News for 'Image Free Basics'

'Relax son, it's just advertising'

'Relax son, it's just advertising'

Rediff.com8 Aug 2016

'Cynics don't make it big in advertising.' 'Often, the medium calls for a rock-like commitment to puny, easily digestible ideas.' 'Here's a text that understands this facet of advertising and one that keeps its tone breezy and reporter-like; that's set across a wide canvas but one that never overstates its own importance,' says Sreehari Nair.

'We are here because of Modi and Obama's vision'

'We are here because of Modi and Obama's vision'

Rediff.com26 Apr 2016

'Big countries do not agree on every set of issues.' 'Look, one of the differences in the relationship is that when we do not agree, we are sitting down and talking to each other.'

In Delhi, it's a battle of the poor versus the middle class

In Delhi, it's a battle of the poor versus the middle class

Rediff.com2 Feb 2015

In Delhi, the poor are pitted against the middle class, with the former led by Arvind Kejriwal and the latter by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Ee.Ma.Yau: Four deaths, two burials and a film for the ages

Ee.Ma.Yau: Four deaths, two burials and a film for the ages

Rediff.com25 May 2018

Part of what make Ee.Ma.Yau so special is its ability to focus our attention on things that conventional movies throw away under the pretext of storytelling, says Sreehari Nair.

After long wait, India, France ink deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets

After long wait, India, France ink deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets

Rediff.com24 Sep 2016

The deal which is worth 7.87-billion (Rs 58,363 crore) comes with a saving of nearly 750 million (Rs 5,611 crore).

The cost of worshipping Shahabuddin

The cost of worshipping Shahabuddin

Rediff.com22 Sep 2016

'At least 6,000 people attended a meal at Shahabuddin's residence in a feast to celebrate his bail. As if the community has no other priorities of channelising such funds for better purposes!,' says Mohammad Sajjad.

'The entire team of Jigarthanda deserves the National Award'

'The entire team of Jigarthanda deserves the National Award'

Rediff.com27 Mar 2015

33-year-old Vivek Harshan bagged the National Award for Best Editor for Jigarthanda.

Bose: Dead/Alive: Pop-mythology series

Bose: Dead/Alive: Pop-mythology series

Rediff.com21 Nov 2017

'When Rajkummar Rao plays Bose with his tummy jutting out, Buddha Ears, his mouth puffed, and his talk straight, it feels more like an echo piece than a real person,' feels Sreehari Nair.

Pilot study in 3 UTs shows why cash in lieu of PDS won't work

Pilot study in 3 UTs shows why cash in lieu of PDS won't work

Rediff.com3 Feb 2017

The research found that 50% of the people were receiving either nothing or less cash than they were entitled in lieu of the subsidised grains that were stopped under the pilots starting from September 2015 till May 2016.

3 factors that suggest India is on the right path to recovery

3 factors that suggest India is on the right path to recovery

Rediff.com17 Nov 2014

Data used for the graph and cited elsewhere in the column were obtained from various publications of the RBI.

Test cricket could die in India if...

Test cricket could die in India if...

Rediff.com7 Feb 2017

How will young batsmen brought up on T20 learn to build an innings? What about the technique to patiently negotiate hostile seam bowling conditions or the skill to play on difficult dusty turners? What about leaving the swinging ball outside off stump?

How India's young innovators do well by doing good

How India's young innovators do well by doing good

Rediff.com25 May 2018

'Let me talk about young Indian startups with their hearts in the right place and how they are proving that innovations that represent 'affordable excellence' -- breaking the myth that 'affordability' and 'excellence' cannot go together -- is indeed possible!' says Dr R A Mashelkar, the eminent scientist, in this fascinating feature.

8 goals India must achieve to fulfil its commitment to the UN

8 goals India must achieve to fulfil its commitment to the UN

Rediff.com1 Dec 2014

Time is running out: Will India manage to attain goals set by the UN.

Why India must LISTEN to this man

Why India must LISTEN to this man

Rediff.com16 Jan 2018

'Learning by doing is in our genes.' 'We are applying the wrong method by making our children sit in a classroom for eight hours, listening to someone talk.'

How Indian soft power can overwhelm Pakistan

How Indian soft power can overwhelm Pakistan

Rediff.com31 Oct 2016

'Openness is a great weapon in the armoury of more open societies. That's why the fight with Pakistan isn't just about India be six times bigger, but equally bitter and insecure Pakistan,' argues Shekhar Gupta.

How Swapna Barman became the toast of Asia

How Swapna Barman became the toast of Asia

Rediff.com26 Sep 2018

'To be good at the heptathlon takes at least seven years; to compete internationally and win medals takes 10 years.' 'Swapna became Asia's best heptathlete in just five years!' 'Nobody would have believed it. but she did it.'

Bandipur's tiger boom spells doom for those on the fringe

Bandipur's tiger boom spells doom for those on the fringe

Rediff.com2 Dec 2014

It was between 2010 and 2014 that wildlife biologists began to realise the heavy proliferation of tigers in the Bandipur National Park in Karnataka. The fiercely-territorial beasts are today locked in battle for dominance with man and his cattle.

This PadMan from Jharkand has a message for Modi

This PadMan from Jharkand has a message for Modi

Rediff.com8 Feb 2018

'There are so many schemes announced for the benefit of farmers, women and less privileged sections of our society. But how many of these are being availed of?'

China's defence spend: $146 bn. India's: $40 bn!

China's defence spend: $146 bn. India's: $40 bn!

Rediff.com7 Mar 2016

Confronting a slowdown in growth, China says it will only increase its defence budget by 7.6% this year, against the anticipated rise of between 20% and 30%. 'It is difficult to explain the reduction in the Chinese defence budget,' says Claude Arpi. 'Is there a hidden budget? Possibly!'

