News for 'Free Society'

Marathi actress remanded till May 18 for posts against Sharad Pawar

Marathi actress remanded till May 18 for posts against Sharad Pawar

Rediff.com15 May 2022

Chitale, 29, a film and TV actress, was arrested by the Thane police on Saturday over a post she allegedly shared on her Facebook page.

'We Want To Develop Dharavi Like Hong Kong'

'We Want To Develop Dharavi Like Hong Kong'

Rediff.com22 Feb 2023

'Dharavi will be completely slum free by 2040'

RSS's Muslim wing comes out in support of 'hijab', says 'purdah' part of Indian culture

RSS's Muslim wing comes out in support of 'hijab', says 'purdah' part of Indian culture

Rediff.com10 Feb 2022

The Muslim Rashtriya Manch, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's Muslim wing, has backed the burqa-clad student who was heckled by youth shouting 'Jai Shri Ram' slogans at a Karnataka college, saying 'purdah' is a part of Indian culture.

Will not join hands with ex-ally BJP: Sukhbir Badal

Will not join hands with ex-ally BJP: Sukhbir Badal

Rediff.com23 Nov 2021

The old alliance between the BJP and the SAD broke last year when the Shiromani Akali Dal quit the National Democratic Alliance over the farm laws.

'Spirituality, in its true sense, is the need of the hour'

'Spirituality, in its true sense, is the need of the hour'

Rediff.com20 Nov 2015

'When you go to the root cause of any strife or violence, you find an agitated mind. If this agitation is not dealt with, then any other solution will be temporary and not as effective.' 'This is where meditation and the breathing techniques play a crucial role in creating a crime-free, violence-free society.'

Freebie culture made into art for fighting polls, will lead to disaster: Govt to SC

Freebie culture made into art for fighting polls, will lead to disaster: Govt to SC

Rediff.com11 Aug 2022

In a response to the August 3 order, the Centre, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, said till the time either the legislature or the poll panel steps in, the top court must lay down "dos and don'ts" for political parties in the 'larger national interest.'

Inspiring! This Marathoner wants you to break free

Inspiring! This Marathoner wants you to break free

Rediff.com18 Jan 2017

Partially paralysed but with unbreakable will power and determination, Nihad Panju has beaten the odds to become a fitness freak and is all set to run his 4th Mumbai Marathon on Sunday.

51% girls will cancel wedding if in-laws demand dowry: Survey

51% girls will cancel wedding if in-laws demand dowry: Survey

Rediff.com31 Dec 2014

When single Indian women were asked in a survey by Shaadi.com about what they would do if they learnt about a dowry demand made to their parents, 51.4 per cent women said they would call off their wedding.

How Pullampara Became India's 1st Digital Literate Village

How Pullampara Became India's 1st Digital Literate Village

Rediff.com26 Apr 2023

Shobha Warrier/Rediff.com travels to Pullampara to discover how it became India's first digital literate village.

Google to comply with India's IT rules, says Pichai

Google to comply with India's IT rules, says Pichai

Rediff.com27 May 2021

Google is committed to complying with local laws and engages constructively with governments as they scrutinise and adopt regulatory frameworks to keep pace with the fast evolving technology landscape, its CEO Sundar Pichai said on Thursday.

'Are you from the land of yoga?'

'Are you from the land of yoga?'

Rediff.com29 Mar 2023

'If I were to say, I had the best vegetarian food in my life in Vietnam, nobody would believe me.' 'When I proclaimed this to my friends, they didn't believe me. I had to show them the pictures and make them drool!!'

Will honour his memory by...: Quad leaders mourn Abe

Will honour his memory by...: Quad leaders mourn Abe

Rediff.com9 Jul 2022

Leaders of India, Australia and the United States -- countries that make up the Quad with Japan -- expressed shock at the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, saying he played a 'formative role' in the founding of the partnership and worked tirelessly to advance a shared vision for a free and open strategically-important Indo-Pacific region.

The son of a coolie who became a doctor and delivers girl children free of cost

The son of a coolie who became a doctor and delivers girl children free of cost

Rediff.com21 Dec 2015

Dr Ganesh Rakh has delivered 436 baby girls free of charge. The son of a coolie and housemaid, the good doctor wants to change the mindset of a 'boy- obsessed' society.

Ambedkar posters in saffron robes stoke row in TN

Ambedkar posters in saffron robes stoke row in TN

Rediff.com7 Dec 2022

As the posters suddenly sprang up in Kumbakonam, the VCK members staged an agitation demanding stringent action on the Indu Makkal Katchi for their affront on Ambedkar.

