News for 'Essential Service'

What Tech Risks Will the World Face in 2025?

What Tech Risks Will the World Face in 2025?

Rediff.com12 Feb 2025

While advancements in biotechnology hold immense promise for health and innovation, they also come with significant risks if misused.

Crores attend Maha Kumbh, but no call drops or slow internet

Crores attend Maha Kumbh, but no call drops or slow internet

Rediff.com28 Jan 2025

Telecom service providers and the Maha Kumbh Mela administration are on their toes to ensure smooth connectivity at the grand event set to witness record teledensity.

Kesari 2: What *Really* Happened

Kesari 2: What *Really* Happened

Rediff.com16 Apr 2025

The grilling of Brigadier-General Dyer by Akshay Kumar's Sir C Sankaran Nair, as shown in Kesari 2, is purely an imaginary sequence, proves Utkarsh Mishra.

You Can Be Deported From The US If..

You Can Be Deported From The US If..

Rediff.com3 Apr 2025

Universities and immigration authorities take student conduct seriously. Behaviour that is deemed unacceptable or dangerous can lead to legal consequences, including deportation, warns Dr Pananjay Tiwari, founder and director, Impel Overseas Education.

Do You Need To Get A New PAN Card?

Do You Need To Get A New PAN Card?

Rediff.com29 Nov 2024

First things first: For those wondering if they need to reapply, the answer is no.

Best Business Ideas Under Rs 1 Crore

Best Business Ideas Under Rs 1 Crore

Rediff.com10 Feb 2025

India's e-commerce market alone is projected to reach $200 billion by 2026, making it a prime industry for ambitious entrepreneurs, explains rediffGURU Harsh Bharwani.

How India can become a high-income country by 2047

How India can become a high-income country by 2047

Rediff.com28 Feb 2025

India will need to grow at an average 7.8 per cent to become a high-income country by 2047, a World Bank report said on Friday. To achieve this goal India would require reforms in financial sector as well as in land and labour market, the World Bank said in its India Country Memorandum titled 'Becoming a High-Income Economy in a generation'.

Heavy rains disrupt normal life in TN, more downpour likely in next two days

Heavy rains disrupt normal life in TN, more downpour likely in next two days

Rediff.com15 Oct 2024

Intermittent, widespread rains lashed Chennai and other regions of Tamil Nadu on Tuesday and the India meteorological department said the low pressure area over the Bay of Bengal has turned into a well-marked low pressure area and it is likely to become a depression.

10 Job Skills That Will Be In Demand In 2025

10 Job Skills That Will Be In Demand In 2025

Rediff.com27 Dec 2024

Skills like social media, e-mail marketing, SEO (search engine optimisation) and PPC (pay per click) will be essential in 2025, says Sachin Alug, CEO, NLB Services.

Dhoom Dhaam Review: Run-Of-The-Mill Rollercoaster

Dhoom Dhaam Review: Run-Of-The-Mill Rollercoaster

Rediff.com14 Feb 2025

Dhoom Dhaam is a medley of midnight shenanigans that oscillate between jumbled screenplay and out-of-place crusading, notes Sukanya Verma.

Qcom industry may add 150,000 gig workers in 2025

Qcom industry may add 150,000 gig workers in 2025

Rediff.com21 Feb 2025

Quick commerce (qcom) industry is poised to lead gig workforce hiring in 2025, propelled by a surge in demand for faster deliveries, expansion by existing players, entry of new competitors, and evolving consumer preferences in the post-pandemic era, according to industry experts. The qcom industry currently employs nearly 260,000 people - around 200,000 delivery personnel and 60,000 dark store workers, according to TeamLease Staffing.

What Ails India's Civil Service

What Ails India's Civil Service

Rediff.com3 Oct 2023

'A large portion of youngsters who aspire to join the civil services are not motivated by the spirit of public service and idealism of which the civil services offer in abundance.' 'When they join the mandarin club they look for the loaves and fishes of office, rather than make a difference and wipe what Mahatma Gandhi called 'every tear from every Indian',' points out Rup Narayan Das.

Ex-IFS officers urge PM to drop Aravalli safari project

Ex-IFS officers urge PM to drop Aravalli safari project

Rediff.com10 Feb 2025

A group of retired forest officers has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding the immediate scrapping of the 10,000-acre safari project in Haryana's Aravallis, arguing that it will harm the environment and wildlife. They highlight the "alarming destruction" of the Aravallis due to mining, quarrying, real estate development, and deforestation, and warn that the project could disturb aquifers crucial for water-starved districts. The retired officers also emphasize the importance of protecting the Aravallis, which is the only significant forest cover in Haryana, for its role in restoring humidity and rainfall in the region.

Govt headhunter fails to find right candidate for BPCL top job

Govt headhunter fails to find right candidate for BPCL top job

Rediff.com2 Mar 2025

After HPCL, the government headhunter struggled to find a suitable candidate for the top job at Bharat Petroleum, as most applicants were narrow specialists lacking multidisciplinary experience needed to run a large organisation. The Public Enterprise Selection Board (PESB) last month interviewed a dozen candidates including BPCL director (finance) Vetsa Ramakrishna Gupta and its director (refineries) S Khanna but found none suitable for the job of chairman and managing director of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), according to a PESB order.

