News for 'Council of Common Interests'

People voted for Jayalalithaa, not members of her household: Stalin

People voted for Jayalalithaa, not members of her household: Stalin

Rediff.com5 Feb 2017

DMK Working President MK Stalin is worried about divisions in the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam after the death of Jayalalithaa and keen that it should not affect the functioning of the administration.

'Yes, I have done adult films. But nobody is talking about my good films'

'Yes, I have done adult films. But nobody is talking about my good films'

Rediff.com30 Jun 2015

'I defy all the controversy. For me, it is meaningless. They say the students are unhappy that I have been appointed as the head of FTII. They have not seen my work so how can they be unhappy?' Gajendra Chauhan tries to justify his appointment to head the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India.

From Ayodhya to good governance, BJP manifesto has it all

From Ayodhya to good governance, BJP manifesto has it all

Rediff.com7 Apr 2014

Contentious issues such as the construction of a Ram Temple in Ayodhya, abrogation of Art 370 giving special status to Jammu and Kashmir and enactment of Uniform Civil Code have been included in the Bharatiya Janata Party's election manifesto with the party making promises on them.

Why Modi's visit to Iran is important for India

Why Modi's visit to Iran is important for India

Rediff.com21 May 2016

India's low passion, very cautious, relationship with Iran of the last 36 years awaits transformation, says Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (retd). Prime Minister Modi's visit cannot be a negotiating event; it is a symbolic one to strengthen the politico-diplomatic relationship.

The unfair witch-hunt of Hamid Ansari

The unfair witch-hunt of Hamid Ansari

Rediff.com3 Sep 2015

Hamid Anasari's was not talking of reservation for the whole religious community to which he too happens to belong. Yet, sections of media chose to put words into his mouth and then subject him to the criticism he never deserved. This does not augur well for our media or democracy, says Mohammad Sajjad.

Meet Trump's Cabinet and Inner Circle

Meet Trump's Cabinet and Inner Circle

Rediff.com20 Jan 2017

Incoming US President Donald Trump has assembled a core team that is -- not surprisingly -- overwhelmingly white and male.

'How can dissent on government's policy be seen as spreading hatred?'

'How can dissent on government's policy be seen as spreading hatred?'

Rediff.com1 Jun 2015

The Ambedkar-Periyar Study Circle explains their side of the story which saw the IIT-Madras student body being de-recognized for violation of code of conduct and misuse of privileges.

This GST is no reform, and the Rajya Sabha must not pass it

This GST is no reform, and the Rajya Sabha must not pass it

Rediff.com7 May 2015

The current draft of the Goods and Services Tax could kill any hope of economic revival - and you should blame the Congress if it rolls over and lets it pass, says Mihir S Sharma.

'Developed nations are backtracking on climate change commitments'

'Developed nations are backtracking on climate change commitments'

Rediff.com30 Nov 2015

Developed and developing countries are very different and they are different from variety of reasons on climate change.

'What we have achieved in 50 years, we may achieve in the next 30, 40 months'

'What we have achieved in 50 years, we may achieve in the next 30, 40 months'

Rediff.com11 Dec 2015

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar expects to see progress in India-US defence relations at the speed of a year per month.

Why the Iran nuclear deal will be useful for India

Why the Iran nuclear deal will be useful for India

Rediff.com10 Apr 2015

'If the Iran nuke deal holds, Iran becomes a gateway to Afghanistan, and a better one than Pakistan because the route is not so mountainous. Correspondingly, I imagine Pakistan's value to the US will fall,' says Rajeev Srinivasan.

Obama administration bids sentimental adieu to Nirupama Rao

Obama administration bids sentimental adieu to Nirupama Rao

Rediff.com5 Nov 2013

On her last day as India's envoy to the United States, Ambassador Nirupama Rao was felicitated by the Barck Obama administration at the State Department on Monday, with US Secretary of State John F Kerry thanking her for her service toward furthering the strategic partnership between the two nations.

'Raising issue of US mediation in J-K by Nawaz not constructive'

'Raising issue of US mediation in J-K by Nawaz not constructive'

Rediff.com23 Oct 2013

Council on Foreign Relations Senior Fellow Daniel Markey Tuesday said that the raising of the issue of American intervention in Jammu and Kashmir by visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the United States Institute of Peace in Washington was not 'especially constructive' and was motivated by political expediency.

