News for 'Public Information Officers'

Normal life remains unaffected during strike, violence in Bengal

Normal life remains unaffected during strike, violence in Bengal

Rediff.com10 Jul 2025

A nationwide strike called by trade unions to protest against the central government's labor policies had a mixed impact across India. While normal life remained largely unaffected in most parts of the country, some sectors like banking, transport, and insurance experienced disruptions. Sporadic incidents of violence were reported in West Bengal.

Navy informed about rust on Shivaji statue 6 days before collapse

Navy informed about rust on Shivaji statue 6 days before collapse

Rediff.com28 Aug 2024

In a letter sent to Naval commander Abhishek Karbhari, Area Coastal Security Officer and Area Civil-Military liaison officer, on August 20, an assistant engineer of the PWD in Malvan taluka of Sindhudurg district highlighted that parts of the statue were gathering rust and it was looking "unpleasant".

'Why Would A Pilot Go And Touch The Switch?'

'Why Would A Pilot Go And Touch The Switch?'

Rediff.com14 Jul 2025

'The switch can't be shut off by an accidental brush of the hand, but needs effort, conscious physical action to operate it.' 'Was it the software of the aeroplane that caused the switch to turn off?' 'Was it the hardware of the aeroplane?' 'Was it both software and hardware put together?'

20 killed, 171 hurt as B'desh Air Force jet crashes into school building

20 killed, 171 hurt as B'desh Air Force jet crashes into school building

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

The aircraft crashed into the Milestone School and College campus in Dhaka's Uttara area.

Man who led funeral of terrorists is on US wanted list

Man who led funeral of terrorists is on US wanted list

Rediff.com13 May 2025

In trying to portray a globally sanctioned terrorist as a 'common man', Pakistan was exposed when its top official publically outed crucial details about Hafiz Abdul Rauf, including his national identity number which matched details in the database of the United States sanction list of terrorists.

Another Nepalese student found dead in KIIT hostel room

Another Nepalese student found dead in KIIT hostel room

Rediff.com2 May 2025

An 18-year-old Nepalese student of the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Odisha's Bhubaneswar was found hanging from the ceiling fan of her hostel room on Thursday, police said.

Film Body Wants Diljit Dosanjh Banned; He Reacts

Film Body Wants Diljit Dosanjh Banned; He Reacts

Rediff.com24 Jun 2025

Amid a storm surrounding his collaboration with Pakistani actress Hania Aamir, singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh has taken to social media with a cryptic message.

Kerala shocker: Police tell Dalit woman to drink water from toilet

Kerala shocker: Police tell Dalit woman to drink water from toilet

Rediff.com20 May 2025

Her claims of being detained overnight at the police station without food or sleep and being asked to drink toilet water by police personnel have sparked widespread outrage.

More to Dhankhar's resignation than health issues: Congress

More to Dhankhar's resignation than health issues: Congress

Rediff.com22 Jul 2025

The Congress on Tuesday claimed that there are "far deeper reasons" for Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation as the vice president than the health reasons cited by him, and said his resignation speaks highly of him but poorly of those who got him elected to the post.

4 killed after falling off overcrowded local trains in Thane

4 killed after falling off overcrowded local trains in Thane

Rediff.com9 Jun 2025

The incident occurred between Diva and Kopar railway stations when the overcrowded train was going towards Kasara, an official said.

Bengal to file review plea in SC over 25,000 scrapped school jobs

Bengal to file review plea in SC over 25,000 scrapped school jobs

Rediff.com10 Apr 2025

Referring to clashes between police and teachers outside the district inspector of schools' office at Kasba in Kolkata, Pant appealed to the educators not to get involved in confrontations so that their plan to legally resolve the impasse does not get affected.

RBI Eases KYC Deadline For Low-Risk Customers

RBI Eases KYC Deadline For Low-Risk Customers

Rediff.com13 Jun 2025

'Self-declaration from the customer in case of no change in KYC information or change only in the address details may be obtained.'

