News for 'Public Affairs Centre'

'A good chunk of 70 million small businesses will be shuttered'

'A good chunk of 70 million small businesses will be shuttered'

Rediff.com28 May 2020

'Several businesses like entertainment, hospitality, travel etc would never be the same again.'

After Sydney siege, bomb threat at govt office in Canberra

After Sydney siege, bomb threat at govt office in Canberra

Rediff.com16 Dec 2014

Hundreds of employees were evacuated on Tuesday from a Canberra-based department of Australia's Foreign Affairs and Trade after a suspicious package was found in the canteen of the building, which is close to Parliament House.

'Modi govt failed to understand or to tackle COVID'

'Modi govt failed to understand or to tackle COVID'

Rediff.com1 May 2021

As India logged a world record of over four lakh coronavirus infections on Saturday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the entire world is shaken by what is happening here and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of "dropping the ball and throwing it to states" after prematurely taking credit for having "won against COVID-19" when the second wave was already underway. "Rely on yourself is the motto. No one will come to help you. Definitely, not the prime minister," Gandhi said, while alleging that the COVID-19 situation has gone completely out of control for the Modi government, and wondered whether it was their way of making the states and the citizens truly 'Aatmanirbhar'.

Why are people asking B V Srinivas for help?

Why are people asking B V Srinivas for help?

Rediff.com7 May 2021

B V Srinivas and his team of volunteers are able to procure and pass medical supplies, including oxygen cylinders delivery at doorsteps and securing hospital admissions for COVID patients.

After accusing allies of snooping, Patole says no rift in MVA

After accusing allies of snooping, Patole says no rift in MVA

Rediff.com13 Jul 2021

Reacting to Patole's suggestion that he was under watch, the NCP, which handles the home department, on Monday said his claim was based on incomplete information, while the Shiv Sena asserted that all was well in the ruling alliance.

Why Governor Dhankar is shooting darts at elected Mamata

Why Governor Dhankar is shooting darts at elected Mamata

Rediff.com4 May 2020

What makes Dhankar so outspoken? Could it because as governor he will be in the driver's seat if the Trinamool Congress performs below par in the elections next year? Shikha Shalini reports.

New Covid strain: MHA retains curbs in latest guidelines

New Covid strain: MHA retains curbs in latest guidelines

Rediff.com28 Dec 2020

In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said it has issued fresh guidelines for surveillance with regard to COVID-19 that will remain in force till January 31, as it asked the states and union territories to keep a strict vigil to prevent any rise in cases during the New Year celebrations and the winter season.

How Modi walked into his own Pakistan trap

How Modi walked into his own Pakistan trap

Rediff.com29 Apr 2019

For the first time in our political history, Pakistan has become centre stage of the incumbent's campaign, points out Shekhar Gupta.

Foreign aid for Kerala: Union minister appeals to make 'one-time exception'

Foreign aid for Kerala: Union minister appeals to make 'one-time exception'

Rediff.com23 Aug 2018

National Disaster Management Authority had in 2016 suggested assistance offered as a goodwill gesture 'may' be accepted.

'Why and how did science in India stagnate?'

'Why and how did science in India stagnate?'

Rediff.com15 Dec 2020

'It looked as if India had been a major player in science at that time, raising the question when and why things changed,' says distinguished aerospace scientist Professor Roddam Narasimha.

PHOTOS: India celebrates Ganesh festival amid pandemic

PHOTOS: India celebrates Ganesh festival amid pandemic

Rediff.com22 Aug 2020

The 10-day Ganesh festival began on Saturday under the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic, with devotees restricting celebrations to their homes and using online platforms to get 'darshan' of the Lord at temples, amid strict COVID-19 restrictions imposed by governments.

Naidu: From putting posters of Atal, Advani to VP candidate

Naidu: From putting posters of Atal, Advani to VP candidate

Rediff.com17 Jul 2017

Naidu was an Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad activist during the Emergency and was arrested and jailed.

Stalin Needs to Think Fast, Act Faster

Stalin Needs to Think Fast, Act Faster

Rediff.com4 Sep 2021

Good intentions and elaborate roadmaps apart, there is an urgent need for the Tamil Nadu chief minister to come up with branded schemes like MGR's meal scheme, asserts N Sathiya Moorthy.

