News for 'Free India'

'Auto industry has resilience to tackle rare earth issue'

'Auto industry has resilience to tackle rare earth issue'

Rediff.com27 Jun 2025

'The government is actively engaging with EU to ensure that concerns of Indian companies and hard-to-abate sectors are adequately addressed under CBAM'

Last Call for Visa-Free Thailand

Last Call for Visa-Free Thailand

Rediff.com27 Aug 2024

The new visa-free regime allows travellers to stay for up to 60 days instead of only 15 earlier.

Is Telangana Headed For Bankruptcy?

Is Telangana Headed For Bankruptcy?

Rediff.com11 Jul 2025

Experts say the state's economy is grappling with hidden debt, rising welfare costs, and lack of transparency.

'Must vacate J-K territory': India slams Pak at UN

'Must vacate J-K territory': India slams Pak at UN

Rediff.com25 Mar 2025

India has slammed Pakistan at the United Nations, accusing the country of illegally occupying the territory of Jammu and Kashmir and demanding its immediate vacation. India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, made these remarks during a UN Security Council Open Debate on Advancing Adaptability in UN Peace Operations. He asserted that Jammu and Kashmir was, is, and will always be an integral part of India. Harish's statement came after Pakistan raised the issue of Jammu and Kashmir during the UNSC open debate, prompting a strong retort from India. He further stated that Pakistan's repeated references to the issue neither validate their illegal claims nor justify their state-sponsored cross-border terrorism. India, however, said it will refrain from exercising a more elaborate Right of Reply, suggesting a measured approach to the situation. Relations between India and Pakistan have been strained since India abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution in 2019, revoking Jammu and Kashmir's special status.

Want To Be A Monsoon Tourist? Read This

Want To Be A Monsoon Tourist? Read This

Rediff.com4 Jul 2025

Destinations like Coorg, Munnar, the Western Ghats, and parts of the North East, are at their scenic best in the monsoon.

Vance wants India to buy more American energy, weapons

Vance wants India to buy more American energy, weapons

Rediff.com22 Apr 2025

US Vice President JD Vance called on India to drop non-tariff barriers, give greater access to its markets and buy more American energy products and military hardware. Vance, in a speech in Jaipur, highlighted the need for a stronger US-India partnership for a prosperous and peaceful 21st century. He emphasized the importance of working together to address global challenges and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing him as a "special person." Vance also urged India to provide greater market access to American products and buy more defense platforms and energy from the US. He suggested that India consider dropping some of the non-tariff barriers for American access to the Indian market and highlighted the benefits of closer India-US defense collaboration, advocating for New Delhi to procure more military hardware from the US. He cited the example of American fifth-generation F-35s, arguing they would give the Indian Air Force the ability to defend its airspace and protect its people like never before. Vance also welcomed the Modi government's budget announcement to amend India's civil nuclear liability laws, paving the way for US producers to export small modular reactors and build larger US-designed reactors in India. He emphasized the importance of energy security for India's AI ambitions, stating "there is no AI future without energy security and energy dominance." Vance's visit comes amid growing global concerns over the US's tariff war.

Zero tolerance for terror, no nuclear blackmail: Jaishankar in Germany

Zero tolerance for terror, no nuclear blackmail: Jaishankar in Germany

Rediff.com24 May 2025

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has asserted that India has zero tolerance for terrorism and will never give in to nuclear blackmail, emphasizing that New Delhi will deal with Pakistan purely bilaterally. He made these remarks during a joint press conference with his German counterpart in Berlin, where he also highlighted the importance of the strategic partnership between India and Germany, emphasizing the need for a free trade agreement between the two nations.

Why Are All Eyes on Nifty Bank?

Why Are All Eyes on Nifty Bank?

Rediff.com19 May 2025

With rising credit demand, cleaner balance sheets, and renewed investor confidence, banks are positioned at the forefront of the market rally. From major players like ICICI and HDFC to broader policy shifts, there's much driving this momentum.

Why Are All Eyes on Nifty Bank?

Why Are All Eyes on Nifty Bank?

Rediff.com19 May 2025

With rising credit demand, cleaner balance sheets, and renewed investor confidence, banks are positioned at the forefront of the market rally. From major players like ICICI and HDFC to broader policy shifts, there's much driving this momentum.

Why Are All Eyes on Nifty Bank?

Why Are All Eyes on Nifty Bank?

Rediff.com19 May 2025

With rising credit demand, cleaner balance sheets, and renewed investor confidence, banks are positioned at the forefront of the market rally. From major players like ICICI and HDFC to broader policy shifts, there's much driving this momentum.

