The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) president Sebastian Coe announced a shake up of the organisation on Wednesday aimed at ensuring there can be no repeat of the corruption scandals that have dogged athletics' governing body during his first, tumultuous, year in office.
'The conception of Make-in-India, Skill India, Smart Cities, Digital India, Beti Bachao, Beti Padao and so on show a visionary breadth of mind, and Modi is almost the first political leader in India to put them into effect with single-minded zeal,' notes B S Raghavan, the former civil servant.
The assumption that money drives performance is dated.
In this series, Rediff.com presents a selection of the year's most enduring moments year from around the world.
'Make no mistake, depriving water deliberately to a nation of 190 million people is a repugnant idea.' 'The world community won't forgive us.'
'When I was in Shrirampur I thought I would make it to the Indian team. There were a series of events that happened, and even if one link was missing, I don't think I would be here.'
Pasbola had a number of queries about the nails of the corpse found at Gagode Khurd. Did it have nails? Nails, in a case of strangulation, are key because they often have particles and skin beneath them to show the victim had been grasping something as s/he was strangled.
Aseem Chhabra looks at the year's best Non-Hindi Indian movies.
'I stand here as a helpless father.' A retired soldier awaits the release of his son languishing in a Kenyan prison.
Boko Haram, which has caused havoc in Nigeria, Africa's most populous country through a wave of bombings, assassinations and now abductions, cannot be viewed through the prism of religion alone. It is also a major political problem, says Confidence Uwazuruike.
A summary of Saturday's action in Ligue 1, La Liga and Serie A.
It would be unfair to expect India to bedazzle crowds with eye-catching football. This team is built around stability, writes Dhruv Munjal
If we ignore Pakistan and direct our energies to more important issues at the UN, our position against internationalising Kashmir would be strengthened.
A summary of the first day's play at different venues in the Ranji Trophy.
This week's collection of stories that prove we live in a truly mad, mad world
Penpix of the Australia squad for the 2015 World Cup, which they are co-hosting with New Zealand.
A summary of sports events and sports persons, who made news on Wednesday.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Even without the ISI, ISIS and Al Qaeda, Tamil Nadu, otherwise acknowledged as a progressive and developed State in the Indian context, has been at the centre of 'multiple militancy' for decades now, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.
Penpix of the Australia squad that will play the cricket World Cup final against New Zealand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.
From starting with two sewing machines in her bedroom, Anita Dongre is all set to launch two stores in America. Archana Masih meets the designer for the working woman and the bride.
There's more to this country than just the Northern Lights.
All the action at the Dilwale trailer launch.
India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, on Friday, said that he should not be made a villain for bowling one of the two no-balls which proved to be a crucial factor in India's World Twenty20 semi-final loss to the West Indies.
World No 1 Rafael Nadal thinks Melbourne Park's resurfaced hardcourts are playing faster than ever and may not provide a good show for fans when the Australian Open begins on Monday.
Many pictures showed The Skeleton Named Sheena. For the purpose of the photographs, the skeleton had been re-assembled and looked straight at the camera.
'It was the first document he had seen that asked him about his past in such detail; it was the only interest this country (America) had shown in his origins, and it was most inconvenient. To get ahead, he had to find out where he had come from.'
'If a major earthquake of the kind that hit Nepal hits us in Delhi, 35 per cent of our homes would be destroyed.'
'I'm a rascal, I'm going to play a paramahansa?!'
It was the greatest series in the history of the game but what has become of those Australian and English players a decade on?
Here are some of the best iPhone photos taken this year.
Lionel Messi came off the bench to inspire Barcelona to a 3-1 win over a dogged Leganes side on Sunday, creating one goal and scoring another to keep the Catalans five points clear at the top of La Liga.
Rediff.com's Love Guru has answers to all your relationship problems.
'Ashok the Great did not slaughter foreigners or Muslims when he conquered Kalinga. It was Oriya- speaking Hindus whom he butchered by the tens of thousands. But Ashok is called Great, and his lion emblem is the official symbol of the Republic of India.' 'Why do we honour Ashoka and not Tipu, when both men are accused of the same crime?' asks Aakar Patel.
Gajendra Chauhan is just one the many troubles that ail the national film institute. But all may not be lost yet.
A round-up of Ranji Trophy matches played across India on Wednesday
On the occasion of Chinese New Year, we bring you a look at what 2015, the Year of the Sheep has in store for you!
Penpix of the New Zealand squad for the cricket World Cup which they will co-host with Australia.
'They need to see Bolt compete and struggle and come back from losses,' says Edwin Moses, athletics legend.
