News for 'Free Society'

Compliant with Indian laws: CPR, Oxfam after I-T raids

Compliant with Indian laws: CPR, Oxfam after I-T raids

Rediff.com9 Sep 2022

The government has cancelled the FCRA registration of nearly 1,900 NGOs for violating various provisions of the law in the last five years. There were 22,762 FCRA-registered organisations till December-end 2021.

Cong's Bharat Jodo Yatra to be a reach out exercise

Cong's Bharat Jodo Yatra to be a reach out exercise

Rediff.com19 May 2022

The Congress will reach out to civil society members and like-minded political groups for the 'Bharat Jodo' yatra from October 2 for rallying support to combat polarisation and protect Constitution, democracy and various institutions, senior party leaders said on Thursday.

BJP steps up reach out to UP's Pasmanda Muslims for a clean sweep in LS polls

BJP steps up reach out to UP's Pasmanda Muslims for a clean sweep in LS polls

Rediff.com23 Oct 2022

In Pasmanda Muslim meets, the BJP leaders are highlighting that the Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and the Congress always used Muslims as a "vote bank" and did not give them their due.

'This is not just a Kerala story, but a Global story'

'This is not just a Kerala story, but a Global story'

Rediff.com12 May 2023

'We should see to it that not even one woman gets radicalised.' 'We should not let even one young man become a jihadi.'

Why This Military Hero Entered Politics

Why This Military Hero Entered Politics

Rediff.com26 Sep 2022

Colonel Ajay Kothiyal, Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra, is one of the most decorated soldiers to join politics. He still has two bullets lodged inside his body sustained in a gun battle with terrorists in J&K.

Gandhis not backing anyone 'directly or indirectly': Tharoor

Gandhis not backing anyone 'directly or indirectly': Tharoor

Rediff.com30 Sep 2022

'In some quarters it has been suggested that there will be an 'official candidate' backed by the leadership but on the contrary, it has been repeatedly stressed by Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in my conversations with them over the last two weeks that the Nehru-Gandhi family welcomes these elections'

On BJP foundation day Modi warns workers against complacency in 2024

On BJP foundation day Modi warns workers against complacency in 2024

Rediff.com6 Apr 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the Bharatiya Janata Party was committed to taking tough steps to rid India of corruption, nepotism and law and order challenges.

Need to fight against Centre's 'dictatorship': Kharge

Need to fight against Centre's 'dictatorship': Kharge

Rediff.com26 Feb 2023

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government of being 'undemocratic', and said people will have to strongly fight against its 'dictatorship' to save democracy.

'Be an entrepreneur in college itself'

'Be an entrepreneur in college itself'

Rediff.com1 Aug 2022

'Even if you fail as an entrepreneur, you can start another business or get a job.'

In final speech as VP Naidu deplores 'freebie culture'

In final speech as VP Naidu deplores 'freebie culture'

Rediff.com9 Aug 2022

The remarks by Naidu in his last address as the country's Vice President came even as Telangana's ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi RS said the welfare of poorer sections of society is not a freebie and that welfare measures taken by governments should continue.

Investing in gold bonds? Read this

Investing in gold bonds? Read this

Rediff.com28 May 2021

Anil Rego, CEO, Right Horizons, answers your personal income tax queries.

Punjab polls: AAP promises 25 lakh jobs, free Wi-Fi hotspots in villages

Punjab polls: AAP promises 25 lakh jobs, free Wi-Fi hotspots in villages

Rediff.com4 Jul 2016

Delhi Chief Minister and AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal unveiled the party's manifesto for the youth. The party, which is aiming to capture power in the state, will come out with separate manifestos for different sections of society.

Journalists move SC seeking inquiry into Pegasus issue

Journalists move SC seeking inquiry into Pegasus issue

Rediff.com27 Jul 2021

The petition, likely to come up for hearing within next few days, sought to investigate if the illegal hacking into the phones using the Pegasus spyware represented an attempt by agencies and organisations to muzzle and chill the exercise of free speech and expression of dissent in India.

SC quashes MediaOne telecast ban, says criticism not anti-establishment

SC quashes MediaOne telecast ban, says criticism not anti-establishment

Rediff.com5 Apr 2023

The Supreme Court on Wednesday quashed the Centre's denial of security clearance to Malayalam news channel MediaOne, and pulled up the ministry of home affairs for raising national security claims in "thin air" without facts.

