News for 'Digital Village'

How Digital India Has Redefined Governance And Empowered Citizens

How Digital India Has Redefined Governance And Empowered Citizens

Rediff.com1 Jul 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated 11 years of the Digital India initiative, highlighting its role in redefining governance, empowering citizens, and accelerating all-round development. He emphasised its impact on digital payments, direct benefit transfers, and expanding digital public infrastructure, making technology a powerful instrument for 'Ease of Living' across India, including tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

How Meghalaya Is Driving Digital Banking Adoption

How Meghalaya Is Driving Digital Banking Adoption

Rediff.com2 Jul 2026

Meghalaya has shown significant progress in digital transactions and financial inclusion, recording 32.76 crore digital transactions and nearly 10 lakh Jan Dhan accounts by 2025-26. Efforts like the JAM Trinity and financial literacy programmes have expanded banking access, with a high percentage of bank account holders adopting digital modes. The next phase focuses on enhancing financial literacy and cyber resilience, especially in rural areas.

Assam's Bihmari Bongaon Village Gets Electricity After 78 Years

Assam's Bihmari Bongaon Village Gets Electricity After 78 Years

Rediff.com6 Jul 2026

After 78 years of living with kerosene lamps, the remote village of Bihmari Bongaon in Assam has finally received electricity, marking a significant transformation for its residents and opening new opportunities for education and comfort.

How Gurugram Police Uncovered A Rs 78 Lakh Digital Arrest Fraud

How Gurugram Police Uncovered A Rs 78 Lakh Digital Arrest Fraud

Rediff.com6 Jun 2026

Gurugram police have arrested two individuals, Mohammad Saif Ali and Saurabh Kumar, for their involvement in a Rs 78 lakh digital arrest cyber fraud. The victim was coerced into transferring money after being intimidated by a scammer posing as a police officer. Investigations revealed that one of the accused's bank accounts, used to receive defrauded funds, was linked to 52 other fraudulent transactions.

Gurugram Digital Arrest Scam: Five Arrested In Rs 42.92 Lakh Fraud Case

Gurugram Digital Arrest Scam: Five Arrested In Rs 42.92 Lakh Fraud Case

Rediff.com3 Jun 2026

Gurugram police have arrested five individuals in connection with a Rs 42.92 lakh digital arrest scam. The fraudsters posed as CBI officers, intimidated a victim, and coerced them into transferring a large sum of money. The arrested individuals include account holders and those who withdrew the defrauded cash.

L&T bets big on 'digital workers' to overcome manpower challenges in projects

L&T bets big on 'digital workers' to overcome manpower challenges in projects

Rediff.com9 Jun 2026

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) is significantly investing in automation, robotics, and technology-led solutions to scale up its construction activities, as increasing traditional manpower is no longer a viable growth option, according to CFO R Shankar Raman.

Indian Firms Announce Global Partnerships, New Fund, And Social Impact

Indian Firms Announce Global Partnerships, New Fund, And Social Impact

Rediff.com29 Jun 2026

Indian companies LTM and Mastek announced new international partnerships for cloud, AI, and digital transformation. Jio BlackRock AMC launched a new hybrid fund. NMIMS partnered with Coursera for AI-enabled learning, and MakeMyTrip Foundation rebuilt a flood-damaged school in Manali.

Andhra Pradesh CM Lays Foundation for Google's $15 Bn AI Data Centre, Heralding Digital Future

Andhra Pradesh CM Lays Foundation for Google's $15 Bn AI Data Centre, Heralding Digital Future

Rediff.com28 Apr 2026

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu laid the foundation for a USD 15 billion Google Artificial Intelligence data centre near Visakhapatnam, calling it a 'growth engine for India' and Asia's biggest such facility.

Airpay and MSCB Team Up to Expand Digital Payments in Maharashtra's Rural Co-operative Sector

Airpay and MSCB Team Up to Expand Digital Payments in Maharashtra's Rural Co-operative Sector

Rediff.com27 Mar 2026

Airpay Payment Services has partnered with Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank (MSCB) to enable UPI-based digital payments across the lender's network in Maharashtra, aiming to accelerate financial inclusion in rural areas.

Maharashtra waives off Rs 48,000 crore of farmers' power dues

Maharashtra waives off Rs 48,000 crore of farmers' power dues

Rediff.com16 Jul 2026

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a significant waiver of approximately Rs 48,000 crore in pending electricity dues for farmers, aiming to facilitate new agricultural power connections and support the state's agricultural sector.

Punjab National Bank Branch Targeted In Failed Burglary

Punjab National Bank Branch Targeted In Failed Burglary

Rediff.com2 Jun 2026

An attempted burglary occurred at a Punjab National Bank branch in Uchi Bassi village near Dasuya, with the intruder failing to access the main safe but stealing a digital tablet.

Delhi to get first underground nuclear and chemical command centre

Delhi to get first underground nuclear and chemical command centre

Rediff.com2 Jul 2026

Delhi is set to establish its first underground Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) command centre at the new Delhi Fire Services headquarters, a facility designed to ensure uninterrupted coordination and protection for personnel during nuclear warfare, radiological leaks, or chemical disasters.

