News for 'Independent India'

Hand over convicted Hasina and her aide, Bangladesh urges India

Hand over convicted Hasina and her aide, Bangladesh urges India

Rediff.com17 Nov 2025

Bangladesh's interim government has called on India to extradite Sheikh Hasina after she was sentenced to death in absentia. The move has sparked reactions from various political parties.

Can This Budget Deliver Strategic Growth and Jobs?

Can This Budget Deliver Strategic Growth and Jobs?

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

India is growing fast, but to keep growing strong, the government must make more things at home, create jobs, and spend money wisely, suggests Rajiv Memani, regional managing partner, Africa-India Region, EY.

Why Kerala's Twenty20 Party Joined The NDA

Why Kerala's Twenty20 Party Joined The NDA

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

'When the prime minister and home minister promised their full support for the development of Kerala, why should we not be a part of them?'

Palki Sharma Steps Down as managing editor of Firstpost

Palki Sharma Steps Down as managing editor of Firstpost

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

Senior journalist Palki Sharma has stepped down as managing editor of Firstpost. Here's what we know about her exit.

36 ex-judges decry Oppn attempt to impeach Justice Swaminathan

36 ex-judges decry Oppn attempt to impeach Justice Swaminathan

Rediff.com20 Dec 2025

Thirty-six former judges have called on people, including parliamentarians, to denounce opposition leaders' move to impeach Madras High Court judge Justice G R Swaminathan, saying such an attempt would undermine democracy and judicial independence.

Accused is entitled to...: Ex-CJI on Umar Khalid's bail

Accused is entitled to...: Ex-CJI on Umar Khalid's bail

Rediff.com19 Jan 2026

'Because, if someone remains an undertrial prisoner for five or seven years and is finally proven innocent, how will you compensate for the time lost?'

Third row seat: Cong accuses BJP of insulting Rahul, Kharge at R-Day event

Third row seat: Cong accuses BJP of insulting Rahul, Kharge at R-Day event

Rediff.com26 Jan 2026

The Congress party has accused the BJP government of disrespecting opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge by seating them in the third row during the Republic Day parade. BJP leaders have responded by questioning Rahul Gandhi's attendance at other important events.

Look What Netflix Has Planned For 2026!

Look What Netflix Has Planned For 2026!

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

Sunny Deol. Akshaye Khanna. Anil Kapoor. Madhuri Dixit. Saif Ali Khan. Manoj Bajaypee. Netflix's 2026 slate packs a starry punch.

Assam Becomes First State To Enter Oil Production

Assam Becomes First State To Enter Oil Production

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

Assam has become the first state in India to directly venture into oil production, following the discovery of hydrocarbons at the Namrup-Borhat block.

A long-game Budget

A long-game Budget

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

The Union Budget for 2026-27, presented by Finance Minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday, which was a first, had an excellent domestic macro backdrop. According to the first advance estimates, gross domestic product (GDP) in constant prices is projected to grow 7.4 per cent in the current financial year, against 6.5 per cent in 2024-25.

This Blind Army Officer Is An Inspiration For India

This Blind Army Officer Is An Inspiration For India

Rediff.com11 Dec 2025

Lieutenant Colonel C Dwarakesh is the only completely blind officer to continue in the Indian Army after losing his eyesight while in service. In his remarkable journey after disability, he enhanced his education qualification, scaled the Siachen Glacier and found purpose in sport.

President's rule lifted in Manipur as NDA stakes claim to form govt

President's rule lifted in Manipur as NDA stakes claim to form govt

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

President's rule in Manipur has been revoked, paving the way for a new government led by Y Khemchand Singh. The move comes after months of ethnic violence and the imposition of President's rule in February 2025.

Fadnavis fumes as local BJP units tie up with Congress, AIMIM

Fadnavis fumes as local BJP units tie up with Congress, AIMIM

Rediff.com7 Jan 2026

The Bharatiya Janata Party has entered into post-poll alliances with rivals Congress and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen in some municipal councils in Maharashtra, even as Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday rejected the tie-ups and warned of action against party leaders involved.

How India Can Beat Global Tech Giants

How India Can Beat Global Tech Giants

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

With a confident new generation of innovators, India now has the scale and self-belief to shape its own digital destiny marked by creation, observes Ajay Kumar chairman, UPSC.

