News for 'Institute of South Asian Studies'

Heart Disease Risk Calculators Inadequate for Indian Population, Study Finds

Heart Disease Risk Calculators Inadequate for Indian Population, Study Finds

Rediff.com4 Apr 2026

A new study reveals that widely used heart disease risk calculators may not accurately identify Indians at risk, potentially leading to underestimation of risk and delayed treatment.

India-China Rivalry Tests BRICS' Future

India-China Rivalry Tests BRICS' Future

Rediff.com8 Sep 2026

India and China are in what experts call 'a cooperation-versus-competition situation'.

Why Foreign Students Don't Come To India

Why Foreign Students Don't Come To India

Rediff.com1 Jul 2026

90 per cent of institutions recorded no improvement in international student metrics, despite government initiatives such as the Study in India programme, UGC regulations on internationalisation, and efforts to attract foreign students.

'20 Million Cubic Litres Of Water Was Coming At 160 Km Per Hour!'

'20 Million Cubic Litres Of Water Was Coming At 160 Km Per Hour!'

Rediff.com4 Sep 2026

'The valley is around 16 km from the Nepal border, and it took just 8-10 minutes for the ice and rocks to reach the Nepal border. You can imagine how fast it must have travelled!'

How Urban Development Shapes Future Cooling Demand

How Urban Development Shapes Future Cooling Demand

Rediff.com6 Aug 2026

A new study by IIT Kharagpur researchers, published in Nature Communications, reveals that urban growth patterns significantly influence future cooling demand in cities. The research highlights that a city's "thermal memory," shaped by decades of development decisions, impacts its heat burden and energy requirements, independent of global temperature rises. The study analysed 88 Indian cities and a global sample of 52 cities over two decades.

Ramayana Designer: 'I Can't Please Everyone'

Ramayana Designer: 'I Can't Please Everyone'

Rediff.com6 Aug 2026

'I'm talking about God, not some character in a film. That was the challenge that I had to bring out in Ranbir Kapoor's character. The costume was not important, what was important was a visual effect, where you look at him, there should be a certain kind of warmth in your heart.'

Dharmendra Pradhan's Resignation: First Crack In Modi's Fortress?

Dharmendra Pradhan's Resignation: First Crack In Modi's Fortress?

Rediff.com30 Jul 2026

Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation is significant because it punctures, however slightly, the perception that the Modi government never retreats under pressure. Every long-serving government eventually reaches a point where every institutional failure is identified with the leader himself. Removing the minister may have prevented that political burden from falling directly on Modi. Whether it also resolves the underlying crisis is another matter, notes Ramesh Menon.

Trump Is Coming For Immigrant Brothers, Sisters, Aunties, Uncles...

Trump Is Coming For Immigrant Brothers, Sisters, Aunties, Uncles...

Rediff.com13 Jun 2026

Immigrants' contribution to the US economy is disproportionate to their share of the population, meaning that losing them would shrink the economy even more than losing a random group of Americans, points out Sree Sreenivasan.

Shrinking Forests Fuel Deadly Elephant Encounters in Assam

Shrinking Forests Fuel Deadly Elephant Encounters in Assam

Rediff.com25 May 2026

The incidents resulted in 1,468 human deaths and 337 injuries, making it one of the country's gravest wildlife-related crises.

'Auspicious ally': China backs Doraiswami as bridge to revive India ties

'Auspicious ally': China backs Doraiswami as bridge to revive India ties

Rediff.com20 Mar 2026

China has welcomed the appointment of Vikram Doraiswami as the new Indian Ambassador, expressing optimism for improved Sino-India relations. Doraiswami, a seasoned diplomat with experience in China, is expected to play a key role in managing complex bilateral issues and fostering cooperation.

'2026 Could Be Warmest Year Ever Recorded'

'2026 Could Be Warmest Year Ever Recorded'

Rediff.com25 May 2026

'We should expect extreme heat, extreme rains, floods, landslides and maybe cyclones. Not just this year, in the coming year as well.'

Why Does US Want Pakistan To Mediate With Iran?

Why Does US Want Pakistan To Mediate With Iran?

