News for 'Historic letters'

Final NRC draft released in Assam, fate of 40 lakh hangs in balance

Final NRC draft released in Assam, fate of 40 lakh hangs in balance

Rediff.com30 Jul 2018

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the "historic day will remain etched in their memories forever".

Nila Vikhe Patil, Swedish politics' Indian star

Nila Vikhe Patil, Swedish politics' Indian star

Rediff.com13 Mar 2019

Her great grandfather began sugar co-operatives in Maharashtra. Her grandfather was an eight time MP. Her uncle is currently leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra assembly. Her cousin joined the BJP on Tuesday, March 12. Nila Vikhe Patil, who could one day become prime minister of Sweden, unravels her India connections in an e-mail interaction with Rediff.com's Vaihayasi Pande Daniel.

A Hungarian invention that helped the British in WWII

A Hungarian invention that helped the British in WWII

Rediff.com15 Mar 2017

Tracing the early life of the humble ballpoint pen to its present.

Kejirwal to be sworn in as Delhi CM on Saturday at Ramlila Maidan

Kejirwal to be sworn in as Delhi CM on Saturday at Ramlila Maidan

Rediff.com25 Dec 2013

Activist-turned-politician Arvind Kejriwal will take oath as Delhi's seventh chief minister on Saturday at historic Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi, capping his party's stunning electoral debut in the December 4 assembly polls. The date for the swearing-in ceremony was finalised at a meeting Kejriwal held with Chief Secretary D M Spolia.

The army needs a new strategy for Kashmir

The army needs a new strategy for Kashmir

Rediff.com1 Jul 2017

'A new doctrine now needs to be evolved for a new situation, and the army will do it.' 'You won't see more Kashmiris driven in front of army columns.' 'Nor will the army massacre hundreds, Dyer style,' says Shekhar Gupta.

3 tactical changes Modi & co need to make

3 tactical changes Modi & co need to make

Rediff.com29 Apr 2016

The prime minister sees himself as the "vikas purush". But realising his government's agenda for development requires not just a more efficient administration but also a credible implementation plan, says Nitin Desai.

60 years on: Unforgiving legacy of the Panchsheel Agreement

60 years on: Unforgiving legacy of the Panchsheel Agreement

Rediff.com29 Apr 2014

It is a dark legacy bequeathed by Nehru to India. In its DNA lies the subconscious fount of India's schizophrenic geopolitics that forsook in one sweep all its historically-entrenched strategic interests in Tibet in favour of China, says R N Ravi, on the 60th anniversary of the Panchsheel Agreement.

How India drowned Pakistan's voice in America

How India drowned Pakistan's voice in America

Rediff.com4 May 2017

The start of Indian lobbying in the US can be traced back to Pakistan's anti-India lobbying. Policy wonk Ashok Sharma documents this journey and its catalytic role in transforming the US-India relationship.

The chosen one: Fadnavis to be Maharashtra's next CM

The chosen one: Fadnavis to be Maharashtra's next CM

Rediff.com28 Oct 2014

Fadnavis, BJP's state unit chief and MLA from Nagpur Southwest constituency, was unanimously chosen at the legislative party meeting at Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai.

War of words over demonetisation intensifies

War of words over demonetisation intensifies

Rediff.com19 Nov 2016

The sabre-rattling between parties on rival sides of the political divide over demonetisation showed no signs of softening on Saturday with the government accusing Congress of engaging in "fear mongering" and the latter hitting back calling the exercise a "not well thought out move" whose after-effects will last long.

PM declassifies 100 files on Netaji Subhas Bose

PM declassifies 100 files on Netaji Subhas Bose

Rediff.com23 Jan 2016

The files, digitised and given "preliminary conservation treatment" by the National Archives of India, were released on the birth anniversary of Netaji.

Hindu anger led BJP's coastal Karnataka win

Hindu anger led BJP's coastal Karnataka win

Rediff.com25 May 2018

'Hindu voters in coastal Karnataka lean more towards Hindutva than Hinduism which explains why the Siddaramaiah government's perception as anti-Hindu worked wonders for the BJP in coastal Karnataka.'

Modi's visit re-energises India-US ties: White House

Modi's visit re-energises India-US ties: White House

Rediff.com3 Oct 2014

Describing the just concluded United States visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as extraordinarily successful, the White House has said that his meeting with President Barack Obama has re-energised the strategic relationship between the two largest democracies of the world.

