News for 'Institute for Social and Economic Change'

The return of the activist State

The return of the activist State

Rediff.com9 Feb 2016

The middle class's long push to force the state to retreat from the economy may be reversing, says Ajit Balakrishnan.

When a Nobel Laureate comes to town!

When a Nobel Laureate comes to town!

Rediff.com14 Jan 2020

What does Nobel Laureate Abhijit Banerjee thinks about India's education sector?

China capable of launching cyber attacks on India: CDS

China capable of launching cyber attacks on India: CDS

Rediff.com7 Apr 2021

He said the aim has been to create firewalls to deal with the cyber attacks and that the issue is being addressed in a "serious way".

The Incomparable Ved Mehta

The Incomparable Ved Mehta

Rediff.com11 Jan 2021

On a visit to India in 2013, writer Ved Mehta -- who passed into the ages on Sunday January 10, 2021 - gave Rediff.com's Vaihayasi Pande Daniel a rare glimpse into his state of mind and what he thinks of the changes he encounters in his motherland.

China Connection and India-US Ties

China Connection and India-US Ties

Rediff.com2 Feb 2021

'India should not be taken by surprise if the Biden administration seeks China's cooperation at some point,' alerts Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Sudden rise of online higher education

Sudden rise of online higher education

Rediff.com4 Aug 2020

Will Covid-19 permanently change higher education, asks Ajit Balakrishnan.

'Bridging gender gap may add Rs 46 trillion to India's GDP in 2025'

'Bridging gender gap may add Rs 46 trillion to India's GDP in 2025'

Rediff.com2 Nov 2015

The report has identified some areas that need attention from India's policymakers.

'The more you alienate Muslims, the more it will have problems for India's internal security'

'The more you alienate Muslims, the more it will have problems for India's internal security'

Rediff.com8 Dec 2021

'Look at the aggressive way in which a campaign against Friday namaz is going on in North Indian cities.' 'Even the Union home minister is part of this vicious campaign.'

Arvind Panagariya: An advocate of growth-boosting policies

Arvind Panagariya: An advocate of growth-boosting policies

Rediff.com6 Jan 2015

He was most recently credited as one of the brains behind labour law reforms in Rajasthan

Wisdom demands Modi dial back on Hindu nationalism

Wisdom demands Modi dial back on Hindu nationalism

Rediff.com27 May 2019

'Wisdom demands Modi moves to restore the critical institutions of the State and dial back on the cult building around his persona,' say Sonali Ranade and Shealja Sharma.

New lamps for old, but the genie's missing

New lamps for old, but the genie's missing

Rediff.com21 May 2017

Times without count we have bought more complex procedures in the name of simplification, says Shreekant Sambrani.

RBI must introspect its role in lower growth, says Goyal

RBI must introspect its role in lower growth, says Goyal

Rediff.com6 Apr 2019

Piyush Goyal, who held the post of finance minister when Arun Jaitley was undergoing treatment, told the Confederation of Indian Industry's annual session: "All stakeholders, including the RBI, should introspect on their respective roles (on low economic growth)."

'Entrepreneurship can be a draining process'

'Entrepreneurship can be a draining process'

Rediff.com23 Aug 2021

'If you enjoy learning and if you can risk the failures, entrepreneurship can be a rewarding, enriching experience.'

10% quota in govt jobs applicable from Feb 1: Centre

10% quota in govt jobs applicable from Feb 1: Centre

Rediff.com24 Jan 2019

The Constitution (124th Amendment) Bill on providing 10 per cent reservation in jobs and education to the general category poor was passed by Parliament on January 9.

Lack of stronger cyber security may cost world economy $3 trillion

Lack of stronger cyber security may cost world economy $3 trillion

Rediff.com20 Jan 2014

With the recent proliferation of cyberattacks, corporate executives need to devote increasing attention to protecting information assets and on-line operations, said a report released on Monday by the World Economic Forum.

Gujarat HC quashes 10 pc EBC quota ordinance

Gujarat HC quashes 10 pc EBC quota ordinance

Rediff.com4 Aug 2016

The court observed that 10 per cent reservation for poor among the unreserved category takes the total quota beyond 50 per cent, which is not permitted as per the SC's earlier decision.

How can schools reopen safely? UN agencies lay down guidelines

How can schools reopen safely? UN agencies lay down guidelines

Rediff.com6 May 2020

The guidelines note that while there is not enough evidence yet to measure the impact of school closures on the disease transmission rates, the adverse effects of school closures on children's safety and learning are well documented. Gains made in increasing access to children's education in recent decades risk being lost and, in the worse cases, reversed completely.

How India can become a hub of software products

How India can become a hub of software products

Rediff.com1 Mar 2019

Policy lays out a 5-year road map seeking creation of 3.5 mn jobs and promoting 10,000 start-ups.

On Day 1, Biden signs 15 executive orders

On Day 1, Biden signs 15 executive orders

Rediff.com21 Jan 2021

The president said he will be signing a number of executive orders over the next several days of the week.

The Roots of the Taliban

The Roots of the Taliban

Rediff.com7 Aug 2021

Internal strife and tribalism is endemic to Afghanistan, notes Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Why is unemployment in India so 'volatile'?

Why is unemployment in India so 'volatile'?

