News for 'Illusion Of India'

'Safeguarding borders is a 24x7 exercise'

'Safeguarding borders is a 24x7 exercise'

Rediff.com4 Nov 2020

'Breaking down silos and ensuring a more integrated governance process is just as important to performance.' 'It has been a major priority in the last six years, especially in national security,' External Affairs Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar points out when delivering the Sardar Patel Memorial Lecture-2020: India and the Post-Covid World.

What the world expects from Biden

What the world expects from Biden

Rediff.com11 Nov 2020

It would be a huge achievement if the new administration manages a successful transition to some sense of domestic and international normalcy in these frantic times marked by the pandemic and rise of illiberal regimes across the world, observes Shreekant Sambrani.

'Magic brings you closer to reality'

'Magic brings you closer to reality'

Rediff.com19 Aug 2004

Lesbian love in the movies

Lesbian love in the movies

Rediff.com17 Jan 2019

Bollywood has dealt with same sex relationships before, but homophobia runs deep.

How India should handle the Ghani visit

How India should handle the Ghani visit

Rediff.com27 Apr 2015

The India-Afghanistan relationship does not have to be a template of each country's relations with Pakistan, and Delhi will do well to leave it to Ghani to redefine the parameters of Afghanistan's security cooperation with India. A zero-sum mindset can only exacerbate regional tensions, says Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

COVID-19: The 21 Day Immunity Plan

COVID-19: The 21 Day Immunity Plan

Rediff.com14 Oct 2020

'I challenge people just do it for a month to see how you feel, okay?'

India is in a timidity trap with China

India is in a timidity trap with China

Rediff.com2 Apr 2014

'The Panchsheel Agreement is unique in the annals of international relations as it stands out as a bizarre illustration of a prime minister trading his country's crucial national interests solely to buffer his personal international image,' feels R N Ravi.

The Poverty Puzzle

The Poverty Puzzle

Rediff.com7 Nov 2019

There's no silver bullet to get rid of poverty, says Alok Sheel.

Senior BJP leader slams Modi for working with G4 to bag UNSC seat

Senior BJP leader slams Modi for working with G4 to bag UNSC seat

Rediff.com26 Sep 2015

Sinha said the G-4 approach of "begging" was "demeaning". Rather, in Sinha's view, India must play a "more active, assertive and high profile role in international political and security issues especially in the fight against the Islamic State".

Taliban Treaty: Pakistan's biggest victory since 1947

Taliban Treaty: Pakistan's biggest victory since 1947

Rediff.com3 Mar 2020

'Pakistan's trump card is that it is the only credible guarantor on the horizon who can reasonably assure the Western world that Afghanistan will not again become the revolving door for international terrorism.' 'Trust Pakistan to play this card optimally,' explains Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Revealed: 5 credit card secrets

Revealed: 5 credit card secrets

Rediff.com30 Nov 2015

Credit cards are no angel or devil. Spending habits and personal finance management make it what it appears to be. Let there be no illusion, think real, be wise.

The anatomy of an ugly protest

The anatomy of an ugly protest

Rediff.com8 Jan 2020

The anti-CAA protest was an ugly rant more consistent with the violent chaos of anarchy, argues Vivek Gumaste.

GDP collapse: 'Policy paralysis in this government'

GDP collapse: 'Policy paralysis in this government'

Rediff.com2 Sep 2020

'It is not simply demonetisation or GST, it is this government's failure to manage the financial sector crisis.'

Salute Akbar for the Azhar trophy!

Salute Akbar for the Azhar trophy!

Rediff.com2 May 2019

'It must be rendering Modi, Amit Shah and Adityanath speechless that the Indian diplomat who lifted the Azhar trophy at the UN in New York is also a Muslim. 'Yes, this is the wonder that was India,' says Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

There isn't going to be a war in the Himalayas

There isn't going to be a war in the Himalayas

Rediff.com7 May 2018

'That is important for Modi politically when he launches a do-or-die campaign seeking a renewed mandate in the 2019 poll,' says Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Opinion: Why Modi deserves another chance

Opinion: Why Modi deserves another chance

Rediff.com8 Jan 2019

'Genuine mistakes can and must be forgiven,' argues Vivek Gumaste.

