News for 'Institute for Social and Economic Change'

Challenges before NITI Aayog's Suman Bery

Challenges before NITI Aayog's Suman Bery

Rediff.com14 Jun 2022

The most immediate challenge for growth is the disruption of the global economy brought about by the Ukraine war and related sanctions, the Covid shutdowns in China and the rising tide of inflation, points out Nitin Desai.

Kalam's 2008 interview: 'Economic prosperity has to reach 700 million people in rural areas'

Kalam's 2008 interview: 'Economic prosperity has to reach 700 million people in rural areas'

Rediff.com28 Jul 2015

Former President A P J Abdul Kalam kindly answered rediff.com's questions for an exclusive interview.

The economics of power generation

The economics of power generation

Rediff.com8 Aug 2014

Studies suggest net benefits of hydro-power, nuclear energy or natural gas as sources of electricity are greater than those of wind and solar.

Delhi's Covid surge no sign of 4th wave, say health experts

Delhi's Covid surge no sign of 4th wave, say health experts

Rediff.com19 Apr 2022

Though Covid cases are rising in Delhi and its satellite towns, the focus should be on hospital admissions that have remained the same or changed just marginally, say several scientists, underscoring that the uptick is not an indication of a fourth wave in the country at this point.

CPM member introduces bill to regulate appointment of judges, AAP opposes

CPM member introduces bill to regulate appointment of judges, AAP opposes

Rediff.com9 Dec 2022

The National Judicial Commission Bill, 2022, was introduced after the majority of voice votes were in its favour.

FCRA challenge for foreign think tanks in India

FCRA challenge for foreign think tanks in India

Rediff.com28 Sep 2020

Funding challenges are not limited to just one think tank. Several scholars say that access for conducting research and getting foreign funds has become a major hurdle for think tanks, with the government raising many questions regarding such inflows. As a result, many think tanks are keeping a low profile and becoming less prolific.

Rahul Bajaj, World's Favourite Indian

Rahul Bajaj, World's Favourite Indian

Rediff.com12 Apr 2022

'Rahul inspired Indian industry with an ethos, an ethos of being more confident, more independent, more thorough, more competitive, more generous, more public-spirited, and more national and more international all at once,' remembers Naushad Forbes.

Modi in Mumbai again, flags off 2 Vande Bharat trains, bonds with Bohras

Modi in Mumbai again, flags off 2 Vande Bharat trains, bonds with Bohras

Rediff.com10 Feb 2023

At an event at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in south Mumbai, Modi first flagged off the the CSMT-Solapur Vande Bharat Express and later another semi high-speed train linking the financial capital to Sainagar Shirdi temple town in Ahmednagar district.

SC terms its maiden live-stream proceedings as historic, gets over 8L viewers

SC terms its maiden live-stream proceedings as historic, gets over 8L viewers

Rediff.com28 Sep 2022

The Supreme Court in its official communication called it "Truly, a historic day".

'If you want change, you must get your hands dirty'

'If you want change, you must get your hands dirty'

Rediff.com5 Jun 2015

Former Watson Fellow and social entrepreneur Srikar Gullapalli talks about the issues affecting India's growth and tells us why he wants more people to actively participate in building a bright future and put India on the global map.

Mid-Day Meal is now PM POSHAN, to cover pre-primary students

Mid-Day Meal is now PM POSHAN, to cover pre-primary students

Rediff.com30 Sep 2021

The Union cabinet on Wednesday approved the roll-out of the 'PM POSHAN in Schools' scheme that will provide hot cooked meal to students of elementary classes in government and government-aided schools across the country.

Protect environment for future generations: Kovind in farewell address

Protect environment for future generations: Kovind in farewell address

Rediff.com24 Jul 2022

The president made a special mention of the threat to the environment and asked all citizens to take care of it for future generations.

Different ideologies of govt, Opposition shouldn't turn into animosity: Kovind

Different ideologies of govt, Opposition shouldn't turn into animosity: Kovind

Rediff.com6 Jun 2022

Kovind said the UP legislature has a glorious history of dignified amicability between the ruling party and the Opposition.

Can Modi change India's foreign policy beyond recognition?

Can Modi change India's foreign policy beyond recognition?