Rediff.com15 Nov 2017

'In India, a large proportion of the labour force does not have a regular job.' 'People are mostly employed as daily wage workers, agricultural labourers, small farmers and self-employed traders.' 'These move in and out of "jobs" fairly rapidly.' 'It is the high proportion of these workers in India that makes unemployment volatile,' explains Mahesh Vyas.

Britain, China clash over new UK visa for Hong Kongers

Britain, China clash over new UK visa for Hong Kongers

Rediff.com25 Feb 2021

Britain and China have clashed over the offer of British National Overseas passports to Hong Kong residents, observes Rup Narayan Das.

COVID-19: Every life counts

COVID-19: Every life counts

Rediff.com21 Apr 2020

The benefits of modern medicine have led people to demand more from the State, and to value every life. Even a modest death toll caused by an epidemic today is unacceptable, says Dipankar Gupta.

MUDRA Bank: A catalyst for India's 10% GDP growth

MUDRA Bank: A catalyst for India's 10% GDP growth

Rediff.com16 Mar 2015

Bringing in the untapped informal sector into the formal one will benefit business.

'Yogi played a bigger role than Modi in UP election'

'Yogi played a bigger role than Modi in UP election'

Rediff.com20 Mar 2017

'His selection is to honour the sentiment of the communal majoritarianism, satisfy the upper caste and continue the process of Hindutva.'

'Modi prioritised Hindu majoritarianism over economy'

'Modi prioritised Hindu majoritarianism over economy'

Rediff.com11 Feb 2020

'Potent nationalism doesn't just distract from the economic task at hand; it actively undermines it.'

'Every day, we hear about factories closing down'

'Every day, we hear about factories closing down'

Rediff.com15 Nov 2019

'Businessmen are reluctant to invest because there is a fear that private investors are being targeted by various agencies.'

JNU fees hike: Why the students are so angry

JNU fees hike: Why the students are so angry

Rediff.com5 Dec 2019

'Once our voices are crushed, they can bring in an agenda of privatisation.'

Do Modi's ministers understand business?

Do Modi's ministers understand business?

Rediff.com31 Jan 2020

Piyush Goyal's comments about Amazon founder Jeff Bezos's investment in India reveals an inability to understand how businesses function, says Kanika Datta.

India must embrace Biden's B3W initiative

India must embrace Biden's B3W initiative

Rediff.com1 Jul 2021

Joe Biden's B3W proposal aims to bring democracies together. India should come up with its own plans to contribute to the initiative, states Rahul Mishra.

China protests US ban on TikTok, WeChat; warns counter measures

China protests US ban on TikTok, WeChat; warns counter measures

Rediff.com19 Sep 2020

The US on Friday issued orders to ban popular Chinese social media apps TikTok and WeChat from Sunday to safeguard national security, weeks after India banned them, saying they were prejudicial to sovereignty, integrity and security of the country.

'Economy has been growing at around 5% the last 7-8 years'

'Economy has been growing at around 5% the last 7-8 years'

Rediff.com21 Jun 2019

'Instead of doing reforms and restructuring, the present government is busy with the perception that everything is fine and the economy is hunky-dory.' 'Such hollow perceptions are very dangerous for the Indian economy in the long run.' 'The real risk to India is the lack of decent employment opportunities for youth in general and educated youth in particular.'

Ease of doing business: Centre to name and shame poor performers

Ease of doing business: Centre to name and shame poor performers

Rediff.com20 Sep 2017

The ease of doing business has not picked up in a vast number of states and Union Territories.

On trial is not Trump, but Trumpism

On trial is not Trump, but Trumpism

Rediff.com14 Jan 2021

What is the guarantee that another Trump will not arise and reach out to the American people directly? The fact of the matter is that Trump's support base remains the envy of any American politician, notes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Demographic dividend or impending catastrophe?

Demographic dividend or impending catastrophe?

Rediff.com26 Aug 2016

No country has grown without educating its people. India's shameful lag in primary and secondary education has persisted for several decades, and the crisis in higher education is now threatening a social and political calamity, says Ashoka Mody.

Complacent banks will turn dinosaurs this decade

Complacent banks will turn dinosaurs this decade

Rediff.com13 Jan 2021

In the new decade, the scene will change because the banks till recently had been challenged by the fintechs, but the techfins have now entered the arena, observes Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

What CMs told PM Modi during video meet on COVID-19

What CMs told PM Modi during video meet on COVID-19

Rediff.com12 May 2020

While some CMs suggested reopening economic activity in phases, others pitched for the extension of the coronavirus lockdown, but with a carefully crafted exit strategy

Key lessons for the new 'Planning Commission'

Key lessons for the new 'Planning Commission'

Rediff.com12 Sep 2014

Creating many more half-decent jobs for the 10 million plus new entrants to the labour force each year must surely constitute the primary development challenge for India today.

Indian execs paying a high price for life in the fast lane

Indian execs paying a high price for life in the fast lane

Rediff.com17 Oct 2017

Experts say one in every four mental health problems is due to depression and anxiety at the workplace.

War on Covid can only be won through vaccines

War on Covid can only be won through vaccines

Rediff.com13 May 2021

The vaccination rate needs to go up by three to four times, assert Ajay Shah and Amrita Agarwal.