Here, you can be a part of the painting

Here, you can be a part of the painting

Rediff.com23 May 2016

India's first 3D interactive 'trick art' museum has been inaugurated in Chennai.

What sending Jallikattu to the Oscars means

What sending Jallikattu to the Oscars means

Rediff.com1 Dec 2020

To an award show that's famous for honouring artists belatedly, we have sent as our official entry one of our major film-makers's weakest work yet, feels Sreehari Nair.

Narayana Murthy asks Infosys to make Panaya report public; firm says no

Narayana Murthy asks Infosys to make Panaya report public; firm says no

Rediff.com4 Aug 2017

Murthy's letter comes even as Sikka celebrates the completion of three years at the helm of India's second largest software exporter.

A Season of Spies

A Season of Spies

Rediff.com17 Jun 2018

'Raazi is being hailed for breaking the glass ceiling for Daughters of Bollywood Inc,' says Sunil Sethi.

Modi and the art of distraction

Modi and the art of distraction

Rediff.com20 Sep 2018

'The arrests of Sanatan Sanstha members for committing murder and stockpiling explosives with the alleged intent of committing mass murder must be embarrassing to a majoritarian government,' notes Devangshu Datta.

'I don't believe in marriage for religious reasons'

'I don't believe in marriage for religious reasons'

Rediff.com21 Nov 2019

'Marriage is a practical solution in terms of bureaucracy, but it's not a real validation of whether your relationship is successful or not.'

'Rest of India needs to listen to what the Kashmiris have to say'

'Rest of India needs to listen to what the Kashmiris have to say'

Rediff.com14 Jul 2016

'The Kashmiri wants freedom, the dignity that comes from it and the intellectual versatility that flows from the combination of the two,' says political historian Siddiq Wahid.

What LIC needs to do to turn IDBI Bank profitable

What LIC needs to do to turn IDBI Bank profitable

Rediff.com8 Mar 2019

While IDBI Bank's 140 million customers and 1800-odd branches will come in handy for LIC to hawk insurance, the bank can use LIC's massive agent network to sell its retail loans. But if it is run the same way it had been in the past and LIC is a proxy of the government, then it has no future, says Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Australia to tour Sri Lanka after five years

Australia to tour Sri Lanka after five years

Rediff.com6 Apr 2016

Australia will play their first Test series in Sri Lanka in more than five years, with a three-match series beginning on July 26 in Kandy. The Australians will embark on a two-month tour of the island nation from July 11, playing three Tests, five ODIs and two T20 Internationals. Steve Smith's side leapfrogged India in February to finish the latest 12-month period in first spot on the ICC Test Championship table, while Sri Lanka have dropped to seventh place after a disappointing year following the retirements of legendary batting duo Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena. Only three members of the Australian side that beat the Black Caps in their most recent Test series - Nathan Lyon, Peter Siddle and Usman Khawaja - have experienced Test cricket in Sri Lanka.

Let's find new ways to clean up banking

Let's find new ways to clean up banking

Rediff.com20 May 2019

'In their over-enthusiasm to clean up the system, both the banks and the regulator should not forget that the key to the insolvency law is revival of companies -- recovery of bank dues is an offshoot of that,' points out Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Have you watched these short films?

Have you watched these short films?

Rediff.com5 Mar 2019

Streaming a diverse range of moods and moments, these films are a fairly commendable effort if not always riveting, feels Sukanya Verma.

Sonia to lead Cong march to Rashtrapati Bhavan

Sonia to lead Cong march to Rashtrapati Bhavan

Rediff.com3 Nov 2015

Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi will lead a march to Rashtrapati Bhavan to appeal to President Pranab Mukherjee to use his constitutional powers to end the "atmosphere of intolerance".

