News for 'National Geographic'

The rise & fall & rise again of statistics

The rise & fall & rise again of statistics

Rediff.com22 Apr 2021

Ajit Balakrishnan on the surprising drivers of mathematical innovation.

FDI inflows seen to grow further in the New Year

FDI inflows seen to grow further in the New Year

Rediff.com21 Dec 2021

A series of steps taken by the government to promote ease of doing business and liberalisation of foreign direct investment norms have helped India receive record FDI inflows so far this year, and implementation of measures like PM Gati Shakti, single window clearance and GIS-mapped land bank are expected to further push investments in 2022. Notwithstanding the global slowdown and the COVID-19 pandemic, total foreign direct investments into India rose to a record $81.72 billion in 2020-21. During April-July this fiscal, FDI (foreign direct investment) into the country increased by 62 per cent to $27.37 billion.

Blanket bans can be counterproductive: WHO India head

Blanket bans can be counterproductive: WHO India head

Rediff.com18 Jan 2022

Stressing on the need to protect both lives and livelihoods, he said public health action in India and across the world must be continually guided by evidence from four key questions -- how transmissible is the variant, severity of the disease it causes, how well vaccines and prior SARS-CoV-2 infection protect and how common people perceive risk and follow control measures.

Covaxin has tolerable safety: Lancet

Covaxin has tolerable safety: Lancet

Rediff.com23 Jan 2021

The vaccine was well tolerated in all dose groups with no vaccine-related adverse events.

Borders are derived realities, not autonomous facts

Borders are derived realities, not autonomous facts

Rediff.com8 Jul 2020

'Manmohan Singh's fond hope of avoiding conflict over territory by 'making borders irrelevant' is increasingly difficult to realise in a world where institutional restraints on aggression are weakening and the new game in town is unalloyed power play,' notes T N Ninan.

India to show military might, cultural heritage at R-Day parade

India to show military might, cultural heritage at R-Day parade

Rediff.com26 Jan 2021

The Indian Army will showcase the main battle tank T-90 Bhishma, infantry combat vehicle BMP-II-Sarath, mobile autonomous launcher of the Brahmos missile system, multi-launcher rocket system Pinaka, electronic warfare system Samvijay among others during the parade on Tuesday, the Defence ministry noted.

Covaxin: No serious adverse events in phase 1 trials

Covaxin: No serious adverse events in phase 1 trials

Rediff.com16 Dec 2020

The vaccine induced robust binding and neutralising antibody responses which were comparable to those observed in the convalescent serum collected from patients who had recovered from COVID-19, according to the findings which have appeared on medRxiv, a preprint server.

9 Amazing Places To Visit In India

9 Amazing Places To Visit In India

Rediff.com29 Apr 2022

Laxmi Sorte and Kaustav Ghosh, who travelled across 29 Indian states and five Union territories in 101 days, recommend a list of lesser known places in India to add to your travel bucket list.

Covid lockdowns to cost India $1.25 bn a week: Barclays

Covid lockdowns to cost India $1.25 bn a week: Barclays

Rediff.com13 Apr 2021

If the current restrictions remain in place until the end of May, we estimate that the cumulative loss of activity could amount to around $10.5 billion, or around 0.34 percentage point (pp) of annual nominal gross domestic product, say Barclays economists.

'Looking at Russia, China could become more aggressive'

'Looking at Russia, China could become more aggressive'

Rediff.com25 Feb 2022

'Both Russia and the USA seek New Delhi's friendship, because for both -- Russia and the USA -- India is a certain counterbalance to China.'

New Ways To Fight Terrorism in Kashmir

New Ways To Fight Terrorism in Kashmir

Rediff.com7 Jun 2022

In the Kashmir Valley, we need to begin to make a distinction between an insurgent who fights the security forces and a terrorist who murders unarmed civilians, suggests Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

India to buy one-third less oil from Saudi Arabia

India to buy one-third less oil from Saudi Arabia

Rediff.com6 Apr 2021

Indian refiners will buy less oil from Saudi Arabia next month as they snap up supplies outside of the Middle East as part of diversification drive amid weakening domestic fuel demand on the resurgence of COVID-19. State-owned Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and three other refiners have sought just 65 per cent of the monthly average of about 15 million barrels from Saudi Arabia in May, three sources with knowledge of the matter said. The move follows tensions between India and Saudi Arabia over the Kingdom's hawkish stance on boosting production to cool prices.

