News for 'First Servant of the People'

US House to move ahead with Trump's impeachment: Speaker Pelosi

US House to move ahead with Trump's impeachment: Speaker Pelosi

Rediff.com5 Dec 2019

Trump and the White House has described this as an impeachment hoax. White House asserted that the president has done no wrong.

'Indians live in fear'

'Indians live in fear'

Rediff.com19 Apr 2018

'They have no other agenda, but to perpetuate hate.' 'They have destroyed the economy and polity and they survive only on hate.' 'They think through hatred, they can mobilise the large chunk of Hindu votes.'

Don't mock India's scientific past!

Don't mock India's scientific past!

Rediff.com27 Feb 2020

It is important to approach the belief of people in ancient India's achievements with a sense of proportion, balance and empathy, argues B S Raghavan, the distinguished civil servant.

Tributes pour in after Somnath Chatterjee's death

Tributes pour in after Somnath Chatterjee's death

Rediff.com13 Aug 2018

Tributes poured in as news came in of the death of the 10-time Lok Sabha MP who had joined the Communist Party of India-Marxist in 1968. Chatterjee was speaker of the Lok Sabha from 2004 to 2009.

From the Raj to Azadi, how I saw India change

From the Raj to Azadi, how I saw India change

Rediff.com2 Jun 2020

Bharati Dutt witnessed life-changing events that shaped India on the threshold of freedom. Her memories are an account of how ordinary Indians saw India change.

Modi's favourite babu returns to Gujarat

Modi's favourite babu returns to Gujarat

Rediff.com3 Dec 2018

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley revealed that the government wanted to give Hasmukh Adhia a post-retirement role, but Dr Adhia said he would not work for a single day after November 30.

'What civil service expects will be a test for Modi'

'What civil service expects will be a test for Modi'

Rediff.com7 Jul 2014

Naresh Chandra, former cabinet secretary, diplomat and well-known strategic thinker, tries to explain what the Modi government is up to and assesses what will work and what may not work and why. He spoke to Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com, also, on diplomatic issues.

FIR against Akbaruddin Owaisi for his speech in Bihar

FIR against Akbaruddin Owaisi for his speech in Bihar

Rediff.com5 Oct 2015

The FIR has been lodged on the basis of magistrate's report.

2 more FIRs registered against Mamata in Assam

2 more FIRs registered against Mamata in Assam

Rediff.com4 Aug 2018

A total of five FIRs have been registered against Banerjee in Assam since the publication of the NRC final draft on July 30.

'After Kiran Rao threw me out, I was heartbroken'

'After Kiran Rao threw me out, I was heartbroken'

Rediff.com10 Dec 2020

'Around the same time, I watched Rock On!! where those guys have that midlife crisis.' 'They are busy with their corporate jobs and then they want to start singing again.' 'Seeing that, I got a boost.' 'I felt if I don't give acting a full chance again, I will regret it.' 'So I decided to quit my job and pursue acting full time.'

The day the Dalai Lama came to India

The day the Dalai Lama came to India

Rediff.com25 Mar 2019

Claude Arpi's fascinating account of the Dalai Lama's arrival in Tawang in March 1959.

How can you measure democracy?

How can you measure democracy?

Rediff.com15 Feb 2021

There is a vocal constituency of educated, well-to-do, articulate Indian elites who would rather go with the idea that too much democracy is a liability. That India needs a spell of benevolent dictatorship. Of course, they have never lived under one, points out Shekhar Gupta.

Giving wings to startups

Giving wings to startups

Rediff.com13 May 2019

Ajit Balakrishnan offers a recipe for creating 100,000 plus angel investors in India.

'No objection to constructing 10 Parliaments'

'No objection to constructing 10 Parliaments'

Rediff.com21 Jan 2021

'But you cannot encroach upon the spaces that belong to the public.' 'For this new Parliament building, we envisage a minimum of 400 trucks, the huge long trailer trucks will be coming in day in and day out right into the heart of the national capital.' 'It will completely destroy Delhi's peace.' 'The beautiful sylvan surroundings of the quiet, beautiful, New Delhi is going to be destroyed for all time to come.'

