News for 'Independent India'

Defence stocks gain amid West Asia crisis

Defence stocks gain amid West Asia crisis

Rediff.com4 Mar 2026

Even as the benchmark and broader indices were down sharply on Monday due to escalating tensions in West Asia, the Nifty Defence index ended the session in the green.

'India assured Bangladesh full security during T20 WC'

'India assured Bangladesh full security during T20 WC'

Rediff.com26 Jan 2026

India offered full security to Bangladesh cricket team: BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla

RS polls: Sharad Pawar to get fresh term; BJP fields 4 nominees in Maha

RS polls: Sharad Pawar to get fresh term; BJP fields 4 nominees in Maha

Rediff.com4 Mar 2026

The Congress party has announced its support for Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar as the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Maharashtra.

Actor Mammootty under cyber attack after spat with Kerala CPM leader

Actor Mammootty under cyber attack after spat with Kerala CPM leader

Rediff.com8 Mar 2026

Senior CPI(M) leaders address online attacks against Malayalam actor Mammootty after his visit to a Wayanad township for landslide survivors, following reports of his displeasure with a local party leader's presence.

West Bengal elections: BJP, Left put out first list; Suvendu to take on Mamata again

West Bengal elections: BJP, Left put out first list; Suvendu to take on Mamata again

Rediff.com16 Mar 2026

The BJP has released its first list of candidates for the West Bengal assembly polls, featuring Suvendu Adhikari against Mamata Banerjee in a high-stakes electoral battle. The Left Front has also announced its initial list of candidates, setting the stage for a crucial election.

'We Had Unprotected Sex On Our First Night'

'We Had Unprotected Sex On Our First Night'

Rediff.com25 Feb 2026

For Mumbai-based Priya, arranged marriage was not a personal choice. The obligation slowly led to unprotected sex, followed by a baby and years of suppressed emotions leaving her feeling trapped in her marriage.

SC pulls up NCERT over judiciary chapter; directs govt to drop 3 experts

SC pulls up NCERT over judiciary chapter; directs govt to drop 3 experts

Rediff.com11 Mar 2026

The Centre has directed the NCERT to review all textbooks after the Supreme Court raised concerns about 'offending' content on corruption in the judiciary in a Class 8 social science book.

ICC signals replacement if Bangladesh skip T20 WC in India

ICC signals replacement if Bangladesh skip T20 WC in India

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

ICC rejects BCB request, Bangladesh matches to be played in India as schedule

'He hugs and winks': Rijiju mocks Rahul, praises Priyanka; Cong MP hits back

'He hugs and winks': Rijiju mocks Rahul, praises Priyanka; Cong MP hits back

Rediff.com10 Mar 2026

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju strongly defended Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla against a no-confidence motion, accusing the Congress party of attacking constitutional institutions and undermining parliamentary democracy.

Boys never...: Swami Avimukteshwaranand on POCSO charges

Boys never...: Swami Avimukteshwaranand on POCSO charges

Rediff.com24 Feb 2026

Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati addresses sexual abuse allegations, asserting his innocence and claiming the charges are fabricated. An FIR was lodged against him and his disciple following a court order.

Biotechnology Facility Foundation Laid in Thiruvananthapuram

Biotechnology Facility Foundation Laid in Thiruvananthapuram

Rediff.com1 Mar 2026

Union Minister Jitendra Singh inaugurated a new biotechnology facility and dedicated a national facility for recombinant cells and sensors at the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology in Thiruvananthapuram, highlighting India's focus on biotechnology and its potential for economic growth.

World Bank flags how India failed to rein in debt in several states

World Bank flags how India failed to rein in debt in several states

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

India's state-level fiscal rules have improved headline deficits, but the gains are fragile and uneven with major states still grappling with high debt levels, a World Bank report submitted to the 16th Finance Commission (FC) said. According to the report, despite nearly two decades of adoption of fiscal responsibility laws (FRLs), debt levels have not converged.

'Better to focus on...': India to Mamdani on Umar Khalid note

'Better to focus on...': India to Mamdani on Umar Khalid note

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

India has expressed its disapproval of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani writing a note to jailed activist Umar Khalid, emphasizing the importance of respecting the independence of the judiciary in other democracies.

