News for 'Institute for Social and Economic Change'

Why the child labour law should not be amended

Why the child labour law should not be amended

Rediff.com29 May 2015

The proposed changes to the child labour law to allow children and adolescents to work for their families would be most retrograde and regressive, say Shinzani Jain and Paranjoy Guha Thakurta.

Pravasi Special: 'Modi has enthused the Diaspora'

Pravasi Special: 'Modi has enthused the Diaspora'

Rediff.com8 Jan 2015

The Diaspora is no longer a mere remittance economy. It today claims dual loyalty and demands a say in Indian politics, says sociologist Shiv Visvanathan

Arvind Subramanian: 'India doesn't have this ability to project power like China'

Arvind Subramanian: 'India doesn't have this ability to project power like China'

Rediff.com18 Oct 2014

Arvind Subramanian talks about US and China's power play and where India figures in these dynamics.

Did you know Nehru was first PM to address US Congress?

Did you know Nehru was first PM to address US Congress?

Rediff.com1 Jun 2016

'India may be new to world politics and her military strength insignificant in comparison with that of the giants of our epoch.' 'But India is old in thought and experience and has travelled through trackless centuries in the adventure of life.' 'Throughout her long history she has stood for peace and every prayer that an Indian raises, ends with an invocation to peace.' Jawaharlal Nehru's memorable speech to the United States Congress.

'Dear prime minister: Harvard is not just Amartya Sen'

'Dear prime minister: Harvard is not just Amartya Sen'

Rediff.com9 Mar 2017

'Amartya Sen is a citizen of the country who has every right to criticise or give his opinion on a policy decision.' 'Get back at him! Why get back at Harvard?'

FULL TEXT of PM Modi's I-Day address

FULL TEXT of PM Modi's I-Day address

Rediff.com15 Aug 2019

Following is the full text of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 73rd Independence Day.

The Battle of Panipat, revisited

The Battle of Panipat, revisited

Rediff.com9 Mar 2020

Colonel Anil Athale (retd) recalls how the Battle of Panipat, 258 years ago, changed the history of India for the next century and half.

What is the way out for Muslims now?

What is the way out for Muslims now?

Rediff.com22 Mar 2019

Muslims need to get out of their Isolation Syndrome, argues Mohammad Sajjad.

'NDA has misused its mandate; they aren't bothered about people's problems'

'NDA has misused its mandate; they aren't bothered about people's problems'

Rediff.com27 Jun 2018

After snapping his political alliance with the ruling National Democratic Alliance at the Centre, N Chandrababu Naidu, chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, speaks to B Dasarath Reddy on what he now has in mind.

He believed that justice is possible in an unjust world

He believed that justice is possible in an unjust world

Rediff.com8 Dec 2014

'I rejoice in the fact that Justice Iyer has left a legacy, after all, legacies no not reside in brick and mortar, but in living humans and there are many of us who have followed in his footsteps and continue to do so.' Former additional solicitor general Indira Jaising salutes the legendary Justice V R Krishna Iyer who passed into the ages last week, the judge who restored her faith in the Supreme Court of India.

'Pakistan will seek turmoil and violence in Kashmir'

'Pakistan will seek turmoil and violence in Kashmir'

Rediff.com29 Jul 2016

'It should be of concern that some youth in Kashmir have started raising Daesh flags along with those of Pakistan.'

Want to live abroad? Best ways to get a citizenship

Want to live abroad? Best ways to get a citizenship

Rediff.com1 Feb 2016

A number of countries allow you to become citizens by investing in government-approved projects or real estate or by buying bonds.

No thank you, the Parsis can save themselves

No thank you, the Parsis can save themselves

Rediff.com22 Nov 2014

'Be responsible, don't use a condom tonight' goes an advertising campaign that is an insult to the intelligence of a community that is by no means ignorant or illiterate, argues Sherna Gandhy.

6 I-Day promises from 2014 that Modi (partially) fulfilled

6 I-Day promises from 2014 that Modi (partially) fulfilled

Rediff.com18 Aug 2015

A review of key pronouncements he made in his first Independence Day Speech on August 15, 2014.