Modi to launch 5G services on Oct 1

Modi to launch 5G services on Oct 1

Rediff.com30 Sep 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the much-awaited 5G services in India on October 1, 2022, an official release said on Friday. According to the release, 5G to be launched by the Prime Minister in select cities, will progressively cover the entire country over the next couple of years. The cumulative economic impact of 5G on India is estimated to reach $450 billion by 2035. Capable of supporting ultra-high-speed internet services, the fifth generation or 5G is expected to unleash new economic opportunities and societal benefits, serving as a transformational force for Indian society.

'Busy with Karnataka, BJP did not pay heed to Manipur'

'Busy with Karnataka, BJP did not pay heed to Manipur'

Rediff.com8 May 2023

'As soon as the violence broke out, they should have stepped in and sent a message that the state is there to stop this violence.' 'Had they done it right there, the situation would not have gone out of control.'

Why did Kerala governor fast against dowry?

Why did Kerala governor fast against dowry?

Rediff.com15 Jul 2021

'What we see today is bargaining.' 'The man's family sets a price for him and then they start bargaining.' 'He is sold to the family that offers the highest price.' 'In this market, a woman is just a commodity to be sold because if she remained at home, it is a humiliation for the family.'

After meeting Modi, Sunak approves new visa scheme for Indian youth

After meeting Modi, Sunak approves new visa scheme for Indian youth

Rediff.com16 Nov 2022

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday green lit a new youth mobility partnership scheme that will offer 3,000 visas to 18-30-year-old degree-educated Indians every year to live and work in the United Kingdom for up to two years.

Obama praises England footballer Rashford for child food poverty work

Obama praises England footballer Rashford for child food poverty work

Rediff.com28 May 2021

Former US President Barack Obama has praised England forward Marcus Rashford for his work tackling child food poverty and the two discussed by video call how young people can make an impact on society.

Almost Pyaar with DJ Mohabbat Review: What An Exciting Performer Alaya F Is!

Almost Pyaar with DJ Mohabbat Review: What An Exciting Performer Alaya F Is!

Rediff.com3 Feb 2023

Hands down, the winner of Anurag Kashyap's patriarchy and privilege pooh-poohing exercise is Amit Trivedi and Shellee's spirited soundtrack, notes Sukanya Verma.

From Kingsway to Kartavya Path, the journey of majestic Rajpath

From Kingsway to Kartavya Path, the journey of majestic Rajpath

Rediff.com8 Sep 2022

From witnessing the dawn of Independence to playing host to annual Republic Day celebrations for over seven decades, the historic Rajpath in India's power capital has seen the colonial rule and basked in the glory of a free, democratic nation.

I-B Minister Javadekar criticises 'TRP-centric' journalism

I-B Minister Javadekar criticises 'TRP-centric' journalism

Rediff.com23 Nov 2020

He also asserted that the freedom of press has to be preserved at any cost in a democracy but media should remember that freedom comes with responsibility.

Elon Musk plans layoff at Twitter before Nov 1, seeks staffers' list: Report

Elon Musk plans layoff at Twitter before Nov 1, seeks staffers' list: Report

Rediff.com30 Oct 2022

Citing people with knowledge of the situation, the report said that some managers were being asked to "draw up lists of employees to cut."

Change in authority in Kabul was neither through negotiations, nor inclusive: India

Change in authority in Kabul was neither through negotiations, nor inclusive: India

Rediff.com13 Oct 2021

Addressing the UNSC High Level Open Debate on 'Peacebuilding and sustaining peace: Diversity, state building and the search for peace', Muraleedharan said the expectations of the international community on Afghanistan, including on combating terrorism, are set out clearly in the UN Security Council Resolution 2593, that was adopted under India's Presidency of the 15-nation Council in August.

Does Modi Govt Hate Human Rights Defenders?

Does Modi Govt Hate Human Rights Defenders?

Rediff.com22 Jul 2022

Our government shows a benign mask to the world behind which its fangs are bared against its own citizens, observes Aakar Patel.

Twitter to form content moderation council for major decisions: Musk

Twitter to form content moderation council for major decisions: Musk

Rediff.com29 Oct 2022

Musk has not yet offered details about how his content moderation council will work.

'They don't see sunlight for years'

'They don't see sunlight for years'

Rediff.com1 Sep 2022

'Is it not deplorable that even after 75 years of independence, there are people in our society who have been denied freedom?'

SC cancels bail to MP student leader in rape case, quashes HC order

SC cancels bail to MP student leader in rape case, quashes HC order

Rediff.com5 May 2022

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice NV Ramana noted that the sole ground on which bail has been granted by the high court is the delay on the part of the appellant/complainant in lodging the FIR, without offering any plausible explanation for the same.