Rising Bathinda takes on Udta Punjab

Rising Bathinda takes on Udta Punjab

Rediff.com6 Jun 2016

Bathinda is the only district in Punjab to start a movement to find out what the actual drug situation on the ground is and aims to address it.

Want to succeed? Tap into your Personal Power

Want to succeed? Tap into your Personal Power

Rediff.com20 Jun 2018

All successful persons exhibit strong personal power, whether in the material world or in the spiritual one, leading to amazing results and shining in all fields of life.

This CEO used to wash dishes as a young boy!

This CEO used to wash dishes as a young boy!

Rediff.com23 Nov 2015

Cairn India CEO has a tough task at hand.

How banking outlets in villages can lift lower income groups

How banking outlets in villages can lift lower income groups

Rediff.com15 Dec 2014

Upcoming payment banks will lift lower income groups in distant villages.

5 reasons why Modi is India's most successful CEO

5 reasons why Modi is India's most successful CEO

Rediff.com6 Jan 2018

'A CEO is successful if he is able to retain the confidence of his shareholders. And the shareholders of India Inc have backed their prime minister-CEO to the hilt,' says Sudhir Bisht.

He donated EVERY rupee he earned to the poor

He donated EVERY rupee he earned to the poor

Rediff.com23 Mar 2016

What began as a challenge ended up a way of life for 'Paalam' Kalyanasundaram, whom the United Nations adjudged one of the most outstanding people of the 20th century.

Yes, Rahul can, and Rahul must!

Yes, Rahul can, and Rahul must!

Rediff.com31 Jan 2018

Rahul Gandhi has the potential to grow into a good, effective, leader of the Opposition provided he puts his heart and soul into it, with a willingness to learn, says B S Raghavan, the distinguished civil servant who worked closely with India's first three prime ministers.

The Stephen Hawking I knew

The Stephen Hawking I knew

Rediff.com22 Mar 2018

When I met him last year for his 75th birthday, he seemed frail. There was a sense of urgency. I will miss Stephen. His passing fills me with sadness.

'Human beauty and cruelty go hand in hand'

'Human beauty and cruelty go hand in hand'

Rediff.com11 May 2016

If Han Kang wrote only about cruelty and suffering, readers might respect her writings and her conscience, but her novels would not be as loved as they are by readers across the world, says Nilanjana Roy

'100 per cent bureaucrats will become parrots'

'100 per cent bureaucrats will become parrots'

Rediff.com25 May 2018

'Today you have 30 to 40 per cent of bureaucrats who are not parrots of the government, but what happens if you change the system?' 'If implemented, this can disrupt the system, which will have more adverse consequences than demonetisation.'

Pravasi Special: My expectations from PM Modi

Pravasi Special: My expectations from PM Modi

Rediff.com9 Jan 2015

The time is nigh for India to ensure that investment by its former citizens is encouraged by protecting their rights, says C B Patel.

'If the PM can't control the CM, the RSS will'

'If the PM can't control the CM, the RSS will'

Rediff.com30 Mar 2017

'The incidents that used to happen in our time, have they stopped now?' 'Can you imagine they made an acid attack victim consume acid? And when did this happen?' 'When the CM was inspecting the thana...' 'History tells us that a party does not remain in power permanently.' 'Finally, they will have to deliver.'

Code for India: A venture designed to help Indians

Code for India: A venture designed to help Indians

Rediff.com16 Aug 2013

An Indian American Silicon Valley entrepreneur has launched a unique initiative designed to get techies to volunteer their time to develop software and applications that will benefit people in India and other developing countries.

AIADMK going all out for Jayalalithaa win in RK Nagar bypoll

AIADMK going all out for Jayalalithaa win in RK Nagar bypoll

Rediff.com15 Jun 2015

The campaign has gathered steam for the June 27 bypoll contest in Tamil Nadu featuring Chief Minister Jayalalithaa as All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam workers are going all out to ensure her victory against the lone Communist Party of India challenger.

Nilekanis' most ambitious project to teach 200 million children

Nilekanis' most ambitious project to teach 200 million children

Rediff.com24 Aug 2015

Nandan Nilekani and his wife Rohini are trying to improve education across India.

Paper: Increase customs duty on paper and paperboards

Paper: Increase customs duty on paper and paperboards

Rediff.com24 Feb 2016

India's indigenous paper manufacturers are forced to use a variety of raw materials.

Meet India's fastest piano player

Meet India's fastest piano player

Rediff.com24 Feb 2016

This is Aman Bathla's story.

India is still struggling between populism and policy: Arun Jaitley

India is still struggling between populism and policy: Arun Jaitley

Rediff.com2 Jan 2019

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said that the states were free to announce farm loan waivers if they had the fiscal space and that there would be no shortfall this year in divestment and non-tax revenues.

DRDO's new assault rifle will be a disaster for the army

DRDO's new assault rifle will be a disaster for the army

Rediff.com18 Jul 2015

The Indian Army rejected DRDO's INSAS assault rifle in 2010 due to its all-round inefficiency. Now the army is being forced to accept DRDO's Excalibur rifle, which is basically an ungraded variant of the INSAS, to make up for a severe shortage of small arms.

Varnika Kundu: 'My fight is to make women fearless'

Varnika Kundu: 'My fight is to make women fearless'

Rediff.com11 Aug 2017

'I live in a privileged city, I have a privileged life, I was in a car.' 'If it can happen here, then there is literally no hope for women in rural India or smaller cities.' 'If more women think we can help ourselves, we can survive, and men would be a lot more hesitant to try something like this.'

7 money lessons for 20-somethings

7 money lessons for 20-somethings

Rediff.com27 Oct 2014

(Because things will only get more expensive from this point onwards)