Forces opposing Somnath temple reconstruction still active: Modi

Forces opposing Somnath temple reconstruction still active: Modi

Rediff.com11 Jan 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that forces opposing the reconstruction of the Somnath temple after independence are still active and that India needs to be vigilant and united to counter them. He highlighted the temple's history of resilience against repeated attacks and emphasized the importance of remembering the sacrifices made to protect it.

BJP set to end Thackeray era as Ritu Tawde to become Mumbai mayor

BJP set to end Thackeray era as Ritu Tawde to become Mumbai mayor

Rediff.com7 Feb 2026

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has nominated corporator Ritu Tawade for the Mumbai mayor election, while its ally Shiv Sena declared Sanjay Ghadi as its candidate for the deputy mayor's post.

Guj BJP MP invites Rahul Gandhi for 'Unity March' in Vadodara

Guj BJP MP invites Rahul Gandhi for 'Unity March' in Vadodara

Rediff.com26 Nov 2025

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Hemang Joshi has invited Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to join a 'Unity March' passing through Vadodara, Gujarat, organized in honor of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

SC flags airfare fluctuations during festivals, calls it 'exploitation'

SC flags airfare fluctuations during festivals, calls it 'exploitation'

Rediff.com19 Jan 2026

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta termed the exorbitant rise of airfares by airlines as "exploitation" and asked the Centre and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to file their replies to a PIL seeking binding regulatory guidelines to control the unpredictable fluctuations in airfare and ancillary charges imposed by private airlines in India.

Modi, Bhagwat hoist saffron flag atop Ayodhya Temple

Modi, Bhagwat hoist saffron flag atop Ayodhya Temple

Rediff.com25 Nov 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday ceremonially hoisted a saffron flag atop the Ram temple in Ayodhya, marking the formal completion of its construction.

Dr Ambedkar's 1956 Buddhist Revolution

Dr Ambedkar's 1956 Buddhist Revolution

Rediff.com14 Oct 2025

On October 14, 1956, Dr B R Ambedkar, fulfilling his long-held vow to renounce Hinduism, embraced Buddhism along with over 500,000 followers at Nagpur's Deekshabhoomi, marking a new era of social and spiritual liberation for India's Dalits.

HC allows Zydus to sell generic version of cancer drug nivolumab

HC allows Zydus to sell generic version of cancer drug nivolumab

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

Delhi High Court has cleared the way for Zydus Lifesciences to proceed with the sale of its version of the cancer drug nivolumab in India. nivolumab is used to treat several types of cancer by activating the body's immune system to target carcinogenic cells.

Beleaguered Gensol's independent director quits

Beleaguered Gensol's independent director quits

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

Gensol Engineering, the beleaguered firm that came under market regulator Sebi's lens for fund diversions and governance lapses, said that its independent director Arun Menon has resigned with immediate effect.

After failed alliance move,12 Maha Cong councillors join BJP

After failed alliance move,12 Maha Cong councillors join BJP

Rediff.com8 Jan 2026

Twelve newly-elected councillors in the Ambernath Municipal Council, suspended by the Congress for joining a post-poll front led by the BJP, have formally joined the saffron party. The Congress criticized the BJP, highlighting the hypocrisy of welcoming defectors despite the Chief Minister's disapproval of the alliance.

ICC unlikely to shift Bangladesh's T20 WC matches

ICC unlikely to shift Bangladesh's T20 WC matches

Rediff.com12 Jan 2026

"The overall security risk for the tournament in India has been assessed as low to moderate, which is consistent with the profile of many major global sporting events," the source said.

Realty moves to the core of conglomerates' biz strategy

Realty moves to the core of conglomerates' biz strategy

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

India's leading conglomerates are stepping up investments in real estate, recasting what was once a peripheral activity into a core growth driver. Supported by strong balance sheets, established brands and access to long-term capital, major business houses including Aditya Birla, Tata, Godrej, L&T, Raymond, Wadia, Shapoorji Pallonji, Mahindra and Adani are positioning realty as a strategic pillar within their diversified portfolios.

What Budget 2026 Means For Taxpayers

What Budget 2026 Means For Taxpayers

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

The Budget offers a limited-time regularisation window with clear thresholds, defined payments, and immunity from penalty or prosecution.

