News for 'Institute for Social and Economic Change'

What Trump Tariffs Can India Expect On April 2?

What Trump Tariffs Can India Expect On April 2?

Rediff.com26 Mar 2025

'As negotiations continue, the path forward demands not only diplomatic skill, but also vigilance against legal asymmetries embedded in America's trade playbook.'

Trump's Disruptions: Blessing In Disguise

Trump's Disruptions: Blessing In Disguise

Rediff.com13 Feb 2025

We must bring a laser focus on our own interests, and define our friends and foes more clearly instead of trying to live by somebody else's rules. We must grow up, think for ourselves, think India First, asserts R Jagannathan.

Are Baloch rebels out of Pakistan's control now?

Are Baloch rebels out of Pakistan's control now?

Rediff.com14 Mar 2025

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has undergone a significant transformation, evolving from hit-and-run attacks to carrying out sophisticated operations with tactical precision. The group's tactics and targets have become increasingly audacious, targeting security forces, Chinese nationals, and innocent civilians. Experts attribute the BLA's evolution to various factors, including the leadership of Bashir Zeb, the group's growing intelligence network, and its exploitation of the grievances of the Baloch people. The BLA's actions are a cause for concern, as the group's sophisticated attacks pose a major challenge to security forces.

Trump Has Become A Reset Button

Trump Has Become A Reset Button

Rediff.com11 Apr 2025

Trump's sweeping tariffs and penalties on China-built ships have turned global shipping into the front line of economic war, observes Shyam G Menon.

How Ajay Banga Can Change The World Bank

How Ajay Banga Can Change The World Bank

Rediff.com14 Apr 2023

The World Bank must become Archimedes's lever to help change the world into a more prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable planet in the 21st century. The change in leadership now provides that opportunity, observes Ajay Chhibber.

Where Would India Be Without Dr Singh?

Where Would India Be Without Dr Singh?

Rediff.com27 Dec 2024

What stood out in his 15-year journey as a member of the political executive at the Centre was his glowing record as India's most successful and effective finance minister. Both as prime minister and finance minister, he understood the importance of gradualism, except when the economy or the polity was in a crisis.

'Govt Unsure How To Fire Economy Upwards'

'Govt Unsure How To Fire Economy Upwards'

Rediff.com6 Feb 2025

'I am optimistic about the Budget because of the fiscal discipline the government has committed to.'

When Muhammad Yunus Spoke To India's Parliament

When Muhammad Yunus Spoke To India's Parliament

Rediff.com24 Aug 2024

Muhammad Yunus proved that he was neither an armchair economist nor a slogan mongering political activist, but a doer destined to do what Mahatma Gandhi said -- to remove every tear from every eye, recalls Rup Narayan Das.

Skip Canada! 10 Places To Study Abroad

Skip Canada! 10 Places To Study Abroad

Rediff.com29 Nov 2024

Indian students are looking at destinations that offer quality education coupled with unique cultural and career experiences, often at more affordable costs, says Gaurav Batra, CEO, Infinite Group.

The Political Mindset On Jobs Needs Change

The Political Mindset On Jobs Needs Change

Rediff.com20 Jun 2023

The challenge is to enhance opportunities for people to generate livelihoods through entrepreneurship, both big and small, argues R Jagannathan.

'America Is In For A Period Of Extended Domestic Turmoil'

'America Is In For A Period Of Extended Domestic Turmoil'

Rediff.com15 Nov 2024

'Trump's disregard for norms and institutions could prove very costly for America's social fabric.'

'Farmers are our Annadata'

'Farmers are our Annadata'

Rediff.com15 Aug 2024

This is the full text of the address to the nation by President Droupadi Murmu on the eve of India's 78th Independence Day.

How Will Tribals Vote In Jharkhand?

How Will Tribals Vote In Jharkhand?

Rediff.com12 Nov 2024

'I don't believe there is an international conspiracy to swamp tribals in India or in Jharkhand.'

Meet Nirmalaji's Core Budget Team

Meet Nirmalaji's Core Budget Team

Rediff.com23 Jul 2024

The finance minister continues to be backed by the same policy team in charting out the broad strategy as in the few earlier Budgets.

Do We Need Atmashakti At Work?

Do We Need Atmashakti At Work?

