News for 'Open Society Institute'

2 lakh to 3300 crore: The BYJU's Classes success story

2 lakh to 3300 crore: The BYJU's Classes success story

Rediff.com7 Oct 2016

'I always say I am a teacher by choice and an entrepreneur by chance.'

Why the hell was Harsha Bhogle axed?!

Why the hell was Harsha Bhogle axed?!

Rediff.com11 Apr 2016

'The BCCI is -- and always has been, across successive dispensations -- allergic to criticism.' 'It has used the 'control' it enshrines in its name to destroy anyone who has dared to point fingers at its functioning,' says Prem Panicker, the distinguished cricket writer.

Why students unions at universities must not be curbed

Why students unions at universities must not be curbed

Rediff.com4 Jul 2016

The State is trying to curb the students movements, therefore, there are suspicions against some of the Subramanian report on education's recommendations, says Mohammad Sajjad.

How Sangh plans to 'decolonise' education

How Sangh plans to 'decolonise' education

Rediff.com19 Apr 2017

The RSS realises that with a majority BJP government at the Centre and in several states, now was the best time to undermine and perhaps outdo the Congress-Left 'stranglehold' over campuses and young minds.

From networking to farming, this Kerala boy has come a long way

From networking to farming, this Kerala boy has come a long way

Rediff.com29 Oct 2014

"The mountains I climbed, the butterflies I counted, the streams I swam, the jungles I walked along, all called me back. The urge to go back to nature was very strong," says Tibin Parakal from Trissur who quit a lucrative engineering job in Delhi to start a restaurant but then ultimately became a farmer.

Nilekanis' most ambitious project to teach 200 million children

Nilekanis' most ambitious project to teach 200 million children

Rediff.com24 Aug 2015

Nandan Nilekani and his wife Rohini are trying to improve education across India.

Meet the 27-yr-old who visited every nation in the world in 567 days

Meet the 27-yr-old who visited every nation in the world in 567 days

Rediff.com22 Feb 2017

Meet Cassie de Pecol, a 27-year-old traveller from Connecticut, United States, who visited 196 countries in 18-and-a-half months, making her the fastest person to visit every country in the world.

31 amazing innovations from young Indians

31 amazing innovations from young Indians

Rediff.com8 Dec 2015

The National Innovation Foundation India (NIF), Ahmedabad shared the ideas that shined at the IGNITE 2015.

'I wrote this book on scraps of paper'

'I wrote this book on scraps of paper'

Rediff.com2 Dec 2014

Anecdotes and laughter peppered the launch of Renu Kurien Balakrishnan debut novel, Four Aleys.

Will Mamata's second term mark a fresh start for industry in Bengal?

Will Mamata's second term mark a fresh start for industry in Bengal?

Rediff.com7 Jun 2016

Investors can take heart from the first Cabinet meeting in the second innings.

'I see the genius of the Indian people'

'I see the genius of the Indian people'

Rediff.com1 Dec 2014

'Never lose your optimism. Never lose your aspiration and never -- even if India becomes a prosperous consumer society -- never ever lose that shining light in your eyes,' advises Dr Peter McLaughlin, headmaster of the Doon School.

Prenups may become mandatory for all Indian marriages

Prenups may become mandatory for all Indian marriages

Rediff.com1 Dec 2015

Is Minister of Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi opening another minefield with the introduction of mandatory pre-nuptial agreement before marriage or will this proposed legislation help streamline the dissolution process of a marriage given the spiralling divorce rates in our country? Rashme Sehgal speaks to lawyers on the issue.

What Modi Sarkar should ideally do to strengthen economic framework

What Modi Sarkar should ideally do to strengthen economic framework

Rediff.com29 Mar 2015

Clearly, LoCs are becoming a key arrow in India's economic diplomacy quiver.

Why India's coal policy needs a makeover

Why India's coal policy needs a makeover

Rediff.com2 Oct 2014

Realistically, coal will be the major fuel for electricity generation in India, as in America, for a long time.

