News for 'Essential Services'

Toxic haze envelops Delhi, doctors warn of health risks

Toxic haze envelops Delhi, doctors warn of health risks

Rediff.com18 Nov 2024

Delhi's air quality deteriorated significantly on Monday, with areas like Dwarka, Mundka and Najafgarh recording an AQI of 500, the worst this season. The city's overall AQI reached 491, triggering the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage-IV restrictions in Delhi-NCR. Doctors warned of health risks, urging people to wear N95 masks and avoid outdoor activities. The Supreme Court questioned the Delhi government on its anti-pollution measures and warned against scaling down preventive measures without its permission. Delhi Chief Minister Atishi accused the BJP-led central government of political maneuvering while neglecting stubble burning in states it governs. Meanwhile, the city enforced stricter pollution control measures, including a ban on truck entry and suspension of construction activities. Air purifier sales surged, reflecting the public's concern over the severe air pollution.

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.

US Firms Back Trump's India Tariffs

US Firms Back Trump's India Tariffs

Rediff.com31 Mar 2025

Industry associations and companies in the United States, including the US Chamber of Commerce, Coalition of Services Industries and the iconic bike company Harley Davidson have called on the Donald Trump dispensation to push India to reduce tariffs, non-tariffs, and regulatory barriers to boost American exports.

V-Day: Want To Go For A Helicopter Ride?

V-Day: Want To Go For A Helicopter Ride?

Rediff.com11 Feb 2025

Your ultimate guide to helicopter rides in India this Valentine's Day

WEF lists highest and lowest growing jobs

WEF lists highest and lowest growing jobs

Rediff.com8 Jan 2025

Farm workers and drivers will figure among the fastest growing jobs over the next five years, while roles of cashiers and ticket clerks will see the largest decline, a new study showed on Wednesday. In its Future of Jobs Report 2025, the World Economic Forum (WEF) also said that 170 million new jobs will be created by 2030, while 92 million are projected to be displaced, resulting in 78 million net new jobs.

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.

Will money in hand from tax breaks spur housing demand?

Will money in hand from tax breaks spur housing demand?

Rediff.com21 Apr 2025

Real estate developers are hoping that the slew of tax concessions announced in Union Budget 2025, set to take effect this financial year, will spur demand for affordable and mid-segment housing, even as the broader housing market shows signs of fatigue.

'Consumers should not pay higher taxes for clean technologies'

'Consumers should not pay higher taxes for clean technologies'

Rediff.com7 Apr 2025

'We are not asking for incentives, but at least taxation can be aligned such that the rupee tax on consumers remains the same.'

US Senate confirms Tulsi Gabbard as director of National Intelligence

US Senate confirms Tulsi Gabbard as director of National Intelligence

Rediff.com13 Feb 2025

The vote was 52-48 mostly along party lines, though Republican Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky joined Democrats in opposing the confirmation, as per CNN.

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.

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.

Common citizens should not suffer, says Bombay HC amid govt employees' strike

Common citizens should not suffer, says Bombay HC amid govt employees' strike

Rediff.com17 Mar 2023

Common citizens should not suffer, the Bombay high court remarked on Friday while asking the Maharashtra government what steps it was taking to "curb the menace" of illegal strikes, amid an agitation by state employees.

Army, IAF, Navy Promised Faster Defence Buys

Army, IAF, Navy Promised Faster Defence Buys

Rediff.com3 Mar 2025

'Currently, it takes between two and three years to formulate the request for proposal for procuring specific military equipment for the armed forces. It should not be this way.'

India's Medtech Industry To Develop High-end Equipment

India's Medtech Industry To Develop High-end Equipment

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

According to the Department of Pharmaceuticals' annual report for 2024-25, India imported medical devices worth $8.1 billion, while exports stood at $3.7 billion in the financial year 2023-24 (FY24)

10 Gut-Friendly Foods To Include In Your Diet

10 Gut-Friendly Foods To Include In Your Diet

Rediff.com9 Apr 2025

Dr Rajeshwari Panda, head of the dietetics department at Medicover Hospital, shares a list of foods that promote gut health.

9 Essential Skills for Data Scientists

9 Essential Skills for Data Scientists

Rediff.com20 Nov 2023

Data science isn't just about acquiring skills; it's also about comprehending the business context in which data science is applied.

