News for 'Linguistics'

Odisha changes English spellings of 64 places to match Odia phonetics

Odisha changes English spellings of 64 places to match Odia phonetics

Rediff.com23 Jun 2026

The Odisha government has officially changed the English spellings of 64 places, including major cities like Cuttack (now Kataka) and Balasore (now Baleshwar), to align with Odia phonetics. This move aims to preserve the state's linguistic and cultural identity by correcting colonial-era anglicised names and standardising official records.

Platforms Told To Prevent Child Exploitation Content

Platforms Told To Prevent Child Exploitation Content

Rediff.com7 days ago

Experts urge internet platforms to adopt prevention-by-design and stronger AI systems to curb child sexual exploitation material and improve online child safety.

How AI Can Transform Delhi's Administration: LG Sandhu

How AI Can Transform Delhi's Administration: LG Sandhu

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu highlighted the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in enhancing urban governance. He stressed that AI can address complex administrative challenges, improve efficiency in areas like traffic management and environmental monitoring, and shift governance towards an intelligence-driven model, provided it is human-centric and reflects India's diverse context.

Odisha Textbooks Found With 1,678 Errors

Odisha Textbooks Found With 1,678 Errors

Rediff.com16 Jul 2026

How did hundreds of errors slip through multiple stages of drafting, editing, proofreading, expert review and final approval before making their way into classrooms?

Maharashtra speaker gets Lata Mangeshkar's father's name wrong, apologises

Maharashtra speaker gets Lata Mangeshkar's father's name wrong, apologises

Rediff.com24 Jun 2026

Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar has expressed regret for incorrectly uttering certain Marathi words while reading obituary references in the House. He attributed the error to technical issues and an unclear printed copy, stating he had no intention of hurting sentiments, following criticism from MNS chief Raj Thackeray regarding the mispronunciation of names like Asha Bhosle and Deenanath Mangeshkar.

The 10 Best Indian Films Of 2026 So Far

The 10 Best Indian Films Of 2026 So Far

Rediff.com8 Jul 2026

From Ikkis to Balan: The Boy, these are the 10 Indian films that truly deserved the loudest applause in the first half of 2026.

PIX: Yoga unites world as Indian missions lead global events

PIX: Yoga unites world as Indian missions lead global events

Rediff.com21 Jun 2026

Thousands of yoga enthusiasts across the world marked the International Day of Yoga on Sunday, as Indian missions abroad organised events to highlight the ancient practice's role in fostering health and well-being.

Why Make Yoga Day A Ritual

Why Make Yoga Day A Ritual

Rediff.com22 Jun 2026

We have Yoga Day. We have Hindi Day. We have, I am fairly certain, so many days, though I have never met anyone enjoying these days, notes Binu Alex.

CJI Kant Advocates 'Swadeshi Jurisprudence' In Age Of AI

CJI Kant Advocates 'Swadeshi Jurisprudence' In Age Of AI

Rediff.com7 Jun 2026

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant stated that the Supreme Court views technology as an aid to human reasoning, not a replacement, and emphasised developing "Swadeshi Jurisprudence" tailored to India's unique conditions. He highlighted efforts to create an indigenous AI ecosystem for the judiciary and stressed that AI cannot substitute human judgment, empathy, or ethical discernment.

India trashes claim of declining minority rights, media freedom

India trashes claim of declining minority rights, media freedom

Rediff.com17 May 2026

India has rejected allegations of declining media freedom and erosion of religious and minority rights, asserting that the country is a vibrant democracy that guarantees free speech to all.

What Jawaharlal Nehru Did for India

What Jawaharlal Nehru Did for India

Rediff.com16 Jun 2026

Through his commitment to democratic norms, debate, dissent and constitutionalism, Jawaharlal Nehru helped ensure that parliamentary democracy took deep root in independent India. Utkarsh Mishra evaluates Nehru's 17 years as India's first prime minister, examining his role in nation-building, democratic institution-building, economic planning, scientific advancement and foreign policy.

The Doctor Who Saved Thousands Of Babies

The Doctor Who Saved Thousands Of Babies

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

Thousands and thousands and thousands of adults owe their lives to the commitment and medical fervour of Dr Armida Fernandez, who a grateful nation honoured with the Padma Shri this year.