The child who died fetching water

The child who died fetching water

Rediff.com6 May 2016

Yogita Ashok Desai, 12, died of 'cardio pulmonary arrest', after she collapsed on her way home after fetching water.

Hamid Ansari goes to bat for secularism

Hamid Ansari goes to bat for secularism

Rediff.com5 Apr 2016

How has the Indian State, in principle and practice, given shape to the essential ingredients of the secular principle and composite culture?

AAP should not get confused with the verdict

AAP should not get confused with the verdict

Rediff.com12 Feb 2015

'AAP's role in history will not be judged by the kind of administration it provides.' 'If it could change the system, if it could change the very nature of the establishment, only then will it be remembered in history.'

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.

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.

In Tesla, electric car makers find a spark

In Tesla, electric car makers find a spark

Rediff.com13 Apr 2016

Model 3 received 180,000 orders worldwide.

'Modi and the Indians just discovered the B-bomb'

'Modi and the Indians just discovered the B-bomb'

Rediff.com2 Sep 2016

'I believe Modi mentioned Balochistan only to embarrass Pakistan and also divert attention toward the situation in Kashmir.' 'I think from now on, India intends to raise Balochistan whenever Pakistan brings up Kashmir or upsets them on the issue of terrorism.' 'Balochistan is the least developed of Pakistan's four provinces. It is the least educated and least economically developed. People are agitated that a region so rich in mineral resources and a sea-port is still so poor.' Baloch political analyst Malik Siraj Akbar on why the province wants freedom from Pakistan.

Dalit protests turn violent during Bharat bandh, 9 dead

Dalit protests turn violent during Bharat bandh, 9 dead

Rediff.com3 Apr 2018

Incidents of arson, firing and vandalism were reported from Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Punjab as protesters agitated against the dilution of the SC/ST Act.

Why Sri Sri is laughing all the way to the bank

Why Sri Sri is laughing all the way to the bank

Rediff.com6 Apr 2016

Yoga, wellness, meditation, Ayurveda, software and ... toothpaste - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has successfully merged business with spirituality

How to be employable after college

How to be employable after college

Rediff.com16 Sep 2015

Spruce up your CV and seek professional advise, says Prof RSS Mani of ITM Group of Institutions.

'Only a nation that respects its women can become a global power'

'Only a nation that respects its women can become a global power'

Rediff.com25 Jan 2015

'Where have we failed, as parents, teachers and leaders, that our children have forgotten all tenets of decent behaviour and respect for women?' President Pranab Mukherjee asks the nation on the eve of Republic Day.

'Cong using communal-secular divide to woo regional players'

'Cong using communal-secular divide to woo regional players'

Rediff.com20 Oct 2013

In an interview to Rediff.com's Anita Katyal, Shambhu Srivastava speaks about the need of breaking out of the communal-secular paradigm and focusing on the Congress party's poor performance and its track record in fuelling communalism.

'Never suggested overnight banning of high value notes'

'Never suggested overnight banning of high value notes'

Rediff.com22 Nov 2016

'There has to be an 18-month transition.' 'But if the government had some prior knowledge that the high value notes were being used for an imminent terrorist activity in the country, then we have to accept the step.'

Greece seeks new EU loan deal in race to avert collapse

Greece seeks new EU loan deal in race to avert collapse

Rediff.com9 Jul 2015

Deadline to submit convincing reform plans is this week.

'Every single child matters, every single childhood matters'

'Every single child matters, every single childhood matters'

Rediff.com10 Dec 2014

Kailash Satyarthi, co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, in front of packed crowd made a rousing speech asking every person to come together and set our children free. He honoured those who came before him and also said that he accepted this honour on behalf of all the martyrs and activists in India. Here's the transcript of his moving acceptance speech.