Medha and Meera: A glimpse of the future

Medha and Meera: A glimpse of the future

Rediff.com24 Apr 2014

AAP candidates from Mumbai, Medha Patkar and Meera Sanyal, are poised to play a crucial and complementary role. While Patkar gives voice to the suffering of people at the grassroots, Sanyal is articulating the key principles that could build a more just and equitable society or economy, says Rajni Bakshi.

When I met the coup leader who expelled me

When I met the coup leader who expelled me

Rediff.com29 Apr 2014

T P Sreenivasan was India's high commissioner in Fiji in 1987, when Sitiveni Rabuka toppled the Indian-dominated government there. Ambassador Sreenivasan stayed on for two years after the coup, fighting for the rights of the people of Indian origin before he was expelled by Rabuka. 'Meeting Sitiveni Rabuka, who had overthrown a democratically elected government, discriminated against the Fiji Indians, brought untold humiliation and suffering to them, tried to disenfranchise them, ordered me out of Fiji and closed down the Indian high commission was a difficult decision to take even after 25 years,' notes Ambassador Sreenivasan who eventually caught up with Rabuka over a game of golf.

What Modi told Xi in Ahmedabad

What Modi told Xi in Ahmedabad

Rediff.com7 Jul 2017

'Xi Jinping got a dose of Modi's medicine inside the tent where he was being hosted on the banks of the Sabarmati river.' 'Modi reportedly told him, looking deep into his eyes: "This was not expected of your country. Can you tell me when the troops are withdrawing?".'

IAS topper: 'I want to fight corruption'

IAS topper: 'I want to fight corruption'

Rediff.com20 May 2016

Meet Jasmeet Singh Sandhu who ranked third in the Union Public Service Commission exam this year.

'Strict decisions have to be made for the good of the poor'

'Strict decisions have to be made for the good of the poor'

Rediff.com25 Jun 2014

'You cannot judge a government within a month. Give us five years' time.' 'At times, strict economic decisions have to be made for the good of the poor in the long run.' Dharmendra Pradhan, one of the Modi government's stars, speaks exclusively to Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com about why the government is forced to roll out 'bitter medicine.'

Full text: What Modi, Obama agreed on

Full text: What Modi, Obama agreed on

Rediff.com25 Jan 2015

This is the joint statement issued by the ministry of external affairs on the visit of US President Barack Obama to India.

Hamid Ansari on 10 years as Rajya Sabha chairman

Hamid Ansari on 10 years as Rajya Sabha chairman

Rediff.com14 Aug 2017

'The chair is a referee in a match, whether this side is playing better or that side is playing worse is no concern of the chair.'

Meet Maharashtra's richest politician ever!

Meet Maharashtra's richest politician ever!

Rediff.com20 Feb 2017

Meet the richest and poorest candidates contesting the election to the richest civic body in the country.

'Bringing religion into public life is a dreadful mistake'

'Bringing religion into public life is a dreadful mistake'

Rediff.com20 Oct 2015

'Communal tension and violent mobs have been part of our country, whichever government is in power. What has happened since the BJP came into power is that individuals or group activities asserting Hindutva have become louder, more aggressive.' 'Now we are finding ourselves in a country where reasoning and thinking have no place, the power lies with the goons.' 'I find any ban, whether on what we write, what we eat, how we dress etc, absolutely abominable. They have no place in a democracy.' Shashi Deshpande on why she joined the writers' protest against the growing intolerance in India.

How India must deal with Pakistan's terror attacks

How India must deal with Pakistan's terror attacks

Rediff.com13 Jan 2016

'If India employed a strategy of a 'thousand cuts', Pakistan will wither away.'

'My job is not to represent the world; my job is to represent the United States of America'

'My job is not to represent the world; my job is to represent the United States of America'

Rediff.com1 Mar 2017

The following is the full text of US President Donald Trump's first address to a joint session of the Congress on February 28, as prepared for delivery and released by the White House press office.

Kalpana Saroj's incredible journey from despair to success

Kalpana Saroj's incredible journey from despair to success

Rediff.com4 Jun 2015

Hers is a rags-to-riches story for the ages, peppered with risks, determination and strokes of luck.

'If you want change, you must get your hands dirty'

'If you want change, you must get your hands dirty'

Rediff.com5 Jun 2015

Former Watson Fellow and social entrepreneur Srikar Gullapalli talks about the issues affecting India's growth and tells us why he wants more people to actively participate in building a bright future and put India on the global map.