BJP's first govt in Bengal to take oath on May 9; Modi, Shah, Nabin to attend

BJP's first govt in Bengal to take oath on May 9; Modi, Shah, Nabin to attend

Rediff.com6 May 2026

The BJP is set to form its first government in West Bengal, with the oath-taking ceremony scheduled for May 9 at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata. The event is expected to be attended by prominent BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

How Yan Diomande Went From Florida To World Cup

How Yan Diomande Went From Florida To World Cup

Rediff.com19 May 2026

Yan Diomande, a 19-year-old winger from the Ivory Coast, has experienced a meteoric rise in the world of football, going from playing in a Florida high school to representing his country at the World Cup. His journey involved overcoming cultural challenges and excelling in both the United States and Europe, ultimately leading to his selection for the Ivory Coast national team.

Trump-Xi Rapprochement: Time For India To Be Cautious

Trump-Xi Rapprochement: Time For India To Be Cautious

Rediff.com21 May 2026

India would confront a more entrenched China, a less dependable United States, and a regional order increasingly shaped by great-power bargaining over which it exercises limited influence, notes Amberish K Diwanji.

Mother's Day: Our Mummas' TASTY Recipes

Mother's Day: Our Mummas' TASTY Recipes

Rediff.com14 May 2026

Recipes that we learned from our Mothers are almost sacred for us, especially when we no longer have them with us anymore. Here are 14 wonderful Mummy recipes Our Mummies often don't write their recipes down but every time our Ammas make a particular dish, it's more spectacular than the last time they made it! Without doubt, right? We were fortunate to get a few of our Ammis to jot down how she made a certain oh-so-yummy preparation

'BJP Will Have To Show It Can Govern Bengal Without...'

'BJP Will Have To Show It Can Govern Bengal Without...'

Rediff.com6 May 2026

'...appearing culturally coercive or administratively vindictive.' 'If it governs as a conquering force, resistance will build.'

'Vijay Not Only Had Star Power. He Had Timing'

'Vijay Not Only Had Star Power. He Had Timing'

Rediff.com13 May 2026

'Vijay entered politics at a much better age compared to Rajnikanth and Kamal Haasan. His fans are young and he has at least 2-3 decades ahead of him.'

Radhakrishnan: AI Empowers Governments for Better Service

Radhakrishnan: AI Empowers Governments for Better Service

Rediff.com15 Apr 2026

Vice President C P Radhakrishnan has championed the use of artificial intelligence for good governance, highlighting its potential to improve government services and build an inclusive and efficient India.

Will CBSE's New Curriculum Benefit Students?

Will CBSE's New Curriculum Benefit Students?

Rediff.com24 Apr 2026

The new approach emphasises practical understanding and contemporary skills, encouraging students to think critically and apply concepts in real-world contexts, says Srividya Sridhar, principal of Lotus Petal Senior Secondary School.

'Real Issue Is Land, Not Religion In Assam'

'Real Issue Is Land, Not Religion In Assam'

Rediff.com5 May 2026

'The real fault line in Assam is not Hindu versus Muslim. It is Assamese versus Bengali -- and within that, the specific anxiety about undocumented Bangladeshi settlers claiming land and altering the demographic balance of the state.'

Parliament adjourns sine die, Budget Session ends

Parliament adjourns sine die, Budget Session ends

Rediff.com18 Apr 2026

Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned sine die, concluding a Budget session marked by the passage of key legislations and the defeat of a Constitution amendment bill on women's reservation. The session saw frequent opposition protests and discussions on various issues, including the West Asia conflict.

Pro-Kannada protest targets Guv over 'Hindi bias', demand recall

Pro-Kannada protest targets Guv over 'Hindi bias', demand recall

Rediff.com7 Apr 2026

A pro-Kannada organisation protested against the Governor of Karnataka over a letter asking the state government to reconsider its decision to replace the marks system with a grading system for the third language in the SSLC exam.

PM's gift to women is wrapped in barbed wire: Tharoor on delimitation

PM's gift to women is wrapped in barbed wire: Tharoor on delimitation

Rediff.com17 Apr 2026

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor criticised the government's decision to link women's reservation with the expansion of Parliament, calling delimitation a 'political demonetisation'. He argued that women's reservation should be implemented immediately based on existing parliamentary strength.

TMC Leader Accuses BJP of Betraying Rajbanshi Community in North Bengal

TMC Leader Accuses BJP of Betraying Rajbanshi Community in North Bengal

Rediff.com7 Apr 2026

Senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee has accused the BJP government of failing to honour promises made to the Rajbanshi community in north Bengal, including recognising their language and raising a 'Narayani Sena' battalion.

'This Is BJP's Insurance For Post-Modi Era'

'This Is BJP's Insurance For Post-Modi Era'

Rediff.com16 Apr 2026

'All this talk about women's reservation and Nari Shakti is a mirage.' 'It is a classic Trojan horse to bring about an alteration in the structure of political competition -- to the enduring advantage of the BJP.'

