News for 'Free Society'

ChatGPT Vs DeepSeek: The Plot Thickens

ChatGPT Vs DeepSeek: The Plot Thickens

Rediff.com18 Feb 2025

The tech community, which was getting ready to use the ChatGPT fever and raise unlimited capital for their businesses, is going to face tougher obstacles now, predicts Ajit Balakrishnan.

Child marriage ban applies to all religions, rules SC

Child marriage ban applies to all religions, rules SC

Rediff.com18 Oct 2024

The Supreme Court on Friday held that the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act cannot be stunted by personal laws and that marriages involving children violate the free will to have a life partner of choice.

The Friend Who Changed An IPL Star's Life

The Friend Who Changed An IPL Star's Life

Rediff.com2 Apr 2025

'One day I told him, if you want to be a cricketer with a long career, you cannot be a fast bowler.' 'I felt more than pace, unorthodox left arm spin would suit him better.' 'Please don't give me credit for what he is doing now. I only made a suggestion.'

Child marriage deprives children of....: SC

Child marriage deprives children of....: SC

Rediff.com19 Oct 2024

The apex court termed the prevalence of "social evil" of child marriage as "sobering" and passed a slew of directions to the Centre, states, district administrations, panchayats and the judiciary to eradicate the malaise.

'Work does not disappear due to technology'

'Work does not disappear due to technology'

Rediff.com11 Feb 2025

'Its nature changes, new types of jobs are created.' 'We need to invest in skilling and re-skilling our people for an AI-driven future,' Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his opening speech at the AI Action Summit in Paris, co-hosted by India.

It Won't Be An Easy Term For The BJP

It Won't Be An Easy Term For The BJP

Rediff.com8 Feb 2025

Delhi faces a severe financial crunch and the deficit is largely due to numerous welfare schemes without adequate revenue flowing in. The success of welfare schemes and electoral promises will need careful financial planning and out of the box thinking to whip up additional revenue, notes Ramesh Menon.

Parliament passes Waqf bill after RS nod by 128-95 votes

Parliament passes Waqf bill after RS nod by 128-95 votes

Rediff.com4 Apr 2025

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was passed in the Lok Sabha early Thursday, with 288 members supporting it and 232 against it.

What Is A Gift Deed?

What Is A Gift Deed?

Rediff.com13 Mar 2025

All that you must know about the pros and cons of gift deeds, tax implications, essentials, documents required, conditions, etc...

'Muslims Have Been Misled By Opposition'

'Muslims Have Been Misled By Opposition'

Rediff.com2 Apr 2025

'Muslims need to work according to strategy and not fall into the trap of Opposition parties.'

'Prepare Without Worrying About Pressure'

'Prepare Without Worrying About Pressure'

Rediff.com10 Feb 2025

'During a match, there is a lot of noise from the stadium -- cheers for sixes and fours -- but the batter focuses on the ball, not the pressure.' 'If you don't take pressure and focus on your duty, you can overcome stress easily.'

Why Wayanad's Landslide Survivors Are Protesting

Why Wayanad's Landslide Survivors Are Protesting

Rediff.com27 Mar 2025

In the months immediately following the 2024 tragedy, reporting on the landslide per se had been a straightforward affair. On one side was death and destruction. On the other side, survivors and the business of survival. It was black and white. What direction to take was clear. Rehabilitation in comparison, felt like a complex situation. One that is fraught with shades of grey. As grey as human life, explains Shyam G Menon.

Localised campaign helped BJP dislodge AAP from power

Localised campaign helped BJP dislodge AAP from power

Rediff.com8 Feb 2025

The BJP's hyper-local campaign targeting the AAP's loyal base among the poor, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's depiction of Delhi's ruling party as "AAP-da" (disaster), proved decisive in the Delhi assembly elections. This victory marks the end of a 26-year drought for the BJP in the national capital. The BJP's campaign highlighted perceived failures in governance and corruption allegations against the AAP, while emphasizing its own welfare schemes. The party's focus on local issues resonated with voters, particularly the middle class and poor who were disenchanted with the AAP's performance. This win is a major setback for the AAP and the INDIA bloc, which has been on a losing streak after its strong performance in the Lok Sabha elections.

Budget And ULIPs: Should You Invest?

Budget And ULIPs: Should You Invest?

Rediff.com3 Feb 2025

'The incentives to switch to the new tax regime... are viewed as a negative due to potential loss of customers who buy policies for saving tax.' 'The tax-saving value proposition for the sector reduces.'