Please Advise How To Manage Finances

Please Advise How To Manage Finances

Rediff.com3 Jun 2025

Ask rediffGURU and PF expert Nitin Narkhede your mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.

'Who Was Flying AI 171 When Mayday Was Called?'

'Who Was Flying AI 171 When Mayday Was Called?'

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

'Who tried engine relight?' 'If the first officer was the one flying at takeoff, the captain may have taken control immediately post-thrust loss.' 'But the AAIB report doesn't clarify any of this.'

Bihar enforces Right to Information Act

Bihar enforces Right to Information Act

Rediff.com13 Dec 2005

The denial of information to a citizen by a Public Information Officer could lead to penalty and punishment.

Why Calcutta Remains A City Of Bhoy

Why Calcutta Remains A City Of Bhoy

Rediff.com8 Aug 2025

A year after the RG Kar rape-murder Swarupa Dutt/Rediff look at the city where it happened, Kolkata -- its study in dichotomy, at once the self-proclaimed cultural capital of India as also a petri dish for a peculiar rage that breeds crimes against women.

Applying For US Visa? Clean Your Social Media First

Applying For US Visa? Clean Your Social Media First

Rediff.com4 Jun 2025

Delete posts that are offensive, political, divisive, or just plain immature, counsels Dr Karan Gupta.

How Will Nuns' Arrest Affect Kerala Politics?

How Will Nuns' Arrest Affect Kerala Politics?

Rediff.com6 Aug 2025

The current situation in Kerala politics is perhaps best described as a case of the state's traditional two front politics now seeing a third front (the BJP) muscling in with the potential outcome being either a messy three front affair or a renewed endorsement of the two front pattern but with one of the old fronts compromised or quashed, observes Shyam G Menon.

How To Cope With Rising Rents

How To Cope With Rising Rents

Rediff.com12 May 2025

'Always ensure that lease terms are clearly written in the agreement, including rent escalation clauses and notice periods.'

CBI repatriation rate doubles, brings back 134 over 5 years

CBI repatriation rate doubles, brings back 134 over 5 years

Rediff.com17 Jul 2025

The CBI has significantly increased the rate of fugitive repatriation, bringing back 134 individuals in the last five years, doubling the number from the previous decade. This success is attributed to enhanced diplomatic efforts, technological advancements, and improved coordination with Interpol.

Terms like 'miyan-tiyan', 'Pakistani' not a religious offence: SC

Terms like 'miyan-tiyan', 'Pakistani' not a religious offence: SC

Rediff.com4 Mar 2025

The Supreme Court of India has ruled that using terms like "miyan-tiyan" and "Pakistani" does not constitute an offence of hurting religious sentiments, though the court acknowledged that such language is in "poor taste". The court discharged a man who had been accused of using these terms against an Urdu translator in Jharkhand.

MP hides behind national security clause on Project Cheetah

MP hides behind national security clause on Project Cheetah

Rediff.com24 Jul 2024

The Madhya Pradesh forest department has refused to provide information under the Right to Information Act on management of cheetahs brought from Africa and their cubs born in India.

'Police Encounters Were Done To Create Fear'

'Police Encounters Were Done To Create Fear'

Rediff.com2 Jun 2025

'...in the minds of the youth of Assam.' 'Now, no protests happen in Assam because of fear of police encounters.'

3 students killed as train hits school bus in TN; gatekeeper held

3 students killed as train hits school bus in TN; gatekeeper held

Rediff.com8 Jul 2025

Due to the impact, the vehicle carrying students was flung a distance away from the level crossing after it hit the running train. The loco pilot managed to stop the train after traversing some distance, police said.

50 Years Of Emergency: Banality Of Evil, And A Warning

50 Years Of Emergency: Banality Of Evil, And A Warning

Rediff.com26 Jun 2025

While India today is vastly different from the India of 1975, the need for vigilance against authoritarianism remains the same, asserts Utkarsh Mishra.