BJP's 'communal agenda' grave threat to country's unity: Sonia

BJP's 'communal agenda' grave threat to country's unity: Sonia

Rediff.com7 Apr 2014

Attacking the Bharatiya Janata Party's manifesto containing contentious Hindutva issues, Congress President Sonia Gandhi said their 'communal agenda' was a 'grave threat' to the country's unity and integrity.

When the Empress of India paid homage to Babar

When the Empress of India paid homage to Babar

Rediff.com19 Aug 2014

'The first 55 years of Natwar Singh's life give a fascinating narrative of our diplomacy,' says Ambassador B S Prakash after reading One Life is Not Enough.

Pulwama: Why I can cry no more

Pulwama: Why I can cry no more

Rediff.com23 Feb 2019

Pulwama must become the defining moment in our fight against terror, effecting a sea change in our mindset. The erratic, blow hot blow cold approach, the hallmark of our anti-terror-Pak-Kashmir policy must end. In its place is required a pragmatic, comprehensive, robust hard line course that is relentlessly pursued even in times of relative calm until the final objective is met, namely the eradication of separatism and the total annihilation of terror, says Vivek Gumaste.

Shah: BJP will win more seats than 2014

Shah: BJP will win more seats than 2014

Rediff.com8 Sep 2018

Narendra Modi government is working for 'making India' whereas the Congress is working for 'breaking India'.

Advani takes dig at Modi, says power makes people egoistic

Advani takes dig at Modi, says power makes people egoistic

Rediff.com2 Aug 2013

Bharatiya Janata Party's sulking senior leader Lal Krishna Advani took another dig at Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. Advani said power makes men egotists and ego is the source of corruption. He also said that the rulers should show confidence in the public.

Jai Shri Ram, mob violence and how to tackle it

Jai Shri Ram, mob violence and how to tackle it

Rediff.com17 Jul 2019

Communalising law and order situations is fraught with danger; we need to tread cautiously. Interjecting a communal angle into what is purely a law and order issue does nobody good; it muddies the picture, fuels unrequited passion and distracts us from the core issue, says Vivek Gumaste.

Boom and bust of the Indian economy

Boom and bust of the Indian economy

Rediff.com18 Jan 2016

Private investment will respond only to sustainable reform.

'Congress will be a very distant third in UP'

'Congress will be a very distant third in UP'

Rediff.com26 Mar 2019

'Going from 5% to 8%, 10, 15% of the votes is not going to translate into seats -- so what's the point of going it alone in UP?'

England's best performance in my tenure: Coach Bayliss

England's best performance in my tenure: Coach Bayliss

Rediff.com14 Nov 2016

England coach Trevor Bayliss has dubbed his team's performance in the drawn first Test against India as "the best since he had been with the Alastair Cook-led team". Chasing an improbable target of 310 runs, Indian skipper Virat Kohli and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja hung in as they remained unbeaten on 49 and 32 respectively in a tense final session to deny England victory at the Saurashtra Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Despite the outcome of the opening Test of the five-match series, Bayliss was impressed by the commitment his side had shown in gruelling conditions as well as on surfaces where England players generally struggle.

Smith, Kohli have contrarian views on Ranchi pitch

Smith, Kohli have contrarian views on Ranchi pitch

Rediff.com15 Mar 2017

'I think we've adopted some good plans and played some very good cricket so far in this series. This wicket is no different' 'I've not seen a cricketer who can predict the outcome after seeing a pitch. I think it's hard to assess how much it will turn or seam. That's why it's said cricket is a complicated sport'

Is The Economist right about Modi and the Economy?

Is The Economist right about Modi and the Economy?

Rediff.com25 Jun 2017

'If it is true that we are in a moment in time when the few economic advantages we hold are being lost, our focus must be on that rather than on finger-pointing,' says Aakar Patel.

Modi, master of his craft, is on top of his game

Modi, master of his craft, is on top of his game

Rediff.com11 Mar 2017

'We are in the presence of a truly great politician,' says Aakar Patel.