News for 'Culture House'

What Are The New Changes in TOEFL?

What Are The New Changes in TOEFL?

Rediff.com29 May 2025

TOEFL is a standardised test to measure the English language abilities of non-native speakers wishing to enrol in English-speaking universities.

'India hit Pak 3 times': Modi says Op Sindoor not over yet

'India hit Pak 3 times': Modi says Op Sindoor not over yet

Rediff.com29 May 2025

While the Prime Minister did not spell out the details of the three instances, his remarks are being widely interpreted as a reference to the 2016 surgical strikes following the Uri terror attack, the 2019 Balakot air strikes after the Pulwama bombing, and the recent cross-border strikes as part of 'Operation Sindoor'.

Not love for Marathi, but power play: BJP slams Uddhav-Raj rally

Not love for Marathi, but power play: BJP slams Uddhav-Raj rally

Rediff.com5 Jul 2025

BJP leaders in Maharashtra criticized Uddhav and Raj Thackeray's joint rally in Mumbai, calling it a desperate attempt to revive their political fortunes ahead of civic polls. They accused the Thackerays of using the Marathi language issue as a guise to regain power and criticized their past actions.

'India Changed My Life'

'India Changed My Life'

Rediff.com5 Jun 2025

Acharya Jonas Masetti, a Vedanta scholar from Brazil, was awarded the Padma Shri for teaching the Vedas, the Bhagavad Gita, Sanskrit, Yoga, Meditation and Indian spiritualism abroad.

Furniture Gets a Fashion Upgrade

Furniture Gets a Fashion Upgrade

Rediff.com12 Jun 2025

Fine furniture is now about soul, not just status, whether it's a bar cabinet with elaborate French marquetry or a delicately curved Italian leather sofa.

'Don't Harass Good Citizens In The Name Of Bulldozer Justice'

'Don't Harass Good Citizens In The Name Of Bulldozer Justice'

Rediff.com3 Apr 2025

'I represented India across the world, but here, in my own country, I was treated in this bad manner.' 'Everyone in Prayagraj respects me a lot and it is in this same city that I became homeless.'

AI will bring in 'humongous changes': IT Minister Vaishnaw

AI will bring in 'humongous changes': IT Minister Vaishnaw

Rediff.com30 May 2025

'I think that kind of change is coming. We should stay prepared for that change, whichever industry or sector we are in, we must be prepared.'

Kamala Harris: 'Female Obama' who didn't make it to White House

Kamala Harris: 'Female Obama' who didn't make it to White House

Rediff.com6 Nov 2024

Kamala's role as vice president was more than just symbolic. Unlike her predecessors, she wielded considerable power during Biden's presidency.

Uproar in LS as Oppn protests over Modi's Kumbh statement

Uproar in LS as Oppn protests over Modi's Kumbh statement

Rediff.com18 Mar 2025

The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day on Tuesday due to noisy protests by the opposition, who demanded answers regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement on the Mahakumbh. Opposition members protested after PM Modi's statement and demanded the inclusion of stampede deaths in the statement. The House proceedings were initially adjourned until 1 pm, and when the House resumed, opposition members continued their protests, forcing the Chair to adjourn the proceedings for the day.

Can 50 Hindus be safe among 100 Muslim families?: UP CM

Can 50 Hindus be safe among 100 Muslim families?: UP CM

Rediff.com26 Mar 2025

The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said that if Hindus are safe, then Muslims are also safe in his state.

'Hindi Is Not Our National Language'

'Hindi Is Not Our National Language'

Rediff.com10 Jan 2025

'It's an official language.'

Frederick Forsyth Made Us Think About The World's Fault Lines

Frederick Forsyth Made Us Think About The World's Fault Lines

Rediff.com10 Jun 2025

He was a storyteller who made me feel the pulse of history, the stakes of human ambition, and the thrill of a well-told tale. Prem Panicker recalls his debt to Frederick Forsyth, who passed away on Monday.

Bhutan: The Last Shangri-La

Bhutan: The Last Shangri-La

Rediff.com12 Jun 2025

The visitor returns not just with the jewel-like beauty of the country imprinted on the mind, the body rejuvenated by hot stone massages, but also with the captivating stories and myths that are built into every important structure -- whether a tourist magnet or an off-the-beaten track spot.

Send him to UP, says Yogi as Maha assembly suspends Abu Azmi

Send him to UP, says Yogi as Maha assembly suspends Abu Azmi

Rediff.com5 Mar 2025

Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi was on Wednesday suspended from the Maharashtra legislative assembly till the ongoing budget session ends on March 26, over his remarks eulogizing Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

Jinnah House to be SAARC cultural hub

Jinnah House to be SAARC cultural hub

Rediff.com30 Jan 2007

The first of its kind in the country, the hub -- termed SACAC (South Asian Centre for Arts and Culture) -- will come up in what was once the home of Pakistan founder Mohammed Ali Jinnah.