Rediff.com16 Sep 2014

'What gives hope is that Modi's own leadership is vitally linked to his capacity to deliver on the economic front. Indeed, if he succeeds, India's foreign policies will have changed beyond recognition,' feels Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Nehru's policies, Ayodhya issue out of Assam Class 12 syllabus

Nehru's policies, Ayodhya issue out of Assam Class 12 syllabus

Rediff.com24 Sep 2020

The chapters were dropped by the Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC) for the 2020-21 session, as part of the 30 per cent reduction of the syllabus, keeping in mind the loss of academic schedule that the students had to face because of the pandemic.

Speedy justice still a distant dream: Chief Justice of India

Speedy justice still a distant dream: Chief Justice of India

Rediff.com21 Aug 2016

Chief Justice of India Justice T S Thakur today said that "corresponding upgradation" of judiciary was a must to face the challenges of emerging social and economic scenario and observed that "unpolluted and speedy justice still remains a distant dream".

How Mamata can woo big-ticket projects to Bengal

How Mamata can woo big-ticket projects to Bengal

Rediff.com11 Apr 2022

The words 'industry', 'industrial development', 'jobs', and 'employment' have been ringing with higher frequency since Mamata Banerjee stepped into her third term with landslide victory after a high-octane election last year. "Our government's next target is industrial development," the chief minister (CM) had been heard stating at different public meetings in the past few months - perhaps setting the tone for the sixth edition of the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) slated for later this month. Investor summits by any state are about intent, big numbers, and tall claims. Yet in competitive federalism, its importance as a marketing tool is undeniable.

Why the Poor vote for Modi, and Rich vote for Left

Why the Poor vote for Modi, and Rich vote for Left

Rediff.com5 Jul 2021

Why are the poor turning Right instead of turning toward far-Left parties, ponders Pranab Bardhan.

Can India Deal with Halahal In Amrit Kaal?

Can India Deal with Halahal In Amrit Kaal?

Rediff.com15 Aug 2022

We have our own problems for sure and they are not trivial, but for now, our economy is in not too bad a shape, our politics is as personality-driven and authoritarian as that of most countries in the world. We must make the best of what we have and not be excessively unhappy looking at the grass on the other side of the septic tank which may not be greener after all!, observes Shreekant Sambrani.

India reached 1 to 5 lakh Covid-19 cases in just 39 days

India reached 1 to 5 lakh Covid-19 cases in just 39 days

Rediff.com27 Jun 2020

It took 64 days for COVID-19 cases in India to touch the (May 19) one lakh-mark from 100 cases, and another fortnight to cross two lakh cases on June 3. It took 10 days for the tally to touch the three lakh-mark and another eight days for the cases to climb to four lakh.

India projected to surpass China as most populous country by 2023: UN report

India projected to surpass China as most populous country by 2023: UN report

Rediff.com11 Jul 2022

Th report predicted that the world population is to reach eight billion by mid-November 2022.

Ukraine: 'India remained cold-blooded and rational'

Ukraine: 'India remained cold-blooded and rational'

Rediff.com12 May 2022

'As long as we have such partners, Russia cannot be isolated.'

4.5% GDP growth unacceptable, worrisome: Manmohan

4.5% GDP growth unacceptable, worrisome: Manmohan

Rediff.com30 Nov 2019

He said the 'toxic combination of deep distrust, pervasive fear and a sense of hopelessness in our society' is stifling economic activity and growth.

Pandemic has IFC pumping $1.7 bn in India

Pandemic has IFC pumping $1.7 bn in India

Rediff.com17 Aug 2021

The pandemic has led to the International Finance Corporation massively ramping up its impact investment in the country - its largest client nation globally - at $1.7 billion as of June, a 51 per cent rise over the past 12 months, the largest developmental lender into third world private sector said on Tuesday. This is nearly half of its investment in the whole of South Asia since the pandemic, which touched $3.8 billion as of June 2021, it said. "Our total commitment to India, which is our largest client country globally, at the end of June stood at $1.7 billion representing an increase of over 51 per cent from last year," IFC vice-president for Asia and the Pacific region Alfonso Garcia Mora said in a statement.

Elitism, populism, meritocracy...

Elitism, populism, meritocracy...

Rediff.com5 Jul 2019

Ajit Balakrishnan decodes the angst-ridden discourse of the day.