Indians killed in Iraq: Cong to move privilege motion against Swaraj

Indians killed in Iraq: Cong to move privilege motion against Swaraj

Rediff.com22 Mar 2018

Congress MPs Ambika Soni, Pratap Bajwa and Shamsher Singh Dullo said they would move a motion against Swaraj in the Upper House after compiling documents and information on the issue.

India must embrace Biden's B3W initiative

India must embrace Biden's B3W initiative

Rediff.com1 Jul 2021

Joe Biden's B3W proposal aims to bring democracies together. India should come up with its own plans to contribute to the initiative, states Rahul Mishra.

We will see: SC on PIL seeking urgent hearing into govt's computer surveillance order

We will see: SC on PIL seeking urgent hearing into govt's computer surveillance order

Rediff.com3 Jan 2019

The Supreme Court said on Thursday that it will hear "as and when required" a public interest litigation challenging the government's notification authorising 10 central agencies to intercept, monitor and decrypt any computer system.

8 states account for 90% coronavirus cases in India

8 states account for 90% coronavirus cases in India

Rediff.com9 Jul 2020

The GoM was told that six states -- Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal -- account for 86 per cent of the deaths caused by COVID-19 and 32 districts account for 80 per cent of such fatalities, the Union health ministry said.

Final NRC out in Assam, nearly 2 million stare at uncertain future

Final NRC out in Assam, nearly 2 million stare at uncertain future

Rediff.com31 Aug 2019

A total of 3,30,27,661 people had applied to be included in the NRC. Of them, 3,11,21,004 have been included in the document and 19,06,657 excluded.

Concurrence not needed, Kejriwal tells Lt Governor on Delhi order

Concurrence not needed, Kejriwal tells Lt Governor on Delhi order

Rediff.com5 Jul 2018

The letter comes a day after the Supreme Court in its verdict on the power tussle between the Delhi government and the Centre clipped the powers of the L-G.

SC stays Allahabad HC's 'Ram bharose' order on Covid management in UP

SC stays Allahabad HC's 'Ram bharose' order on Covid management in UP

Rediff.com21 May 2021

A vacation bench of Justices Vineet Saran and BR Gavai said that the directions of high court passed on May 17 shall not be treated as directives but an advice to Uttar Pradesh government.

COVID-19: Every life counts

COVID-19: Every life counts

Rediff.com21 Apr 2020

The benefits of modern medicine have led people to demand more from the State, and to value every life. Even a modest death toll caused by an epidemic today is unacceptable, says Dipankar Gupta.

Pakistan's dangerous design in Kashmir

Pakistan's dangerous design in Kashmir

Rediff.com3 Sep 2019

'Pakistan will leave no stone unturned to keep Kashmir on the edge and put the entire blame on the Government of India if there is any untoward incident,' says Brigadier Narender Kumar (retd).

SC to hear pleas on demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes on Tuesday

SC to hear pleas on demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes on Tuesday

Rediff.com14 Nov 2016

The Centre has also filed a caveat in the registry saying it should be heard if the bench agrees to hear and pass orders on any such plea

Taliban-run Afghanistan: Does India have a role?

Taliban-run Afghanistan: Does India have a role?

Rediff.com12 Jul 2021

New Delhi should resist any temptation to act as spoiler and instead should cooperate with its SCO partners in reaching a regional consensus behind the formation of an interim government in Kabul, argues Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

How DMK's Bharat Mata temple flummoxed the BJP

How DMK's Bharat Mata temple flummoxed the BJP

Rediff.com6 Aug 2021

Chief Minister Stalin seems to have drawn a line between his personal beliefs and those of others in the family, beginning with wife Durga Stalin, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

Economic surveys: A case of hits and misses on GDP numbers

Economic surveys: A case of hits and misses on GDP numbers

Rediff.com5 Feb 2021

Of the seven surveys presented under Modi govt, predictions of three were quite close to the actual GDP growth rate, one saw the base year change in between, but the last three were way off the mark.

Drunk Russian diplomat rams into biker; punches, abuses Delhi cop

Drunk Russian diplomat rams into biker; punches, abuses Delhi cop

Rediff.com9 Dec 2015

The incident happened late at night around 1:30 am where the diplomat after hitting the bike was asked to stop by the police. But instead of stopping, he slammed his car into the barricade.