Delhi boy skips exams, ends up as labourer in Tamil Nadu

Delhi boy skips exams, ends up as labourer in Tamil Nadu

Rediff.com3 Mar 2025

A 17-year-old boy from Delhi's Rohini, unwilling to take his final exams, left home and travelled over 2,000 kilometres in Tamil Nadu to work as a labourer at a construction site and was living in a slum, an official said on Monday.

DMK's long battle for state autonomy: From Annadurai to Stalin

DMK's long battle for state autonomy: From Annadurai to Stalin

Rediff.com20 Apr 2025

This article traces the history of the DMK's fight for state autonomy, beginning with C.N. Annadurai's advocacy in the 1960s and culminating in M. Karunanidhi's resolution in the Tamil Nadu Assembly in 1974. The article highlights the key figures involved, the arguments presented, and the impact of the Rajamannar Committee Report.

Kamal Haasan not to release Thug Life in Karnataka

Kamal Haasan not to release Thug Life in Karnataka

Rediff.com4 Jun 2025

Kamal Haasan starrer Thug Life will not be released in Karnataka on June 5, the scheduled date for the pan-India release of the much-anticipated movie, its producers informed the Karnataka high court on Tuesday.

'I Adopted A Cat To Understand Motherhood'

'I Adopted A Cat To Understand Motherhood'

Rediff.com16 Jun 2025

'I am not a mother and never had an abortion either, so I had to understand motherhood and child loss from anecdotal experiences of others.'

'Attacking Dalits has become part of Dravidian culture'

'Attacking Dalits has become part of Dravidian culture'

Rediff.com29 Nov 2023

'Both the DMK and ADMK are equally to blame.' 'When the question is violence against Dalits, they don't take measures to protect Dalits.'

Trump pulls US out of UNHRC, cuts funds for Palestinian refugees

Trump pulls US out of UNHRC, cuts funds for Palestinian refugees

Rediff.com5 Feb 2025

President Donald Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the US from the UN Human Rights Council and prohibiting any future funding for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. Trump also directed the US to review its participation in UNESCO, citing concerns about anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiment within the organizations. The executive order argues that the UNHRC, UNESCO, and UNRWA have drifted from their missions and act contrary to US interests. Trump previously halted funds for UNRWA during his first term, and President Joe Biden put a block on US funds for UNRWA in January 2024 over allegations that staff for the agency participated in Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack against Israel.

Modi reaffirms 'unwavering' support to Lankan Tamils

Modi reaffirms 'unwavering' support to Lankan Tamils

Rediff.com5 Apr 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conveyed India's expectation to Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that Colombo will fulfill the aspirations of the Tamil community in the island nation and conduct provincial council elections. The issue was discussed during wide-ranging talks between Modi and Dissanayake. Modi also met with Tamil leaders from Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka, reaffirming India's commitment to supporting the community's well-being. The Tamil community has been advocating for the implementation of the 13th Amendment, which provides for devolution of power. Modi expressed hope that Sri Lanka will fully implement its constitution and conduct provincial council elections.

Row as Nitish Kumar leaves dais before national anthem at sports event

Row as Nitish Kumar leaves dais before national anthem at sports event

Rediff.com20 Mar 2025

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar left the dais before the national anthem at the inauguration of an international sports event in Patna, sparking controversy. Opposition RJD president Lalu Prasad and his son Tejashwi Yadav accused the chief minister of disrespecting the national anthem. The Sepak Takraw World Cup 2025 is being held at the Pataliputra Sports Complex, with 300 players and support staff from 21 countries taking part. Kumar, 74, walked towards the participants and greeted them with a "namaste" and a wave of the hand before the national anthem was played. A video clip of the incident was shared on social media by Lalu Prasad and Tejashwi Yadav, who both alleged that the chief minister "disrespected the national anthem".

TN sets up panel headed by SC ex-judge on state autonomy

TN sets up panel headed by SC ex-judge on state autonomy

Rediff.com15 Apr 2025

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has announced the formation of a panel headed by a retired Supreme Court judge to study the relationship between the Union and state governments and ensure state autonomy. The panel, which will submit its interim report in January 2026 and its final report in two years, will examine the transfer of subjects from the State List to the Concurrent List, citing the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) as an example of a subject outside state purview.

'Partition Should Never Have Happened'

'Partition Should Never Have Happened'

Rediff.com1 Apr 2025

'We wouldn't have had to face all this had our national leaders taken care to select a place for Sindhis and sent us there, instead of sending us all over to settle in places where the locals didn't want us.' 'They could have partitioned Sindh and given us a Sindhi state from its two Hindu-majority districts.' 'Wasn't that the logic of Partition?'

Beyond US, Canada, UK: Indian Students Now Prefer...

Beyond US, Canada, UK: Indian Students Now Prefer...

Rediff.com23 May 2025

Rediff reports on the reasons behind this dramatic shift.

Improve Customer Service, Banks Told, Or Else!

