News for 'National Knowledge Commission'

'This Modi government is more talk than substance'

'This Modi government is more talk than substance'

Rediff.com20 Nov 2015

'We all expected Modi with the majority to tame the bureaucracy, but it is the bureaucracy that tamed him.'

When tribunals undermine the judiciary

When tribunals undermine the judiciary

Rediff.com25 Oct 2013

The debate on the constitutionality of tribunals has not been set to rest as yet, says Gopal Krishna.

'By 2025, we will be corruption free'

'By 2025, we will be corruption free'

Rediff.com14 Aug 2017

'I feel now we have a leader who is non-corruptible.' 'But he needs time as corruption is deep-rooted in our society, and people have no shame about being corrupt.' 'It will take at least 7 years to make some changes.'

Why young India is paying for expensive private colleges

Why young India is paying for expensive private colleges

Rediff.com13 Mar 2018

Is it just the glamour?

EXCLUSIVE: How the PDP-BJP deal was sealed

EXCLUSIVE: How the PDP-BJP deal was sealed

Rediff.com2 Mar 2015

An economist from J&K and a popular face from the RSS/BJP sat together to craftily weave an alliance in what is one of the most difficult agenda-setting exercises in recent history.

Trump rolls back Obama climate change measures

Trump rolls back Obama climate change measures

Rediff.com29 Mar 2017

White House said Trump strongly believed that protecting environment and 'promoting our economy are not mutually exclusive goals'.

This fitness influencer has a message for overweight men

This fitness influencer has a message for overweight men

Rediff.com20 Apr 2018

He wants you to join him in his transformation journey.

Why India needs more well-managed and viable states

Why India needs more well-managed and viable states

Rediff.com12 Aug 2013

India's fear of small states derives from memories of Partition and the paranoid view that it will break up under 'too many' states. It's time to shed such fears and bite the 'states' reorganisation' bullet. India won't crumble under a few more Telanganas, Vidarbhas or Gorkhalands, says Praful Bidwai.

Few expectations of the 'aam aadmi' from Union Budget 2015

Few expectations of the 'aam aadmi' from Union Budget 2015

Rediff.com25 Feb 2015

Common people expect the government to be aggressive and opt for growth related measures in the upcoming Budget.

Big boost for agriculture, bags Rs 44,485 crore grant in FY17

Big boost for agriculture, bags Rs 44,485 crore grant in FY17

Rediff.com29 Feb 2016

A provision of Rs 15,000 crore has been made in the budgetary estimate of 2016-17 towards interest subvention.

How India can escape the dry spell doom

How India can escape the dry spell doom

Rediff.com4 Sep 2014

Since 2000, India has had three serious droughts.

'If Smriti Irani succeeds, it will be a great achievement'

'If Smriti Irani succeeds, it will be a great achievement'

Rediff.com4 Jun 2014

'Once you've made up your mind that you don't like Smriti Irani because she has got where she has far too quickly or far too easily, you find reasons to dislike her and to justify your view,' says Pritish Nandy.

Watch out Mr Modi! Danger confronts India

Watch out Mr Modi! Danger confronts India

Rediff.com16 Jul 2014

'Three security challenges could emerge shortly. The possibility (almost bordering on certainty) is as certain as the fact that night follows day: A terrorist attack by a Pakistan-based group. Chinese intrusion on the border.Communal tension/riots.' Colonel Anil A Athale (retd) explains what the Modi Sarkar needs to be prepared for.

Most ministries in Modi govt lying low on RTI disclosures

Most ministries in Modi govt lying low on RTI disclosures

Rediff.com16 Nov 2014

The Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance government, like its United Progressive Alliance predecessor, seems to be failing on suo motu disclosures under the Right to Information Act.

BJP's latest act may leave it marooned in Tamil Nadu

BJP's latest act may leave it marooned in Tamil Nadu

Rediff.com27 Nov 2014

Why is the BJP playing 'competitive politics' where there is scope or room for none? The release of 5 Indian fishermen on death row in Sri Lanka was a victory for India's quiet diplomacy of long years in the matter -- and not for loud politics by parties in the country.

Collegium may continue work, gives more time for feedback: SC

Collegium may continue work, gives more time for feedback: SC

Rediff.com5 Nov 2015

The Supreme Court on Thursday said there was no bar on the collegium to go ahead with its work to appoint judges for the higher judiciary, which is plagued with large-scale vacancies.