'This feeling of hatred is not going to stop'

'This feeling of hatred is not going to stop'

Rediff.com18 Jan 2022

'Unfortunately, our political class is not interested in making this society equal. They just want to exploit the situation for their own benefit.'

There Is More To India Than Delhi Or Gujarat!

There Is More To India Than Delhi Or Gujarat!

Rediff.com2 Jun 2022

The Modi government has to embrace the history of Tamil conquests in South East Asia and stop obsessing about Babar/Humayun, argues Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Indian Flag Timeline Cut To Enable SCI Sale

Indian Flag Timeline Cut To Enable SCI Sale

Rediff.com30 Oct 2021

The mandatory use of the Indian flag on SCI's ships has been a bone of contention with prospective buyers, on account of the costs it will entail in terms of taxation and vessel registration.

All 3 Election Commissioners are North Indians!

All 3 Election Commissioners are North Indians!

Rediff.com10 Jun 2021

Unlike the past when G V G Krishnamurthy, J M Lyngdoh, R Peri Sastry, H S Brahma, and V S Sampath held positions in the ECI representing all corners of India, this ECI will be North India-centric.

Bengaluru scientists solve mystery behind Odisha's 'black tigers'

Bengaluru scientists solve mystery behind Odisha's 'black tigers'

Rediff.com15 Sep 2021

a team led by ecologist Uma Ramakrishnan and her student Vinay Sagar from the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, have discovered that the coat colouration and patterning which make the wild cats appear dark boil down to a single mutation

Modi makes Council of Ministers more socially representative

Modi makes Council of Ministers more socially representative

Rediff.com7 Jul 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has boosted the representation of backward castes, dalits, tribals and women in his Council of Ministers in a big shake-up of his government with a focus on politically crucial states, including the all-important Uttar Pradesh.

China's posturing in Indian Ocean to disturb stability: Experts

China's posturing in Indian Ocean to disturb stability: Experts

Rediff.com3 Aug 2020

Defence and strategic experts on Monday said that China's posturing in the Indian Ocean will disturb stability and peace in the region.

Meet The Finalists, Sony World Photography Awards 2022

Meet The Finalists, Sony World Photography Awards 2022

Rediff.com7 Apr 2022

Some of the Shortlisted finalists for the Sony World Photography Awards.

Army claims to have spotted footprints of 'Yeti'

Army claims to have spotted footprints of 'Yeti'

Rediff.com30 Apr 2019

Taking to Twitter, the army said its mountaineering expedition team spotted the 'mysterious' footprints on April 9 close to Makalu Base Camp.

5 hybrid smartwatches for all budgets

5 hybrid smartwatches for all budgets

Rediff.com30 Aug 2017

Abhik Sen picks out his 5 favourites, ranging from 14,000 to 50,000.

India's military is changing, and how!

India's military is changing, and how!

Rediff.com12 Apr 2021

The creation of a CDS has got the head right. Issues that were not talked about for years are now being discussed, points out Ajai Shukla.

Can India Deal with Halahal In Amrit Kaal?

Can India Deal with Halahal In Amrit Kaal?

Rediff.com15 Aug 2022

We have our own problems for sure and they are not trivial, but for now, our economy is in not too bad a shape, our politics is as personality-driven and authoritarian as that of most countries in the world. We must make the best of what we have and not be excessively unhappy looking at the grass on the other side of the septic tank which may not be greener after all!, observes Shreekant Sambrani.

How voice & video will dominate in 2020

How voice & video will dominate in 2020

Rediff.com1 Jan 2020

'What amazes me the most is that today users communicate with voice-activated speakers like as if they were talking to another human being, using words like "please," and "thank you," and even "sorry"!', says advertising guru Sandeep Goyal.

Unwell Boult skips New Zealand's training session

Unwell Boult skips New Zealand's training session

Rediff.com20 Jul 2020

An unwell Trent Boult skipped the New Zealand cricket team's training session at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Monday, staying away from the squad as a precautionary measure. The left-arm pacer is among eight players including Ross Taylor, Colin de Grandhomme, Jeet Raval, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner, who are attending the first half of the camp that started on Sunday.

Shah proposes idea of multipurpose ID card

Shah proposes idea of multipurpose ID card

Rediff.com23 Sep 2019

Shah also said the Census 2021 data will be collected through mobile app.

How India's 5G rollout could compromise the safety of aircraft in flight

How India's 5G rollout could compromise the safety of aircraft in flight

Rediff.com19 Nov 2021

The US is set for a geographically limited 5G rollout this Christmas, after a bumper $81 billion spectrum auction earlier this year. Just as the rollout date nears, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has sounded alarm bells over potentially fatal consequences of 5G interference on aircraft. Similar consequences could apply in India, where 5G spectrum auction is scheduled in January 2022, with the rollout beginning later next year (though reports suggest impending delays).

