News for 'International Rice Research Institute'

How AI is Deciphering the Secrets of Intricate Kolam Designs

How AI is Deciphering the Secrets of Intricate Kolam Designs

Rediff.com25 Mar 2026

Researchers have developed an AI algorithm capable of generating intricate 'sikku' kolam patterns, traditionally drawn by hand in South India. This innovative approach transforms a cultural art form into a complex computational challenge, with potential applications in various fields.

Flood-tolerant rice will help Indian farmers

Flood-tolerant rice will help Indian farmers

Rediff.com10 Aug 2006

Scientists have identified a gene that allows rice plants to survive floods; a development that could help poor farmers especially in India who are having a tough time braving floods.

Designer rice, a solution to tackle rising demand

Designer rice, a solution to tackle rising demand

Rediff.com10 Jul 2012

'Designer rice' or genetically-modified rice variety, is going to be the answer for food security and will help in increasing rice production in the coming years.

Kremlin Didn't Know About Modi Gesture

Kremlin Didn't Know About Modi Gesture

Rediff.com5 Dec 2025

The Russians have termed Putin's visit to India, his first to this country since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, as 'Druzhba Dosti', which means 'friendship' in Russian and Hindi respectively.

US Farm Distress Real Reason For Trump's Tariff Tantrums

US Farm Distress Real Reason For Trump's Tariff Tantrums

Rediff.com16 Sep 2025

'What the US appears to be doing is to force India to be "the buyer of last resort", on whom their products can be dumped, 1.4 billion people have to eat something, so why not eat American corn?' 'What is exercising the Trump lot is the fact that most of the farms are in solidly Republican Midwestern states: Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin,' points out Rajeev Srinivasan.

Modi's day out in Manila

Modi's day out in Manila

Rediff.com13 Nov 2017

On his second day of the visit, Modi visited the International Rice Research Institute in Los Banos, an urban locality situated at a distance of around 65 km from Manila -- the capital of the Philippines -- and then visited the Mahaveer Philippine Foundation, that provides free Indian-made prosthesis 'Jaipur Foot' to needy amputees. Here are images from Modi's second day in the Philippines.

Swaminathan nominated to Rajya Sabha

Swaminathan nominated to Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com10 Apr 2007

He has set up the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation in Chennai with focus on strengthening information communication system in villages.

Indian scientists' new DNA chip for speeding up rice breeding

Indian scientists' new DNA chip for speeding up rice breeding

Rediff.com5 Jul 2015

One Chinese lie has been finally nailed this time by a team of Indian scientists who provide irrefutable evidence that rice did originate in India, a fact contested by China.

Rishi Sunak joins Oxford, Stanford in academic roles

Rishi Sunak joins Oxford, Stanford in academic roles

Rediff.com23 Jan 2025

Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has taken on new academic roles at the University of Oxford and Stanford University, both alma maters of the Conservative Party member of Parliament. Sunak will join Oxford's Blavatnik School of Government as a member of the World Leaders Circle and a Distinguished Fellow, while at Stanford, he will be the William C Edwards Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution. Sunak expressed his enthusiasm for contributing to both institutions, highlighting their leading research in global challenges, economic policy, and technological advancements. He emphasized the significance of his education at both universities in shaping his life and career. The appointments have been welcomed by both institutions, with leaders praising Sunak's expertise and experience in global affairs and economic policy.

Dr M S Swaminathan, who made India self-sufficient in food, passes away

Dr M S Swaminathan, who made India self-sufficient in food, passes away

Rediff.com29 Sep 2023

Renowned agricultural scientist M S Swaminathan and the driving force behind the nation's 'Green Revolution,' passed away in Chennai on Thursday.

HISTORIC: Shuks heads to ISS, 1st Indian in space in 41 years

HISTORIC: Shuks heads to ISS, 1st Indian in space in 41 years

Rediff.com26 Jun 2025

The Lucknow-born Shukla, former NASA astronaut Mission Commander Peggy Whitson, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Tibor Kapu of Hungary are part of the Axiom-4 mission that marks the return to space for the three nations.

Festivities, polls prompt govt to keep tabs on food price movement

Festivities, polls prompt govt to keep tabs on food price movement

Rediff.com28 Sep 2023

Amid the ongoing festival season and ahead of the elections for five state assemblies, the Centre is closely monitoring inflation, particularly in food items, to enable it to take steps to increase their supplies. "There is a complete no-nonsense attitude when it comes to food inflation, and instructions have been issued at all levels to be very sensitive to any possible price movements in any commodity," a senior official explained. Sources have said that all departments dealing with food items have been instructed to keep a close eye on all commodities and maintain a weekly record of their price movements.