The morning-after principle

The morning-after principle

Rediff.com11 Jun 2014

Humanitarian intervention has little meaning unless the international community is willing to engage in the aftermath, says Shyam Saran.

Sridhar Srinivasan: A life dedicated to the working class struggle

Sridhar Srinivasan: A life dedicated to the working class struggle

Rediff.com29 Sep 2015

'Sridhar had the ability to paint a vision, for an activist faced with the toughest personal problems so as to see a way out by combining one's personal desires with the needs of the movement.' Arun Ferreira remembers his fallen comrade Sridhar Srinivasan.

RSS: 'Pranab has demolished Congress propaganda'

RSS: 'Pranab has demolished Congress propaganda'

Rediff.com8 Jun 2018

'For the last 10 years the Congress made the RSS an idea of intolerance, anti-minority, especially anti-Muslim, and an idea of fascism.' 'That has been demolished now by Pranab Mukherjee.'

TN may have the answer for fishermen issue, but what about funds?

TN may have the answer for fishermen issue, but what about funds?

Rediff.com22 Feb 2016

It maybe time for the Centre to take a closer look at Chief Minister Jayalalitha's innovative' solution to a long-pending problem, says N Sathiya Moorthy.

Why is Sanjay Leela Bhansali being targeted?

Why is Sanjay Leela Bhansali being targeted?

Rediff.com31 Jan 2017

'The film industry will remain soft targets and continue to be picked upon with no respite, with no choice but to give in due to personal safety and financial compulsions,' says director Suparn Verma.

Remembering Sonali Dasgupta-Rossellini

Remembering Sonali Dasgupta-Rossellini

Rediff.com12 Jun 2014

Rinki Roy Bhattacharya pays tribute to her aunt Sonali Dasgupta, who eloped with filmmaker Roberto Rossellini in 1956, and then made a life in Europe.

FULL TEXT of PM's address to the nation

FULL TEXT of PM's address to the nation

Rediff.com31 Dec 2016

The patience, discipline, and resolve displayed by 125 crore Indians, will play a critical role in shaping the future of the nation for years to come, the PM said.

Review: Satyamev Jayate continues to probe our conscience

Review: Satyamev Jayate continues to probe our conscience

Rediff.com2 Mar 2014

Aamir Khan's unsettling revelations on rape contradict the gleaming lines of his introduction speech -- Hindustan badal raha hai, ek laher si chal rahi hai.Sukanya Verma reviews the Episode 1 of Satyamev Jayate's second season

Why Modi is absolutely wrong to compare Kerala with Somalia

Why Modi is absolutely wrong to compare Kerala with Somalia

Rediff.com13 May 2016

Comparing a state like Kerala with a nation like Somalia shows disconnect unbecoming of a prime minister, says Uttaresh Venkateshwaran.

'We are on the verge of a student movement'

'We are on the verge of a student movement'

Rediff.com29 Mar 2016

'... A youth movement which could really transform our politics in a way that the existing elites don't understand.' 'The more you suppress free expression, the more people will value it.' 'The State can't suppress a young society like India where there are so many interesting new ideas emerging,' says Sunil Khilnani, whose latest book Incarnations looks at Indian history through 50 lives.

Khushwant Singh remembers Indira Gandhi

Khushwant Singh remembers Indira Gandhi

Rediff.com18 Nov 2017

'In her insecurity, she destroyed the institutions of democracy.' 'She packed Parliament with her supporters with loyalty being more important than ability; she superseded judges; she corrupted the civil service.' 'She knew how to use people against each other and was quite a master of that.' 'She would do this with calculated skill and in the bargain cause enmity between brothers, split up families.'

Review: Rituparno Ghosh's Satyanweshi disappoints

Review: Rituparno Ghosh's Satyanweshi disappoints

Rediff.com6 Sep 2013

Rituparno Ghosh's swansong Satyanweshi is a bit of a letdown, according to Indrani Roy.

Changing your brand logo? Few things that can make or kill business

Changing your brand logo? Few things that can make or kill business

Rediff.com13 Apr 2015

A new logo can harm image than doing good, say experts.