Why it is time to scrap NREGA

Why it is time to scrap NREGA

Rediff.com17 Oct 2014

'How many people have been skilled up and thus able to escape from needing to be in NREGA? The true success of NREGA would lie in its irrelevance -- that is, people no longer need it as a crutch.' 'NREGA should enable them to climb out of poverty and stand on their feet.' 'But this is expressly forbidden by NREGA rules. Skill development, which is what India needs more than anything else, appears to be outside the purview of NREGA,' points out Rajeev Srinivasan.

UK admits 'purely advisory' role in Operation Blue Star

UK admits 'purely advisory' role in Operation Blue Star

Rediff.com4 Feb 2014

British military's role in the 1984 Operation Blue Star to flush out militants from the Golden Temple was "limited" and "purely advisory", Foreign Secretary William Hague told the British parliament on Tuesday.

How foreign NGOs fuel India's anti-uranium lobby

How foreign NGOs fuel India's anti-uranium lobby

Rediff.com1 Dec 2014

'We need uranium to fuel our reactors. Our scientists and engineers have been handling uranium safely since 1967. They must not feel disheartened by the activities of well motivated local or foreign agencies.'

'Modi's Kashmir policy is very imaginative'

'Modi's Kashmir policy is very imaginative'

Rediff.com29 May 2015

'I could have never imagined any other prime minister giving time to a separatist leader.' 'I think the Hurriyat should not be ignored. I think like Pakistan, they are being unnecessarily ignored.' A S Dulat, the former RA&W chief who visited Kashmir recently, speaks to Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com

It's time to fix the IPL!

It's time to fix the IPL!

Rediff.com30 May 2016

The IPL has produced more controversies in its short lifespan than any other sporting league in history.

Some advice and a word of caution for the next Army Chief

Some advice and a word of caution for the next Army Chief

Rediff.com19 Dec 2016

'Pakistan thinks it is winning this low intensity conflict.' 'It is a serious observation. Half the battle is convincing your adversary that he cannot make headway.' 'A lot depends on how the internal professional management of the army and the handling of situations that are bound to rise sooner than later in his command, are done.'

How does the Army make Mission Impossible into Mission Possible?

How does the Army make Mission Impossible into Mission Possible?

Rediff.com14 Feb 2016

'Perhaps the finest example is from the current avalanche itself.' 'The Commanding Officer of 19 Madras (the affected unit) is Colonel Um Bahadur Gurung, a Gurkha who joined the Madras Regiment.' 'He inspired this recovery operation at 19,500 feet, a unique feat by itself.' 'He knew that if it was delayed the chances of finding the mortal remains in the Saltoro's ice would be impossible.' 'He did not pass orders from his base at Kumar (15,000 feet) or gave directions; he simply went there himself, inspiring the multitude that followed.' Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (retd), who has served on the Siachen Glacier, salutes the incomparable spirit of the Indian Army.

Renaming Akbar Road: History's latest battle

Renaming Akbar Road: History's latest battle

Rediff.com30 May 2016

'I have only this to say to those who talk about Mewar rulers and Akbar's brutality -- do you expect a king to not expand his kingdom?' 'You have entire cities named after Muslim rulers. It's time our heroes got their due.'

Cautious BCCI to summon SGM to discuss Lodha Panel Recommendations

Cautious BCCI to summon SGM to discuss Lodha Panel Recommendations

Rediff.com4 Jan 2016

Shaken by Justice RM Lodha committee's recommended reforms of its governance structure, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has decided to call a Special General Meeting (SGM) within the next two weeks to discuss the implications of the report.

Task-master Modi can't be taken for a ride

Task-master Modi can't be taken for a ride

Rediff.com11 Jun 2014

'I have seen in action six prime ministers and ten chief ministers, considered stalwarts in their days, and it is the first time, in all my experience, that a prime minister has gone into such great detail, laying down even the standards of cleanliness that should be maintained in all offices,' says B S Raghavan, former chief secretary, West Bengal.

He overcame hunger and humiliation to study at the LSE

He overcame hunger and humiliation to study at the LSE

Rediff.com20 Oct 2016

'There were days when there was no rice at home and we ate only jackfruit seeds.' 'They feel I, a lowliest human being, a tribal, have no right to go abroad and study.' 'The humiliation was so bad that I was broken inside.'

10 commandments for Modi Sarkar to curb black money

10 commandments for Modi Sarkar to curb black money

Rediff.com4 May 2017

A K Bhattacharya digs into the yet-to-be-public report on ways to curb black money and finds out that Modi's next moves could include action on dabba trading, hawala, and education.