Caste system is meant to organise society: Adityanath

Caste system is meant to organise society: Adityanath

Rediff.com16 Mar 2026

Yogi Adityanath champions national unity over caste divisions, asserting that 'casteism' weakens India's social fabric and hinders its progress on the global stage.

No place for Hindi in TN then, now and forever: Stalin

No place for Hindi in TN then, now and forever: Stalin

Rediff.com25 Jan 2026

Paying tributes on the occasion of Language Martyrs Day, Stalin said, "a state that loved its language like its life, unitedly struggled against Hindi imposition; protested with the same intensity every time it was imposed."

'I'm Not Against Hindi. I'm Against Linguistic Centralisation'

'I'm Not Against Hindi. I'm Against Linguistic Centralisation'

Rediff.com1 Jul 2025

'We already understand Hindi -- through Bollywood, TV, pop culture.' 'But we never forced it on ourselves.' 'When something is imposed, the joy and organic nature of learning disappears.'

AI startup Sarvam launches two made-in-India large language models

AI startup Sarvam launches two made-in-India large language models

Rediff.com19 Feb 2026

Indian artificial intelligence (AI) startup Sarvam launched two indigenous large language models (LLMs) specifically trained on Indian languages on Wednesday.

If language pride is a 'disease'...: Raj Thackeray slams RSS chief

If language pride is a 'disease'...: Raj Thackeray slams RSS chief

Rediff.com10 Feb 2026

In a post on X, Thackeray also claimed that those who attended Bhagwat's programme in Mumbai on February 7-8 to mark the RSS centenary did not come out of love for him but due to the fear of Narendra Modi's government.

'In Bangladesh, India's Choices Are Bad Or Worse'

'In Bangladesh, India's Choices Are Bad Or Worse'

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

'It is best to remain vigilant. Tarique Rahman arranged arms smuggling to Indian insurgent groups.' 'He has criticised India for sheltering Sheikh Hasina, but has also sought India's support.'

BMC results: Congress reduced to marginal force

BMC results: Congress reduced to marginal force

Rediff.com16 Jan 2026

The Congress party experienced a significant decline in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, winning a mere 15 seats out of 227. Analysts attribute the poor performance to strategic missteps, infighting, and a failure to connect with voters amidst linguistic and religious polarization.

Google readies plans for AI push in healthcare, agriculture

Google readies plans for AI push in healthcare, agriculture

Rediff.com16 Dec 2025

Google on Tuesday announced funding support of USD 8 million to India's AI Centers of Excellence for health, agriculture, education, and sustainable cities, and committed USD 4,00,000 to support development of India's health foundation model.

SMS Alerts To Check Student Absenteeism

SMS Alerts To Check Student Absenteeism

Rediff.com16 Dec 2025

>Under the new system, an application used to monitor attendance will automatically send SMS alerts to parents and class teachers if a student remains absent for five consecutive days.

Hugh And Colleen Gantzer Showed India To The World

Hugh And Colleen Gantzer Showed India To The World

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

'The culture of mankind has been spread by the travel gene which pushes one in five people to have the curiosity to move to unknown destinations.'

India a messenger of peace: President Murmu in R-Day eve address

India a messenger of peace: President Murmu in R-Day eve address

Rediff.com25 Jan 2026

President Droupadi Murmu addressed the nation on the eve of Republic Day, emphasising India's role in promoting peace, the empowerment of women, and the country's economic growth.

OpenAI Trains ChatGPT To 'Think in Indian'

OpenAI Trains ChatGPT To 'Think in Indian'

Rediff.com13 Nov 2025

'The aim is to have curated datasets that create cultural and historical nuances that help us make our models understand these better.'

'Hateful' graffiti comes up in Kolkata ISI campus, students protest

'Hateful' graffiti comes up in Kolkata ISI campus, students protest

Rediff.com16 Nov 2025

Researchers and students at the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) protested against hateful graffiti targeting a specific community that appeared on campus. The graffiti was discovered shortly after a blast near the Red Fort in Delhi. Students and faculty members participated in rallies and put up posters denouncing the messages and reaffirming the institute's commitment to pluralism and secularism. The ISI Director condemned the act and pledged to take remedial measures.

Uddhav, Raj come together for Bal Thackeray's death anniversary

Uddhav, Raj come together for Bal Thackeray's death anniversary

Rediff.com17 Nov 2025

Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, cousins and leaders of rival political parties, came together at Bal Thackeray's memorial on his 13th death anniversary, fueling speculation of a possible alliance ahead of local body polls.