News for 'Rapid Response'

Lack of Chlorine in drinking water linked to Pune GBS outbreak

Lack of Chlorine in drinking water linked to Pune GBS outbreak

Rediff.com5 Feb 2025

A water quality survey held around Nanded village, the epicentre of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) in Pune city, has found there was lack of chlorine in the drinking water supplied to households of 26 patients of this nerve disorder, officials said.

'Nagrik Devo Bhava': Modi's message to bureaucrats

'Nagrik Devo Bhava': Modi's message to bureaucrats

Rediff.com21 Apr 2025

Citing evolving needs and aspirations of the citizens, he said that the civil service must adapt to contemporary challenges to remain relevant.

It's Time to Update Army Regiment Names

It's Time to Update Army Regiment Names

Rediff.com2 Jul 2025

>The Indian Army still uses old British-era names and recruits soldiers based on caste or region, which hurts national unity, argues Colonel K Thammayya Udupa (retd).

India Should Tread Warily On Battlefield

India Should Tread Warily On Battlefield

Rediff.com1 May 2025

Pakistan has warned the international community that any military moves by India shall be 'responded to assuredly and decisively... onus of any escalatory spiral and its consequences shall squarely lie with India.' Implicit in the statement is a veiled threat that even a nuclear threshold may be reached if push comes to shove, warns Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

'Rubio's Call To Munir Was Critical'

'Rubio's Call To Munir Was Critical'

Rediff.com12 May 2025

'Fears in Washington began to intensify when it was realised that subsequent Pakistani and Indian attacks on major military facilities -- which were significant in terms of geographic scope and intensity -- could rapidly take both sides to where neither actually wanted to go.' 'The US objective was to stop the fighting as soon as possible. Everything else was secondary.'

NBFCs draw flak for lax loan appraisal practices

NBFCs draw flak for lax loan appraisal practices

Rediff.com11 Apr 2025

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Deputy Governor Swaminathan J criticised some non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) for lax loan appraisal practices and charging excessive interest rates, even as he acknowledged the sector's rapid expansion over the past decade, especially in recent years. "Unfortunately, some NBFCs seem to believe they can operate with weak underwriting in the pursuit of fast growth while levying excessive and unsustainable interest rates - sometimes disguised as upfront or processing fees - followed by aggressive recovery methods in case of default," Swaminathan said at the conference of NBFCs in Chennai last month.

Ajay Devgn's Sequel Love

Ajay Devgn's Sequel Love

Rediff.com30 Apr 2025

With Raid 2, where Ajay Devgn reprises his role as an income tax hawk swooping on a defaulter politician, the actor is hoping to make another successful sequel. Here's a look at his series of sequel love.

Why Are Child TB Cases Rising?

Why Are Child TB Cases Rising?

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

Children below the age of 15 years account for about 10 to 12 per cent of India's overall TB burden.

India's manufacturing sector growth hits 8-month high in Mar

India's manufacturing sector growth hits 8-month high in Mar

Rediff.com2 Apr 2025

India's manufacturing sector growth rose to an eight-month high in March, driven by quicker increases in factory orders and production amid buoyant demand conditions, a monthly survey said on Wednesday. The seasonally adjusted HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) was at 58.1 in March, up from 56.3 in February, indicating a substantial improvement in the health of the sector that was above its long-run average. In February, India's manufacturing PMI fell to a 14-month low amid softer increase in new orders and production.

India's BPO Industry Gets AI Makeover

India's BPO Industry Gets AI Makeover

Rediff.com29 May 2025

Call centres, once the engine room of India's BPO exports, are evolving too. Depending on the complexity, 30 to 50 per cent of voice and chat volumes are now handled by conversational AI.

'The Ceasefire Is A Band-Aid Solution'

'The Ceasefire Is A Band-Aid Solution'

Rediff.com14 May 2025

'It brings precarious peace because the red lines have shifted. 'The next Pahalgam attack would mean a full scale war.'

Shippers rush to reach American shores amid 90-day tariff pause

Shippers rush to reach American shores amid 90-day tariff pause

Rediff.com21 Apr 2025

After US President Donald Trump announced a 90-day tariff pause for several nations, including India, global manufacturers are in a rush to ensure that bulk of their goods reach the US during this window. "The 90-day suspension of tariffs will be welcomed by shippers, but it should not be a cause for celebration.

