and assess what is going on around us in the India of 2025, it is instructive to do this through the lens of 75 years ago and the events that led to the formation of the BJP as we know it,' recalls Aakar Patel.

Day 3 PIX: India rally with Rahul ton, but England...

Day 3 PIX: India rally with Rahul ton, but England...

Rediff.com13 Jul 2025

IMAGES from Day 3 of the third Test match, played between England and India at Lord's, London, on Saturday.

When Voter ID Matters And When It Doesn't

When Voter ID Matters And When It Doesn't

Rediff.com14 Aug 2025

When the government chooses to either ignore or use identity documents only when it suits them, it shakes people's sense of stability, notes Shyam G Menon.

Time To Tackle The Digital Fraud Surge

Time To Tackle The Digital Fraud Surge

Rediff.com14 Aug 2025

We propose an expert group be set up to form a national strategy on digital fraud. This group would bring together skills in financial regulation, security economics, cyber defence, and public communications, and an understanding of the Indian financial and security systems. It should lay the foundations of a coordinated approach by the Indian State in fighting digital fraud, suggest Ajay Shah and Nandkumar Saravade.

'No Sane Pilot Would Shut Off Fuel'

'No Sane Pilot Would Shut Off Fuel'

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

'In multi-pilot operations, no critical switch can be moved without the other pilot's consent.'

From Badla To Jane Street: Market Tricks Haunt Again

From Badla To Jane Street: Market Tricks Haunt Again

Rediff.com13 Aug 2025

Jane Street could do what they did because of the most fundamental flaw in the Indian stock market: a fragmented, fractured, fissured, fistula-ed liquidity stream, points out Shankar Sharma.

How India Must Deal With Trump The Bully

How India Must Deal With Trump The Bully

Rediff.com13 Aug 2025

The way to deal with a bully is to resist bullying, because submission in the first instance only invites even more overbearing demands in future. What may seem like a small price to pay now will lead to a much higher price later, warns former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.

Why Are Bankers Committing Suicide?

Why Are Bankers Committing Suicide?

Rediff.com13 Aug 2025

In the past 10 years, over 500 PSB officers have died by suicide. When targets are overwhelming, senior management and customers are both impatient, and there is constant fear, not every banker has the resilience to survive and thrive, warns Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Why Is The US So Fond Of Asim Munir?

Why Is The US So Fond Of Asim Munir?

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

Sections in the US State Department and Pentagon have always felt more comfortable dealing with all powerful Pakistani generals instead of elected civilians, points out Rana Banerji, who headed the Pakistan desk at RA&W.

Trump's Tariffs: Why India Needs To Be Strategic

Trump's Tariffs: Why India Needs To Be Strategic

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

In trade negotiations, as in chess, sometimes you need to accept a temporary disadvantage to secure a better long-term position, points out Sonal Varma, chief economist (India and Asia ex-Japan) at Nomura.

India's Foreign Policy Needs Strategic Expansion

India's Foreign Policy Needs Strategic Expansion

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

The era where nations thrived through rigid alignments is giving way to an age where the connective State defines power. For India, that era has arrived, points out Dr Nishakant Ojha.

Why Chase The Black Box?

Why Chase The Black Box?

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

Why not stream all the data in real time to multiple recipients? It would make the investigation of aviation incidents much easier and far more transparent, recommends Devangshu Datta.

That call never happened: AI crash silences decades-long friendship

That call never happened: AI crash silences decades-long friendship

Rediff.com13 Jun 2025

Their bond, forged in the skies and strengthened by countless shared takeoffs and landings, was characterised by a simple, unwavering ritual: A phone call after every landing or before the takeoff of a flight.

Why Bumrah Is Being Hounded

Why Bumrah Is Being Hounded

Rediff.com11 Aug 2025

The matter of Bumrah's availability for the series should have been a highly-guarded secret. That it was bandied about all through suggests the matter was deliberately placed in the public domain. This has become the basis of the hounding of Bumrah, by some former players and fans, asserts Rohit Mahajan.

Modi Isn't Going To Retire On September 17

Modi Isn't Going To Retire On September 17

Rediff.com11 Aug 2025

'Mr Modi has the power and pre-eminence in the BJP-RSS to choose how long he wants to serve, and he is definitely going to want to contest in 2029.' 'He will only be 79, as old as Donald Trump now, and fitter,' observes Shekhar Gupta.

India Must Be Ready For Next War With Pakistan

India Must Be Ready For Next War With Pakistan

Rediff.com15 Jul 2025

India has to fill in all the critical gaps in missiles, ammunition, sensors and stockpile in the fastest possible manner, focusing on the critical instruments that worked this time, asserts Shekhar Gupta.

