News for 'Free India'

'Kerala Story 2' sparks fresh political firestorm ahead of release

'Kerala Story 2' sparks fresh political firestorm ahead of release

Rediff.com20 Feb 2026

The trailer of the film, produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah and directed by Kamakhya Narain Singh, released on Tuesday and landed straight into controversy. It tracks the stories of three Hindu women from three different states going against their families to marry Muslim men and then being forced to convert.

16th India-EU summit today; trade, security, defence on agenda

16th India-EU summit today; trade, security, defence on agenda

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

Over the years, India-EU ties have grown, and covered trade, investment, climate change, science and technology, space, digital, mobility, and connectivity.

T20 World Cup: Will Abhishek Sharma Score His First Run?

T20 World Cup: Will Abhishek Sharma Score His First Run?

Rediff.com22 Feb 2026

What Abhishek should understand is that what defines a good cricketer is not the duck, but how he responds to it and overcomes it.

'Kerala Story 2' sparks fresh political firestorm ahead of release

'Kerala Story 2' sparks fresh political firestorm ahead of release

Rediff.com19 Feb 2026

The upcoming Hindi film 'The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond' is embroiled in controversy, similar to its predecessor, with accusations of hate propaganda and defenses of legitimate concern over religious conversion.

How To Apply For The IndieVerse Comics Challenge

How To Apply For The IndieVerse Comics Challenge

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

The competition invites creators aged 18 to 25 to reimagine India's cultural heritage through superheroes, drama, fantasy, or any genre that captures the spirit of Indian storytelling.

Market Guru: 'This Is About Capital Preservation'

Market Guru: 'This Is About Capital Preservation'

Rediff.com18 Feb 2026

'The problem is not just slower growth, but also the quality of growth.'

Will Cheaper European Cars Hurt Indian Automakers?

Will Cheaper European Cars Hurt Indian Automakers?

Rediff.com16 Feb 2026

Speculation about rising competition from global majors has led to shares of major Indian automobile manufacturers such as Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), Maruti Suzuki India, and Tata Motors taking a hit on the BSE.

Why India-US Trade Deal Is Delayed

Why India-US Trade Deal Is Delayed

Rediff.com14 Jan 2026

A trade deal makes sense only if it is fair and reciprocal. If the cost is strategic dependence or loss of policy space, waiting is the wiser option, asserts Ajay Srivastava.

Trump unveils 'Board of Peace', India skips ceremony

Trump unveils 'Board of Peace', India skips ceremony

Rediff.com22 Jan 2026

India was among the countries not present in Davos when US President Donald Trump unveiled his "Board of Peace" that seeks to work towards bringing lasting peace to Gaza and possibly resolve global conflicts. India is yet to take a call on it, people familiar with the matter said when asked about Trump's invite to PM Modi.

'Banks not investing in right technology'

'Banks not investing in right technology'

Rediff.com10 Feb 2026

'There is a challenge in repositioning yourself, maybe reinventing yourself.'

The Lady Who Got A Dreaded Maoist To Surrender

The Lady Who Got A Dreaded Maoist To Surrender

Rediff.com27 Feb 2026

'They are not abandoning their ideology. They now believe it is better to pursue their goals through the Constitution rather than from the barrel of a gun -- even if the ideology itself remains intact.'

Berners-Lee Pushes Data Control For India

Berners-Lee Pushes Data Control For India

Rediff.com19 Jan 2026

'India is advanced in that everybody has an ID. But behind that (digital) ID (Aadhaar), you don't have a place where you can share information between each other,' says Tim Berners-Lee.

India-EU FTA: 'Mother Of All Deals': Goyal

India-EU FTA: 'Mother Of All Deals': Goyal

Rediff.com17 Jan 2026

Both India and the EU are likely to announce a conclusion of trade talks on January 27.

PM pressured to hand over people's data as part of US deal, alleges Rahul

PM pressured to hand over people's data as part of US deal, alleges Rahul

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

Rahul Gandhi claims the Indo-US trade deal will compromise the data security of 1.5 billion Indians, alleging Prime Minister Modi is surrendering India's data resources to the US. He warns of potential job losses in the IT sector due to AI and the importance of controlling India's data pool.

When Shah Rukh Khan Was Upset With Arundhati Roy

When Shah Rukh Khan Was Upset With Arundhati Roy

Rediff.com19 Feb 2026

When Arundhati Roy wrote her first novel God of Small Things, her team reached out to Shah Rukh Khan inviting him to read a passage from the book at its Mumbai launch. Perhaps because he still held a grudge, Khan refused the invitation.

UPI Growth Slowdown Rings Alarm

UPI Growth Slowdown Rings Alarm

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

This would imply a 29 per cent year-on-year rise, significantly lower than growth rates seen in recent years.

'Is Rs 10 Cr Realistic In 10 Years?'

'Is Rs 10 Cr Realistic In 10 Years?'

Rediff.com26 Feb 2026

Ask rediffGURU Reetika Sharma your insurance, mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.

Highlights of RBI's monetary policy

Highlights of RBI's monetary policy

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

Benchmark lending rates unchanged with repo rate at 5.25%

Phase out universal subsidies: ADB-PwC study to 16th FC

Phase out universal subsidies: ADB-PwC study to 16th FC

Rediff.com16 Feb 2026

Governments should move away from universal subsidies towards tightly targeted transfers, backed by stricter eligibility norms, sunset clauses and periodic audits to curb leakages and improve spending efficiency, a joint study by Asian Development Bank and PwC has recommended.

Bangladesh to hold crucial general elections on Thursday

Bangladesh to hold crucial general elections on Thursday

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

Bangladesh is set to hold parliamentary elections with unprecedented security measures in place, following a period of interim governance and political changes.