Warlike situation in Arunachal, Guv in danger: Centre to SC

Warlike situation in Arunachal, Guv in danger: Centre to SC

Rediff.com29 Jan 2016

The Centre said the reports of the governor mention that law and order situation has been deteriorating every passing day and there was 'total collapse' of the law and order machinery.

'China is investing in Modi's ego'

'China is investing in Modi's ego'

Rediff.com15 Sep 2014

'The Modi-Xi and Modi-Obama meetings, with an interval of just 12 days, are juxtaposed superbly at a crucial point in the prime minister's life. Can Modi carve out a win-win situation with the superpower and the emerging superpower at the same time?'

Afghan power-sharing keeps everyone on tenterhooks

Afghan power-sharing keeps everyone on tenterhooks

Rediff.com23 Sep 2014

As Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah form a joint government after contesting the presidential election against each other, Prakash Bhandari reports from Kabul on the problems facing the new, US-brokered arrangement.

Return of the Rahul Congress

Return of the Rahul Congress

Rediff.com16 Mar 2015

The Queen has retired, the bosses have left, long live the prince as king, says Shiv Visvanathan.

'Hindu cultural belligerence will be a key concern for J&K'

'Hindu cultural belligerence will be a key concern for J&K'

Rediff.com4 Mar 2015

'J&K continues to have the highest concentration of military personnel anywhere in the world and the alienation of the Kashmiri has increased in the last ten years than ever before.'

2016 Rewind: India's women shine bright; Kohli enjoys dream run

2016 Rewind: India's women shine bright; Kohli enjoys dream run

Rediff.com31 Dec 2016

An Olympic campaign saved by the fortitude of three women, a cricket team that rediscovered itself under a bold and zealous Virat Kohli -- Indian sports in 2016 was a dramatic mix of highs and lows wherein athletes mostly raised the bar but administrators found new ways to embarrass the country.

Rajapaksa concedes battle again, but the war may still remain

Rajapaksa concedes battle again, but the war may still remain

Rediff.com18 Aug 2015

Unlike in the presidential polls, victory might not have been complete, at least as yet, for Mahinda Rajapaksa's electoral rivals. While his one-time aide and confidant, Maithripala Sirisena, became president without any issues after defeating him, incumbent Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who again may not command an absolute majority in the 225-member parliament, would have to count on his 'national government' concept to carry the day and the nation with him, this time round, says N Sathiya Moorthy.

The great Indian rope trick and other illusions of progress

The great Indian rope trick and other illusions of progress

Rediff.com16 Jul 2013

Rajeev Srinivasan on how Indians are satisfied with illusions, not reality.

India needs N-tech, not reactors, Modi must tell Obama

India needs N-tech, not reactors, Modi must tell Obama

Rediff.com14 Jan 2015

The government must justify why we need to buy foreign reactors when we have developed up to 700 MWe unit-size pressurised heavy water reactors, a design which can be easily extended to 900 to 1000 MWe unit size. Why can't the 'Make in India' philosophy apply to indigenous nuclear reactors, more than 18 of which have been designed, built, and being operated by Indian engineers, asks Dr A Gopalakrishnan.

Snooping target: How UIDAI puts India at risk

Snooping target: How UIDAI puts India at risk

Rediff.com27 Dec 2013

Isn't National Intelligence Grid and UIDAI engineered by vested interests, asks Gopal Krishna.

'Our children have only hunger written in their destiny'

'Our children have only hunger written in their destiny'

Rediff.com8 Oct 2016

In villages in Palghar district -- in Mumbai's backyard -- more than 254 children have died from malnutrition.

Why the deal between Iran and the West is a win-win for most

Why the deal between Iran and the West is a win-win for most

Rediff.com29 Nov 2013

It is easy to foretell that negotiating a comprehensive and final agreement on the Iran nuclear issue is by no means an easy task. It involves hard negotiations, but the hardest step has been taken, says Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar, who was among the first group of foreigners to visit the the top-secret Arak plant hidden behind barren mountains south of Tehran.

'China does not consider India as equal to itself'

'China does not consider India as equal to itself'

Rediff.com13 May 2015

'It is a pattern of behaviour of the Chinese that whenever a Chinese leader visits India or an Indian leader visits China, some incidents take place.' 'When Modi visits China, we should look out for some similar demonstration by the Chinese.'

Visionary Budget but devil lies in the implementation

Visionary Budget but devil lies in the implementation

Rediff.com2 Mar 2015

The government has provided a long-term vision.