News for 'Independent India'

'Corruption Is No Longer A Bad Word'

'Corruption Is No Longer A Bad Word'

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

'When India opened its doors to the world, moving away from an agrarian to a market economy, everything, whether life or love, was commodified.'

Private Firms Can Be Involved In Stealth Fighter Project

Private Firms Can Be Involved In Stealth Fighter Project

Rediff.com19 Jul 2025

'An HAL-private sector tieup is a possibility.'

Pak uses nuke shield to back terror: All-party delegation in Algeria

Pak uses nuke shield to back terror: All-party delegation in Algeria

Rediff.com1 Jun 2025

Terrorism is a global menace to be addressed by humanity in unison was the all-party delegation's message to Algeria as it concluded its visit to the North African country on Sunday.

Yunus announces general elections in Bangladesh

Yunus announces general elections in Bangladesh

Rediff.com6 Aug 2025

Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus announced that the next general election will be held in February 2026, marking the first anniversary of the 'July Uprising'.

Raj Thackeray faces flak over remarks on Sardar Patel

Raj Thackeray faces flak over remarks on Sardar Patel

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

Congress, AAP, and Patidar leaders in Gujarat have criticized MNS chief Raj Thackeray for his comments about Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and former Prime Minister Morarji Desai, demanding a ban on his entry to Gujarat and an FIR against him.

Malegaon case verdict likely on Thursday; Pragya's fate in balance

Malegaon case verdict likely on Thursday; Pragya's fate in balance

Rediff.com30 Jul 2025

A special NIA court is likely to deliver its verdict in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, which killed six persons and injured over 100. Seven accused, including Pragya Thakur and Prasad Purohit, face charges under UAPA and IPC.

Parl set for stormy session; Op Sindoor, Trump mediation to dominate

Parl set for stormy session; Op Sindoor, Trump mediation to dominate

Rediff.com3 Jul 2025

The opposition has been demanding a debate on Operation Sindoor -- the strike on terror sites in Pakistan by the Indian armed forces in response to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22.

Kerala ex-CM, veteran CPM leader Achuthanandan dies at 101

Kerala ex-CM, veteran CPM leader Achuthanandan dies at 101

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

Former Kerala Chief Minister and veteran CPI(M) leader V S Achuthanandan, a key figure in Kerala's political history, died on Monday at the age of 101. He was a founding member of the CPI(M) and served as Chief Minister from 2006 to 2011.

Taxpayers Stuck In Bureaucratic Nightmare

Taxpayers Stuck In Bureaucratic Nightmare

Rediff.com24 Jul 2025

The tax department has created many circular traps -- flawed reporting formats, penalties for those who point out the flaws, and faceless assessors with no accountability. The result: Millions of taxpayers face needless harassment and procedural dead ends, highlights Harsh Roongta.

Indians Choose Learning Holidays Over Leisure

Indians Choose Learning Holidays Over Leisure

Rediff.com31 Jul 2025

Travellers are keen to explore traditional Indian arts and crafts like Madhubani painting in Bihar, pottery and weaving workshops in Rajasthan, or Kathakali and Kalaripayattu training in Kerala.

Govt to operationalise Rs 1-trillion innovation fund in next 3 months

Govt to operationalise Rs 1-trillion innovation fund in next 3 months

Rediff.com29 May 2025

The Rs 1-trillion Research Development and Innovation (RDI) fund, which was announced in the July budget for FY25, of which Rs 20,000 crore has already been allocated, will be operationalised in the next two to three months, a top official said.

Afghanistan joins CPEC amid strengthening India-Kabul ties

Afghanistan joins CPEC amid strengthening India-Kabul ties

Rediff.com21 May 2025

The announcement on expansion of CPEC was made following a meeting among Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar and Afghanistan's Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Beijing, according to a Pakistani readout.

He Quit Amazon To Make Films

He Quit Amazon To Make Films

Rediff.com13 Aug 2025

'You need the drishti, the experience. I am beginning to see things differently.'

'Short-Term Panic Influences Investor Behaviour'

'Short-Term Panic Influences Investor Behaviour'

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

'Investors who remain calm, consistent, and disciplined through short-term volatility are usually the ones who benefit most in the long run.'

Beginning Of The End For Trump?

Beginning Of The End For Trump?