Rediff.com15 Oct 2024

'Alongside economic growth and the Asian century, stress has become an Asian caravan.' 'But stress doesn't arrive in one's country as invitation to taste exhaustion. It comes dressed as a challenge.' 'Its evangelists ask: Are you man enough to shoulder stress?' points out Shyam G Menon.

Mohammad Yunus: The Nobel laureate Prof who will head new Bangladesh govt

Mohammad Yunus: The Nobel laureate Prof who will head new Bangladesh govt

Rediff.com7 Aug 2024

Life has come full circle for Nobel laureate Professor Mohammad Yunus, who faced persecution during Sheikh Hasina's regime for embezzlement, is now all set to head of the interim government in Bangladesh after she resigned and fled the country.

'Who Does Not Want To Be Prime Minister?'

'Who Does Not Want To Be Prime Minister?'

Rediff.com27 Dec 2024

'We are going to need more technical people in government.' 'You can't expect a generalist to understand the complicated world of financial engineering.' 'I regret to say that most of our politicians have no competence to deal with these things. Nor is there a willingness to learn.'

Will Japan Instability Derail India Ties?

Will Japan Instability Derail India Ties?

Rediff.com8 Nov 2024

There is nothing to be worried about as bilateral ties are robust with solid foundations. Both are on the same page on the economic and defence/security ties bilaterally and globally and that shall continue irrespective of change in political dispensation in either country, points out Dr Rajaram Panda.

We Are In An Era Of Puppets And Puppeteers

We Are In An Era Of Puppets And Puppeteers

Rediff.com31 Dec 2024

'As we enter 2025, it must be acknowledged that there is a convergence of capital, influential people (from business and politics) and technology deciding the destiny of others in the name of pride, patriotism, nationalism, nation building, all of it thinly veiled disguises for personal profit and glory,' asserts Shyam G Menon.

India's water crisis detrimental to credit health, warns Moody's

India's water crisis detrimental to credit health, warns Moody's

Rediff.com25 Jun 2024

Moody's Ratings on Tuesday said India's growing water shortage can disrupt farm and industry sectors and is detrimental to the credit health of the sovereign as rising food inflation and decline in income may spark social unrest. It said decreases in water supply can disrupt agricultural production and industrial operations, resulting in inflation in food prices and hence can be detrimental to credit health of sectors that heavily consume water, such as coal power generators and steel-makers.

'We Are Frittering Away The Demographic Dividend'

'We Are Frittering Away The Demographic Dividend'

Rediff.com27 Jun 2024

'it's not just youth in India who are left behind because of their inability to find jobs; nearly two-thirds of Indian women of working ages do not participate at all in the paid labour force.'

Quota for economically weaker sections unconstitutional, petitioners tell SC

Quota for economically weaker sections unconstitutional, petitioners tell SC

Rediff.com13 Sep 2022

The Centre's decision to grant 10 per cent quota for the EWS category in admissions and jobs violates the basic structure of the Constitution on multiple counts including that it breaches the 50 per cent cap on reservation, the Supreme Court was told on Tuesday.

Minority or not has to be decided by today's standards, says SC in AMU case

Minority or not has to be decided by today's standards, says SC in AMU case

Rediff.com30 Jan 2024

An institution of national importance must reflect the "national structure", the Centre told the Supreme Court on Tuesday while pointing out that around 70 to 80 per cent students studying at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) are Muslims even without reservation.

Govt defends Great Nicobar project amid criticism, cites national interest

Govt defends Great Nicobar project amid criticism, cites national interest

Rediff.com26 Aug 2024

The central government's Great Nicobar development project, proposed around an unprecedented transhipment port, will be executed to keep environmental impact minimal, and is essential as it is of national importance, the government has said amid calls to abort the controversial project due to ecological concerns, the Centre said in an official statement.

Modi Knows How To Deal With Dissanayake

Modi Knows How To Deal With Dissanayake

Rediff.com23 Sep 2024

For India to view the new Sri Lankan leadership only through the prism of the past or through their narrow view on China, is fraught with possibilities that should be avoided, asserts N Sathiya Moorthy.

Budget: Time To Bet On Big Ideas

Budget: Time To Bet On Big Ideas

Rediff.com16 Jul 2024

The generation of quality jobs and skill development should be the focal point, cutting across ministries and departments, asserts Nivedita Mookerji.