India is in a coma. Does Modi care?

India is in a coma. Does Modi care?

Rediff.com15 May 2020

'Flypasts, bands, helicopters dropping flowers over hospitals treating coronavirus patients are cute ideas for an Akshay Kumar film.' 'But when lakhs of workers at the lowest rung of the employment ladder would still be walking back home, this is the true 2020 equivalent of 'let them eat cake,' notes Shekhar Gupta.

China's foreign minister's mysterious visit to Tibet

China's foreign minister's mysterious visit to Tibet

Rediff.com20 Aug 2020

Was Wang Yi'S visit intended to remind India of 1962, asks Claude Arpi?

Aam aadmi Kejriwal scripts extraordinary win in Delhi

Aam aadmi Kejriwal scripts extraordinary win in Delhi

Rediff.com11 Feb 2020

Arvind Kejriwal, engineer, civil servant and Delhi's man with a development agenda, is the David who slayed the government's Goliath.

Why Lalu's conviction is a defining moment in politics

Why Lalu's conviction is a defining moment in politics

Rediff.com30 Sep 2013

The only objective of the government's ordinance was to protect it's loyal ally, says BJP's Arun Jaitley

Modi sarkar to modify Lokpal rules

Modi sarkar to modify Lokpal rules

Rediff.com11 Jun 2014

Taking the first step towards appointment of Lokpal, the government has decided to modify rules to give more powers to the search committee mandated to recommend names for appointment of chairperson and members of the anti-corruption body.

The TRP Trap

The TRP Trap

Rediff.com20 Oct 2020

'The more the news media weakens, especially at this juncture of economic ruin with lay-offs and wage cuts, the more the owners and journalists weigh their value in terms who they are close to, the more they depend on the State to bail them out of trouble, slow-fry their rival, the faster it pushes us towards institutional destruction,' warns Shekhar Gupta.

Why Modi Won

Why Modi Won

Rediff.com23 May 2019

'Modi's advent has made the mass of Indians realise that there was absolutely nothing wrong or objectionable in proclaiming nationalism as the masthead of the polity and Hinduism as its centerpiece,' says B S Raghavan, the distinguished civil servant.

A Kashmiri success story you MUST read!

A Kashmiri success story you MUST read!

Rediff.com5 Feb 2020

'Irrespective of their politics, people feel happy.' 'One of the best compliments I have received is that I have made it from Kashmir to Karnataka.'

Coronavirus blow for other parties, it's AIADMK vs DMK in 2021

Coronavirus blow for other parties, it's AIADMK vs DMK in 2021

Rediff.com8 May 2020

The Tamil Nadu voter may not be in the mood to test new talent, not when the state and the people are going through unprecedented and unanticipated crises, of which coronavirus is only the first. All of it boils down to an election between the ruling AIADMK and the Opposition DMK next year, with small-timers, had-been parties and promised parties left on the sidelines, says N Sathiya Moorthy.

Winter washout: Why was Modi so stubborn?

Winter washout: Why was Modi so stubborn?

Rediff.com17 Dec 2016

'Modi has lost a great opportunity to show himself to be a leader, mentor and path-setter, capable of rising above narrow party interests,', says B S Raghavan, the distringuished civil servant.

What next for IL&FS?

What next for IL&FS?

Rediff.com23 Oct 2018

The board will first need to unpack IL&FS - it has 169 group companies with 24 direct subsidiaries, 135 indirect subsidiaries, six joint ventures and four associate companies, says Amit Tondon.

Yes, Rahul can, and Rahul must!

Yes, Rahul can, and Rahul must!

Rediff.com31 Jan 2018

Rahul Gandhi has the potential to grow into a good, effective, leader of the Opposition provided he puts his heart and soul into it, with a willingness to learn, says B S Raghavan, the distinguished civil servant who worked closely with India's first three prime ministers.