Modi to begin 3-day visit to Philippines on Sunday

Modi to begin 3-day visit to Philippines on Sunday

Rediff.com9 Nov 2017

The prime minister will have a tight schedule in the Philippines as besides attending the 15th ASEAN-India summit and 12th East Asia summit on November 14, he will have a series of other engagements including bilateral meetings with several leaders.

Manipur: A Distant Outpost Full Of Promise

Manipur: A Distant Outpost Full Of Promise

Rediff.com9 Jun 2023

A lesson we have not learnt from China is the urgent need to knit the vast country together to keep it from falling apart at the seams. While there is considerable dent in poverty, sadly, the North East remains as distant today as it always was, points out Shreekant Sambrani.

Dr Swaminathan changed India's destiny from begging bowl to food basket

Dr Swaminathan changed India's destiny from begging bowl to food basket

Rediff.com28 Sep 2023

"As I was working on agriculture, my family wanted me to take over the management of our plantations. But my aim was to master the art of developing new varieties, that is genetics and breeding. As the proverb has it, we reap what we sow. Consequently, sowing the right things is very important," M S Swaminathan had once said.

PM attacks Congress on loan waiver promises, calls them lollipops

PM attacks Congress on loan waiver promises, calls them lollipops

Rediff.com29 Dec 2018

Modi claimed the Janata Dal-Secular-Congress coalition government which came to power in Karnataka recently had waived only 800 farm loans.

Food of the poor to get Vitamin boost

Food of the poor to get Vitamin boost

Rediff.com7 Apr 2007

According to an IFPRI press release, the Union Government and HarvestPlus have signed a memorandum of understanding to conduct research on increasing the level of essential vitamins and minerals, or micronutrients in crops critical to poor people.

Green revolution: More losses than gains?

Green revolution: More losses than gains?

Rediff.com27 Nov 2015

Indian farming was transformed after the mid-60s.

Rediff's Wave Rider Retires!

Rediff's Wave Rider Retires!

Rediff.com1 Nov 2024

We asked colleagues, present and past, to reflect on a man who has made such a difference to their lives and careers. Here it is then, a rich collection of memories that offer enchanting glimpses of the enigmatic Ajit Balakrishnan.

'We have overloaded the unstable Himalayas'

'We have overloaded the unstable Himalayas'

Rediff.com26 May 2023

'And Joshimath has already shown the dangers ahead.' 'We have to acknowledge that our mountains are still young babies.' 'You don't put an extra load on the back of a growing child!'

Modi gifts green diamond to Jill Biden

Modi gifts green diamond to Jill Biden

Rediff.com22 Jun 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in the United States for a three-day state visit, has gifted an eco-friendly lab-grown 7.5 carat diamond, placed in Kashmir's exquisite Papier mache box, to First Lady Jill Biden.

How This Teen Plans to Fight Climate Change

How This Teen Plans to Fight Climate Change

Rediff.com28 Sep 2021

14-year-old Vinisha Umashankar has been creating a buzz with her solar-powered ironing cart. The youngest finalist of the Duke of Cambridge's The Earthshot Prize 2021, she is a shining example of why one is never too young to help the environment.

The real reason for Delhi's annual smoke season

The real reason for Delhi's annual smoke season

Rediff.com20 Oct 2018

The Delhi metropolitan area has one of the highest concentrations of population in the world, and suffocating the people of the area on an annual basis should be treated as a crime against humanity, especially when the cause for such suffocation can be controlled, says Arvind Kumar.

Why inflation pain could get worse

Why inflation pain could get worse

Rediff.com14 Jun 2021

As India looks to mend its Covid-battered economy, one thing that will grab the attention of all concerned is the path that both wholesale and retail inflation will follow. Even the Reserve Bank of India in its latest policy statement said, "Going forward, the inflation trajectory is likely to be shaped by uncertainties impinging on the upside and the downside.

IIT-Roorkee looks for collaborations in Houston

IIT-Roorkee looks for collaborations in Houston

Rediff.com4 Aug 2015

The management was open to attracting qualified people from the US for either short-term or long-term assignments in Roorkee, reports Manu Shah.