Cong manifesto to counter Modi's guarantee with '5 nyay', '25 guarantees'

Cong manifesto to counter Modi's guarantee with '5 nyay', '25 guarantees'

Rediff.com19 Mar 2024

The Congress has so far announced 82 candidates for the seven-phase Lok Sabha polls beginning April 19.

India's Neighbourhood First Policy Crumbling

India's Neighbourhood First Policy Crumbling

Rediff.com26 Aug 2024

The fundamental construct of India's neighbourhood policy still needs to be what Vajpayee postulated, Manmohan Singh embraced, and Modi energised. It's just that we need to junk domestic politics and excessive religiosity, while acquiring much humility and a renewed respectfulness towards our neighbours, recommends Shekhar Gupta.

What Can India Expect If Modi Returns?

What Can India Expect If Modi Returns?

Rediff.com3 Jun 2024

'The Opposition will continue to be attacked through misuse of agencies, civil society will be force-marched towards extinction and India's plummeting on global indices will continue.' 'Minorities and especially Muslims will continue to have open season declared on them. Institutions will continue their decline,' predicts Aakar Patel.

Ratan Tata, Dreamer And Ideas Executor

Ratan Tata, Dreamer And Ideas Executor

Rediff.com26 Oct 2024

There were certainly qualities adhering to the Tata Group, which emanated from the persona of Ratan Tata. Most notable of these would be the low profile he maintained, which sharply contrasted the in-your-face celebrity status, celebration of wealth and pursuit of importance many of liberalised India's rich, love, notes Shyam G Menon.

'Ram Mandir Is With 2024 Election In Mind'

'Ram Mandir Is With 2024 Election In Mind'

Rediff.com24 Jan 2024

'We should not underestimate the power of Hindutva.'

India The Diplomatic Ambassador In Global Crises

India The Diplomatic Ambassador In Global Crises

Rediff.com16 Sep 2024

Times have changed, situations have changed, but the basic nature of superpower geo-politics remains the same and so also India's diplomacy -- call it non-alignment, strategic autonomy or neutrality; it all depends on the time scale, notes Rup Narayan Das.

Bhujbal wants Maratha quota panel scrapped, issuing Kunbi certificates stayed

Bhujbal wants Maratha quota panel scrapped, issuing Kunbi certificates stayed

Rediff.com27 Nov 2023

Maharashtra cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal has demanded a stay on the Kunbi caste certificates issued to Marathas following their latest agitation for reservation and scrapping of the Justice (retired) Sandeep Shinde committee formed over the quota issue.

'Decision to sell LIC is more political than economic'

'Decision to sell LIC is more political than economic'

Rediff.com23 Feb 2022

'How can you explain the necessity of selling an institution that has been delivering regular returns to the government, that has never asked for any capital from the government, that has invested Rs 38 lakh crores in the Indian economy and that owns 4 per cent of the market capitalisation in India?'

'Caste Won't Disappear From India'

'Caste Won't Disappear From India'

Rediff.com7 Sep 2023

'In India those who want change cannot bring about change, and those who can bring about change do not want change.'

'If its basic industry is terrorism': Jaishankar on helping Pak

'If its basic industry is terrorism': Jaishankar on helping Pak

Rediff.com23 Feb 2023

Jaishankar also made it clear that it is in nobody's interest to see a country get into severe economic difficulties, and that too a neighbour.

The Modi Interview: 'India will be developed by 2047'

The Modi Interview: 'India will be developed by 2047'

Rediff.com3 Sep 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India's economic growth is a 'natural by-product' of his nine-year-old government's political stability, as he expressed optimism that it will be a developed nation by 2047 with 'corruption, casteism and communalism' having no place in our national life.

Next-gen politicians battle it out for Samastipur

Next-gen politicians battle it out for Samastipur

Rediff.com9 May 2024

'Dynastic politics has become a tool of convenience for political parties. The BJP does not hesitate to accept it when it comes to its own alliance or party candidates. The same goes for the others.'

How The Heat Wave Will Affect Your Kitchen

How The Heat Wave Will Affect Your Kitchen

Rediff.com2 May 2024

Apart from the human body, human food will bear direct repercussions. From staples such as wheat, to coffee, dairy, and even the great Hilsa face the threat of reduced supply due to the extreme heat.

'Naidu Will Give BJP Run For Its Money'

'Naidu Will Give BJP Run For Its Money'

Rediff.com7 Jun 2024

'The Opposition parties will continue to woo Chandrababu Naidu even though he has said he will support the BJP.'