ISRO Reveals Connector Flaw Behind NVS-02

ISRO Reveals Connector Flaw Behind NVS-02

Rediff.com26 Feb 2026

ISRO stated that the disengagement of at least one contact -- in both the main and redundant paths -- of a connector led to the failure of NVS-02.

T20 WC: India will travel to Sri Lanka despite Pakistan boycott

T20 WC: India will travel to Sri Lanka despite Pakistan boycott

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

Despite Pakistan deciding to boycott their group stage T20 World Cup clash against India on February 15, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) sources have said that that the Men in Blue will travel to Sri Lanka for the match as per ICC protocol and wait for the match referee to call off the match.

Middle East Crisis: The New Fog of War

Middle East Crisis: The New Fog of War

Rediff.com13 Mar 2026

When everyone has footage and no one can verify it, the loudest voice wins, notes Prem Panicker who begins a daily blog on the War in the Middle East.

Is Khamenei dead or alive? Foreign minister answers

Is Khamenei dead or alive? Foreign minister answers

Rediff.com28 Feb 2026

Following US and Israeli strikes in Iran, reports have surfaced questioning the wellbeing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, prompting a swift denial from Iranian officials and condemnation of the military action.

Rashtra Sevika Samiti Calls for Women's Day to Reflect Indian Values

Rashtra Sevika Samiti Calls for Women's Day to Reflect Indian Values

Rediff.com28 Feb 2026

Rashtra Sevika Samiti emphasizes the importance of guiding International Women's Day with Indian cultural values, focusing on social awareness, mindset change, and women's empowerment through unity and family values.

Ted Cruz says Navarro, Vance stalled India trade deal; warns Trump in leaked audio

Ted Cruz says Navarro, Vance stalled India trade deal; warns Trump in leaked audio

Rediff.com26 Jan 2026

The India-US ties witnessed a major downturn after President Trump slapped a whopping 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods, including a 25 per cent punitive levy over Russian oil purchases.

Hugh And Colleen Gantzer Showed India To The World

Hugh And Colleen Gantzer Showed India To The World

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

'The culture of mankind has been spread by the travel gene which pushes one in five people to have the curiosity to move to unknown destinations.'

Delhi court acquits Brazilian in cocaine case, slams probe lapses

Delhi court acquits Brazilian in cocaine case, slams probe lapses

Rediff.com20 Feb 2026

A Delhi court acquitted a Brazilian national in a 2016 cocaine seizure case, citing the prosecution's failure to comply with mandatory provisions of the NDPS Act.

Step Inside Gautam Gambhir's Beautiful Home In Delhi!

Step Inside Gautam Gambhir's Beautiful Home In Delhi!

Rediff.com6 Mar 2026

Gautam Gambhir, head coach of the Indian men's cricket team, opens the doors to his serene Delhi home, offering a rare glimpse into the personal space that anchors him beyond the game.

Banerjee Alleges BJP Plot to Divide Bengal Through Voter Deletions

Banerjee Alleges BJP Plot to Divide Bengal Through Voter Deletions

Rediff.com7 Mar 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the BJP of manipulating voter rolls to divide the state, alleging a conspiracy to deprive Bengali-speaking people of their voting rights. She claims the Election Commission is complicit in deleting lakhs of names from voter lists.

BJP MP files notice to disqualify Rahul from Parliament

BJP MP files notice to disqualify Rahul from Parliament

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has initiated a 'substantive motion' against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

T20 World Cup: 'Cannot go to India': Bangladesh accepts ICC decision

T20 World Cup: 'Cannot go to India': Bangladesh accepts ICC decision

Rediff.com24 Jan 2026

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Saturday said it accepted the ICC's decision to replace its national team with Scotland in next month's T20 World Cup, saying there is nothing more they could do now.

India Boycott Could Hurt Bangladesh: Tamim Warns BCB

India Boycott Could Hurt Bangladesh: Tamim Warns BCB

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

Former Bangladesh skipper Tamim Iqbal has urged the Bangladesh Cricket Board to avoid being driven by "public emotion" while deciding the national team's participation in next month's T20 World Cup.

