News for 'Department of Buddhist Studies'

Student alleges caste bias by Pune Univ cost him UK job

Student alleges caste bias by Pune Univ cost him UK job

Rediff.com19 Oct 2025

A Pune college refutes allegations of caste bias by a former student who claimed the college withheld job verification, leading to job loss. The college clarifies it sent the document and the student did not lose his job.

Maha to act on forced conversions, SC quota misuse: Fadnavis

Maha to act on forced conversions, SC quota misuse: Fadnavis

Rediff.com17 Jul 2025

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the state government's intention to introduce strong provisions to deal with religious conversions done using force or cheating. A panel has submitted recommendations, and the government will study and implement necessary changes. The move comes amid claims of misuse of religious freedom and concerns about conversions through coercion and deceit.

'China Is Competing In A Space Where India Was Dominant'

'China Is Competing In A Space Where India Was Dominant'

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

'These efforts by Beijing can be weaponised one day with economic, security and political implications for India.'

The High Stakes In Dalai Lama's Succession

The High Stakes In Dalai Lama's Succession

Rediff.com3 Jul 2025

On July 2 or July 6, the Dalai Lama will reveal his mind on his successor. This makes Beijing extremely nervous as the Communist regime fully realises the importance of controlling the next Dalai Lama, points out Claude Arpi.

Priyanka Gandhi has assets worth Rs 12 cr; faces cheating case in MP

Priyanka Gandhi has assets worth Rs 12 cr; faces cheating case in MP

Rediff.com23 Oct 2024

Her immovable assets are worth over Rs 7.74 crore, which includes two inherited half shares of agricultural land in Mehrauli area of New Delhi and a half share in a farmhouse building located therein, all of which together are now worth over Rs 2.10 crore.

K'taka budget: Sidda announces Muslim quota for govt supplies

K'taka budget: Sidda announces Muslim quota for govt supplies

Rediff.com8 Mar 2025

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced reservation for Muslims in supplying goods and services up to a value of Rs 1 crore to various government departments, corporations and institutions in the state budget for 2025-26. The budget also increased the value limit of government contracts in which Muslims can avail reservation to Rs 2 crore. The reservation to Muslims under 2B category is in addition to the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and Castes coming under Category-1, Category-2A. The budget also included various welfare schemes for minorities, including Rs 50,000 to support simple marriages and Rs 1,000 crore under the Chief Minister's Minority Colony Development Programme.

Vietnam: A Wonderful Place For A Holiday

Vietnam: A Wonderful Place For A Holiday

Rediff.com12 May 2025

Whether it's navigating the labyrinthine Cu Chi Tunnels, boating on the Mekong, marveling at ancient Champa temples, or the Mekong Bay, Vietnam promises a journey like no other.

The Last Indian Villages On Tibet Border

The Last Indian Villages On Tibet Border

Rediff.com23 May 2024

'It is a breathtaking journey towards the Tibet border, especially since the Border Road Organisation has accomplished a fabulous feat in black-topping the road till the border.' 'One is left with a salute for the dauntless Indian soldiers who spend the winter in these majestic, though inhospitable areas (we were told that the temperature comes down to minus 40 in winter),' recounts Claude Arpi.

Court Verdict Reopens Question On Hindu Identity

Court Verdict Reopens Question On Hindu Identity

Rediff.com13 Feb 2024

What should be made out of the Madras high court order involving non-Hindus' entry into Hindu temples, when many non-Hindus are among the hundreds of thousands that have been worshipping at these temples for generations, asks N Sathiya Moorthy.

There Is More To India Than Delhi Or Gujarat!

There Is More To India Than Delhi Or Gujarat!

Rediff.com2 Jun 2022

The Modi government has to embrace the history of Tamil conquests in South East Asia and stop obsessing about Babar/Humayun, argues Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Neighbours challenge political Hindutva's Ram agenda

Neighbours challenge political Hindutva's Ram agenda

Rediff.com24 Jul 2020

Indian claims to the Ram story and ownership could be challenged from more places than one, says N Sathiya Moorthy.

Why India must be wary of Nepal's Lumbini Project

Why India must be wary of Nepal's Lumbini Project

Rediff.com6 May 2016

For India to endorse Nepal's Buddhist conference will be like sipping from a poisoned chalice, warns former RA&W official Jayadeva Ranade.

Meet India's youngest archaeologist (he's 17)

Meet India's youngest archaeologist (he's 17)

Rediff.com27 Jul 2018

Arsh Ali's work is about getting reliable evidence about the ancient Buddhist link between India and Egypt, discovers Veenu Sandhu.