Rediff.com28 Apr 2026

The United States' historical strategic alignment with Pakistan, dating back to the Cold War, has consistently aimed to create a political and military parity with India, despite India's significantly larger size and resources. This long-standing relationship continues to influence regional dynamics, particularly in West Asia and the Indo-Pacific.

'Worst Gulf Crisis For Migrants In 50 Years'

'Worst Gulf Crisis For Migrants In 50 Years'

Rediff.com6 Mar 2026

'In India, there is this first generation migrant, say from a small village in UP. He didn't go to the Gulf to buy a big house but make the life of his family better.' 'He may have paid 1 lakh rupees to an agent to go to the Gulf. Imagine what will happen to him and his family if he has to come back. He and his family will become poor again.' 'He went to the Gulf to come out of poverty, but this war will make his family trapped in poverty once again.'

Lancet Flags HbA1c Unreliability In Indians

Lancet Flags HbA1c Unreliability In Indians

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

The Lancet study revealed that the HbA1c test is erroneous in populations with anemia and other hemoglobin-related deficiencies in India.

The 25 Books Banned In Kashmir

The 25 Books Banned In Kashmir

Rediff.com8 Aug 2025

Bookstore owners were cautioned against keeping or distributing the books. Police personnel briefed the bookstore owners about the legal consequences of violating the ban.

India Braces for Record Power Demand, Risks Galore

India Braces for Record Power Demand, Risks Galore

Rediff.com4 Apr 2026

India's peak power demand is projected to hit 270 GW this summer, surpassing last year's record of 250 GW.

'China Is Competing In A Space Where India Was Dominant'

'China Is Competing In A Space Where India Was Dominant'

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

'These efforts by Beijing can be weaponised one day with economic, security and political implications for India.'

India's Top Educational Institutions

India's Top Educational Institutions

Rediff.com13 Apr 2024

The coveted QS rankings indicate that India is slowly but steadily overtaking other nations in the field of education.

The Om Puri You Never Knew

The Om Puri You Never Knew

Rediff.com17 Oct 2025

'One is not allowed to smoke on the sets of a Hollywood film even during a break.' 'When I asked an assistant to suggest some place where I could light a cigarette, he recommended the bad boys' corner -- where Jack Nicholson smoked.' 'However, I hesitated.' 'But when I was heading back to my chair after the shot, Jack Nicholson asked me if I wanted to join him for a smoke. We had a long conversation over cups of cappuccino.'

The Importance Of Putin's India Visit

The Importance Of Putin's India Visit

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

The enduring relationship between the two countries have survived the disintegration of the erstwhile USSR in 1991, the end of the Cold War and the regime change in both countries, points out Rup Narayan Das.

'China, India don't have guts to resolve issues'

'China, India don't have guts to resolve issues'

Rediff.com29 Apr 2011

There will be always new areas for India and China to cooperate and collaborate, since they facing similar challengers, says China expert Dr Hu Shisheng.

'Bihar Doesn't Predict Outcomes In Bengal, UP'

'Bihar Doesn't Predict Outcomes In Bengal, UP'

Rediff.com25 Nov 2025

'The question for the TMC is not whether it can hold its bastions, but whether it can expand effectively into regions where the BJP already possesses a good ecosystem.'

Rupee's sudden slide creates panic: Expert

Rupee's sudden slide creates panic: Expert

Rediff.com14 Jun 2013

There were also concerns over whether a depreciating rupee would increase the fiscal deficit by increasing expenditure on subsidies and jeopardise the repayment schedule for external commercial borrowings.

South Asia: It Is Climate Change, Stupid

South Asia: It Is Climate Change, Stupid

Rediff.com21 Sep 2024

India should encourage the second coming of SAARC with climate change as an urgent agenda and keeping Indian security concerns in mind as the subtext, suggest Lieutenant General Ashok Joshi (retd) and Colonel Anil Athale (retd).

Economics will dominate China, India ties: Expert

Economics will dominate China, India ties: Expert

Rediff.com21 May 2012

Economics will dominate the future relationship between China and India and it will be characterised by competition and collaboration simultaneously, says an official of ISAS.

Harvard's 788 Indian Students: What Next?