AI ecosystem opaque, needs accountability: CCI chairperson

AI ecosystem opaque, needs accountability: CCI chairperson

Rediff.com26 Feb 2026

The artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem is opaque and needs to be made transparent and accountable, said Competition Commission of India's (CCI) Chairperson Ravneet Kaur at the Business Standard Manthan Summit on Wednesday.

India emerges as global leader in IPOs: Economic Survey

India emerges as global leader in IPOs: Economic Survey

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

The country's primary capital markets delivered a robust performance in FY26, emerging as a global leader in initial public offerings (IPOs) despite an uncertain environment, the Economic Survey said on Thursday.

BJP chief Nitin Nabin to contest RS polls from Bihar

BJP chief Nitin Nabin to contest RS polls from Bihar

Rediff.com3 Mar 2026

The BJP has announced its candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections across multiple states, including Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, and Haryana.

From British child to India's trusted voice: Mark Tully

From British child to India's trusted voice: Mark Tully

Rediff.com26 Jan 2026

Mark Tully, the renowned journalist, author, and Indophile, has passed away at the age of 90. He spent a lifetime in India as a journalist, mingling with its people and telling their stories.

Iran vows revenge after killing of supreme leader Khamenei

Iran vows revenge after killing of supreme leader Khamenei

Rediff.com1 Mar 2026

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Sunday issued a formal address and said that the event is a moment of profound religious and historical consequence.

Rajaji bust replaces Lutyens' statue at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Rajaji bust replaces Lutyens' statue at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Rediff.com24 Feb 2026

A bust of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, the first Indian governor-general, has replaced a statue of British architect Edwin Lutyens at Rashtrapati Bhavan, symbolizing a move away from colonial influences and embracing Indian heritage.

States Chalk Out Plans For Census 2027

States Chalk Out Plans For Census 2027

Rediff.com24 Jan 2026

Odisha and Uttar Pradesh are among the first to roll out the digital exercise.

Union Cabinet approves renaming Kerala to Keralam

Union Cabinet approves renaming Kerala to Keralam

Rediff.com25 Feb 2026

The Union Cabinet has reportedly approved the Kerala government's proposal to officially change the state's name to Keralam, following a resolution passed by the Kerala Assembly.

First meet at Seva Teerth: Cabinet pledges citizen-centric governance

First meet at Seva Teerth: Cabinet pledges citizen-centric governance

Rediff.com24 Feb 2026

The Union Cabinet, meeting at the new PMO complex 'Seva Teerth', resolved to prioritize citizen empowerment and service in all its decisions, guided by the principle of 'Nagrik Devo Bhava'.

'Want To Retire Early... Are My Investments Enough?'

'Want To Retire Early... Are My Investments Enough?'

Rediff.com4 Mar 2026

Ask rediffGURU and PF and MF expert Janak Patel your mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.

We have to 'avenge' our painful history: NSA Doval

We have to 'avenge' our painful history: NSA Doval

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval emphasized the need to strengthen India's security across all sectors, including the economy, to address historical vulnerabilities. He highlighted the sacrifices of freedom fighters and the importance of strong leadership.

Uddhav's party helps BJP clinch Chandrapur mayor post

Uddhav's party helps BJP clinch Chandrapur mayor post

Rediff.com10 Feb 2026

In a surprising turn of events, BJP corporator Sangeeta Khandekar was elected as the mayor of Chandrapur Municipal Corporation with the support of Shiv Sena (UBT), dealing a blow to the Congress party's aspirations.

Can India Solve The Air Pollution Problem?

Can India Solve The Air Pollution Problem?

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

Mundane as it may seem, this is in some ways a metaphor for the challenges facing the nation, argue Arvind Subramanian and Devesh Kapur in their new book, A Sixth Of Humanity.

T20 World Cup: ICC chief Jay Shah set to take strict action against Bangladesh over India boycott

T20 World Cup: ICC chief Jay Shah set to take strict action against Bangladesh over India boycott

Rediff.com24 Jan 2026

International Cricket Council Chairman Jay Shah is contemplating strict action against Bangladesh if they do not travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026.