Bold Moves Must For Silver Screen To Sparkle Again

Bold Moves Must For Silver Screen To Sparkle Again

Rediff.com12 Jul 2025

More screens, more films, and longer windows will convert to more people watching, assuming they know a film is releasing, points out Vanita Kohli-Khandekar.

Upset by BJP protest, Siddaramaiah raises hand at cop

Upset by BJP protest, Siddaramaiah raises hand at cop

Rediff.com29 Apr 2025

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah lost his temper and made a gesture by raising his hand at a police officer during a protest rally in Belagavi. The incident occurred when a group of people, allegedly BJP workers, attempted to disrupt his speech by displaying a black flag and shouting slogans. Siddaramaiah, visibly upset, summoned the police officer to the stage and instructed him to remove the disruptive individuals. The incident sparked a heated exchange between the CM and BJP leaders, with both sides accusing each other of disrupting rallies and resorting to violence.

BSE: Stock Exchange That Refused To Die

BSE: Stock Exchange That Refused To Die

Rediff.com25 Jul 2025

The story of the Bombay Stock Exchange and the people who shaped its growth: From wars and bomb blasts to speculators, reformers and wealth creators.

UP BJP leader sacked after obscene video goes viral on social media

UP BJP leader sacked after obscene video goes viral on social media

Rediff.com15 May 2025

A purported video showing local Bharatiya Janata Party leader Babban Singh Raghuvanshi engaging in obscene acts with a dancer has gone viral and is trending rapidly on social media.

'Next Time It Could Be Lahore and Rawalpindi'

'Next Time It Could Be Lahore and Rawalpindi'

Rediff.com8 May 2025

'Unlike the surgical strikes and the Balakot air strikes across the LoC, we have gone further inside Pakistan and raised the bar of escalation.'

SC to hear plea against current practice to appoint CAG

SC to hear plea against current practice to appoint CAG

Rediff.com15 Mar 2025

The Supreme Court will hear a plea seeking an independent selection process for the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) on March 17. The PIL, filed by the Centre for Public Interest Litigation, argues that the current system of appointment solely by the executive and the prime minister violates the Constitution and undermines the CAG's independence. The petition calls for a transparent process involving the prime minister, Leader of the Opposition, and Chief Justice of India. The PIL contends that the CAG's role as a watchdog over government finances requires a fair and non-arbitrary appointment procedure.

Wife spent a year in Pak for work, I visited once: Gogoi slams Sarma

Wife spent a year in Pak for work, I visited once: Gogoi slams Sarma

Rediff.com29 May 2025

Newly appointed Assam Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi has denied allegations of having links to the Pakistani establishment, calling the claims made by the BJP a "C-grade Bollywood movie" that will "flop miserably." Gogoi said he had only visited Pakistan once 12 years ago with his wife, who was working on an international project focused on climate change. He questioned why the BJP government had not acted on the allegations in the past 11 years if there was any wrongdoing. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who made the initial allegations, said he would release further evidence on September 10 after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) completes its inquiry.

Will BJP Be The New Congress?

Will BJP Be The New Congress?

Rediff.com4 Jul 2025

Only in the event of the RSS managing to force Modi into accepting a consensual candidate, will the party not continue to 'being' the 'next Congress', observes Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

Cyberattacks Surge After Operation Sindoor, But India Mounts Strong Defence

Cyberattacks Surge After Operation Sindoor, But India Mounts Strong Defence

Rediff.com22 May 2025

For the first time, the Data Security Council of India assembled a joint task force to source threat intelligence at the origin and ensure coordinated action across the cybersecurity spectrum.