204 more local train services in Mumbai from Jan 29

204 more local train services in Mumbai from Jan 29

Rediff.com27 Jan 2021

The addition of 204 suburban services will lead to resumption of about 95 per cent of the total 3,141 local train services, which were being operated collectively by the CR and WR before the COVID-19 outbreak

India Strikes At Pakistan Airbases

India Strikes At Pakistan Airbases

Rediff.com10 May 2025

Pakistan military spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry told a hurriedly called press conference in Islamabad at around 4 am that th Pakistan air force's Nur Khan (Chaklala, Rawalpindi), Murid (Chakwal) and Rafiqui (Shorkot in Jhang district) airbases were targeted.

Day after stampede, safety measures ramped up at Maha Kumbh

Day after stampede, safety measures ramped up at Maha Kumbh

Rediff.com30 Jan 2025

Following a stampede at the Maha Kumbh that killed 30 people, the Uttar Pradesh government has stepped up security measures and crowd management efforts. Despite the tragedy, millions of devotees continue to flock to the religious gathering, undeterred by the pre-dawn chill and dense fog. Security forces are being deployed in larger numbers, and new restrictions will be imposed at key locations to prevent further incidents. The authorities are also conducting a thorough review of the arrangements in the Mela area, and several officials are being assigned to oversee operations until February 12.

Lessons For Start Ups From UPI Success Story

Lessons For Start Ups From UPI Success Story

Rediff.com14 Apr 2025

Isn't there something significant in the UPI example for all of us to learn from and execute to enable world-scale success for our startups?, asks Ajit Balakrishnan.

Asana, Week 9: How To Do Parvatasana

Asana, Week 9: How To Do Parvatasana

Rediff.com3 Mar 2025

In Week 9 of Rediff.com's Get Fit With Yoga series, rediffGURU Pushpa R teaches you the Parvatasana aka The Mountain Pose.

How To Avoid Back Pain While Riding Your Bike

How To Avoid Back Pain While Riding Your Bike

Rediff.com26 Feb 2025

Riding a bike daily for long distances can put stress on your back so maintaining proper posture is essential, says rediffGURU Dr Shakeeb Ahmed Khan.

7 Exercises To Improve Your Core Strength

7 Exercises To Improve Your Core Strength

Rediff.com8 Apr 2025

rediffGURU Dr Shakeeb Ahmed Khan recommends exercises to recover from pain, injuries and improve overall health.

World Health Day: 10 Tips For First-Time Moms

World Health Day: 10 Tips For First-Time Moms

Rediff.com7 Apr 2025

Writing your thoughts in a journal, listening to music or doing deep breathing exercises will do wonders for the mental well-being of new mothers, says Dr Kaishreen Khan, consultant-obstetrician and gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospitals.

EXPLAINED: Trump's reciprocal tariffs

EXPLAINED: Trump's reciprocal tariffs

Rediff.com3 Apr 2025

Here is a list of Q & As to explain these issues and implications of the US move.

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.

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.

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.

The Politics of A Caste Census

The Politics of A Caste Census

Rediff.com2 May 2025

While data can empower communities, it reinforces identities, making local politics more caste-centric, with decisions increasingly contested on the grounds of representation.

Such dynamics could lead to shifting alliances and, in the worst case, local governance getting paralysed as each group demands proportional power-sharing, explain Amitabh Kundu and Mehebub Rahaman.

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.

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.

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 Will Trump Change The World On April 2?

How Will Trump Change The World On April 2?

Rediff.com1 Apr 2025

We have entered a new era in human history, asserts Aakar Patel.

Murthy, Subrahmanyan Aren't Wrong About Long Hours

Murthy, Subrahmanyan Aren't Wrong About Long Hours

Rediff.com18 Mar 2025

Leaders who built and manage these incredible global companies cannot be tyrants, slave-drivers, or idiots. Essentially what they are saying falls under the definition of rallying the troops, inspirational talk, like the usual coach-speak with the team before a match, asserts Shekhar Gupta.

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'.

Banking, public transport services hit on day 1 of Bharat bandh

Banking, public transport services hit on day 1 of Bharat bandh

Rediff.com29 Mar 2022

A joint forum of central trade unions has given a call for a nationwide strike on March 28 and 29 to protest against the government policies affecting workers, farmers, and people.

'I Lost 10 Kgs In 3 Months'

'I Lost 10 Kgs In 3 Months'

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

'If you see it as a burden, you'll struggle. But if you're enjoying the process and make small lifestyle changes, it becomes much easier.'

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.

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.