What Awaits Rajapaksas After Monday's Mayhem?

What Awaits Rajapaksas After Monday's Mayhem?

Rediff.com10 May 2022

Gota has to decide if he could order elder brother Mahinda's arrest as the agent provocateur of Monday's violence. Then he has to prepare for an interim government, in which no one would now want to become a cabinet minister leave alone prime minister, explains N Sathiya Moorthy.

Xi's Tibet visit: Bad Signal for India?

Xi's Tibet visit: Bad Signal for India?

Rediff.com24 Jul 2021

Xi's visit to Nyingchi, bordering Arunachal Pradesh, signals China's opening of another front to India in the eastern sector, observes Srikanth Kondapalli, the leading China expert.

Why China is angry with the Puja in Bodh Gaya

Why China is angry with the Puja in Bodh Gaya

Rediff.com13 Jan 2017

China's ruling Communist Party has cracked down on Tibetans who planned to attend the Kalachakra Puja in Bodh Gaya. But the Tibetan people have dared the Communists by listening to the Dalai Lama's sermons on the Internet and sharing videos on social media.

China trains tibetan monks in anti-espionage ops close to India border

China trains tibetan monks in anti-espionage ops close to India border

Rediff.com13 Nov 2015

China is training Buddhist monks and nuns in Tibet to carry out anti-espionage operations along the remote Sino-Indian border.

Meet the Japanese thavil player

Meet the Japanese thavil player

Rediff.com21 Oct 2015

Hidenori Ish talks about his fascinating journey, from a small town in Japan to Tamil Nadu in India, for the love of music.

How the Mughals changed India

How the Mughals changed India

Rediff.com26 Nov 2018

'It was the Mughals who first established standard units of measurement and maintained offices of meticulous record keepers and auditors, departing from the more haphazard methods of earlier regimes.' 'By the end of the 16th century, their revenue and judicial administrations exhibited an obsessive preoccupation with order, the efficient management of time, and a spirit of rational self-control -- all of them characteristics of early modernity,' point out Sheldon Pollock and Benjamin Ellman.

China vulnerable over Tibet

China vulnerable over Tibet

Rediff.com9 Dec 2015

China is worried about the situation post the Dalai Lama and that his reincarnation could surface in Arunchal Pradesh, a region it claims as its own, but which is part of the Indian Republic, says former RA&W Additional Secretary Jayadeva Ranade.

Dalai Lama snub and India's plans to reset China ties

Dalai Lama snub and India's plans to reset China ties

Rediff.com8 Mar 2018

'If, as appears to be the case, India is on way to 'mending fences' with China, and China is equally desirous to 'reset' the relationship, this could be a self-reflexive moment in India's positioning vis-a-vis not just the Dalai Lama, but also the Tibetan issue and China as a whole,' points out China expert Alka Acharya.

Eminently funny historians

Eminently funny historians

Rediff.com22 Jul 2014

All those of us who care about books should welcome the appointment, as head of the Indian Council of Historical Research, of Yellapragada Sudarshan Rao. This is not because Rao has so far distinguished himself as a writer about "history and tourism management", which is the department of Kakatiya University in Warangal he headed before retiring to head an Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-backed project to "write history from a nationalist perspective and popularise Sanskrit", two aims which naturally go together for the RSS.

How India can win over the Kashmiris

How India can win over the Kashmiris

Rediff.com28 Oct 2014

'No amount of economic measures or prosperity in Kashmir will make any dent in the situation there. The average Kashmiri understands the Pakistani game and is unlikely to prefer Pakistan over India. But the Pakistanis have made clever use of religious symbols and slogans to force religious-minded Kashmiris to support them. India has failed to counter this posturing by the separatists,' says Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

'India is full of mysteries'

'India is full of mysteries'

Rediff.com27 Apr 2015

'We are dealing with a size of the world that equaled England and France combined. We are talking about 250 years of history.' Sultans of Deccan India, 1500-1700: Opulence and Fantasy -- a first of its kind exhibition anywhere in the world -- opened at the Met, April 20. Aseem Chhabra spoke to Navina Haykel, the curator of the show.

Good/Bad/Ugly: What will Obama's visit be like for India?

Good/Bad/Ugly: What will Obama's visit be like for India?

Rediff.com22 Jan 2015

'The real test will be in defence-related deals, for instance the Javelin anti-tank missile: Is the US willing to co-develop something with India, on terms that will support the 'Make in India' initiative? Is there defence technology transfer? Or will it dump old junk on India?' asks Rajeev Srinivasan.