'Let the good times roll', Elon Musk tweets on 1st morning as Twitter boss

'Let the good times roll', Elon Musk tweets on 1st morning as Twitter boss

Rediff.com28 Oct 2022

Billionaire Elon Musk has completed his $44 billion takeover of Twitter and fired the social media company's four top executives, including CEO Parag Agrawal and legal executive Vijaya Gadde. The New York Times said that Musk, the world's richest man, closed the deal to buy Twitter on Thursday. Citing people with knowledge of the situation, the report said that Musk "has started cleaning house at Twitter with the firings of at least four top executives". The Twitter executives who were fired include Agrawal, Gadde, chief financial officer Ned Segal and general counsel Sean Edgett.

Trump signs executive orders banning TikTok, Wechat

Trump signs executive orders banning TikTok, Wechat

Rediff.com7 Aug 2020

Trump said the spread in the United States of mobile applications developed and owned by the companies in China continues to threaten the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the country.

'Average Muslim in UP can't run away'

'Average Muslim in UP can't run away'

Rediff.com10 Mar 2022

'He won't be able to migrate; he must survive in that environment.' 'He will go back after the election to becoming invisible.'

Anti-doping bill introduced in Lok Sabha

Anti-doping bill introduced in Lok Sabha

Rediff.com17 Dec 2021

Many federations and former athletes alike have been calling for an anti-doping legislation to implement the existing rules.

Toolkit row: Twitter calls out intimidation by police

Toolkit row: Twitter calls out intimidation by police

Rediff.com27 May 2021

Twitter said it will continue to be strictly guided by principles of transparency, a commitment to empowering every voice on the service, and protecting freedom of expression and privacy under the rule of law.

Punjab polls: Cong woos voters with Rs 1,100 per month for women, 1L jobs

Punjab polls: Cong woos voters with Rs 1,100 per month for women, 1L jobs

Rediff.com18 Feb 2022

The party also promised to end the mafia raj by creating corporations for the sale of liquor and sand mining.

Democracy about being with people, within people: Modi

Democracy about being with people, within people: Modi

Rediff.com10 Dec 2021

In a virtual address at the Summit for Democracy hosted by US President Joe Biden, Modi said India would be happy to share its expertise in holding free and fair elections and in enhancing transparency in all areas of governance.

Transgenders march 'free' on Mumbai roads

Transgenders march 'free' on Mumbai roads

Rediff.com17 Aug 2008

Amidst a sizeable police presence, lesbians, gays, transgenders and people who support them marched their distance without any interference by the 'moral police'.

Tatas in talks with Taiwan firms to make chips in India

Tatas in talks with Taiwan firms to make chips in India

Rediff.com22 Dec 2021

Tata Group is in discussions with some major international companies, including those from Taiwan, for its foray into the semiconductor chip business. The Union government had earlier tried to bring in Taiwanese manufacturers Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) for chip manufacturing in India. A person close to the development said the Tatas have now opened a separate channel for a possible tie-up. Currently, India mostly imports chips, which are fabricated and assembled to put into various applications, including automobiles, renewable power, mobile phones, televisions, and other electronic items.

Punjab HC quashes FIRs against Vishwas, Bagga for anti-Kejri statements

Punjab HC quashes FIRs against Vishwas, Bagga for anti-Kejri statements

Rediff.com12 Oct 2022

The Punjab and Haryana high court on Wednesday quashed two separate FIRs registered against former AAP leader Kumar Vishwas and BJP's Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga by the Punjab police over their statements against AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal.

Global Corruption Index And Its Imperialist Past

Global Corruption Index And Its Imperialist Past

Rediff.com20 Feb 2022

With corruption rankings, the White-Anglo-Saxon-White Caucasian countries have succeeded in discovering a replacement for the old form of imperialistically deracinating the rest of the world, argues Sudarshan Madabushi.

Ethical Code to keep doctor, drugmaker nexus at bay not mandatory yet

Ethical Code to keep doctor, drugmaker nexus at bay not mandatory yet

Rediff.com22 Aug 2022

'Gift-giving' - from free dinners and drug samples to promotional merchandise - seems to be driving drugmakers' marketing - a marketing prescription deeply entrenched in the industry. This is a well-oiled racket that sees pharmaceutical (pharma) companies 'gifting' doctors to push their respective drugs under the guise of marketing. But is there a cure in sight to end this unhealthy alliance? The recent controversy following the income-tax raids on Bengaluru-based drugmaker Micro Labs, makers of popular paracetamol brand Dolo-650, has brought this to the fore, again.