From Forest Hut To Top UK College

From Forest Hut To Top UK College

Rediff.com28 Sep 2021

Hercules Singh Munda's father used to open the gates to a forest. Today, Hercules leaves for London to open the gates of his many dreams.

IAF could save 100 million litres of fuel annually

IAF could save 100 million litres of fuel annually

Rediff.com3 Jun 2019

'This is a huge step in promoting the 'Make in India' mission as this bio-fuel would be produced from Tree Borne Oils sourced from tribal areas and farmers.'

Why meeting Budget's commitment on MSP is not easy

Why meeting Budget's commitment on MSP is not easy

Rediff.com16 Apr 2018

From NITI Aayog to industry leaders to the Reserve Bank of India, all are apprehensive that any major increase in MSP, following the 2018-19 Budget announcements, would push up prices, if not immediately, in the next six to eight months after the decision is taken.

'Our scriptures, they all respect nature: Bhoomi, Prithvi and Dharti Mata'

'Our scriptures, they all respect nature: Bhoomi, Prithvi and Dharti Mata'

Rediff.com18 Aug 2020

'Respect nature, working with (it) rather than against it.'

In spite of abundant agri products why are farmers unhappy?

In spite of abundant agri products why are farmers unhappy?

Rediff.com19 Sep 2018

The irony of this scheme to benefit farmers is that it could add to the problems for the government because the mechanism to procure and store crops like pulses, coarse cereals and oilseeds barely exists.

'Give people confidence to rebuild their lives'

'Give people confidence to rebuild their lives'

Rediff.com18 Nov 2020

'It may take two years for the economy to return to normal.' 'We should ensure that the vulnerable do not dig into their savings or give up their assets because that will set them back by several years.'

China exhibits caution at US election result

China exhibits caution at US election result

Rediff.com9 Nov 2020

The US election campaign has provided plenty of ammunition for the CCP to make its case that its political system is superior.

Ken-Betwa project: 'Tiger population won't survive'

Ken-Betwa project: 'Tiger population won't survive'

Rediff.com7 Apr 2021

'Tiger reserves were created to protect areas from developmental activities.' 'If we go ahead with these projects, then it is a complete mockery of our institutions and our laws, it is against everything we have stood for, our Forest Conservation Act, our Wildlife Biodiversity Act.'

Remembering Homi Bhabha

Remembering Homi Bhabha

Rediff.com31 Oct 2019

On Dr Homi J Bhabha's 110th birth anniversary, Dr K S Parthasarathy shares some personal memories of the legendary nuclear scientist.

Meet the 5 richest MPs

Meet the 5 richest MPs

Rediff.com9 Jul 2019

A mix of industrialists and businessmen, who have inherited riches or rose from humble backgrounds and even endured boom and bust cycles, the top five MPs are illustrative of how the political stock of the wealthy is increasing rapidly.

The spiritual guru who is pushing innovation

The spiritual guru who is pushing innovation

Rediff.com8 Oct 2017

Mata Amritanandamayi's hospital has developed protein nanomedicines for drug-resistant leukemia and nano-structured wafers to prevent recurrence of brain tumours

These foods will improve your sex life

These foods will improve your sex life

Rediff.com10 Nov 2015

It's your diet that holds the key to a fulfilling sex life. Boost libido by changing what you eat.

What The World Needs: A Fellowship of Minds

What The World Needs: A Fellowship of Minds

Rediff.com11 Nov 2015

'They don't always agree with our governments, their teachers or their parents, but it is the conviction of their ideas, and their determination to share them with the world that, I believe, is one of the greatest sources of hope for our planet.' 'The colonisation of space, understanding the very building blocks of matter and the universe, utilising our understanding of the human genome to conquer disease -- these are the tasks waiting for a fellowship of minds to realise new triumphs in our collective destiny.'

'People shoot their mouths off on Hinduism without bothering to understand it'

'People shoot their mouths off on Hinduism without bothering to understand it'

Rediff.com11 Jul 2016

'People on both sides of the Hindutva debate need to read and understand the texts first,' Bibek Debroy, translator of the unabridged Mahabharata, tells Kanika Datta as he gets started on a similar project for the Ramayana.

Is it Modi's job to get Indians to be clean?

Is it Modi's job to get Indians to be clean?

Rediff.com9 Jan 2016

'This is social reform, which has to be conducted from within society and by its institutions, like religious bodies, not by public officials and ministers. That is why I think the big change Modi seeks is actually not in his power to bring about,' says Aakar Patel.