No quality debate In Parliament, 'sorry state of affairs': CJI

No quality debate In Parliament, 'sorry state of affairs': CJI

Rediff.com15 Aug 2021

"Most of the members of first Lok sabha and Rajya Sabha were all lawyers and members from the legal fraternity. Unfortunately, we know what is happening now in the Parliament with respect to debates on laws," CJI Ramana said in his address to the bar members.

Bangladesh has special place in India's neighbourhood first policy: Kovind

Bangladesh has special place in India's neighbourhood first policy: Kovind

Rediff.com16 Dec 2021

President Kovind, who arrived in Dhaka earlier in the day on his maiden State visit at the invitation of his counterpart M Abdul Hamid to attend the golden jubilee celebrations of Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan in 1971, held delegation-level talks with him which was followed by a banquet.

Gorgeous! Meet Miss Teen International 2019

Gorgeous! Meet Miss Teen International 2019

Rediff.com23 Dec 2019

Aayushi Dholakia from India was crowned Miss Teen International 2019.

Why Modi is visiting Maldives, Sri Lanka

Why Modi is visiting Maldives, Sri Lanka

Rediff.com8 Jun 2019

'Modi's first foreign trip at the very outset of his second term as PM reinforces a growing impression that this regional tour underscores a shift in emphasis in India's foreign policy that was traditionally focused on the northern tier of countries to the Indian Ocean rim,' explains Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Rawat outlines plan to merge 17 single service commands into 4

Rawat outlines plan to merge 17 single service commands into 4

Rediff.com16 Sep 2021

The first joint theatre command would be responsible for the border against Pakistan in what the military refers to as the "western theatre"; while a second command -- the northern theatre command -- would be responsible for the border with China. A third, navy-heavy theatre, called the "maritime command" will be responsible for the security of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR); and an island command, already functional and called the Andaman & Nicobar Command (ANC), would project power into the eastern Indian Ocean.

'Scanty, sketchy evidence': Court grants bail to Disha Ravi

'Scanty, sketchy evidence': Court grants bail to Disha Ravi

Rediff.com23 Feb 2021

Ravi was arrested by a Cyber Cell team of the Delhi Police from Bengaluru and brought to Delhi. She was currently in police custody.

Does India measure up as a maritime power?

Does India measure up as a maritime power?

Rediff.com16 Feb 2021

At any time, there is a need to operationally deploy two aircraft carriers in the vast Indian Ocean, asserts Vice Admiral Premvir Das (retd).

2021: Olympians bring glory to India, Sushil's fall from grace

2021: Olympians bring glory to India, Sushil's fall from grace

Rediff.com31 Dec 2021

An important factor in India's stupendous success in 2021 was the way the government opened its coffers to support athletes.

EC bans entry of politicians in violence-hit Cooch Behar for next 72 hrs

EC bans entry of politicians in violence-hit Cooch Behar for next 72 hrs

Rediff.com11 Apr 2021

Invoking its Constitutional powers, the Election Commission on Saturday put in place certain restrictions, including extending the 'silence period' from 48 hours to 72 hours, for the fifth phase of polling in West Bengal after violence in Cooch Behar district.

Despite road blocks, there's no shortage of potato, onion in Delhi

Despite road blocks, there's no shortage of potato, onion in Delhi

Rediff.com2 Dec 2020

During this time of the year, potatoes and vegetables come from Punjab and Haryana.

Why India's exports are likely to fly high in New Year

Why India's exports are likely to fly high in New Year

Rediff.com19 Dec 2021

After staging a strong recovery from COVID-induced slowdown in 2021, India's exports are likely to extend the growth story to the New Year also on increased demand in the global markets, boost in domestic manufacturing due to production-linked incentive schemes and implementation of some interim trade pacts. Expectations of positive growth in the country's exports are also backed up by the outlook of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) which predicts a 4.7 per cent expansion in the global merchandise trade volume in 2022. Exporters believe that the outbound shipments would cross $400 billion mark in this fiscal going by the current momentum and may reach $475 billion in 2022-23.

'Indian forces went 200m inside Pak to unearth tunnel'

'Indian forces went 200m inside Pak to unearth tunnel'

Rediff.com1 Dec 2020

A 150-metre long underground tunnel suspected to be used by terrorists for infiltration was detected near International Border in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba sector on November 22.