Why PM needs a Parrikar 2.0 as Raksha Mantri

Why PM needs a Parrikar 2.0 as Raksha Mantri

Rediff.com14 Mar 2017

In 28 months, Manohar Parrikar as defence minister developed easy relationships with the top brass of the three Services as was rarely ever witnessed before. He threw caution to the winds and managed to pull the forces out of a downward spiral in operational capabilities.

Manchester United find their Angel of the North

Manchester United find their Angel of the North

Rediff.com16 Sep 2014

Angel Di Maria, with all the abundant gifts that make him at nearly 60 million pounds the most expensive signing in English football, may have found a club where he could again become the king, not some undervalued courtier.

The India I imagined is not allowed to exist

The India I imagined is not allowed to exist

Rediff.com14 Mar 2014

Anwesha Bhattacharya-Arya writes an open letter to the President on the sorry state of affairs in India.

'Common sense is shrinking in India today'

'Common sense is shrinking in India today'

Rediff.com9 Dec 2014

'We saw how vigorous democracy was when it dislodged authoritarianism under Indira Gandhi. We saw its vigour again when it voted Mr Modi out of humble origins as prime minister. It was Nehru who laid that foundation for India and what is worrying today is Modi's rather imperial style of functioning,' says writer Nayantara Sahgal.

'Indira played politics with the ease of a sleepwalker'

'Indira played politics with the ease of a sleepwalker'

Rediff.com13 Jul 2017

'She was once asked what the secret to political leadership was and she said it was the ability to like all kinds of people.' 'I don't think Rahul fundamentally likes people -- that's probably why he can't deal with them and it shows.' 'Sonia is a more talented political mobiliser than her son, but I think the decline of the Congress set in in 1969...'

'The lady told me her name is Sheena Bora'

'The lady told me her name is Sheena Bora'

Rediff.com7 Jul 2018

That answer, the strangest of all till date in this courtroom, set off a ripple of excitement, surprise and muted amusement among those present, including Accused No 1 Indrani Mukerjea.

Why Bajirao is India's greatest cavalry general

Why Bajirao is India's greatest cavalry general

Rediff.com23 Dec 2015

Bajirao, an unorthodox leader, faced much opposition during his lifetime from the Brahmins of Pune. In the last hundred years or so, he has been ignored due to caste politics in Maharashtra where he has become a 'non person' for having been born a Brahmin, says Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Why Bajirao Mastani has upset two families

Why Bajirao Mastani has upset two families

Rediff.com15 Dec 2015

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Bajirao Mastani has ruffled quite a few feathers among the descendants of the Peshwa and his Muslim wife.

India honours its most talented and bravest kids

India honours its most talented and bravest kids

Rediff.com14 Nov 2014

With a medal, a commemoration letter and a pat of encouragement on their shoulders, President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday handed the National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement to 20 talented and brave children on the occasion of Children's Day.

God, math, and Ramanujan's fascinating story

God, math, and Ramanujan's fascinating story

Rediff.com22 Dec 2016

December 22 marks the 129th birth anniversary of Srinivasa Ramanujan, the greatest Indian mathematician of our time. Just 32 when he died, Ramanujan has fascinated mathematicians, writers and filmmakers for nearly a century.

Aadhaar is against Arthashastra, Hadith and Bible

Aadhaar is against Arthashastra, Hadith and Bible

Rediff.com9 Oct 2017

It emerges that not only does the CIDR project fails the test of fairness, justness and reasonableness besides the test of not being fanciful, oppressive or arbitrary; it also fails the test of Arthashastra, Hadith and the Bible.

'Independence Day': Britain parts ways with EU

'Independence Day': Britain parts ways with EU

Rediff.com24 Jun 2016

The United Kingdom has voted by 51.9 per cent to 48.1 per cent to leave the European Union after 43 years in an historic referendum.

India, the lamb state

India, the lamb state

Rediff.com18 May 2014

'Until India fully absorbs the fundamentals of international relations, it will continue to get evil for good,' says Brahma Chellaney.

'Judi Dench is obsessed with India'

'Judi Dench is obsessed with India'

Rediff.com18 Sep 2017

'He cooked chicken curry and so because of him, curries entered the British royal kitchens.' 'Eventually, he became a political advisor to the queen.' 'This guy was disrupting the royal household. It sent shockwaves...' Ali Fazal on his character Abdul Karim and working with acting legend Judi Dench.