Govt unveils Rs 2 trillion dose for jobs, R&D, innovation, growth push

Govt unveils Rs 2 trillion dose for jobs, R&D, innovation, growth push

Rediff.com2 Jul 2025

In a double-dose bid to boost growth and employment prospects, the Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved a Rs 2.07 trillion outlay for a research development and innovation (RDI) Scheme to fund private sector innovations, and an employment-linked incentive (ELI) to create over 35 million new jobs over the next two years.

Kenyan great Kemboi invites Sable to train under him for 'free'

Kenyan great Kemboi invites Sable to train under him for 'free'

Rediff.com27 Nov 2024

Two-time Olympic medalist and four-time World Champion steeplechase runner Kenyan great Ezekiel Kemboi invites Sable to train under him has invited Indian star Avinash Sable for training sessions at his base in Kenya.

World Test Championship format needs revamping

World Test Championship format needs revamping

Rediff.com15 Jun 2025

There was much criticism of how South Africa managed to reach the final without playing either Australia and England in the two-year qualifying period.

Filing ITR? Avoid These Errors

Filing ITR? Avoid These Errors

Rediff.com7 Jul 2025

Errors in filing income-tax returns frequently lead to scrutiny notices, additional liabilities, or delayed refunds.

When Suchitra Sen Got Upset With Dev Anand

When Suchitra Sen Got Upset With Dev Anand

Rediff.com16 Jul 2025

'Suchitra Sen threatened to leave, with the film only 80 per cent complete.'

Piyush Goyal on ongoing talks for trade pact with US

Piyush Goyal on ongoing talks for trade pact with US

Rediff.com2 Jun 2025

India and the US desire to give preferential market access to each other's businesses and teams of both the countries are working together on the proposed bilateral trade agreement, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has said. In February, US President Donald J Trump and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi announced plans to negotiate the first tranche or phase of a mutually beneficial, multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by fall (September-October) of 2025.

Welfare over sops for industry: Mamata digs in ahead of polls

Welfare over sops for industry: Mamata digs in ahead of polls

Rediff.com26 Jun 2025

'The chief minister believes the poorest of the poor have the first right on government resources.'

Want Steady Monthly Income? How Bonds Could Help

Want Steady Monthly Income? How Bonds Could Help

Rediff.com25 Jun 2025

Saurav Ghosh's step-by-step guide will help you understand what bonds are, how they help investors make money, how much money they make and which bonds to invest in.

Move over Pant? Jurel's red-ball rise can't be ignored

Move over Pant? Jurel's red-ball rise can't be ignored

Rediff.com18 Jun 2025

Jurel has produced a solid body of work in first-class and Test cricket alike, even though he displayed a completely different avatar for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as a finisher since his debut in 2023.

India to be free of Naxal menace by March 2026: Shah

India to be free of Naxal menace by March 2026: Shah

Rediff.com24 Aug 2024

Urging Naxals to shun violence, Shah announced that the Chhattisgarh government would announce a "new look" surrender policy in 1-2 months.

Forced narco-analysis test on accused not permissible under law: SC

Forced narco-analysis test on accused not permissible under law: SC

Rediff.com10 Jun 2025

The top court said an accused has a right to voluntarily undergo a narco-analysis test at an appropriate stage.

How India's agri sector can tackle US tariffs

How India's agri sector can tackle US tariffs

Rediff.com10 Apr 2025

India's policy for agriculture trade must move commodity-by-commodity to gain maximum benefits as US President Donald Trump's 26 per cent tariff on exports from the country take effect, said agriculture economist Ashok Gulati in a recent policy paper.

Rare earth inventories may run dry by mid-July

Rare earth inventories may run dry by mid-July

Rediff.com13 Jun 2025

Inventories of rare earth magnets used in critical automotive components - particularly electric vehicle (EV) traction motors and power steering systems - could run dry by mid-July this year, according to rating agency Icra.

Highway toll charges hiked by 4-5% across India

Highway toll charges hiked by 4-5% across India

Rediff.com2 Apr 2025

Commuters on national highways and expressways will need to pay more for their road journeys, as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has increased toll charges by an average of 4 to 5 per cent on highway sections across the country. The revised toll charges for motorists on national highways across the country have come into effect from Tuesday, a senior highways ministry official told PTI.

Modi to lead 11th International Yoga Day celebrations from Visakhapatnam

Modi to lead 11th International Yoga Day celebrations from Visakhapatnam

Rediff.com20 Jun 2025

The theme for this year is "Yoga for One Earth, One Health" echoes India's vision of global wellness.

Indian pharma firms not copying products of Swiss cos: Goyal

Indian pharma firms not copying products of Swiss cos: Goyal

Rediff.com10 Jun 2025

Dismissing allegations that Indian phacosrmaceutical companies copy products of Swiss firms, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday said it is a long-standing myth and India respects intellectual property rights and never steals technology from others. He said that Swiss pharmaceutical companies have not shown even a single instance that Indian companies have illegally copied any of their trademarks or patents or copyrighted technology.

'We Want World-Class Innovation, But...'