Lessons India Taught China In 1962 War

Lessons India Taught China In 1962 War

Rediff.com24 Nov 2025

The well-fought defensive battles in Aksai Chin and eastern Arunachal, in remote and forbidding locations such as Galwan, Rezang La, Gurung Hill and Walong, effectively halted Chinese advances not once but twice during the campaign. These engagements, fought with grit and without adequate support, were not immediately known to the world in 1962, points out Dr Kumar.

BJP-led Mahayuti clinches 25 of 29 Maha civic bodies

BJP-led Mahayuti clinches 25 of 29 Maha civic bodies

Rediff.com17 Jan 2026

Breaking the nearly three-decade-old dominance of the undivided Shiv Sena, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday emerged victorious in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, and also vanquished the alliance of Nationalist Congress Party factions led by Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar in the Pune civic body.

Supreme Court: Pilot Not To Be Blamed For Air India Crash

Supreme Court: Pilot Not To Be Blamed For Air India Crash

Rediff.com7 Nov 2025

The Supreme Court on Friday said no one blamed the chief pilot of the Air India Dreamliner for the June 12 crash, which claimed 260 lives, and asked his 91-year-old father not to carry any emotional burden.

25-year-old Hindu youth burnt to death in Bangladesh

25-year-old Hindu youth burnt to death in Bangladesh

Rediff.com25 Jan 2026

He was sleeping in a garage when the fire broke out, and CCTV footage suggests foul play.

IndiGo ropes in external expert for flight disruption probe

IndiGo ropes in external expert for flight disruption probe

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

The board of InterGlobe Aviation, the parent of IndiGo, has already set up a crisis management group in the wake of the significant operational disruptions that started on December 2.

Bangladesh wants to buy JF-17 fighter jets from Pakistan

Bangladesh wants to buy JF-17 fighter jets from Pakistan

Rediff.com7 Jan 2026

Bangladesh has expressed a potential interest in procuring JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft from Pakistan, according to a statement from the Pakistan military. The development came during a meeting between the air chiefs of both countries, focusing on strengthening operational cooperation and institutional synergy.

AIFF charts 21-year roadmap for ISL, I-League

AIFF charts 21-year roadmap for ISL, I-League

Rediff.com14 Jan 2026

As per a proposal by stakeholders, the 22-member governing council is likely to be headed by either the president of the AIFF, and it will be the highest supervisor body for the ISL.

Forced to Buy Home Loan Insurance? Know Your Rights

Forced to Buy Home Loan Insurance? Know Your Rights

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

Ask rediffGURU Naveenn Kummar your insurance mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.

Sardar Patel, The Man Who United India

Sardar Patel, The Man Who United India

Rediff.com31 Oct 2025

The rising tide of Indian nationalism meant that the people of princely states now were keen to become a part of a united and integrated India rather than remain subjects of a princely state. The Congress too supported the people's wish and it fell upon Patel to get the princes to agree. He did so magnificently, using every trick available, whether it was sweet talk or coercion; the rulers buckled and Patel earned the eternal gratitude of the entire nation.

'Ukraine counts on India': Zelenskyy thanks Modi

'Ukraine counts on India': Zelenskyy thanks Modi

Rediff.com26 Aug 2025

Zelenskyy, in a social media post, said Ukraine appreciates India's dedication to "peace and dialogue".

RSS@100: The Challenges Ahead

RSS@100: The Challenges Ahead

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

'The RSS, that advocated military strength, remained in the ideological doghouse for over half a century. Many of the RSS' responses even today carry the burden of this past,' points out Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

US lawmakers write to Indian envoy over Umar Khalid's detention

US lawmakers write to Indian envoy over Umar Khalid's detention

Rediff.com2 Jan 2026

A group of US lawmakers has written to the Indian Ambassador to the United States, urging a fair and timely trial for activist Umar Khalid, who has been detained under the UAPA.

NPCI sets up unit to scale up digital infra beyond payments

NPCI sets up unit to scale up digital infra beyond payments

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

Moving beyond digital payments, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the operator of Unified Payments Interface, is planning to add more muscle to the country's digital infrastructure by setting up a fourth subsidiary, NPCI Tech Solutions Ltd (NTSL).

Gold, silver hit record highs on strong gains in global mkts

Gold, silver hit record highs on strong gains in global mkts

Rediff.com12 Jan 2026

Silver prices rallied sharply by Rs 15,000 to hit a lifetime high of Rs 265,000 per kg in the national capital on Monday, and gold advanced to a fresh record of Rs 144,600 per 10 grams, mirroring strong gains in the global markets.