Wronged ISRO scientist: India will be safe in Modi's hands

Wronged ISRO scientist: India will be safe in Modi's hands

Rediff.com26 Feb 2014

'My wife was asked to get out of an autorickshaw because she was married to me. My children were targeted and branded a traitor's children. In spite of the Supreme Court and the NHRC having cleared my case, the state government is yet to close it. Local politicians are behind this. Why can't they close the case, give me compensation, accepting gracefully that they have wronged me?' Dr S Nambi Narayanan, the scientist who was accused and then exonerated in the 1994 ISRO spying case, speaks to Rediff.com's Shobha Warrier about his continuing travails and his recent meeting with Narendra Modi.

Exclusive! 'The Railways are bankrupt'

Exclusive! 'The Railways are bankrupt'

Rediff.com25 Feb 2015

'The government must understand that the Indian Railways is like a Kamdhenu cow. It can look after your GDP, it can look after the health of the nation. But the Kamdhenu cow also needs nourishment.' 'You have not at all looked after the Indian Railways, you have ill treated the Indian Railways, you have mistreated the Indian Railways and you have given the Indian Railways step motherly treatment.' 'I don't think this government has understood the Indian Railways.'

The Huge Call Centre Scam

The Huge Call Centre Scam

Rediff.com20 Oct 2016

An industry of scamsters is operating in the guise of call centres in India.

'Revenge is a dish best served cold'

'Revenge is a dish best served cold'

Rediff.com22 Sep 2016

'If you invest your entire capital in talks, you cannot abruptly change gear and decide on war.'

President Pranab's address to Parliament: The transcript

President Pranab's address to Parliament: The transcript

Rediff.com9 Jun 2014

President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday addressed the first joint sitting of Parliament as mandatorily required under the Constitution after the general elections. The address is the political, economic and foreign policy road map of the Narendra Modi government and covers virtually all crucial areas.

'Reservations are not chocolates Hardik can pick up from the streets'

'Reservations are not chocolates Hardik can pick up from the streets'

Rediff.com15 Sep 2015

'He is just a 22 year old who has no knowledge of India's laws or Constitution. How will such a man handle a discussion on reservations in an intelligent, lawful manner?' 'Let me alert everybody that he is using the 1985 formula. Back then they opposed reservations based on caste for OBCs and now they want to be included in the same category. This clearly tells us what their intention is. They don't want reservations; they want reservations to be cancelled altogether.'

'If con is the opposite of pro then Congress is the opposite of progress'

'If con is the opposite of pro then Congress is the opposite of progress'

Rediff.com28 May 2015

The full transcript of the exclusive interview with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He donated EVERY rupee he earned to the poor

He donated EVERY rupee he earned to the poor

Rediff.com23 Mar 2016

What began as a challenge ended up a way of life for 'Paalam' Kalyanasundaram, whom the United Nations adjudged one of the most outstanding people of the 20th century.

'A country that does not respect its soldiers is doomed to fail'

'A country that does not respect its soldiers is doomed to fail'

Rediff.com29 Oct 2015

'Think about this: A widow of a jawan is drawing only Rs 3,500. If OROP is implemented, she will get additional Rs 1,500. These poor girls are young and have no source of income; they are trying their best to just make ends meet. It is the pain of these situations that has driven me to this.' 'We don't want to put pressure on the government -- that's not our intention. We have full faith in our prime minister. We are asking for a meeting with him, and when we get that, we are sure he will not only give us what we are asking for, but 10 per cent extra.' Major General Satbir Singh, who headed the OROP agitation at Jantar Mantar, speaks out.

Not a single scandal, is this not Achche Din, asks Modi

Not a single scandal, is this not Achche Din, asks Modi

Rediff.com28 May 2015

The government has taken a number of steps to address the situation faced by farmers.

Gujarat model of development: More hype than substance

Gujarat model of development: More hype than substance

Rediff.com2 Apr 2015

With facts and figures, the CAG report has highlighted how Gujarat was far from a role model for states across India, and that the progress made in this province in western India in improving agriculture, education, healthcare and empowerment of women and children, was not exactly creditable, says Paranjoy Guha Thakurta.

Full text: What Modi, Obama agreed on

Full text: What Modi, Obama agreed on

Rediff.com25 Jan 2015

This is the joint statement issued by the ministry of external affairs on the visit of US President Barack Obama to India.