PM suggests 8 areas where India, China can cooperate

PM suggests 8 areas where India, China can cooperate

Rediff.com24 Oct 2013

Following is the full text of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's speech at the Central Party School in Beijing on Thursday:

40 years ago...and now: Home buyers are young and demanding

40 years ago...and now: Home buyers are young and demanding

Rediff.com12 Jan 2015

Today, people are happily raising 80-85 per cent through home loans, and if they still don't have enough, the rest is raised through a personal loan.

Exclusive! What the head of US Congress' India caucus wants

Exclusive! What the head of US Congress' India caucus wants

Rediff.com27 Mar 2017

US Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, newly elected co-chair of the influential Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans, discusses her vision for US-India ties with Rediff.com's Monali Sarkar.

India on verge of becoming world's most digitised economy: PM

India on verge of becoming world's most digitised economy: PM

Rediff.com10 Jan 2017

"India has become the fastest growing major economy in the world. Despite the global slowdown, we have registered excellent growth. Today, India is a bright spot in the global economy. We are seen as the engine of global growth," he said.

'Chanting Ambedkar's name makes Dalit leaders cross over to BJP'

'Chanting Ambedkar's name makes Dalit leaders cross over to BJP'

Rediff.com31 Aug 2018

Why Dalit leaders cross over to the BJP

He will be missed by all who step out and fight for justice

He will be missed by all who step out and fight for justice

Rediff.com25 Aug 2014

U R Ananthamurthy was one among the most creative triumvirate of Modernist Kannada literature of the late sixties and seventies (the other two being the late P Lankesh and K Poornachandra Tejaswi). He will be missed by all who care to step out and fight for justice and human rights of ordinary people in India despite being surrounded by the consumerist fog, says Shivanand Kanavi.

India is still struggling between populism and policy: Arun Jaitley

India is still struggling between populism and policy: Arun Jaitley

Rediff.com2 Jan 2019

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said that the states were free to announce farm loan waivers if they had the fiscal space and that there would be no shortfall this year in divestment and non-tax revenues.

Why the govt should give greater autonomy to public banks

Why the govt should give greater autonomy to public banks

Rediff.com11 Sep 2014

Control over PSU banks is what is allowing the government to drive this scheme.

Why Modi must meet Santosh Kaveri

Why Modi must meet Santosh Kaveri

Rediff.com10 May 2019

Santosh Kaveri, a young inventor from Karnataka, is a sterling example of the 'Made In India' initiative. Find out why his dreams of being an innovator-enterpreneur shattered.

Dee MC: The badass rapper girl

Dee MC: The badass rapper girl

Rediff.com1 Mar 2019

'I want to use my music to reach out to the youth, to inspire them to create history.' 'To share knowledge, to tell them the importance of voting, girl child education, menstrual hygiene.'

Does Donald Trump deserve a chance?

Does Donald Trump deserve a chance?

Rediff.com3 Aug 2017

While political observers are unable to make head or tail of the US President, those moving in high business and industry circles tell B S Raghavan that Trump's style is exactly that of an aggressive and successful businessman.

'Modi is taking a big risk'

'Modi is taking a big risk'

Rediff.com20 Jul 2015

'When he first came to office, my belief is that the PM's reading of the landscape was that, with a vanquished Congress and fragmented Opposition, he was looking at least at two terms in office. This reading perhaps allows for a more cautious, gradual approach.' 'It was only a matter of time before the government was forced to come face-to-face with a serious corruption scandal. This is not a commentary on the BJP, but a statement about India's political economy.' 'There is growing concern about the government's commitment to freedom of expression, religious tolerance, and an independent civil society. Thus far, the positive movement on strategic and economic matters has crowded out these concerns, but they are lingering beneath the surface.'

Rag pickers to rock stars: Meet Dharavi's slumdog millionaires

Rag pickers to rock stars: Meet Dharavi's slumdog millionaires

Rediff.com13 Oct 2015

A group of young guns led by Abhijit Jejurikar showed the world what they are capable of.