Indrajit Lankesh: 'I Was A Bridge To Deepika Padukone's Glory'

Indrajit Lankesh: 'I Was A Bridge To Deepika Padukone's Glory'

Rediff.com14 Jul 2026

'It was only after Aishwarya ran for 100 days and became a massive hit that Shah Rukh Khan signed Deepika Padukone.'

Meghalaya 'Bans' Quick Commerce

Meghalaya 'Bans' Quick Commerce

Rediff.com3 Jul 2026

At the heart of the decision is concern over the survival of Meghalaya's neighbourhood retailers.

NIA Raids Punjab Residence Amidst Deepening Terror-Gangster Network Probe

NIA Raids Punjab Residence Amidst Deepening Terror-Gangster Network Probe

Rediff.com9 Jun 2026

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids in Punjab's Mansa district and other locations in Punjab and Haryana as part of its ongoing investigation into terror-gangster networks linked to Pakistani terrorist Shahzad Bhatti. The raids targeted individuals, including Yadvinder Singh, who admitted contact with Bhatti and is also facing an NDPS case.

Three Cyber Fraudsters Arrested In Nuh Sextortion Case

Three Cyber Fraudsters Arrested In Nuh Sextortion Case

Rediff.com13 May 2026

Nuh Police have arrested three alleged cyber fraudsters involved in sextortion and online fraud through fake messages. Police also recovered fake SIM cards, mobile phones, and digital data related to cyber fraud from their possession.

Bihar man arrested for links to Pakistan arms smuggler

Bihar man arrested for links to Pakistan arms smuggler

Rediff.com23 May 2026

Bihar Police's Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has arrested a Muzaffarpur resident for his alleged links with Pakistan-based arms smuggler Shahzad Bhatti's gang, seizing digital evidence indicating anti-India activities.

Modi-Takaichi Summit Opens New India-Japan Chapter

Modi-Takaichi Summit Opens New India-Japan Chapter

Rediff.com7 Jul 2026

Notwithstanding the economic complementarities and the host of agreements for deepening economic relation on a host of areas, both sides share common viewpoints on the foreign policy domain and seek common grounds to serve as a counterweight to China, notes Dr Rajaram Panda.

Pakistani youth crosses LoC to meet lover in Uri, apprehended by Army

Pakistani youth crosses LoC to meet lover in Uri, apprehended by Army

Rediff.com31 May 2026

A 22-year-old man from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir crossed the Line of Control (LoC) to meet his lover in North Kashmir's Uri sector but was apprehended by the Indian Army.

Key Heroin Supplier Arrested Near India-Pakistan Border

Key Heroin Supplier Arrested Near India-Pakistan Border

Rediff.com20 May 2026

Shimla police arrested a key heroin supplier in Jalalabad, Punjab, close to the India-Pakistan border. The accused, Akashdeep alias Akash, was arrested following an investigation into two Punjab residents caught with heroin in Shimla.

Key Drug Suppliers Arrested In Shimla Chitta Trafficking Case

Key Drug Suppliers Arrested In Shimla Chitta Trafficking Case

Rediff.com16 May 2026

Police in Shimla have arrested two key interstate drug suppliers involved in chitta (adulterated heroin) trafficking from Punjab and Chandigarh. The arrests were made following investigations into two separate NDPS cases registered earlier this month.

Nagaland Aims To Adapt Juvenile Justice Act To Local Customs

Nagaland Aims To Adapt Juvenile Justice Act To Local Customs

Rediff.com19 May 2026

Nagaland is seeking to implement the Juvenile Justice Act and Adoption Regulations in a way that respects the state's customary laws and traditional systems of care, while remaining legally sound.

Bhangar Bomb Blast: NIA Nabs Driver, Searches MLA's Hideouts

Bhangar Bomb Blast: NIA Nabs Driver, Searches MLA's Hideouts

Rediff.com4 Jun 2026

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Sainur Molla, the driver involved in transporting victims of the Bhangar bomb blast in West Bengal, bringing the total arrests to three. The agency also conducted extensive searches at eight locations, including those linked to former Trinamool Congress MLA Saokat Molla, a prime suspect, as part of its ongoing investigation into the crude bomb explosion that occurred before the recent state elections.

Suvendu aide murder: Ballia arms trail leads to another arrest

Suvendu aide murder: Ballia arms trail leads to another arrest

Rediff.com21 May 2026

A 35-year-old man has been arrested in Uttar Pradesh in connection with the murder of Chandranath Rath, an associate of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The arrest follows inputs from the CBI, which is investigating the murder that occurred in West Bengal on May 6.

Minor Girls Rescued After Abduction From Beed District

Minor Girls Rescued After Abduction From Beed District

Rediff.com6 May 2026

Police in Maharashtra have rescued two minor girl cousins from Uttar Pradesh, a month after they were abducted from the Beed district. The main accused was apprehended in UP after a coordinated interstate operation.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Football Fever Grips Cricket-Mad India!

FIFA World Cup 2026: Football Fever Grips Cricket-Mad India!