Exclusive:'This is a visit the President has been anticipating'

Exclusive:'This is a visit the President has been anticipating'

Rediff.com26 Sep 2014

'The threat that India faces and the threat the United States faces is not just to the homeland, but to our people and to our institutions wherever they may be.' In an exclusive conversation with Aziz Haniffa/Rediff.com, US Assistant Secretary of State Nisha Desai Biswal outlines the importance of Prime Minister Modi's visit for America.

Dalai Lama snub and India's plans to reset China ties

Dalai Lama snub and India's plans to reset China ties

Rediff.com8 Mar 2018

'If, as appears to be the case, India is on way to 'mending fences' with China, and China is equally desirous to 'reset' the relationship, this could be a self-reflexive moment in India's positioning vis-a-vis not just the Dalai Lama, but also the Tibetan issue and China as a whole,' points out China expert Alka Acharya.

Why India must pause its nuclear expansion plans

Why India must pause its nuclear expansion plans

Rediff.com3 Feb 2016

'Decisions on nuclear power have so far been taken by a small select group, primarily interested in profiteering from their actions, stating 'secrecy' as necessary from the national security point.' 'This argument is false, because we are dealing with the 'civilian' nuclear power sector, which is open even to the IAEA,' says Dr A Gopalakrishnan, former chairman of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board.

'Nehru should have quit in the late 1950s'

'Nehru should have quit in the late 1950s'

Rediff.com18 May 2014

To mark his 50th death anniversary, rediff.com has launched a special series to evaluate Jawaharlal Nehru's legacy.

What led BJP towards this harakiri?

What led BJP towards this harakiri?

Rediff.com23 Jun 2016

'You want a steady, confident, self-assured and highly skilful hand at the till. 'It is a pity that the BJP has decided to deprive itself of such a hand at this politically sensitive time.' 'It is like sacking your surgeon in the middle of your brain surgery,' says S Muralidharan.

How the Internet was born, 25 years ago

How the Internet was born, 25 years ago

Rediff.com13 Nov 2015

November 12 marks 25 years of the beginning of the World Wide Web. Shivanand Kanavi gives us the story of how it all began.

Pranab on R-Day: Election comes with a warning, perform or perish!

Pranab on R-Day: Election comes with a warning, perform or perish!

Rediff.com25 Jan 2014

President Pranab Mukherjee talked extensively about the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls and the role of lawmakers during his address to the nation on the eve of Republic Day.

Why we must support the Food Security Bill

Why we must support the Food Security Bill

Rediff.com6 Sep 2013

Only three percent of Indians pay income tax; our tax-GDP ratio is among the lowest in the world. This must change. Our elites must realise that India's poverty has damaging consequences for them, and that they can help decrease it. The food security bill, with all its limitations, will hopefully contribute to generating such awareness, says Praful Bidwai.

'It's a balanced Budget that protects the interests of different groups'

'It's a balanced Budget that protects the interests of different groups'

Rediff.com2 Mar 2015

Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian's interview.

'What we did for the environment has been undone by the new govt'

'What we did for the environment has been undone by the new govt'

Rediff.com19 Feb 2015

'This is not a Sanjay Baru or Natwar Singh type of book. It's not a memoir. It's not a book to reveal conversations, real or imaginary. This is not a book to position myself at the centre of the world.' Jairam Ramesh on his stint as environment minister.

'Imagine the signal India would send if it joined the coalition to confront ISIS'

'Imagine the signal India would send if it joined the coalition to confront ISIS'

Rediff.com10 Sep 2014

'The US wants Modi to succeed because we want India to succeed. For our part, when India thinks of its partners in the world, we want it to think of the US first. That means positioning our country as the preferred provider of the key inputs that can help to propel India's rise.' 'The meeting between Modi and Obama is, and must be, an opportunity for true strategic dialogue -- not a scripted exchange of talking points, but an open discussion of the big questions. What kind of world do we want to live in? What are our true priorities? And most importantly, why does this partnership still matter?'