Rediff.com16 Jul 2025

Unless Donald Trump takes a major U turn, this is possibly the beginning of the end for Trumpian politics, argues Colonel Anil A Athale (retd). Unless President Trump takes a major U turn, this is possibly the 'beginning of the end' for Trumpian politics driven by TV trp's, points out Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Should Pant have been subbed? Vaughan thinks so

Should Pant have been subbed? Vaughan thinks so

Rediff.com25 Jul 2025

He felt sticking to the old rules "is intentionally depleting a contest by making one of the teams effectively play with 10 men for four days of the match, on the back of bad luck".

Boards of Nifty 100 companies expand with more independent, women directors

Boards of Nifty 100 companies expand with more independent, women directors

Rediff.com17 Dec 2024

The boardrooms of India's large listed companies are steadily expanding as corporate governance standards tighten and regulatory compliance rises. Boards of Nifty 100 companies boasted an average of 10.52 members as of FY24, compared to 9.86 in FY21 and 10.48 in FY23, according to the fifth edition of Excellence Enablers' Survey on Corporate Governance, an initiative led by M Damodaran, former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi).

Why I Will Be Going Back To Vietnam

Why I Will Be Going Back To Vietnam

Rediff.com4 Aug 2025

Vietnam was wonderful and the people warm and hospitable, Radhika Mittal discovered over a 11-day stay.

Plea filed in SC for nationwide revision of all electoral rolls

Plea filed in SC for nationwide revision of all electoral rolls

Rediff.com8 Jul 2025

A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, particularly before parliamentary, state assembly and local body elections. The court has agreed to hear a batch of petitions challenging the Election Commission's decision to undertake special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar.

Why Lawyers Are Unhappy With ED Summons

Why Lawyers Are Unhappy With ED Summons

Rediff.com30 Jun 2025

'In no way can an advocate be considered responsible for his or her client's actions.'

The Future Belongs To Thinkers And Communicators

The Future Belongs To Thinkers And Communicators

Rediff.com29 Jul 2025

'For 40 years, India valued only technical skills. IITs, coding -- that became everything.' 'Soft skills were sidelined. But those are the skills that will keep you employable now, not technical skills.'

'BJP Not Obliged To Accept RSS Recommendations'

'BJP Not Obliged To Accept RSS Recommendations'

Rediff.com13 Aug 2025

'It is something like traditional Indian families.' 'The family might be run by younger people, but if the patriarch says that you should consider someone for some task, it is very difficult for the others to ignore it.'

BJP And The Long-Standing Preamble Dream

BJP And The Long-Standing Preamble Dream

Rediff.com10 Jul 2025

BJP and RSS leaders are once again pushing to remove the words 'secular' and 'socialist' from the Constitution's Preamble, showing a deeper effort to change India's identity from a diverse, multi-religious republic to a Hindu-first nation, even though they don't have the numbers in Parliament to officially change the Constitution, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

Why Calcutta Remains A City Of Bhoy

Why Calcutta Remains A City Of Bhoy

Rediff.com8 Aug 2025

A year after the RG Kar rape-murder Swarupa Dutt/Rediff look at the city where it happened, Kolkata -- its study in dichotomy, at once the self-proclaimed cultural capital of India as also a petri dish for a peculiar rage that breeds crimes against women.

'Cinema's Greatest Challenge Is Reels'

'Cinema's Greatest Challenge Is Reels'

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

'I don't know how long cinema will survive.'

India, Pak our friends, urge them to exercise restraint: Iran

India, Pak our friends, urge them to exercise restraint: Iran

Rediff.com5 May 2025

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Pakistan and called on both India and Pakistan to "exercise restraint" amid rising tensions between the two countries following the Pahalgam terror attack. Araghchi, who is scheduled to travel to India on Thursday, emphasized the importance of easing tensions and preventing further escalation. During his talks with Pakistani officials, Araghchi and Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari reaffirmed their commitment to strong Pakistan-Iran ties and agreed to boost cooperation in trade, energy, and connectivity. Both sides also exchanged views on the situation in South Asia and the US-Iran talks, while agreeing that complex regional issues could be resolved through diplomacy and negotiations.

India planning military action in next 24-36 hrs, claims Pak

India planning military action in next 24-36 hrs, claims Pak

Rediff.com30 Apr 2025

The statement came hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday told the top defence brass that the armed forces have "complete operational freedom" to decide on the mode, targets and timing of India's response to the Pahalgam terror attack, government sources said.

