News for 'Free Society'

Wayanad May Not Be A Breeze For Rahul

Wayanad May Not Be A Breeze For Rahul

Rediff.com16 Apr 2024

Wayanad will continue to support Rahul but not to the same extent as in 2019, when his margin of victory had been enormous. Articulate, to the point and speaking in fluent Malayalam, CPI's Annie Raja, had the people who gathered to see her, listening in rapt attention, notes Shyam G Menon.

Task force moots free Indo-US trade

Task force moots free Indo-US trade

Rediff.com31 Oct 2003

Home ministry recommends CBI probe into NGO Oxfam India

Home ministry recommends CBI probe into NGO Oxfam India

Rediff.com6 Apr 2023

The Union home ministry on Thursday recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the affairs of the Indian arm of the global NGO Oxfam for alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, sources said.

Who Fared Better On Economy? Modi Or Manmohan

Who Fared Better On Economy? Modi Or Manmohan

Rediff.com15 Feb 2024

Whether it was the MGNREGS or the NFSA or the Aadhaar-based DBT scheme for cash transfer, the Modi government has built on the basic architecture created by the Singh government. Policy makers in the Modi government, instead of discarding them as products of the previous political regime, worked on them, expanded their scope and reach, and used new tools to improve their performance, explains A K Bhattacharya.

COVID-19: Sonia suggests measures to free up funds

COVID-19: Sonia suggests measures to free up funds

Rediff.com7 Apr 2020

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggesting five measures to conserve money for the fight against COVID-19, including a complete ban on media advertisements by government and PSUs for two years and suspending the Central Vista beautification project.

Meghalaya polls: BJP woos women voters with govt job quota, scooters

Meghalaya polls: BJP woos women voters with govt job quota, scooters

Rediff.com16 Feb 2023

It also promised financial assistance of Rs 24,000 annually to all dependent widows and single mothers, two free LPG cylinders to all the beneficiaries of the PM Ujjwala Yojana and 24x7 power supply.

Why Shankar Mahadevan Sang Maa At A Book Launch

Why Shankar Mahadevan Sang Maa At A Book Launch

Rediff.com9 Jun 2022

A woman is never free, bound as she is by so many expectations. And the one that can destroy her -- just as much as it can make her -- can be summed up in just one word. Mother.

Poll Schedule Works Against First Phase Contestants

Poll Schedule Works Against First Phase Contestants

Rediff.com9 Apr 2024

Constituencies that are going to the polls in the first phase, slated for April 19, have just 19 days for campaigning. Contrast that with those going to polls in the 7th phase, notes N Sathiya Moorthy.

Need to defend universities as free spaces, says Vice President Ansari

Need to defend universities as free spaces, says Vice President Ansari

Rediff.com25 Mar 2017

Delivering the 66th convocation address at the Panjab University, the vice president said a university should never seek to silence or influence faculty members or students to adopt or renounce any particular position.

India, A Miracle And A Wonder

India, A Miracle And A Wonder

Rediff.com16 Aug 2023

'There are many things we need to work on.' 'At the heart of it is, one, the extent of inequality, which is not good for democracy and nation; two, a structural decline on how a country ought to function, how people should be held accountable, whose role is what.'

The Star Gazer Stars At TIME Gala

The Star Gazer Stars At TIME Gala

Rediff.com26 Apr 2024

At this year's TIME ball in New York City on Thursday, April 25, you would have run into a Coimbatore-born American scientist, looking lovely in Sabyasachi Mukherjee designer finery, who would most likely have been hanging out with Dua Lipa.

How diplomatic row with Canada will test Indo-US ties

How diplomatic row with Canada will test Indo-US ties

Rediff.com19 Sep 2023

Experts say Canada's allegations regarding the Indian government's involvement in the fatal shooting of Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada 'could be most significant test of strength of US-India partnership since early 2000s'.

Canada expels Indian envoy over Khalistani leader's killing

Canada expels Indian envoy over Khalistani leader's killing

Rediff.com20 Sep 2023

Canada has expelled an Indian diplomat as it was investigating what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called 'credible allegations' of the involvement of 'agents of the Indian government' in the killing of a Sikh extremist leader in Surrey in June, claims outrightly rejected by New Delhi as 'absurd' and 'motivated'.