RBI Forex Intervention Hits Highest In 17 Years

RBI Forex Intervention Hits Highest In 17 Years

Rediff.com23 May 2025

In response to the panic triggered by Trump's trade policies, the RBI net sold approximately $43 billion in the second half of FY25 to curb volatility, as the rupee plunged to a low of 87.95 per dollar in February this year.

Maha reports 1st suspected GBS death, number of cases rises to 110

Maha reports 1st suspected GBS death, number of cases rises to 110

Rediff.com28 Jan 2025

A man suspected to have contracted Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) has died in Maharashtra's Solapur district, while the number of cases of the immunological nerve disorder in Pune rose to 110, health officials said on Monday.

Is Shreyas Iyer India's Next All-Format Superstar?

Is Shreyas Iyer India's Next All-Format Superstar?

Rediff.com26 Mar 2025

Ganguly believes Iyer's transformation makes him a strong contender for a spot in all three formats of international cricket.

Arming Armed Forces: India's Choice Not Trump's

Arming Armed Forces: India's Choice Not Trump's

Rediff.com17 Mar 2025

We need to equip the Indian Armed Forces, not 'commercial' as Trump wants, but 'operationally' looking at growing Chinese military capabilities, asserts Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (retd).

Conveyor belt fixed to ease Telangana tunnel rescue op

Conveyor belt fixed to ease Telangana tunnel rescue op

Rediff.com4 Mar 2025

The conveyor belt at the partially collapsed SLBC tunnel in Telangana has been repaired and made operational, making it easier for rescue personnel to shift muck and debris. The belt was damaged following an accident on February 22. Rescue efforts continue on the 11th day of the accident, with a team from South Central Railway cutting the platform of the damaged Tunnel Boring Machine inside the tunnel. The government is exploring the option of deploying robots in the rescue operation to prevent any threat to the rescue personnel.

Why these two ministries are unhappy with Ola Electric

Why these two ministries are unhappy with Ola Electric

Rediff.com21 Mar 2025

Ola Electric Mobility Ltd on Friday said ministries of heavy industries, and road transport and highways have sought information from the company over gap in vehicle registrations as per the Vahan portal and sales as per the firm's regulatory filing. Besides, the ministries have also sought clarification on reports "regarding non-compliance to the requirement of trade certificates", Ola Electric Mobility said in a regulatory filing.

Cyberfraud Thrives On Fear!

Cyberfraud Thrives On Fear!

Rediff.com29 Jan 2025

The number of cyberfraud cases has skyrocketed from 2,677 in 1999-2000 to 29,082 in FY24 -- more than a 10-fold increase. The RBI pegs digital payment frauds at Rs 1,457 crore in FY24, up more than five times in a year. It's not just the number of frauds. What's alarming is the growing sophistication of the fraudsters, exposing the vulnerabilities within the financial system, observes Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

The Kashmir Princess Crash, 70 Years On

The Kashmir Princess Crash, 70 Years On

Rediff.com11 Apr 2025

The Air India flight crashed into the sea after a mid-air bomb explosion in what was a failed assassination attempt on Chinese premier Zhou En Lai.

England will not boycott Afghanistan match at Champions Trophy

England will not boycott Afghanistan match at Champions Trophy

Rediff.com7 Feb 2025

Last month, a group of British lawmakers urged England to boycott the Champions Trophy group stage match against Afghanistan.

Investing In Property? Read This

Investing In Property? Read This

Rediff.com10 Apr 2025

Buying makes sense for those planning to stay in a city for at least 7 to 10 years. Financial preparedness is crucial.

Budget 2025: Defence Must Be The Priority

Budget 2025: Defence Must Be The Priority

Rediff.com31 Jan 2025

'The first and most basic responsibility of any government is to protect its people from external threats and internal harm.' 'Budget 2025-2026 has to focus on meeting this responsibility,' asserts R Jagannathan.

SpaceX's Starship rocket explodes, debris grounds flights

SpaceX's Starship rocket explodes, debris grounds flights

Rediff.com7 Mar 2025

Engineers from Space X said that the 400-foot-tall ship, launched from the company's Starbase facility near Boca Chica Beach in Texas, lost altitude control after several engines stopped working 20 seconds before the end of the ascent burn.

Why India's Youth Faces Severe Mental Distress

Why India's Youth Faces Severe Mental Distress

Rediff.com27 Mar 2025

Factors that cause severe distress include early smartphone usage, consumption of ultra-processed foods, exposure to environmental toxins, and a growing sense of loneliness.