It's the start-up season

It's the start-up season

Rediff.com29 Dec 2015

Perhaps, the most misunderstood aspect is the role of the state.

IAS topper: 'I want to fight corruption'

IAS topper: 'I want to fight corruption'

Rediff.com20 May 2016

Meet Jasmeet Singh Sandhu who ranked third in the Union Public Service Commission exam this year.

'I see the genius of the Indian people'

'I see the genius of the Indian people'

Rediff.com1 Dec 2014

'Never lose your optimism. Never lose your aspiration and never -- even if India becomes a prosperous consumer society -- never ever lose that shining light in your eyes,' advises Dr Peter McLaughlin, headmaster of the Doon School.

World Bank projects displaced 380,000 in India

World Bank projects displaced 380,000 in India

Rediff.com22 Apr 2015

For the remaining projects, it is difficult to arrive at an estimate.

Is rural India angry with Modi?

Is rural India angry with Modi?

Rediff.com8 Apr 2015

The anger against land acquisition is not only among landowners.

The Indian Spring: Lessons for the world

The Indian Spring: Lessons for the world

Rediff.com30 Dec 2013

The Indian Spring represented by Anna Hazare's anti-corruption campaign, which has culminated in the Aam Aadmi Party's impressive electoral debut in New Delhi, began around the same time as the Arab Spring in 2011 but they led to different outcomes in India and the Arab world, says Ramesh Ramachandran.

Malvika Iyer's amazing story of grit!

Malvika Iyer's amazing story of grit!

Rediff.com17 Sep 2014

In 2002, at 13 she lost both her hands and severely damaged her legs in a freak accident. Today she is a dedicated social worker, a motivational speaker and model for accessible clothing in India.

Jaitley under fire, Modi the target

Jaitley under fire, Modi the target

Rediff.com28 Dec 2015

'Nobody would dare directly target Modi, and while there are murmurs about Amit Shah after Bihar, nobody is willing to say this openly. Arun Jaitley, in some calculations, is most expendable for Modi,' says Shekhar Gupta.

MUST READ: The Narendra Modi Interview

MUST READ: The Narendra Modi Interview

Rediff.com2 Jan 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on range of issues -- from Rafale deal to Ram temple and triple talaq.

Row after Maharashtra CM funds dancers' Bangkok visit from relief fund

Row after Maharashtra CM funds dancers' Bangkok visit from relief fund

Rediff.com24 Oct 2015

The sanction of Rs 8 lakh from Maharashtra Chief Minister's Relief Fund for a dance troupe's visit to Thailand has sparked a row with the opposition questioning the BJP-led government's "priorities" at a time when the state is reeling under severe drought.

Full text: What Modi, Obama agreed on

Full text: What Modi, Obama agreed on

Rediff.com25 Jan 2015

This is the joint statement issued by the ministry of external affairs on the visit of US President Barack Obama to India.

FULL TEXT: Pranab's address at RSS headquarters

FULL TEXT: Pranab's address at RSS headquarters

Rediff.com7 Jun 2018

The soul of India resides in pluralism and tolerance. This plurality of our society has come through assimilation of ideas over centuries. Secularism and inclusion are a matter of faith for us. It is our composite culture which makes us into one nation.

'To call the BJP or its leaders 'fascist' is historically untenable'

'To call the BJP or its leaders 'fascist' is historically untenable'

Rediff.com16 May 2014

'Narendra Modi could be too old to change his personality. On the other hand, his attachment to the RSS could be mostly sentimental. So one must hope that if he becomes prime minister, he is able to detach himself from the RSS view of the world as completely as Narasimha Rao detached himself from the Congress's First Family.' 'India cannot be governed by the autocratic methods by which he has governed Gujarat. If he becomes prime minister he will have to learn to speak in a more civil language about his political opponents,' historian Ramachandra Guha tells Arthur J Pais/Rediff.com