South Mumbai records over 250 mm rainfall in just 13 hours

South Mumbai records over 250 mm rainfall in just 13 hours

Rediff.com26 May 2025

South Mumbai received over 250 mm of rainfall in just 13 hours, leading to widespread flooding, disrupting train services, and causing house collapses. The heavy downpour flooded several low-lying areas, including Hindmata, King Circle, Dadar TT, Kings Circle, Parel TT, Kalachowki, and JJ Marg, leading to diversions and delays in BEST bus services. The suburban services of the Central Railway and Western Railway were also disrupted due to heavy waterlogging on tracks. At least five incidents of partial house collapses and 32 instances of tree falls were reported, though no injuries were recorded.

No cause of worry, infection severity mild: ICMR amid Covid spike

No cause of worry, infection severity mild: ICMR amid Covid spike

Rediff.com26 May 2025

Amid an uptick in Covid cases in some parts of the country, Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Dr Rajiv Behl said the severity of infections as of now is generally mild and there was no cause for worry. Speaking about new Covid variants being traced, he said genome sequencing of samples in the west and south have shown that the new variants are not severe and are Omicron sub-variants. These are LF.7, XFG, JN.1 and NB. 1.8.1. The first three are more prevalent, Dr Behl said. "Samples from other places are being sequenced and we will know in a day or two if there are more variants." The ICMR DG said there has been an uptick in cases --first from the south, then west and now from northern India. All these cases are being monitored through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP). Besides that, ICMR's nationwide respiratory virus sentinel surveillance network is keeping a watch on emerging infections and pathogens, he said. "Whenever cases increase, we look at three things. It's dependent on three factors with the first being how transmissible it is, conversely how fast the cases are increasing. Previously we saw Covid cases double in two days, but this time it is not that cases are increasing rapidly. "Secondly, are the new variants evading our previous immunity? When new variants come, they evade immunity -- be it natural or from the vaccine. But there's nothing to worry about at the moment," Dr Behl said. He also said that the third factor is the percentage of severe cases in all Covid instances. "Are we getting a very severe disease without comorbidities? As of now, the severity is generally low. There's nothing to worry about. We should be vigilant and we should always be prepared," the ICMR DG asserted. Dr Behl also informed reporters that the Union Health secretary chaired a meeting on Sunday that was also attended by the director general of health services and himself. "We have been closely monitoring the situation. We should be vigilant at this moment, but there is no cause to worry. The general public should be vigilant. There is no need to take any such action as of now," he said. The officer added that the WHO database has been showing that the new variants were not causing severe disease. "People do not need to take any immediate action. They should follow normal precautions. So, there is nothing special to do right now." Asked about the need for a booster dose, he said there is no need for vaccination as of now. "India has the capability to make vaccines and if need be, we can make any vaccine in no time."

Nepalese boy, women among 13 killed in Jalgaon train mishap

Nepalese boy, women among 13 killed in Jalgaon train mishap

Rediff.com23 Jan 2025

At least four out of the 13 persons killed in the Jalgaon train accident have been identified as hailing from Nepal, authorities said on Thursday.

'Government Is Constantly Trying To Subvert RTI'

'Government Is Constantly Trying To Subvert RTI'

Rediff.com9 Jan 2025

'The government does not want to be transparent or accountable. Therefore, they do not want to appoint information commissioners.'

Protests defy curbs in Manipur over Meitei arrests; internet suspended

Protests defy curbs in Manipur over Meitei arrests; internet suspended

Rediff.com8 Jun 2025

The protesters torched tyres and old furniture in the middle of the road in Kwakeithel and Uripok, demanding the release of the leader. The situation remained tense on Sunday morning.

India's first Buddhist CJI ruled against 'bulldozer justice'

India's first Buddhist CJI ruled against 'bulldozer justice'

Rediff.com14 May 2025

Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, India's 52nd chief justice and its first Buddhist one, has played a key role in shaping the judicial landscape, penning about 300 verdicts, including landmark rulings on constitutional issues, liberty, and perhaps most important against the executive's 'bulldozer justice'.