'Are You On The Side Of Hatred?'

'Are You On The Side Of Hatred?'

Rediff.com23 Feb 2024

'The time has come for all those believe in a democratic India to stand up and be counted and to make a choice.'

Violence will continue in Manipur unless...: Eastern Army commander

Violence will continue in Manipur unless...: Eastern Army commander

Rediff.com21 Nov 2023

The Eastern Command General Officer Commanding-in-Chief also said India is giving shelter to anyone from Myanmar seeking refuge, including common villagers, army or police, in Mizoram and Manipur, but not armed cadres of militant groups of drug traffickers.

'You will see more Muslims getting ticket from BJP'

'You will see more Muslims getting ticket from BJP'

Rediff.com31 Jan 2024

'The tragedy with Indian Muslims is that they do politics from the heart, not from the head.'

Supreme Court On Article 370: A Landmark Judgment

Supreme Court On Article 370: A Landmark Judgment

Rediff.com15 Dec 2023

We must heed what the CJI has said. Challenging every judgment of the central government is inviting chaos, asserts Shreekant Sambrani.

Stalin's Breakfast Scheme A Social Revolution

Stalin's Breakfast Scheme A Social Revolution

Rediff.com3 May 2023

'Within a short span, it increased attendance, improved children's physical fitness, and led to a rise in the enrolment ratio.'

Manipur violence first, says SC, refuses to hear of other states now

Manipur violence first, says SC, refuses to hear of other states now

Rediff.com31 Jul 2023

The Supreme Court on Monday described the violence perpetrated against women in strife-torn Manipur as of "unprecedented magnitude" and refused to consider a plea on similar alleged incidents in opposition-ruled states, such as West Bengal, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Kerala.

Want to go gluten-free? Some tips for you

Want to go gluten-free? Some tips for you

Rediff.com15 May 2018

Follow a balanced diet with a mixture of whole grains, suggests Jeeva Anna George.

Exemption-free tax regime to come: Chidambaram

Exemption-free tax regime to come: Chidambaram

Rediff.com8 Mar 2007

Focus on supplies to check inflation.

'Togetherness Is The Message From Ayodhya'

'Togetherness Is The Message From Ayodhya'

Rediff.com3 Feb 2024

'Sri Ayodhyaji will emerge as the greatest centre of cultural togetherness, universal harmony, vasudeva kutumbakam, compassion, and love for every single living being on this Earth.'

Cong moves EC against Shah, Himanta for poll code violation

Cong moves EC against Shah, Himanta for poll code violation

Rediff.com25 Oct 2023

In its complaint against Shah, the Congress told the EC that the home minister claimed in a speech in Chhattisgarh's Rajnandgaon on October 16 that "...Bhupesh Baghel's government, for appeasement politics and vote bank politics, lynched Chhattisgarh's son Bhuneshwar Sahoo and got him killed..."

'By 2025, we will be corruption free'

'By 2025, we will be corruption free'

Rediff.com14 Aug 2017

'I feel now we have a leader who is non-corruptible.' 'But he needs time as corruption is deep-rooted in our society, and people have no shame about being corrupt.' 'It will take at least 7 years to make some changes.'

Modi's Cultural Push

Modi's Cultural Push

Rediff.com9 Oct 2023

With changes to Delhi's architectural map, a re-naming rash, and more Hindu symbolism in secular spaces, the government is making it clear it wants a clean break with post-colonial India, asserts T N Ninan.

Nitish wants to raise SC/ST, OBC reservation to 87%

Nitish wants to raise SC/ST, OBC reservation to 87%

Rediff.com7 Nov 2023

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday announced his intent to raise quotas for Other Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the state, saying a legislation to the effect is likely to be brought in the ongoing assembly session.

India can free world of social evils

India can free world of social evils

Rediff.com2 Dec 2006

Religious leaders did not have a clear cut idea as how best they could get rid of such negative feelings by imbibing spiritual values, he said.

'Sheikh Hasina is better than the others. But is that good enough?'

