News for 'Society Policy Institute'

Women take back Bengaluru

Women take back Bengaluru

Rediff.com6 Feb 2017

They are shaken by the mass molestation in the city on New Year's Eve. But they are not waiting to be rescued. Nikita Puri reports.

Budget session: India is a haven of stability, says President Pranab

Budget session: India is a haven of stability, says President Pranab

Rediff.com23 Feb 2016

The president outlined the government's agenda in the coming financial year in his customary address to the joint sitting of both the Houses of Parliament.

'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.

The dangerous threat of nuclear terrorism

The dangerous threat of nuclear terrorism

Rediff.com5 Apr 2016

During last week's Nuclear Security Summit, President Obama asked the media to leave and then screened videos depicting plausible scenarios pertaining to nuclear terrorism.

Modi in Singapore: Bolstering a pivotal relationship

Modi in Singapore: Bolstering a pivotal relationship

Rediff.com23 Nov 2015

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit is an attempt to move the Indo-Singapore relationship to the 'next level'. Singapore has been one of the top investors in India. India-Singapore bilateral trade has already crossed the $15 billion mark. As per the official records, Singapore has emerged as the second largest source of Foreign Direct Investment in India, says Dr Rahul Mishra.

Our relationship has overcome hesitations of history: Modi to US Congress

Our relationship has overcome hesitations of history: Modi to US Congress

Rediff.com9 Jun 2016

Praising the US for turning barriers into bridges of partnership, he said that America had stood with India when the support was needed the most, like when terrorists attacked Mumbai in November 2008 and in other economic endeavours as well

Happiness index: India ranks 117, below Pakistan!

Happiness index: India ranks 117, below Pakistan!

Rediff.com24 Apr 2015

Switzerland has been named the happiest country in the world.

How the media whitewashes Narendra Modi

How the media whitewashes Narendra Modi

Rediff.com8 May 2014

Modi today needs BJP CMs and non-party regional leaders to win votes and build alliances, but he will over-rule them and treat them like dirt once they have served their electoral purpose. Make no mistake: Modi is incurably authoritarian and will brook no dissent -- so long as the RSS is on board, says Praful Bidwai.

For talks to happen, Pakistan must walk away from terror: PM

For talks to happen, Pakistan must walk away from terror: PM

Rediff.com17 Jan 2017

'India alone cannot walk the path of peace. It also has to be Pakistan's journey to make,' says Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the government's geo-political flagship initiative "Raisina Dialogue-II".

PM's full I-Day speech: We have envisioned a prosperous India

PM's full I-Day speech: We have envisioned a prosperous India

Rediff.com15 Aug 2013

We present Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's full speech as he addressed the country on the occasion of 66th Independence Day, from Red Fort, Delhi.

Children cannot be made to pay price for inefficiency of system

Children cannot be made to pay price for inefficiency of system

Rediff.com16 Jul 2014

The eye of the debate has been focused too tightly on the quantum of punishment rather than the current approach, both to the juvenile, and also, for making him/her accountable, says Puja Marwaha

'UPA government let down the people of J&K'

'UPA government let down the people of J&K'

Rediff.com4 Jan 2017

'I felt like a used and discarded rag.' 'The pro-dialogue constituency has shrunk in the valley.' Academician and author Dr Radha Kumar was among the three interlocutors which the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government appointed on Kashmir in October 2010, speaks of how the panel report was never acted upon.

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.

Modi's shehzada, namuna jibes are childish, says Priyanka

Modi's shehzada, namuna jibes are childish, says Priyanka

Rediff.com29 Apr 2014

Battling on Rahul Gandhi's behalf, Priyanka Gandhi took on Narendra Modi over his shehzada, namuna and other barbs at her brother on Tuesday, saying the Bharatiya Janata Party leader is aspiring to be prime minister but indulging in childish behaviour and that he should maintain decorum.

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.

Modi@1: Ten things I learned this past year

Modi@1: Ten things I learned this past year

Rediff.com22 May 2015

For the past, blame the Congress. For the present, blame the Congress. For everything, blame the Congress. But for your future, vote BJP.

Can Niti Aayog transform India?

Can Niti Aayog transform India?

Rediff.com21 Jan 2015

'A lot will depend on the first Aayog and the power it derives.'

'When Modi-Shah lose, no one questions their failure'

'When Modi-Shah lose, no one questions their failure'

Rediff.com6 Apr 2017

'Where they lose, you never ask why they failed there, like in Bihar and Punjab.' 'You are stuck on the UP victory, thinking they have the mandate to rule for all times to come.' 'The BJP has 282 MPs, but can I honestly say that the BJP is the party for everyone?'

'Wonder what they are trying to hide'

'Wonder what they are trying to hide'

Rediff.com21 Mar 2016

'The Indian government has accepted and is a party to international agreements, standards and conventions on religious freedom.' 'We did not force it on them. We are not trying to impose something on them that they haven't already agreed to...' 'India has never allowed us to visit, which is very disappointing for such a wonderful country with such a rich democratic tradition. They seem to be afraid to let us in.'

Why Modi could have a long-ish ride

Why Modi could have a long-ish ride

Rediff.com10 Jan 2017

'Modi is likely to make more announcements to win or retain popularity, and put himself at the centre of things even more than now,' says T N Ninan.

Make in India is fine; Modi must first resolve domestic issues

Make in India is fine; Modi must first resolve domestic issues

Rediff.com3 Feb 2015

Make in India has few advantages and some disadvatnages too.