50 Naxalites surrender ahead of Modi's Chhattisgarh visit

50 Naxalites surrender ahead of Modi's Chhattisgarh visit

Rediff.com30 Mar 2025

The Naxalites, 10 of whom are women, turned themselves in before senior officials of the state police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), he added.

New York here I come! Erigaisi receives US visa

New York here I come! Erigaisi receives US visa

Rediff.com23 Dec 2024

Arjun Erigaisi breathed a sigh of relief after receiving his US visa to compete in the upcoming World Rapid and Blitz Championships in New York

From Paris to Peru: Manu Bhaker's next big challenge

From Paris to Peru: Manu Bhaker's next big challenge

Rediff.com22 Feb 2025

Ace pistol shooter Manu Bhaker will lead a 35-member Indian team in the season-opening ISSF World Cups in April in South America.

Internet suspended, 34 held after communal clashes in Bengal's Mothabari

Internet suspended, 34 held after communal clashes in Bengal's Mothabari

Rediff.com29 Mar 2025

The situation remained tense but peaceful during the day, amid heavy police deployment in the area.

Army, IAF, Navy Promised Faster Defence Buys

Army, IAF, Navy Promised Faster Defence Buys

Rediff.com3 Mar 2025

'Currently, it takes between two and three years to formulate the request for proposal for procuring specific military equipment for the armed forces. It should not be this way.'

'Without US, Saudis, UAE in loop, there will be no retaliation'

'Without US, Saudis, UAE in loop, there will be no retaliation'

Rediff.com24 Apr 2025

'If Pakistan's army wants to escalate violence in Kashmir, they have an unlimited supply of jihadis they can train and send. That's not an issue for them.'

Can Dhoni Get CSK Back On Track?

Can Dhoni Get CSK Back On Track?

Rediff.com11 Apr 2025

If CSK fails to win Friday's match against the Kolkata Knight Riders in Chennai, it could turn to be a historic new low for them. It could be the first time that CSK have lost three matches in a row at home.

'Investors: Stay Calm. Avoid Speculative Investment Behaviour'

'Investors: Stay Calm. Avoid Speculative Investment Behaviour'

Rediff.com8 Apr 2025

'My advice: Don't mark your portfolio to market every day. Focus on survival.'

How Will Trump Change The World On April 2?

How Will Trump Change The World On April 2?

Rediff.com1 Apr 2025

We have entered a new era in human history, asserts Aakar Patel.

Survey outlines how India will benefit from AI

Survey outlines how India will benefit from AI

Rediff.com31 Jan 2025

India's demographic advantage and diverse economic landscape position it uniquely to benefit from AI, the Economic Survey for 2024-25 tabled in the Parliament on Friday afternoon asserted. However, achieving these benefits requires significant investments in education and workforce skilling, supported by enabling, insuring, and stewarding institutions, the state of the economy report tabled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said.

5 Workplace Changes You Will See in 2025

5 Workplace Changes You Will See in 2025

Rediff.com2 Jan 2025

Workplaces of 2025 will be defined by a deep focus on people-first values, inclusivity, and sustainable growth, foresees Sonica Aron, founder of Marching Sheep.

Remember Smart Cities? What Happened?

Remember Smart Cities? What Happened?

Rediff.com8 Apr 2025

Among the cities that have fully implemented their projects are Agra, Varanasi, Madurai, Coimbatore, Udaipur, Pune, Surat, and Vadodara

China hikes defence budget, 3 times higher than India

China hikes defence budget, 3 times higher than India

Rediff.com5 Mar 2025

China has announced a 7.2 percent increase in its national defence budget, bringing the total to USD 249 billion for the year. This rise comes amidst China's ongoing efforts to modernize its armed forces, including the development of new warships and fighter jets. The budget increase, exceeding last year's 7.2 percent rise, reflects China's commitment to bolstering its military capabilities. Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized the importance of the Communist Party's leadership in guiding the military, with President Xi Jinping at the helm of the Central Military Commission. China's defence spending is now three times that of India's and is viewed by critics as a sign of the country's growing military ambitions.

Trump-Putin Bonhomie: Checkmate Xi?

Trump-Putin Bonhomie: Checkmate Xi?

Rediff.com1 Mar 2025

The US move to align with Russia is prompted by fear of a Sino-Russian joint threat. Russia, fully aware of its military vulnerability vis a vis China may cautiously welcome the American move, assesses Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Ola Electric: Can It Spark EV Adoption?

Ola Electric: Can It Spark EV Adoption?

Rediff.com26 Mar 2025

Why has the shift from ICE to electric slowed down despite initial enthusiasm?