PIX: India celebrates Eid with prayers, feasting; 'Free Palestine' poster in UP

PIX: India celebrates Eid with prayers, feasting; 'Free Palestine' poster in UP

Rediff.com11 Apr 2024

Dressed in traditional finery, Muslims across India offered prayers at mosques and eidgahs on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr on Thursday, marking the end of the holy month of Ramzan.

Kamal@70: The Motto He Believes In

Kamal@70: The Motto He Believes In

Rediff.com7 Nov 2024

'Kamal has surfed and navigated a lot of tidal waves, manoeuvring the peaks and troughs, combining rare intelligence and commonly available intuitions to overcome unimaginable crises all his life.' 'There is no looking back at the past, for his only motto has been 'Tomorrow belongs to us'!'

Was The Attack On Saif Waiting To Happen?

Was The Attack On Saif Waiting To Happen?

Rediff.com17 Jan 2025

How did the thug access Saif Ali Khan's home?

This attack-dog behaviour....: Tharoor slams BJP over US deep state charges

This attack-dog behaviour....: Tharoor slams BJP over US deep state charges

Rediff.com8 Dec 2024

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has criticized the BJP for its allegations that elements in the American "deep state" were behind attempts to destabilize India, saying this "attack-dog" behavior is an embarrassment to India. Tharoor's comments come after the US rejected the BJP's allegations, describing them as "disappointing" and asserting that the US government is a champion of media freedom. The BJP had alleged that the US deep state colluded with the media portal OCCRP and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to "damage" India's image.

''Trump Will Do A Deal With China'

''Trump Will Do A Deal With China'

Rediff.com7 Mar 2025

'Trump's desire to withdraw the US from some arenas on the global stage will result in ceding space to China.'

What Sudha And Akshata Murty Don't Want...

What Sudha And Akshata Murty Don't Want...

Rediff.com27 Jan 2025

Sudha and Akshata Murthy's candid confessions about each other.

Badlapur assault accused's death: Cops acted in self defence, says CM; Oppn seeks probe

Badlapur assault accused's death: Cops acted in self defence, says CM; Oppn seeks probe

Rediff.com24 Sep 2024

There is no action against the "BJP-linked" school management but an arrested accused is shot dead in suspicious circumstances, he said, adding "we have no trust in Badlapur police".

Can Kejriwal Make It Three In A Row?

Can Kejriwal Make It Three In A Row?

Rediff.com29 Jan 2025

The BJP may win more seats in the February 5 assembly election, but not enough to trump AAP, notes Ramesh Menon.

Bring a law to free sports from politicians, bureaucrats: Gopichand

Bring a law to free sports from politicians, bureaucrats: Gopichand

Rediff.com26 Feb 2024

He also called upon the government and other stakeholders to streamline the processes where an athlete could just concentrate on his training and performance without having to bother about other issues.

'Free thought within Indian universities is in crisis today'

'Free thought within Indian universities is in crisis today'

Rediff.com17 Aug 2023

A group of faculty members of Ashoka University has written to its vice chancellor claiming that free thought within universities in India is in crisis today and demanded that all decisions on matters related to academic freedom should be put on hold till the promised committee for academic freedom is in place.

At G7, India pledges to protect free speech

At G7, India pledges to protect free speech

Rediff.com28 Jun 2022

Leaders of the powerful G7 grouping and its five partner countries, including India, have said that they are committed to open public debate and the free flow of information online and offline while guarding the freedom, independence and diversity of civil society actors.

An Agitation That Woke Up Kerala

An Agitation That Woke Up Kerala

Rediff.com20 Mar 2025

It was a protest which held a mirror to the government of a state taking pride in its commitment to democracy, gender equality and social indices.One person, who in his employed days had known governments and political parties at close quarters, told me that public perception of how the Kerala government handled the ASHA workers' strike had been terrible, reports Shyam G Menon.

Manipur: Army launches intense search for missing man

Manipur: Army launches intense search for missing man

Rediff.com27 Nov 2024

The Indian Army has launched a massive search operation for a man who went missing from the fringe areas of the Imphal Valley two days ago. Laishram Kamalbabu Singh, a works supervisor for a contractor working with the Military Engineering Services (MES) in Leimakhong Military Station, disappeared after leaving home on Monday afternoon to report for work. The Army is using all its resources, including tracker dogs, drones, and aerial platforms, to locate Singh. The incident has led to tensions in the area, with hundreds of people from the Meitei community demanding information about Singh's whereabouts.