'Putin Is A Liar'

'Putin Is A Liar'

Rediff.com15 Apr 2025

'Putin dreams about his legacy. He wants to forcibly restore the Russian empire.' 'Unfortunately, after three years of large-scale war with massive human losses, Putin will not budge from his goal because human life is the cheapest resource in the Russian State.'

Rs 2,541 cr boost for tourism, 50 destinations to be developed

Rs 2,541 cr boost for tourism, 50 destinations to be developed

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced an ambitious plan to develop the country's top 50 tourist destinations in a "challenge mode", with the aim of boosting employment-led growth and attracting international visitors. The Ministry of Tourism has received a significant budget increase for 2025-2026, with a focus on enhancing tourism infrastructure, promoting domestic and international travel, and ensuring the safety of tourists, particularly women. The government plans to promote homestays, improve connectivity to tourist spots, and provide performance-linked incentives to states that demonstrate effective destination management. The budget also includes investments in public enterprises, skill development programs, and initiatives to promote medical tourism and spiritual tourism.

Is It Okay To Have Sex During Your Periods?

Is It Okay To Have Sex During Your Periods?

Rediff.com30 Jan 2025

Sexual intercourse or physical intimacy during menstruation could lead to greater bonding between couples as they navigate and normalise bodily process together, suggests rediffGURU Dr Nandita Palshetkar, medical director, Bloom IVF

Buying Under-Construction Property? Read This!

Buying Under-Construction Property? Read This!

Rediff.com11 Mar 2025

The biggest risk in under-construction projects is delay and non-completion.

Police station to replace razed madrasa in Haldwani

Police station to replace razed madrasa in Haldwani

Rediff.com13 Feb 2024

Dhami said several acres of land were freed from encroachment during the demolition drive in the 'Malik Ka Bagicha' area of Banbhoolpura.

Acted swiftly to control situation after Kumbh stampede: Adityanath

Acted swiftly to control situation after Kumbh stampede: Adityanath

Rediff.com3 Mar 2025

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted the successful execution of the Maha Kumbh 2025, emphasizing effective crisis management, economic benefits, and the event's role in national unity and infrastructure development. He cited the swift response to a stampede on January 29 and the extensive preparations that ensured a smooth experience for millions of pilgrims.

India Inc earns fat profits but wages have not kept pace

India Inc earns fat profits but wages have not kept pace

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

Growth in corporate profits needs to be commensurate with wages to boost the economy, Economic Survey 2024-25 said, noting that sharp disparities between the two pose risk to the economy by curbing demand. The document tabled in Parliament on Friday noted that while the labour share of GVA (gross value added) shows a slight uptick, the disproportionate rise in corporate profitsredominantly among large firmsaises concerns about income inequality.

USTR Report Intensifies Trade Tensions With India

USTR Report Intensifies Trade Tensions With India

Rediff.com2 Apr 2025

The US Trade Representative noted that India's average applied tariff rate stood at 17% per cent, the highest of any major world economy.

Can Stress, Dehydration Cause Stomach Pain?

Can Stress, Dehydration Cause Stomach Pain?

Rediff.com28 Feb 2025

When you're stressed, your body releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which can interfere with your digestion process and cause excessive acid production, says Dr Aklesh Tandekar, head-consultant critical care, Wockhardt Hospitals.

Budget proposes social security scheme for gig workers

Budget proposes social security scheme for gig workers

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said the government will arrange identity cards and registration on the e-Shram portal to assist 1 crore gig workers. Presenting the Union Budget 2025-26, the finance minister also said a scheme for the socio-economic upliftment of urban workers will be implemented.

Bad loans in P2P more than doubles to Rs 1,163 cr in FY24

Bad loans in P2P more than doubles to Rs 1,163 cr in FY24

Rediff.com18 Dec 2024

Bad loans in the peer-to-peer (P2P) lending industry more than doubled in financial year 2024 (FY24) to Rs 1,163 crore from Rs 472.1 crore in FY23, said a financial services company on Monday. Non-performing assets (NPAs), as such loans are officially called, were a modest Rs 14.7 crore at the end of FY19 when P2P lending was in its nascent stage, according to Capitalmind Financial Services that accessed data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) through a right to information application.

'Goal is to become an AI-powered organisation'

'Goal is to become an AI-powered organisation'

Rediff.com31 Jan 2025

'Our vision is to become a GenAI managed services provider.'

Budget will revitalise agri sector, rural economy

Budget will revitalise agri sector, rural economy

Rediff.com4 Feb 2025

Recent documents by NITI Aayog and periodic labour force surveys on employment show that the importance of agriculture is rising in the Indian economy.

'I Don't Care How Much It Costs. Please Save My Mum'

'I Don't Care How Much It Costs. Please Save My Mum'

Rediff.com28 Mar 2025

'Doctors feel they have a duty to prolong a heartbeat at all costs.' 'And a son or a daughter feels, I can't let my mum die. I have to save her at all costs.' 'They think saving is just prolonging life. But the person suffers.'