Supreme Court lifts Anurag Thakur's BCCI ban

Supreme Court lifts Anurag Thakur's BCCI ban

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

In a relief to former BCCI president Anurag Thakur, the Supreme Court on Thursday cleared decks for his association with the board by modifying its January 2017 order.

India yet to decide on joining Trump's Board of Peace

India yet to decide on joining Trump's Board of Peace

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

India is yet to take a call on United States President Donald Trump's invitation to be part of the 'Board of Peace' that will work towards bringing lasting peace to Gaza and possibly resolve global conflicts, people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

T20 World Cup: When Fearless Kishan, Explosive Pandya Flattened Namibia

T20 World Cup: When Fearless Kishan, Explosive Pandya Flattened Namibia

Rediff.com13 Feb 2026

Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan are representatives of a new generation, unfazed by pace, bounce, or any bowler.

'Women Are Far More Dangerous And Cruel'

'Women Are Far More Dangerous And Cruel'

Rediff.com25 Feb 2026

'Women in crime can turn on and off emotions like a tap.' 'Something that comes in the way of their goals can be eliminated without a second thought.'

NEET-EWS Quota: How A 19 Yr Old Won A Supreme Court Case

NEET-EWS Quota: How A 19 Yr Old Won A Supreme Court Case

Rediff.com23 Feb 2026

'My argument was straightforward: If the Constitution allows this reservation and SC/ST and OBC candidates are already getting reservation in private institutions -- backed by Constitution Bench orders -- then not extending the same to EWS candidates directly violates the 103rd Amendment and Article 14, which guarantees the right to equality.'

10 Must Watch Movies From Around The World

10 Must Watch Movies From Around The World

Rediff.com25 Feb 2026

Aseem Chhabra lists his top 10 films from this year's Sundance festival, a blend of narratives and documentaries made in the US and other parts of the world.

Apple imports from EU capped, Indian farmers protected under FTA

Apple imports from EU capped, Indian farmers protected under FTA

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

India will lower duty on European apples to 20 per cent under the trade pact, but the imports would be capped at 50,000 tonnes per year and subject to a minimum import price of Rs 80 per kg, thereby fully protecting domestic farmers, an official said on Wednesday.

Trouble for India? Trump announces 25% tariff on Iran's trade partners

Trouble for India? Trump announces 25% tariff on Iran's trade partners

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

Trump said that the decision would be "immediately" in effect and that the "order is final and conclusive."

Boong, The Manipur Film That Won A BAFTA

Boong, The Manipur Film That Won A BAFTA

Rediff.com23 Feb 2026

'This story has been always there since my childhood because of missing people.' 'I remember a family member who disappeared and I kept wondering what happened to him.'

Indian pharma to get stronger dose of EU mkt access

Indian pharma to get stronger dose of EU mkt access

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

The European Union's (EU's) offer to slash tariffs on 97.5 per cent of Indian chemical exports to zero is set to give India's pharmaceutical and medical device firms preferential access to the European markets.

Trump invites India to join Gaza Board of Peace?

Trump invites India to join Gaza Board of Peace?

Rediff.com18 Jan 2026

The invitation comes as the US administration moves forward with formalising the "Board of Peace" structure linked to Trump's broader Gaza roadmap.

India look to fix spin woes in Indore decider vs New Zealand

India look to fix spin woes in Indore decider vs New Zealand

Rediff.com16 Jan 2026

Kuldeep, spin strategy in focus as India prepare for Indore decider

'FIR or privilege motion, I will fight for farmers': Rahul Gandhi

'FIR or privilege motion, I will fight for farmers': Rahul Gandhi

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being 'anti-farmer' and 'selling' the country through the India-US interim trade deal, vowing to stand strongly with farmers.

Budget 2026 Hits And Misses

Budget 2026 Hits And Misses

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

CA Sumeet Mehta analyses the Union Budget 2026-2027, identifying key positives and negatives.

'No Prime Minister Orders Military Attacks'

'No Prime Minister Orders Military Attacks'

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

'Critics say the political leadership abandoned the army chief or did not back him. I disagree. 'Military leaders are trained to take decisions when given a free hand.' 'This was a clear go-ahead from the prime minister to the army chief.'

'Bangladeshi Hindus Hope Jamaat Does Not Come To Power'

'Bangladeshi Hindus Hope Jamaat Does Not Come To Power'

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

'Many senior Bangladeshis feel Bangladesh will fall into anarchy if the Jamaat becomes an important part of a future government or has disproportionate influence in the government.'

Inside Jammu and Kashmir cricket's rise

Inside Jammu and Kashmir cricket's rise

Rediff.com18 Feb 2026

BCCI president Mithun Manhas reflects on the journey of Jammu and Kashmir cricket, from overcoming mismanagement and corruption to reaching their first-ever Ranji Trophy final.

RBI-Esma MoU set to end CCIL impasse

RBI-Esma MoU set to end CCIL impasse

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

The Clearing Corporation of India (CCIL) will be able to reapply for recognition by the European Union's (EU) financial markets regulator following a pact signed on Tuesday between the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the European Securities and Markets Authority (Esma).

Sensex bounces back on buying in metal, bank stocks

Sensex bounces back on buying in metal, bank stocks

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty ended higher in highly volatile trade on Tuesday, buoyed by heavy buying in bank and metal stocks, a firm trend in global markets and optimism over India-EU FTA. The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 319.78 points, or 0.39 per cent, to settle at 81,857.48.

'Don't Get Carried Away Signing A Trade Agreement'

'Don't Get Carried Away Signing A Trade Agreement'

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

'There is a lot of euphoria in the country after a trade agreement is signed. But it is an illusion for us. What is more important is making it real.'