The Lady Judge Who Heads Gujarat UCC Panel

The Lady Judge Who Heads Gujarat UCC Panel

Rediff.com5 Mar 2025

On the basis of her committee's report, the UCC in Uttarakhand established mandatory registration for marriages and live-in relationships, banned polygamy, and provided equal inheritance rights for women.

'Govt Unsure How To Fire Economy Upwards'

'Govt Unsure How To Fire Economy Upwards'

Rediff.com6 Feb 2025

'I am optimistic about the Budget because of the fiscal discipline the government has committed to.'

What If China, America Make Up?

What If China, America Make Up?

Rediff.com13 Feb 2025

Trump spoke approvingly of his recent telephone conversation with Xi Jinping. This could indicate the possibility of America and China reaching some level of tactical accommodation, which would not be good news for India, points out Ambassador Shyam Saran, a former foreign secretary.

'We Expect 1 Million Start Ups By 2035'

'We Expect 1 Million Start Ups By 2035'

Rediff.com13 Mar 2025

'Binary fission will happen -- startups will lead to more startups.'

Atishi 1,000 times better than her predecessor: Delhi L-G

Atishi 1,000 times better than her predecessor: Delhi L-G

Rediff.com22 Nov 2024

In a left-handed compliment to Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena on Friday said she is 'a thousand times better' than her predecessor Arvind Kejriwal.

Maha reports 1st suspected GBS death, number of cases rises to 110

Maha reports 1st suspected GBS death, number of cases rises to 110

Rediff.com28 Jan 2025

A man suspected to have contracted Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) has died in Maharashtra's Solapur district, while the number of cases of the immunological nerve disorder in Pune rose to 110, health officials said on Monday.

Have You Ever Been To Bodoland?

Have You Ever Been To Bodoland?

Rediff.com10 Feb 2025

The Bodoland Territorial Region in Assam is slowly picking up the pieces and finally finding peace after being subjected to decades of insurgencies and violence.

Govt's pace of work tripled in 3rd term: President Murmu

Govt's pace of work tripled in 3rd term: President Murmu

Rediff.com31 Jan 2025

President Droupadi Murmu addressed both Houses of Parliament, highlighting the government's achievements in various sectors, including economic growth, social welfare, and infrastructure development. She emphasized the government's efforts to lift the economy out of "policy paralysis" and create a more inclusive society. Murmu also acknowledged the challenges posed by digital fraud and cybercrime and stressed the need for a social infrastructure revolution. The President's speech is considered a policy statement, outlining the government's vision and roadmap for the future.

How Dr Singh Changed Finance Minister's Role

How Dr Singh Changed Finance Minister's Role

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

'Suddenly we had a new comprehension of affairs, which reminded that the luxury of politics floated atop a foundation by economics.' 'Along with this, finance ministers became crucial in molding the perception and reputation of Union Cabinets.' 'Governments couldn't afford a wrong person in that portfolio,' asserts Shyam G Menon.

He Delivered Milk When He Was 6. At 29 He's A Magistrate!

He Delivered Milk When He Was 6. At 29 He's A Magistrate!

Rediff.com28 Jan 2025

'Studying was never an important part of our life, surviving was.'

Parents, Equip Your Child For A Changing World

Parents, Equip Your Child For A Changing World

Rediff.com19 Dec 2024

'Make your child solve his/her problems on his/her own. Let the child see parenting as a partnership between you and your child.'

Why Tharoor Gives The Congress A Headache

Why Tharoor Gives The Congress A Headache

Rediff.com24 Feb 2025

The Kerala unit of the Congress instantly gets a headache when Shashi Tharoor lets loose one of his observations showering flowers on enemy territory. With every such action triggering controversy within a nervous Congress party, some feel it is high time Tharoor showed a degree of solidarity with the ideals of his party, notes Shyam G Menon.

Voters Prefer Strong Leaders Like Modi

Voters Prefer Strong Leaders Like Modi

Rediff.com18 Apr 2024

...Even if it means less democracy, so that their everyday problems get solved? argues R Jagannathan.

Time We Understood America's Game

Time We Understood America's Game

Rediff.com13 Dec 2024

Sections of our media and elites take Western reports/judgements at face value and are ready to condemn the targets without understanding the deeper power linkages behind such actions, asserts Colonel Anil A Athale (Retd).