'Sheikh Hasina is better than the others. But is that good enough?'

Rediff.com10 Jan 2024

'Are we supposed to look the other way as Islamists go on a rampage against Hindus and the Hasina government pay lip service to secularism?' A revealing excerpt from Avishek Biswas and Deep Halder's book, Being Hindu In Bangladesh: The Untold Story.

In tit-for-tat move, India asks Canadian diplomat to 'leave in 5 days'

In tit-for-tat move, India asks Canadian diplomat to 'leave in 5 days'

Rediff.com20 Sep 2023

The Canadian high commissioner to India was summoned to the ministry of external affairs and informed about the decision to expel the senior Canadian diplomat.

How Women Change The Political Game

How Women Change The Political Game

Rediff.com22 Dec 2023

More than ever before, women voters can make or mar a political party's electoral fortunes.

Can India Become A Great Power Under Modi?

Can India Become A Great Power Under Modi?

Rediff.com13 Sep 2023

If it continues to do well economically, develops a large manufacturing sector, gains in technological heft, builds a more capable defence industry, improves its human development indicators, becomes more of a trading nation, and has greater internal cohesion. In short, it is a work in progress, suggests T N Ninan.

'We must understand the plural character of Indian society'

'We must understand the plural character of Indian society'

Rediff.com31 Mar 2015

Indian Council of Historical Research Member-Secretary Gopinath Ravindran was heckled last week after he sought to differ from views expressed by David Frawley, an American who stressed on extensive Vedic studies in India at a lecture series in New Delhi.

The People Have Spoken!

The People Have Spoken!

Rediff.com11 Dec 2023

Religion matters. Aspirational India is still poor. India admires strong leaders. India values decency. Shreekant Sambrani highlights the reasons why the BJP pulled off improbable victories in the Hindi heartland.

Can Modi Beat Rajiv Gandhi's 404 MPs Record?

Can Modi Beat Rajiv Gandhi's 404 MPs Record?

Rediff.com6 Feb 2024

Modi wants the BJP to gets an additional 10% of the vote share from what it won in 2019. Plans are afoot to get new faces to replace MPs with poor chances of winning. Sources say more than 100 MPs are like to be axed, notes Modi biographer Ramesh Menon.

157 killed, 160 injured as strong earthquake jolts Nepal

157 killed, 160 injured as strong earthquake jolts Nepal

Rediff.com4 Nov 2023

According to the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre, the earthquake with an epicentre in Jajarkot district was recorded at 11.47 pm.

Public outcry won't affect us, we go by law: SC on Bilkis case convicts

Public outcry won't affect us, we go by law: SC on Bilkis case convicts

Rediff.com8 Aug 2023

"Public outcry will not affect our judicial decisions," the Supreme Court asserted on Tuesday, as it began weighing the legality of the remission granted to all the 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano gang-rape case and murder of seven of her family members during the 2002 Gujarat riots.

IISc cancels talk on UAPA, over 100 academics, students protest

IISc cancels talk on UAPA, over 100 academics, students protest

Rediff.com3 Jul 2023

More than 500 scientists, academicians and students have written to the Bengaluru-based IISc expressing dismay over the cancellation of a discussion on anti-terror law UAPA that was to be led by student activists Natasha Narwal and Devangana Kalita.

Not just EVs, new technologies a big draw at this year's auto expo

Not just EVs, new technologies a big draw at this year's auto expo

Rediff.com16 Jan 2023

Innovation ranging from exterior designs of vehicles to EV charger locks grabbed eyeballs at the expo

Army rounds up 25 miscreants with arms in Manipur

Army rounds up 25 miscreants with arms in Manipur

Rediff.com29 May 2023

At least 25 miscreants with arms, ammunition and grenades have been rounded up by Indian Army and paramilitary forces across ethnic-strife riven Manipur, officials said on Monday.

Politics prevailed over people's convenience: Raut on sunstroke deaths

Politics prevailed over people's convenience: Raut on sunstroke deaths

Rediff.com17 Apr 2023

There should have been some wisdom applied on how long the programme should be stretched, Raut said.