Rediff.com11 Jun 2026

The 23rd FIFA World Cup, to be staged across the Americas from June 11 to July 19, has once again ignited excitement across the globe. India, despite its national football team languishing at 139th in the FIFA rankings, has been swept up in the tournament's magic.

Himachal Police Arrest Interstate 'Chitta' Suppliers

Himachal Police Arrest Interstate 'Chitta' Suppliers

Rediff.com10 May 2026

Himachal Pradesh Police have arrested two major interstate suppliers of 'chitta' (adulterated heroin) from Chandigarh and Punjab, following investigations into separate drug cases.

Delhi Police Nab Sextortion Racket Kingpin From Mewat

Delhi Police Nab Sextortion Racket Kingpin From Mewat

Rediff.com6 May 2026

Delhi Police have arrested Abas Khan, the alleged kingpin of a sextortion racket, from Rajasthan's Mewat region for allegedly duping a 21-year-old man of Rs 2.52 lakh through a fake video call and blackmail.

Rajasthan Man Nabbed For Online Shopping Fraud In Delhi

Rajasthan Man Nabbed For Online Shopping Fraud In Delhi

Rediff.com13 May 2026

Delhi Police have arrested a man from Rajasthan for allegedly running an online shopping fraud racket, cheating people through fake social media advertisements offering discounted branded suits and sarees.

Caste Census: 'Government Is Scared Of The Numbers

Caste Census: 'Government Is Scared Of The Numbers

Rediff.com9 Jun 2026

'Once the numbers come out, they fear that the OBCs would start to demand, and articulate what they are lacking, why they are lacking and what should be done to go forward.'

How Hyderabad Police Busted A Ghost SIM Card Racket

How Hyderabad Police Busted A Ghost SIM Card Racket

Rediff.com20 May 2026

Hyderabad Police have apprehended 66 individuals linked to a nationwide 'ghost' SIM card network, connected to 76 cybercrime cases involving over Rs 101 crore.

The Sheep Detectives Review: Charming, Heartfelt

The Sheep Detectives Review: Charming, Heartfelt

Rediff.com8 May 2026

The Sheep Detectives is delightful and wholesome in the way family movies used to be before kids started getting too smart to be easily pleased, observes Deepa Gahlot.

'We will keep the consumer at the centre, use technology to optimise, and continue investing behind brands to drive volume-led penetration'

'We will keep the consumer at the centre, use technology to optimise, and continue investing behind brands to drive volume-led penetration'

Rediff.com11 May 2026

"Our strategy has always been to focus on volume-led penetration growth," said Manish Tiwary, chairman and managing director, Nestle India.

Centre notifies draft rules for VB-G RAM G rollout

Centre notifies draft rules for VB-G RAM G rollout

Rediff.com23 May 2026

The Centre has notified draft rules for the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, outlining the framework for the new rural employment programme replacing MGNREGA. The draft rules are open for public feedback until June 21, 2026.

VB-G RAM G Act to replace MGNREGA: What Changes For Rural Workers

VB-G RAM G Act to replace MGNREGA: What Changes For Rural Workers

Rediff.com11 May 2026

The Indian government has announced the replacement of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB-G RAM G Act, 2025, effective July 1. The new scheme aims to expand guaranteed wage employment and link it more closely with infrastructure development and climate resilience, but faces concerns from opposition parties and labour rights activists.

Cabinet nod for first digital caste census in 2027

Cabinet nod for first digital caste census in 2027

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

The Union Cabinet on Friday approved Rs 11,718 crore for conducting the Census of India, 2027, which would include the caste enumeration for the first time.

How India's New Phygital Centre Aims to Transform Rural Life in Madhya Pradesh

How India's New Phygital Centre Aims to Transform Rural Life in Madhya Pradesh

Rediff.com15 Mar 2026

India has launched its first integrated phygital service centre in Umri village, Madhya Pradesh, aiming to provide online services and boost rural development through digital connectivity and various essential services.

Amma Ariyan: The 40-Year-Old Malayalam Classic In Cannes

Amma Ariyan: The 40-Year-Old Malayalam Classic In Cannes

Rediff.com15 May 2026

A 40-year-old lost Malayalam cinematic gem, John Abraham's Amma Ariyan, has been meticulously restored in 4K by the Film Heritage Foundation and is now set to grace the prestigious Cannes Classics section

NEET paper leak: CBI arrests 5; TN CM Vijay calls for abolishing test

NEET paper leak: CBI arrests 5; TN CM Vijay calls for abolishing test

Rediff.com14 May 2026

The CBI has arrested five individuals and conducted searches across India in connection with the NEET UG paper leak case. Protests have intensified, and calls for the Education Minister's resignation have grown louder. Political parties are trading blame, and the Supreme Court is considering a plea for an overhaul of the National Testing Agency.

How LeT Terrorist Set Up India Network, Evading Detection

How LeT Terrorist Set Up India Network, Evading Detection

Rediff.com20 Apr 2026

Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist Abdullah, alias Abu Hureira, who was tasked with establishing bases outside Jammu and Kashmir, adopted various professions, including share trading, to blend in with the local population. He was recently arrested along with other members of his network.