How q-com will drive India's blue-collar job market

How q-com will drive India's blue-collar job market

Rediff.com9 Jan 2025

The rapid rise of quick commerce is anticipated to create a substantial increase in the need for blue-collar workers, with India projected to require 2.4 million jobs by 2027, according to job matching and hiring platform Indeed. Quick commerce companies hired over 40,000 employees in the last quarter to handle increased festive shopping and e-commerce demand, Indeed India Sales Head Sashi Kumar said.

Why Is India Not In The Innovation Race?

Why Is India Not In The Innovation Race?

Rediff.com16 Jan 2025

India has its share of both large tech companies and large national laboratories, but why is it that these don't seem to be at the forefront of any innovation news headlines? asks Ajit Balakrishnan.

Trump 2.0: Tough Navigation Lies Ahead For India

Trump 2.0: Tough Navigation Lies Ahead For India

Rediff.com12 Feb 2025

'As the global economy undergoes significant transformations in 2025, India's ability to navigate the complexities of trade wars, financial realignments, and emerging blocs will be pivotal,' explain Harsh V Pant and Soumya Bhowmik.

Balasore still under curfew, entry points sealed

Balasore still under curfew, entry points sealed

Rediff.com19 Jun 2024

Curfew remained in force in the northern Odisha town of Balasore for the second day on Wednesday following a clash between two groups over animal slaughter in which 10 people were injured, an official said.

US agents check gurdwaras for illegal immigrants

US agents check gurdwaras for illegal immigrants

Rediff.com27 Jan 2025

Law enforcement officials from the US Department of Homeland Security have started visiting gurdwaras in New York and New Jersey to check for the presence of illegal immigrants, drawing a sharp reaction from some Sikh organisations which see such actions as a threat to the sanctity of their faith. The Trump administration has rescinded the Biden administration's guidelines that protected places of worship from immigration enforcement actions, leading to concerns that gurdwaras are being targeted. Sikh organisations argue that gurdwaras are not just places of worship but also vital community centres and that surveillance and raids by armed law enforcement would burden religious exercise and limit the ability of Sikhs to gather and associate with one another.

Indo-Bangla trade comes to standstill as students' protests intensify

Indo-Bangla trade comes to standstill as students' protests intensify

Rediff.com21 Jul 2024

Trade between India and Bangladesh via land ports came to a standstill on Sunday as there was no movement of cargo trucks to and fro due to the ongoing student protests in the neighbouring country, officials said. The Bangladeshi side of the Petrapole landport remained non-functional, they said. Nearly one-third of land-based trade between India and Bangladesh takes place through Petrapole.

SpaDeX mission: Spacecraft placed in right orbit, ISRO eyes another feat

SpaDeX mission: Spacecraft placed in right orbit, ISRO eyes another feat

Rediff.com31 Dec 2024

Dubbed as a prelude to ISRO setting up its own Space Station by 2035, the PSLV-C60 mission would also make India join an elite club in achieving this feat which is expected to take place in the coming days.

Survey outlines how India will benefit from AI

Survey outlines how India will benefit from AI

Rediff.com31 Jan 2025

India's demographic advantage and diverse economic landscape position it uniquely to benefit from AI, the Economic Survey for 2024-25 tabled in the Parliament on Friday afternoon asserted. However, achieving these benefits requires significant investments in education and workforce skilling, supported by enabling, insuring, and stewarding institutions, the state of the economy report tabled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said.

10 Questions To Ask Your Gynaecologist Today

10 Questions To Ask Your Gynaecologist Today

Rediff.com5 Mar 2025

Like men, women also suffer from low libido, skin problems like dry skin, and digestive distress, warns Dr Manisha Tomar.

99 And Seven Decimal Points

99 And Seven Decimal Points

Rediff.com11 Mar 2025

'Does 99 percent guarantee character and capacity for an independent awareness of life or does it make you -- barring exceptions -- a compliant careerist beholden to governments and corporations?' 'What kind of political and social choices would such minds make?' asks Shyam G Menon.

Pune logs 24 cases of nerve disorder; no epidemic chances, say experts

Pune logs 24 cases of nerve disorder; no epidemic chances, say experts

Rediff.com22 Jan 2025

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has detected 22 suspected cases of Guillain-Barr syndrome (GBS), an immunological nerve disorder, in the city. Samples from the affected patients have been sent to ICMR-NIV for testing. Most of the cases were detected in the Sinhgad Road area. According to doctors, GBS is a rare condition that causes sudden numbness and muscle weakness. While the condition is prevalent in both pediatric and young age groups, it does not lead to an epidemic or pandemic. The PMC has constituted a committee of experts to investigate the outbreak and conduct detailed surveillance of the patients. The civic health department has assured that there is no need for panic as of now.

Budget: Can Nirmalaji End The Economic Slowdown?

Budget: Can Nirmalaji End The Economic Slowdown?

Rediff.com29 Jan 2025

The time is ideal for a 'Dream Budget' akin to the 1991 reforms that sparked high growth and unlocked significant gains in productivity, points out Rajeswari Sengupta.