5 reasons why PM Modi is different

5 reasons why PM Modi is different

Rediff.com4 May 2017

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has five key aspects to his style of leading -- total command over bureaucracy, direct approval on every decision, flexible approach to issues, importance of communication and adept at repackaging schemes, says A K Bhattacharya.

Why Gandhi can never be erased from history

Why Gandhi can never be erased from history

Rediff.com25 Jan 2017

Because no other leader cared for Indians as selflessly as he did -- and it all started from a remote corner at the edge of this vast country, 100 years ago.

Explained: Mumbai's Dharavi-COVID-19 Challenge

Explained: Mumbai's Dharavi-COVID-19 Challenge

Rediff.com19 May 2020

'Unless the living conditions change here, no amount of testing, screening, treatment would make a difference.'

Bulandshahr violence: Cops rush to Jammu to nab accused Army jawan

Bulandshahr violence: Cops rush to Jammu to nab accused Army jawan

Rediff.com8 Dec 2018

Jeetu alias Fauji of Mahav village is a named accused in the case, Inspector General (Crime) S K Bhagat told reporters in Lucknow when asked about his alleged involvement in the mob violence.

Ex-Pak PM Nawaz Sharif barred from holding office for life

Ex-Pak PM Nawaz Sharif barred from holding office for life

Rediff.com13 Apr 2018

A five-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar, gave the unanimous verdict on several identical petitions pertaining to the duration of disqualification of a politician under Article 62(1)(f) of the Pakistan Constitution, reported Samaa TV.

RS polls in Karnataka to go ahead as scheduled

RS polls in Karnataka to go ahead as scheduled

Rediff.com9 Jun 2016

The Commission said it cannot, under the existing law, disqualify a contesting candidate or prevent him from contesting the election, nor can it prevent an elector from casting his vote in an election, if otherwise qualified and eligible, as is being demanded by some of the parties.

IAS topper: 'Never feel low in confidence after failure'

IAS topper: 'Never feel low in confidence after failure'

Rediff.com2 Jun 2017

'Patience, hard work and perseverance are the three simple things that one needs to pass in the UPSC exam or for that matter any exam.'

The legends of Ganesha you didn't know

The legends of Ganesha you didn't know

Rediff.com25 Aug 2017

Uttam Ghosh depicts the stories related to the life of the god of power and wisdom.

Somnath Chatterjee's advice for India

Somnath Chatterjee's advice for India

Rediff.com13 Aug 2018

'We have to find a way out of this confrontational politics.'

Modi's is the best I-Day speech by a PM ever!

Modi's is the best I-Day speech by a PM ever!

Rediff.com16 Aug 2019

'Speaking this year from the ramparts of the Red Fort, he excelled himself in content, diction and delivery -- all extemporaneously flowing, replete with felicitous expressions and captivating word play. 'The only other Indian prime minister with whom he stands comparison is Jawaharlal Nehru who too shunned prepared speeches and established instant rapport with his audiences,' says B S Raghavan.

'Modi has wasted his time with religious things'

'Modi has wasted his time with religious things'

Rediff.com16 Jan 2020

'Outside investors don't want to get tangled up in a religious war.'

Ferried by Air India, Swedish Royals arrive in New Delhi

Ferried by Air India, Swedish Royals arrive in New Delhi

Rediff.com2 Dec 2019

After talks between the King and President Kovind, the two sides inked three pacts providing for cooperation in polar science, innovation and research and in maritime spheres.

'Rafales will provide India major advantage in Tibet'

'Rafales will provide India major advantage in Tibet'

Rediff.com3 Aug 2020

'Rafales can play an important role in doing DEAD (Destruction of Enemy Air Defence) on the Surface-to-Air Missiles that the Chinese have put on Tibet'

Convictions in atrocities on SC/STs a measly 25.7%, 20.8%

Convictions in atrocities on SC/STs a measly 25.7%, 20.8%

Rediff.com4 Apr 2018

Cases of atrocities on scheduled castes increased from 45,000 in 2014 to 40,800 2016. Cases of atrocities on scheduled tribes went from 11,451 in 2015 to 6,568 in 2016.