Kerala student activist, scribe held in Nagpur for 'planning to attack India

Kerala student activist, scribe held in Nagpur for 'planning to attack India

Rediff.com8 May 2025

A student activist and "independent journalist" from Kerala, Rejaz M. Sheeba Sydeek, has been arrested in Nagpur for allegedly "preparing to wage war against the Government of India." The arrest was made after Sydeek allegedly condemned Operation Sindoor, an Indian Armed Forces operation against terror targets in Pakistan, and criticized operations against Naxalites on his Instagram account. Police found a book about professor G N Saibaba, who faced trial for alleged links with Naxalism, and another about Marxism-Leninism in Sydeek's bag. An English letter seized from his possession appeared to criticize the Indian government for anti-Naxal operations and called for "peace talks between the Indian state and the (banned) CPI (Maoist)".

ED withdraws summons to senior lawyer after advocates tag CJI

ED withdraws summons to senior lawyer after advocates tag CJI

Rediff.com20 Jun 2025

The Enforcement Directorate on Friday withdrew its summons to a senior lawyer for reportedly giving legal advice in a case after the Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association (SCAORA) wrote to the chief justice of India for taking note of the action.

Sonia slams Modi, Trump, Netanyahu over Iran, Gaza conflict

Sonia slams Modi, Trump, Netanyahu over Iran, Gaza conflict

Rediff.com21 Jun 2025

"It is still not too late. India must speak clearly, act responsibly, and use every diplomatic channel available to defuse tensions and promote a return to dialogue in West Asia," Gandhi asserted.

Historic First: New York Senate Honours Indian Constitution

Historic First: New York Senate Honours Indian Constitution

Rediff.com16 May 2025

In a first, the New York State Senate has formally adopted a resolution honouring the Indian Constitution on the occasion of its 75th anniversary, recognising it as a guiding framework for India's ongoing progress as a nation and celebrating the country's democratic values.

History in Minutes: When Nehru's Kerchief Became Sudan's Flag

History in Minutes: When Nehru's Kerchief Became Sudan's Flag

Rediff.com27 May 2025

On Jawaharlal Nehru's 61st death anniversary, Utkarsh Mishra recalls how India's first prime minister cultivated a unique role for the newly independent country on the world stage.

The Independent overshadowing NDA vs INDIA contest

The Independent overshadowing NDA vs INDIA contest

Rediff.com21 Apr 2024

In the battle for 2024, the place is hogging the limelight, primarily because of Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav, who according to some opinion polls, may turn out to be the dark horse when votes are counted on June 4.

'Mental Health Is Not Unique To Pilots'

'Mental Health Is Not Unique To Pilots'

Rediff.com17 Jul 2025

'AAIB preliminary report was more detailed than most people were expecting.'

Hydrogen-run cars get a boost with Hyundai-IITM tieup

Hydrogen-run cars get a boost with Hyundai-IITM tieup

Rediff.com10 Jul 2025

The only other company working on hydrogen cars in India is Toyota Kirloskar Motor.

Oppn raises Pahalgam, Trump's remarks, Bihar SIR in session eve meet

Oppn raises Pahalgam, Trump's remarks, Bihar SIR in session eve meet

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

At the customary meeting ahead of the session beginning Monday, the opposition raised various issues, including voter roll revision in Bihar, the Pahalgam terror attack and Trump's 'ceasefire' claims.

In a first, citizens may self-enumerate during the Census

In a first, citizens may self-enumerate during the Census

Rediff.com7 Jul 2025

A special dedicated web portal will be launched for self-enumeration during the upcoming Census, which will be available for both phases of the national enumeration exercise, officials said Monday.

'Linking Aadhar With Voter ID Is Very Dangerous'

'Linking Aadhar With Voter ID Is Very Dangerous'

Rediff.com29 Jul 2025

'The protection of secrecy and anonymity gets lost with this linking.'

Rajasthan drops textbooks 'glorifying' Nehru-Gandhi family

Rajasthan drops textbooks 'glorifying' Nehru-Gandhi family

Rediff.com11 Jul 2025

School students in Rajasthan will no longer study two-part supplementary textbooks with state Education Minister Madan Dilawar arguing that these reading materials are not required because they glorify the Nehru-Gandhi family and carry no marks for students.

Mockery of his...: Cong slams Trump for bombing Iran

Mockery of his...: Cong slams Trump for bombing Iran

Rediff.com23 Jun 2025

The opposition party reiterated the absolute essentiality of immediate diplomacy and dialogue with Iran.