Improve Customer Service, Banks Told, Or Else!

Rediff.com28 May 2025

In 2023-2024, 95 scheduled commercial banks received over 10 million complaints from their customers. The process of KYC at many banks has become 'HYC' -- harass your customer, points out Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

'Putin Is The Biggest Child Kidnapper'

'Putin Is The Biggest Child Kidnapper'

Rediff.com22 Apr 2025

'Parents are forced to provide their children to Russian re-education camps in occupied territories and in different parts of Russia, for example, in Chechnya, where Ukrainian children wearing military uniform are taught to use weapons.'

Time To Embrace Inclusive Nationalism

Time To Embrace Inclusive Nationalism

Rediff.com7 Jun 2025

'It is important India to stay focussed on its primary national objectives: Combating terrorism; not losing sight of other security and strategic concerns (on the Sino-Indian front for instance); ensuring a strong economy and registering growth which includes improving the lot of common people; and finally making certain that the social fabric remains intact and harmony among people is not jeopardised, at least any further,' asserts Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

STUNNING Travel Photographs

STUNNING Travel Photographs

Rediff.com4 Feb 2025

Wondeful shots of African women and giraffes roaming Kenyan grasslands were judged the most outstanding photographs of the year.

'Unless Vaibhav Faces Success And Failure, He Won't Be A Great Player'

'Unless Vaibhav Faces Success And Failure, He Won't Be A Great Player'

Rediff.com1 May 2025

'He has to face both aspects of life to mature as a cricketer.'

Apologise for 1971 atrocities: Bangladesh to Pakistan

Apologise for 1971 atrocities: Bangladesh to Pakistan

Rediff.com18 Apr 2025

Bangladesh has demanded a public apology and compensation from Pakistan for the 1971 atrocities, raising "historically unresolved issues" during the first foreign secretary-level talks between the two countries in 15 years. Dhaka also asked Islamabad to pay USD 4.3 billion as its share from the combined assets at the time of East Pakistan's split from West Pakistan in 1971 to form an independent Bangladesh.

Chaos prevails in J-K assembly, BJP MLAs marshalled out

Chaos prevails in J-K assembly, BJP MLAs marshalled out

Rediff.com8 Nov 2024

Ruckus prevailed in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly for the third day on Friday as Bharatiya Janata Party members protested over the special status resolution, leading the speaker to marshal out 12 opposition MLAs and Langate legislator Sheikh Khurshid.

Sunita Williams' Happy Diwali From Space

Sunita Williams' Happy Diwali From Space

Rediff.com30 Oct 2024

In a video message shared from the International Space Station, the Indian-origin astronaut said that this year she had the unique opportunity to observe Diwali from 260 miles above Earth and reminisced about her father's efforts to keep their cultural roots alive by teaching her and her family about Diwali and other Indian festivals.

The Scotsman Who Loves India

The Scotsman Who Loves India

Rediff.com18 Apr 2025

'You have to separate the concept of India as a nation State which is very young and the Upanishadic wisdom which is timeless.'

No off-season: Modi bats for round-the-year tourism in U'khand

No off-season: Modi bats for round-the-year tourism in U'khand

Rediff.com6 Mar 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Mukhwa temple in Uttarakhand, the winter abode of Goddess Ganga, and offered prayers. The visit is expected to boost winter pilgrimage and tourism in the state. Modi also flagged off a trek and bike rally and addressed a public meeting in Harshil. This comes a day after the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved two major ropeway projects to Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib worth over Rs 6,000 crore.

What Made Shaji N Karun A Master Film-Maker

What Made Shaji N Karun A Master Film-Maker

Rediff.com29 Apr 2025

With Piravi, Shaji N Karun joined the select group of great masters of film. Malayalam once upon a time used to produce such films. Today, it is only mindless violence, politics and grotesque humour. The films have no soul, although they are technically quite good. With Shaji's passing, and earlier with his mentor G Aravindan's untimely death, an era is coming to an end. Rajeev Srinivasan salutes the master, who passed into the ages on April 28.

'Randeep Hasn't Had It Easy But...'

'Randeep Hasn't Had It Easy But...'

Rediff.com11 May 2025

'He surprised us by telling us he wanted to make a career in acting.' 'We were scared since we knew nothing of this profession but then, he landed a role in Mira Nair's Monsoon Wedding.' 'After seeing him holding his own on screen, we decided to let the boy pursue his passion.'

Royals oppose Kerala govt's claim on Travancore House in Delhi

Royals oppose Kerala govt's claim on Travancore House in Delhi

Rediff.com2 Aug 2023

As the Left government in Kerala gears up to inaugurate a cultural centre at Travancore House, in the heart of the national capital, on August 4, the Travancore royal family has moved the central government and various local bodies in Delhi with a request to halt the same.

'Naidu Will Not Waste Time Now'

'Naidu Will Not Waste Time Now'

Rediff.com3 May 2025

'Amaravati will be a game changer for Andhra Pradesh.'