Chopper scam: Budget session likely casualty as Centre, Congress trade charges

Chopper scam: Budget session likely casualty as Centre, Congress trade charges

Rediff.com28 Apr 2016

With an aggressive Opposition and unyielding government, important legislation could be the biggest casualty, as details of the helicopter contract surface.

FCRA challenge for foreign think tanks in India

FCRA challenge for foreign think tanks in India

Rediff.com28 Sep 2020

Funding challenges are not limited to just one think tank. Several scholars say that access for conducting research and getting foreign funds has become a major hurdle for think tanks, with the government raising many questions regarding such inflows. As a result, many think tanks are keeping a low profile and becoming less prolific.

NSCN wants Naga peace talks shifted to '3rd country'

NSCN wants Naga peace talks shifted to '3rd country'

Rediff.com6 Oct 2020

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi written on February 25, but kept secret so far, Thuingaleng Muivah, the general secretary of the group and chief Naga negotiator in the talks with the government, also spoke about the framework agreement (FA) signed in 2015 and its proposal that the state should be allowed to have a Constitution and national flag.

Stakeholders express apprehension over 'free and fair' NRC

Stakeholders express apprehension over 'free and fair' NRC

Rediff.com30 Aug 2019

'It seems we will get an NRC which will include the names of illegal foreigners and exclude genuine Indian citizens'

Key figures in Babri mosque demolition case

Key figures in Babri mosque demolition case

Rediff.com30 Sep 2020

Here are the key figures among the 32 accused in the Babri mosque demolition case who were on Wednesday acquitted by a special CBI court in Lucknow of all charges.

Sitharaman wanted me out: ex-finance secretary Garg

Sitharaman wanted me out: ex-finance secretary Garg

Rediff.com31 Oct 2020

Subhash Chandra Garg, the former finance secretary who was shunted out of the finance ministry within three weeks of Modi-2.0 government's first budget last year, on Saturday alleged that new Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman got him transferred out.

Day after drub, ministers cagey on social media

Day after drub, ministers cagey on social media

Rediff.com10 Nov 2015

Most, save Jaitley and Venkaiah Naidu, were silent on Bihar polls; it was business as usual for the PM.

Opposition protests, demands release of J-K leaders

Opposition protests, demands release of J-K leaders

Rediff.com22 Aug 2019

'We demand immediate release of all public representatives of mainstream political parties and innocent citizens,' the resolution said.

Karnataka BJP infighting: 4 leaders lose party posts

Karnataka BJP infighting: 4 leaders lose party posts

Rediff.com30 Apr 2017

2 office bearers each from Yeddyurappa and Eshwarappa camps have been relieved.

Cattle sale ban: FM tries to allay fears; Meghalaya BJP leader quits

Cattle sale ban: FM tries to allay fears; Meghalaya BJP leader quits

Rediff.com1 Jun 2017

Jaitley insisted the new central notification will not interfere with state laws on slaughtering animals.

Govt cancels visas of all foreign nationals travelling from China

Govt cancels visas of all foreign nationals travelling from China

Rediff.com6 Feb 2020

In the travel advisory, the Health Ministry again asked people to refrain from travelling to China in view of the coronavirus outbreak in its Hubei province and said travellers on return from the neighbouring country could be quarantined.

India tightens grip over illegal import of Chinese crackers

India tightens grip over illegal import of Chinese crackers

Rediff.com30 Sep 2014

Tightening its grip over illegal import of Chinese crackers which are reportedly flooding the Indian market, the Centre has issued a public notification warning importers and public of the legal consequences they would face if involved with it.

Leadership tussle in AIADMK sounds bugle for TN assembly polls

Leadership tussle in AIADMK sounds bugle for TN assembly polls

Rediff.com17 Aug 2020

Though EPS has sworn peace for now, or so it seems, his camp is said to be considering the possibility of calling an early meeting of the party's general council, to get a mandate in his favour before things went out of control. Ground-level indications are that OPS had lost his limited base, which alone had forced him to patch up with the other, reportedly at the instance of the BJP ally at the Centre, says N Sathiya Moorthy.