Harvard's 788 Indian Students: What Next?

Rediff.com23 May 2025

The Trump administration has revoked Harvard University's eligibility to enrol foreign students, raising concerns over the legal status of thousands of students, including nearly 800 from India, currently enrolled at the varsity.

SBI, BoI allowed to operate in Pakistan

SBI, BoI allowed to operate in Pakistan

Rediff.com22 Aug 2012

On the other hand, quasi-state owned National Bank of Pakistan and privately-owned United Bank Ltd will be running full-banking operations across the border, once licensed by India.

India's AIDS problem

India's AIDS problem

Rediff.com11 Apr 2007

The objective of the event, organized by SASP Director Deepika Bahri, was to discuss how India's economy, culture, policies and the rest of the world shape an epidemic that has caught the global community by surprise.

Indo-Japan ties is worry for China

Indo-Japan ties is worry for China

Rediff.com12 Jun 2005

Gandhi Called Him 'Father Of The Nation'

Gandhi Called Him 'Father Of The Nation'

Rediff.com5 Sep 2025

On his 200th birth anniversary, Utkarsh Mishra traces the life, thought, and legacy of Dadabhai Naoroji, the Grand Old Man of India.

PM's media advisor to take up teaching job

PM's media advisor to take up teaching job

Rediff.com2 Apr 2008

Dr Baru and Dr Singh struck up a close relationship when the latter was finance minister in 1991; in fact, when Dr Singh resigned from Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao's Cabinet over the stock exchange scam in the 1990s, it was Dr Baru who broke the story.

India's plan for think-tanks on China draws mixed response

India's plan for think-tanks on China draws mixed response

Rediff.com19 Feb 2014

Indian Army's reported plan to set up think-tanks focussing on China has evoked mixed reactions among scholars in Beijing with some calling it a positive move and others saying it showed that Indian security forces have identified the PLA as a "real strategic rival".

When Gujarati Muslims Dominated Bombay Politics

When Gujarati Muslims Dominated Bombay Politics

Rediff.com26 Aug 2025

'They wanted the city to be a great business hub. They didn't like the fact that taxes collected in Bombay would go outside the city.'

China renames 30 more places in Arunachal Pradesh

China renames 30 more places in Arunachal Pradesh

Rediff.com1 Apr 2024

India has been rejecting China renaming places in Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that the state is an integral part of the country and assigning "invented" names does not alter this reality.

'India has tremendous genetic capabilities'

'India has tremendous genetic capabilities'

Rediff.com16 Jun 2004

'I believe it is the greatest civilisation ever on this planet, and those strong genetic factors are bound to \n\nre-emerge,' says Andrew Krieger.

'Sri Lanka's Relations With India At All-Time High'

'Sri Lanka's Relations With India At All-Time High'

Rediff.com9 Apr 2025

'Granting the country's highest civilian honour to Prime Minister Modi was surprising as it indicated the government was going out of its way to have India as a close partner.'

Scottish cricket found to be 'institutionally racist'

Scottish cricket found to be 'institutionally racist'

Rediff.com25 Jul 2022

'The governance and leadership practices of Cricket Scotland have been institutionally racist'

Is China's role in Manipur ambush impossible?

Is China's role in Manipur ambush impossible?

Rediff.com10 Jun 2015

Chinese officials have refuted allegations of the country's army assisting militants in northeast India, saying such charges are "absurd" and such a linkage is "impossible".

India registered 9.3 lakh cancer deaths, 2nd highest in Asia

India registered 9.3 lakh cancer deaths, 2nd highest in Asia

Rediff.com3 Jan 2024

Researchers found that India, along with China and Japan, were the three leading countries in Asia in terms of number of new cases and deaths, where they say cancer has become a more significant public health threat with 94 lakh new cases and 56 lakh deaths in 2019.

Border peace not whole story of ties: Chinese envoy

Border peace not whole story of ties: Chinese envoy

Rediff.com24 Sep 2021

Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong has said peace and tranquility in the border areas with India is important but it is not the "whole story" of the bilateral relations and that the current status of the ties is obviously not in the fundamental interest of either side, remarks that came amid the Ladakh military standoff.