Jobs for women: Why India does worse than Somalia

Jobs for women: Why India does worse than Somalia

Rediff.com10 Mar 2015

Reasons include include dropping out of education, raising children and family pressure

Mr PM, you lost the war, the battle and me

Mr PM, you lost the war, the battle and me

Rediff.com14 Nov 2016

'You may show at the end of December how much money has come into the system, but none would be the wiser because most of see only what we want to see and believe.' 'Some of us will see through it and you will make your proxies call us enemies of the State.' 'I was somewhat with you till here. But we diverge from here on until you can do something which will veer through my cynicism brought about by your policy,' says Harsh N Gokhale.

Coping with water wars

Coping with water wars

Rediff.com12 Apr 2016

The wars of the future will be fought over water and if they occur on large scale, will be far more devastating than any we have seen yet.

Please Unfriend Me

Please Unfriend Me

Rediff.com7 Jun 2017

'I am not a friend of anyone who wants to defend, justify and glorify any businessman, power drunk person or religious fanatics, fake activists, apologists of terrorists, appeasers of some, oppressors of others, pretending to be political leaders,' says Amit Mehra.

BJP attacks UPA regime, hails 'strong and able' Modi

BJP attacks UPA regime, hails 'strong and able' Modi

Rediff.com9 Aug 2014

The 10-year UPA rule came under sharp attack in the BJP's National Council meeting in on Saturday, which unveiled the new government's future plans and policy prescription in domestic and foreign affairs arena in a political resolution, which hailed the "strong and able" leadership of Narendra Modi.

Dr Patel, be a fox to Dr Rajan's lion and an Owl at all times

Dr Patel, be a fox to Dr Rajan's lion and an Owl at all times

Rediff.com22 Aug 2016

'It will be interesting to see how Dr Patel handles gadflies with the maturity of egregiously petulant three year olds.' 'That Dr Patel does not, in so far as we can tell, cause society matrons to gush like hormonal teenagers can only be a good thing for him.' 'Look where their febrile imaginations and breathless prose took his predecessor.'

Bangladeshi bomber arrested after attempted 'terrorist attack' in New York

Bangladeshi bomber arrested after attempted 'terrorist attack' in New York

Rediff.com12 Dec 2017

"Terrorists won't win," New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said after a blast at the Port Authority terminal in Manhattan during the morning rush hour on Monday, which injured four.

UP's free-housing mess a national warning

UP's free-housing mess a national warning

Rediff.com23 Jun 2015

With nearly a million identified slums, UP urgently requires housing for the poor

'Old friend is better than 2 new friends': India, Russia sign 16 key pacts in Goa

'Old friend is better than 2 new friends': India, Russia sign 16 key pacts in Goa

Rediff.com15 Oct 2016

Big ticket defence deals including purchase of missile systems, frigates and joint production of helicopters were sealed on Saturday.

'There is no evidence that Modi ordered the killings'

'There is no evidence that Modi ordered the killings'

Rediff.com10 Feb 2014

Lawyer and scholar Vinay Sitapati says the 'Get Modi' strategy largely misses the efforts to prosecute people evidently guilty of violence and murders in the Gujarat riots in favour of "a narrow quest to stop one man from becoming prime minister."

'There is no feeling of honour involved in these killings'

'There is no feeling of honour involved in these killings'

Rediff.com22 Mar 2016

'Most of those involved in these honour killings are the people who belong to the class that feels left out.' 'The high development index in a way is perpetuating conditions that result in social tension.' 'The only solution to the problem is politicise inter-caste marriages.'

Modi's two big mistakes

Modi's two big mistakes

Rediff.com22 Aug 2014

'Both reflect prejudice and short-sightedness peculiar to Mr Modi's way of thinking.'

'GST is going to be tax jihadism'

'GST is going to be tax jihadism'

Rediff.com30 Jun 2017

'If my understanding is correct, one has to file not less than 37 returns per year for every ordinary business, and that too per state.' 'If you are doing businesses in Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad, you have to file 37x3 returns every year!' 'The consequence of GST will be chaos, confusion and possibly economic crisis.'

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.

Rahul follows a weird political calculus

Rahul follows a weird political calculus

Rediff.com23 Feb 2015

'He is anything but astute or charismatic. He believes the Congress can win elections without alliances in the Hindi heartland.'

BJP's resolve: 'Dethroning UPA is now our historic duty'

BJP's resolve: 'Dethroning UPA is now our historic duty'

Rediff.com9 Jun 2013

Transcript of the political resolution adopted by the Bharatiya Janata Party in its national executive meeting in Panaji, Goa on Sunday.

Generals, quotas damage the army

Generals, quotas damage the army

Rediff.com28 Apr 2015

A soldier cannot justifiably demand faster, easier promotions based on frequent field tenures

Sudha Murty: India has not been united for 2,000 years

Sudha Murty: India has not been united for 2,000 years

Rediff.com15 Feb 2017

Sudha Murty worries that India has still not learnt its lessons from history.

Modi and Obama set out to create a model for the world

Modi and Obama set out to create a model for the world

Rediff.com1 Oct 2014

Moving ahead with their new mantra -- Chalein Saath Saath: Forward Together We Go -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Barack Obama on Tuesday vowed to deepen cooperation in every sector for the benefit of global stability and people's livelihoods over the next ten years.