Glam Up Your I-Day Look

Glam Up Your I-Day Look

Rediff.com13 Aug 2021

Stylish outfit ideas for your Independence Day celebration.

Freedom of religion doesn't include right to convert: Gujarat in SC

Freedom of religion doesn't include right to convert: Gujarat in SC

Rediff.com4 Dec 2022

The Gujarat high court had through its orders dated August 19 and August 26, 2021 had stayed the operation of section 5 of the state government's Freedom of Religion Act of 2003.

Alt News co-founder Zubair sent to 4-day police custody over 2018 tweet

Alt News co-founder Zubair sent to 4-day police custody over 2018 tweet

Rediff.com28 Jun 2022

Police had sought an extension of Zubair's custody by five days.

Maha govt draws ire for sunstroke deaths as toll rises

Maha govt draws ire for sunstroke deaths as toll rises

Rediff.com17 Apr 2023

Labour union leader Shrirang Barge said the state government would have known Dharmadhikari has a massive following and that the event would have attracted several lakh people, so why were arrangements for water, shade etc, missing.

The Fabelmans Review: Spielberg At His Best!

The Fabelmans Review: Spielberg At His Best!

Rediff.com9 Feb 2023

Spielberg was born with a camera in his eye. And this one movie, he'd been recording all his life, observes Sukanya Verma.

Modern Indian women don't want to give birth: K'taka min

Modern Indian women don't want to give birth: K'taka min

Rediff.com10 Oct 2021

Karnataka health minister Dr K Sudhakar on Sunday claimed that modern Indian women want to stay single, unwilling to give birth even after marriage and desire children by surrogacy.

Rushdie brouhaha is another strike against Free Speech

Rushdie brouhaha is another strike against Free Speech

Rediff.com18 Jan 2012

When Truth dies along with it dies the 'Fabric of Trust' that holds nations and societies together. From raising dishonest questions over the Batla House encounter to raising false bogeys over the Rushdie visit, the Congress stands guilty of causing irreversible damage to that fabric of trust, says Shashi Shekhar.

Can Mann-Kejriwal Tackle Punjab's Many Challenges?

Can Mann-Kejriwal Tackle Punjab's Many Challenges?

Rediff.com17 Mar 2022

Kejriwal's centralised way of governance might work in Delhi, but Punjab will call for delegation, observes Sanjeev Nayyar.

PSBs not going to raise bank charges in near future: FinMin

PSBs not going to raise bank charges in near future: FinMin

Rediff.com3 Nov 2020

The ministry of finance on Tuesday clarified that public sector banks (PSBs) have intimated they are not going to raise bank charges in the near future in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ministry's statement comes after several media reports citing steep increase in service charges by certain PSBs surfaced. No service charge is applicable on the 60.04 crore Basic Savings Bank Deposit (BSBD) accounts, including 41.13 crore Jan Dhan accounts opened by the poor segments of the society, as per the statement.

Sitharaman may announce 2nd coronavirus relief package this week

Sitharaman may announce 2nd coronavirus relief package this week

Rediff.com6 Apr 2020

The finance ministry is working on a second relief package for the Indian economy hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak and the 21-day nationwide lockdown imposed to curb the contagion, sources said. Last month, the government announced a Rs 1.70 lakh crore relief package in the form of foodgrains and cash transfers for the poor and vulnerable section of the society to help them deal with the hardships caused by the lockdown. Now, the government is working on a stimulus to be given to hard-hit sectors of the economy after the lockdown is lifted, sources said, adding that an announcement is expected in the next few days depending on the severity of the pandemic.

'Let people breathe clean air': SC, HC reject plea against absolute cracker ban

'Let people breathe clean air': SC, HC reject plea against absolute cracker ban

Rediff.com20 Oct 2022

Noting the pendency of issues related to firecrackers before the Supreme Court, the Delhi high court on Thursday refused to entertain a petition challenging Delhi Pollution Control Committee's complete ban on sale and use of all kinds of firecrackers.

Markaz attendees from 5 countries let off on fine

Markaz attendees from 5 countries let off on fine

Rediff.com14 Jul 2020

Metropolitan Magistrate Dev Choudhary allowed foreigners from Djibouti, Mali, Kenya and 17 Sri Lankans to walk free on payment of a fine of Rs 5,000 each, said advocate Ashima Mandla, appearing for them.