Why The National Awards Feel Different Now

Why The National Awards Feel Different Now

Rediff.com8 Aug 2025

When you declare 12th Fail as the Best Film and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani as the Wholesome Entertainer of the year, you have somehow narrowed the range of the awards, suggesting, in effect, that the entire spectrum of possibility in Indian cinema extends from the Filmfare Awards winner for the Best Film to the Filmfare Awards winner for the Best Film (Critics), points out Sreehari Nair.

Wanted: A Safe Seat For Superstar Vijay

Wanted: A Safe Seat For Superstar Vijay

Rediff.com8 Aug 2025

This is important because he is to be seen as a sure winner before criss-crossing the state to campaign for candidates of the party or an alliance, highlights N Sathiya Moorthy.

The Night Iran 'Set The Ganges On Fire'

The Night Iran 'Set The Ganges On Fire'

Rediff.com2 Jul 2025

'Within minutes, my mobile began ringing. It was National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra, asking why the Iranians were complaining.' 'I explained that we had only restated our position in the light of the conclusion reached by the IAEA, but will remain helpful to Iran to reach a consensus.' 'Then came a call from Foreign Secretary Kamal Sibal, repeating what Mishra said about the Iranian complaint.' 'I was very impressed that Iran was able to reach two top officials in India to intervene at short notice,' recalls Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

'Dating Apps At 52? I Don't Want Desperate Men'

'Dating Apps At 52? I Don't Want Desperate Men'

Rediff.com16 Jun 2025

rediffGURU Shalini Singh helps a 52-year-old reader rediscover companionship in the dating world.

'Kohli quit Tests due to loss of mental clarity'

'Kohli quit Tests due to loss of mental clarity'

Rediff.com5 Jun 2025

Former Australia captain Greg Chappell believes Virat Kohli's decision to retire from Test cricket stemmed not from a decline in skill but from the toll the game had taken on him over the years.

Caravaggio And Djokovic Reshaped The Light

Caravaggio And Djokovic Reshaped The Light

Rediff.com7 Aug 2025

Both Caravaggio and Djokovic entered worlds ruled by giants, shattered conventions with defiance, and redefined greatness within the rigid lines of their craft. One with a brush, the other with a racquet but both turned their tools into instruments of disruption. And ultimate greatness.

Trump Taunts Modi, But India, US Still Do Business

Trump Taunts Modi, But India, US Still Do Business

Rediff.com7 Aug 2025

India and the US have collaborated through the past one month on launching a powerful satellite; are commencing joint production of GE Aerospace's F414 jet engines in India; India is participating in a massive three week-long military exercise in the Western Pacific, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

How Will Nuns' Arrest Affect Kerala Politics?

How Will Nuns' Arrest Affect Kerala Politics?

Rediff.com6 Aug 2025

The current situation in Kerala politics is perhaps best described as a case of the state's traditional two front politics now seeing a third front (the BJP) muscling in with the potential outcome being either a messy three front affair or a renewed endorsement of the two front pattern but with one of the old fronts compromised or quashed, observes Shyam G Menon.

Operation Sindoor: Why Was ISI HQ Not Targeted?

Operation Sindoor: Why Was ISI HQ Not Targeted?

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

What was the aim of Operation Sindoor? Why was the operation halted so soon? asks Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (retd).

Abrogation Article 370 @ 6 Years: Delhi Plays Cat-and-Mouse Game

Abrogation Article 370 @ 6 Years: Delhi Plays Cat-and-Mouse Game

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

New Delhi looks to be testing Omar's endurance with unconcealed glee, never feeling shy to bite whenever a moment comes its way. After all, ruling the country's only Muslim-majority UT/state has been the BJP's burning desire, points out Mohammad Sayeed Malik, the distinguished commentator on Kashmir affairs.

'Kohli's absence a bigger blow than Rohit's'

'Kohli's absence a bigger blow than Rohit's'

Rediff.com18 Jun 2025

India will miss Virat Kohli more than Rohit Sharma in the marquee Test series against England and the duo's recent retirement from the format will "hurt" the transitioning team's chances in the rubber starting on Friday, reckons the legendary Geoffrey Boycott.

Has Rahul Gandhi Forgotten The Malegaon Blasts?

Has Rahul Gandhi Forgotten The Malegaon Blasts?

Rediff.com4 Aug 2025

For Malegaon's Muslims, Rahul Gandhi's remarks were simply one more indication that the party they once supported no longer cares for them, notes Jyoti Punwani.

'Money Is Trump's Driving Vice'

'Money Is Trump's Driving Vice'

Rediff.com9 Jun 2025

'His love of money goes beyond all reasons,' says Trump watcher Arjun Appadurai.