How World War II changed India

How World War II changed India

Rediff.com24 May 2016

'The origins of the model of planned economic development adopted by independent India was a direct consequence of the war.' 'The war provided an opportunity for groups at the margins of Indian society to find new avenues for mobility.' 'The war also led to the emergence of India as a major Asian power and set the stage for it to play a wider role in international politics.'

Full Text: President Murmu's address to nation on Independence Day eve

Full Text: President Murmu's address to nation on Independence Day eve

Rediff.com14 Aug 2022

Here's the full text of the maiden address to the nation by President Droupadi Murmu on the eve of Independence Day 2022.

How My Life Changed After Article 370 was annulled

How My Life Changed After Article 370 was annulled

Rediff.com10 Sep 2019

'I don't see people standing up against what is happening in Kashmir. I feel this clampdown can exist as long as the government wants it to.'

How Bihar changed under Nitish Kumar

How Bihar changed under Nitish Kumar

Rediff.com9 Nov 2015

What is Change really like in Bihar? Once seen as India's basket-case, what is its turnaround story like?

EWS quota: Govt to retain Rs 8 lakh income criteria

EWS quota: Govt to retain Rs 8 lakh income criteria

Rediff.com2 Jan 2022

The government said that the panel has recommended that family income is a "feasible criterion" for defining EWS and in the current situation, a threshold of Rs 8 lakh of annual family income seems reasonable for determining EWS.

An Ill Wind Blowing Over Karnataka

An Ill Wind Blowing Over Karnataka

Rediff.com13 Apr 2022

This divisiveness is upsetting social cohesion and can throw the bright young people thronging to Bengaluru with billion dollar ideas in their creative minds off balance, warns Shekhar Gupta.

'More transgenders should join the media, attitudes must change'

'More transgenders should join the media, attitudes must change'

Rediff.com8 Oct 2014

A Coimbatore-based transgender has become a trailblazer for her community becoming the first TV transgender news anchor when she went 'live' on Independence day on a private Tamil satellite channel in Tamil Nadu.

A Modi-fied foreign policy: Change with continuity

A Modi-fied foreign policy: Change with continuity

Rediff.com17 May 2014

The major driver of Mod's foreign policy can be gauged from his economic priorities such as creating employment opportunities for the youth bulge. Related to this is emphasis on manufacturing, and infrastructure development, which in turn raises the issue of FDI. He has already articulated his views on all these issues, says Rup Narayan Das.

'Over time, Rahul seems to have changed'

'Over time, Rahul seems to have changed'

Rediff.com6 May 2019

'It is the regional parties and their leaders who are the ones we have to watch.'

Business reforms: Gujarat ranks behind West Bengal

Business reforms: Gujarat ranks behind West Bengal

Rediff.com17 Sep 2020

While other states are becoming competitive, Gujarat, say experts is not paying enough attention to maintaining its own position in terms of business reforms.

SC strikes down Maratha quota, terms it unconstitutional

SC strikes down Maratha quota, terms it unconstitutional

Rediff.com5 May 2021

The judgment came on a batch of pleas challenging the Bombay high court verdict which had upheld the grant of reservation to Marathas in admissions and government jobs in the state.

Indians' love for things foreign

Indians' love for things foreign

Rediff.com22 Sep 2020

...Is this a virus more dangerous than Covid-19, asks Ajit Balakrishnan.

Full text: President Murmu's address to Parliament's Budget Session

Full text: President Murmu's address to Parliament's Budget Session

Rediff.com31 Jan 2023

'Wherever in the world there is political instability, those countries are beset with severe crises today. But India is in a much better position than the rest of the world due to the decisions taken by my government in the national interest,' President Droupadi Murmu said in her address to both Houses of Parliament.

The growing tussle between the govt and CAG

The growing tussle between the govt and CAG

Rediff.com22 May 2022

In a first, the Comptroller and Auditor General's (CAG) officers reached out to several ministries in the last week of April as part of a confidence-boosting measure. The meeting brought the CAG officials and those from the ministries across the table to discuss the pain points in their relations. CAG of India Girish Chandra Murmu took this novel step because of growing tensions between those audited and the auditor.

Apathy, fatalism or bravado? Why people are not following Covid norms

Apathy, fatalism or bravado? Why people are not following Covid norms

Rediff.com14 Jul 2021

People have developed a fatalistic attitude where they believe that anything can happen. They think, 'there's no medicine, no beds in the hospitals, what are we alive for?' And when you get that kind of an attitude, you stop taking precautions