'We Want World-Class Innovation, But...'

Rediff.com23 Jun 2025

'...hesitate to support the risk-taking it requires.'

Top 5 Fastest Growing Stocks in 2025

Top 5 Fastest Growing Stocks in 2025

Rediff.com24 Jun 2025

To help you ride the growth trajectory of India's equity markets, we have curated the top five fastest-growing stocks that hold an impressive upside. If you're planning to build a sound portfolio and capitalize on the growth of these leading institutions, it's time you watch these stocks.

Donald Trump's move suits India: Jaishankar

Donald Trump's move suits India: Jaishankar

Rediff.com6 Mar 2025

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has stated that the US administration under President Donald Trump is moving towards multipolarity, which aligns with India's interests. He also revealed that India and the US have reached an agreement on the need for a bilateral trade pact. Jaishankar touched upon various foreign policy issues including India's role in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the trajectory of the BRICS grouping, and relations with China during a session at the Chatham House think-tank in London.

PIX: Chhetri scores on return as India trounce Maldives

PIX: Chhetri scores on return as India trounce Maldives

Rediff.com19 Mar 2025

First win for India since Nov 2023 and first under coach Manolo Marquez.

Free Elections: Democracy's Best Response

Free Elections: Democracy's Best Response

Rediff.com21 Oct 2024

The long term trends on violence in Kashmir are positive and India must secure these gains further, asserts Aakar Patel.

India could double US energy purchases this year to offset tariff threat

India could double US energy purchases this year to offset tariff threat

Rediff.com24 Apr 2025

India's purchase of US crude oil has picked up in 2025 and could easily double their previous levels, government officials said on Wednesday. The surge comes in the wake of the then-incoming Donald Trump administration's announcement that it would consider hiking tariffs on a reciprocal basis, and pushed some countries, especially those with large trade surpluses with the US, to buy more of its energy.

India's export performance remains uninspiring amid weak global position

India's export performance remains uninspiring amid weak global position

Rediff.com7 Apr 2025

March 31 marked 10 years since the Modi government introduced its first Foreign Trade Policy (FTP 2015-20) that lasted for 8 years before the current FTP 2023 came in. Here is a brief assessment. In 2015, the government said that it aims to increase India's exports of merchandise and services from $465.9 billion in 2013-14 to approximately $900 billion by 2019-20 and to raise India's share in world exports from 2 per cent to 3.5 per cent.

MX Player Is The Horse To Bet On In OTT Biz

MX Player Is The Horse To Bet On In OTT Biz

Rediff.com12 May 2025

At 250 million unique visitors a month, MX Player has for long been in the same bracket as YouTube (454 million) and Meta (324 million) in reach.

Dialogue, not battlefields, key to global peace: Modi in Croatia

Dialogue, not battlefields, key to global peace: Modi in Croatia

Rediff.com19 Jun 2025

In his media statement following talks with his Croatian counterpart Andrej Plenkovic, Modi said both leaders agree that "terrorism is an enemy of humanity" and is inimical to forces that believe in democracy.

The price of building India: Why cement remains in the 28% GST slab

The price of building India: Why cement remains in the 28% GST slab

Rediff.com7 May 2025

The 31st meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, held in December 2018, deferred a decision to reduce the GST rate for cement from 28 per cent to 18 per cent. This was despite recognising that cement - along with automobile parts - remained among the few mass-consumption items still taxed at the highest slab, which was originally meant for luxury and sin goods.

BJP trying to derail Shiv Sena-MNS alliance, alleges Uddhav

BJP trying to derail Shiv Sena-MNS alliance, alleges Uddhav

Rediff.com20 Jun 2025

Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of trying to scuttle the possibility of his party's alliance with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena led by his estranged cousin Raj Thackeray ahead of civic polls.

'Biggest Problem Industrialists Face Is From Politicians'

'Biggest Problem Industrialists Face Is From Politicians'

Rediff.com7 Jul 2025

'If you don't fulfil whatever they ask, you are in trouble.'

Work Smart, Not Hard: 10 Tips To Boost Productivity

Work Smart, Not Hard: 10 Tips To Boost Productivity

Rediff.com20 Jun 2025

Productivity isn't always about doing more. It's about doing what matters, with enough room to breathe, says Adarsh Rai, an emotional intelligence coach and founder-CEO of HR Brain HUB.

Australia unveils ambitious roadmap to boost trade with India

Australia unveils ambitious roadmap to boost trade with India

Rediff.com26 Feb 2025

Australia on Wednesday unveiled an ambitious roadmap to deepen and diversify its trade and investment ties with India. The roadmap identified four "superhighways of growth" -- clean energy, education and skills, agribusiness, and tourism. Broadly, it sets out a pathway to focus ongoing efforts, including to boost two-way investment, and work with Indian-Australian communities and businesses.