Resolution seeking probe into Stan Swamy's death introduced in US Congress

Resolution seeking probe into Stan Swamy's death introduced in US Congress

Rediff.com6 Jul 2022

A resolution commemorating the life of Indian human rights defender Father Stan Swamy and seeking an independent investigation into the death of the Jesuit priest has been introduced in the US Congress, Congressman Juan Vargas has said.

Salman Rushdie off ventilator, able to talk

Salman Rushdie off ventilator, able to talk

Rediff.com14 Aug 2022

Salman Rushdie has been taken off a ventilator and was able to talk, a day after the Mumbai-born author was stabbed, in what US authorities said was a 'targeted, unprovoked, preplanned' attack.

Tripura violence: SC grants protection to 3 charged with UAPA

Tripura violence: SC grants protection to 3 charged with UAPA

Rediff.com18 Nov 2021

A bench comprising Chief Justice N V Ramana and Justices D Y Chandrachud and Surya Kant also issued a notice to the Agartala police on the plea filed by advocates, Mukesh and Ansarul Haq, and journalist Shyam Meera Singh against lodging of the FIR.

Pathan brothers provide COVID aid

Pathan brothers provide COVID aid

Rediff.com25 May 2021

Irfan and Yusuf have been providing COVID-related help.

India, The Electoral Autocracy

India, The Electoral Autocracy

Rediff.com25 Oct 2022

'The most important priority for the next 25 years should be to strengthen our democracy so that it is supportive of social harmony, and to not just respect but to take pride in the diversity of Indian society in terms of the variety of languages, religion and religious practices and social norms,' explains Nitin Desai.

Hospitality industry set for buoyant 2023

Hospitality industry set for buoyant 2023

Rediff.com19 Dec 2022

The domestic hospitality industry is looking to 'fly' in 2023 cashing in on India's G20 presidency, having received the 'oxygen' to run in 2022 after being crippled in the past two years by the pandemic. Domestic travel, especially the leisure segment, gave wind to the industry this year and is expected to continue into the next. Industry players believe that as international arrivals are also likely to pick up even further, the outlook for 2023 is buoyant.

Freedom of religion does not include right to convert others, govt tells SC

Freedom of religion does not include right to convert others, govt tells SC

Rediff.com28 Nov 2022

The Centre told the Supreme Court on Monday that religious freedom does not include a fundamental right to convert other people to a particular religion and that it certainly does not embrace the right to convert an individual through fraud, deception, coercion or allurement.

India natural ally of G7: Modi

India natural ally of G7: Modi

Rediff.com13 Jun 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said India is a natural ally for the G7 countries in defending the shared values from a host of threats stemming from authoritarianism, terrorism and violent extremism, disinformation and economic coercion.

Ex-bureaucrats defend Modi, bash critical colleagues

Ex-bureaucrats defend Modi, bash critical colleagues

Rediff.com30 Apr 2022

The group said it does not believe the open letter to Modi by the Constitutional Conduct Group -- the name of the association of former bureaucrats -- had "sincere motivations".

Jallikattu Verdict A Victory For Tamil Youth Power

Jallikattu Verdict A Victory For Tamil Youth Power

Rediff.com22 May 2023

They just wanted their angst noticed, and as a symbol of recognition, Jallikattu, restored without the annual ritual of court cases and adjournments, explains N Sathya Moorthy.

India will not be an ally of US, but another great power: WH official

India will not be an ally of US, but another great power: WH official

Rediff.com9 Dec 2022

Kurt Campbell, the White House Asia Coordinator, said that in his view India is the most important bilateral relationship for the United States in the 21st century.

India trashes Pak's claim of role in attack near Hafiz Saeed's house

India trashes Pak's claim of role in attack near Hafiz Saeed's house

Rediff.com8 Jul 2021

At a media briefing, ministry of external affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi asked Pakistan to focus on setting its own house in order in containing terror networks and said that the international community is well aware of that country's credentials when it comes to terrorism.

Salman parties with...

Salman parties with...

Rediff.com25 Nov 2021

Farah shoots with Karan and Manish... Look, who Amitabh has as his guests on KBC... Varun gives us Bhediya...

Indians feel many religions can live, practice freely: Pew

Indians feel many religions can live, practice freely: Pew

Rediff.com29 Jun 2021

"Indians see religious tolerance as a central part of who they are as a nation. Across the major religious groups, most people say it is very important to respect all religions to be 'truly Indian'.