News for 'Society Policy Institute'

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.

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.

5 things Modi can and must do to skyrocket to fame

5 things Modi can and must do to skyrocket to fame

Rediff.com13 Jun 2014

he has to demonstrate the ability of his government to take a quantum leap, almost tantamount to setting the Ganga on fire, in the next six months, if not in 100 days, if the people were to take seriously the cascade of commitments spewing out of the President's address to both Houses of Parliament on June 9, says B S Raghavan. B S Raghavan suggests five practical propositions through which the Modi government can bring in paradigm changes.

Religion should be delinked from terror: PM in Malaysia

Religion should be delinked from terror: PM in Malaysia

Rediff.com22 Nov 2015

Addressing the Indian diaspora on the second day of his three-day visit to Malaysia, Modi said India draws strength from its diversity and that his government is working to create an environment where enterprise flourishes and everybody gets basic needs like roof, sanitation, water, health care and education.

Why the anti-Digital India petition must be called out

Why the anti-Digital India petition must be called out

Rediff.com22 Sep 2015

'The anti-Digital India campaign is a vindictive hatchet job rather than a fact based, rationally sound appraisal; a personal attack rather than issue based criticism; an ideological assault rather than altruistic effort. It must be called out for what it is,' says Vivek Gumaste.

Amazing story of Xooglers making a big impact in India

Amazing story of Xooglers making a big impact in India

Rediff.com6 Oct 2015

A number of Xooglers are employing lessons and practices learnt during their stint at Google to branch out into innovative ventures.

The Junk Food Conundrum

The Junk Food Conundrum

Rediff.com19 Aug 2013

Should junk food be sold in Indian schools?

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.

Nilekani comes up with a 'Genie'

Nilekani comes up with a 'Genie'

Rediff.com20 Jul 2015

The Genie will contain lots of gamified apps.

'Modi is a clean, determined man, ambitious of his place in history'

'Modi is a clean, determined man, ambitious of his place in history'

Rediff.com16 May 2014

'A change of government will bring about a lot of changes because everything is frozen for the last two years. So, the frozen energies of India will be released.' Swadeshi Jagran Manch convenor Swaminathan Gurumurthy discusses the Modi phenomenon with Shobha Warrier/Rediff.com

Exclusive! Why Tulsi Gabbard doesn't want Hillary as Prez

Exclusive! Why Tulsi Gabbard doesn't want Hillary as Prez

Rediff.com16 Mar 2016

'A vote for Hillary means a vote for endless wars of trying to overthrow governments and rebuilding foreign countries.' 'A vote for Bernie Sanders means an end to these interventionist wars, and instead spending our money and precious resources rebuilding our own country,' Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, the only Hindu-American in the United States Congress, tells Aziz Haniffa/Rediff.com

'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.'

'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.

Pravasi Special: Friends of India

Pravasi Special: Friends of India

Rediff.com7 Jan 2015

'India today has to fight many a battle, all of which cry out for innovation. This is where the experience of the Diaspora could be the most productive well-spring.'

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.

'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.

Did you know Nehru was first PM to address US Congress?

Did you know Nehru was first PM to address US Congress?

Rediff.com1 Jun 2016

'India may be new to world politics and her military strength insignificant in comparison with that of the giants of our epoch.' 'But India is old in thought and experience and has travelled through trackless centuries in the adventure of life.' 'Throughout her long history she has stood for peace and every prayer that an Indian raises, ends with an invocation to peace.' Jawaharlal Nehru's memorable speech to the United States Congress.

6 I-Day promises from 2014 that Modi (partially) fulfilled

6 I-Day promises from 2014 that Modi (partially) fulfilled

Rediff.com18 Aug 2015

A review of key pronouncements he made in his first Independence Day Speech on August 15, 2014.

Right to privacy is deeply linked to national security

Right to privacy is deeply linked to national security

Rediff.com26 Oct 2017

Admittedly, EVMs too have a UID number and any convergence of data can make the secret ballot system a party of history, warns Dr Gopal Krishna in the 5th part of his series against Aadhaar.

NSA Menon: Not desirable for India to be a superpower

NSA Menon: Not desirable for India to be a superpower

Rediff.com13 Feb 2014

NSA Menon's wisdom says that the idea to be superpower is not really desirable, it is better to be different. Sheela Bhatt reports.

Pravasi Special: Build and they will come

Pravasi Special: Build and they will come

Rediff.com9 Jan 2015

The euphoria of Ab Ki Baar Modi Sarkar will fade quickly if the Modi government does not raise its game, and focus significant monetary resources and managerial skills on making India's infrastructure truly world-class, says Ram Kelkar.

'Demand inheritance, not dowry'

'Demand inheritance, not dowry'

Rediff.com18 Jun 2015

The first woman chief justice of a state in India Leila Seth talks about her career and how she went on to fight male bias and discrimination.

A daily wage labourer who turned multimillionaire

A daily wage labourer who turned multimillionaire

Rediff.com28 Aug 2014

The 39-year-old, the fifth child of an illiterate labourer couple and only the second of their eight to be educated, now helms various ventures that bring in a turnover of between Rs 75 crore and Rs 90 crore.

'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?'

Are India's tiger numbers inflated?

Are India's tiger numbers inflated?

Rediff.com24 Jul 2016

How many tigers are there in India?

'If con is the opposite of pro then Congress is the opposite of progress'

'If con is the opposite of pro then Congress is the opposite of progress'

Rediff.com28 May 2015

The full transcript of the exclusive interview with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

'India's dominance in IT will continue'

'India's dominance in IT will continue'

Rediff.com30 Aug 2016

'India is the number one IT destination in the world as we have the largest number of IT professionals in the world.'

'The Nehru family has produced no one like Nehru'

'The Nehru family has produced no one like Nehru'

Rediff.com24 Jan 2014

'What hurts people most is dynastic impulses and corruption under a family-ruled Congress party -- and Nehru has borne the brunt of it... I cannot be blinded by how the Nehru family has functioned but just as Gandhi can't be judged by his descendents, why should Nehru?' asks political scientist Ashutosh Varshney.

What NaMo will do in 2015

What NaMo will do in 2015

Rediff.com2 Jan 2015

'Those who have seen the functioning of the Modi government in Gujarat know that the issues related to Hindutva and issues of economy and growth function simultaneously.' 'Modi's politics are based on the understanding of the middle-class consumer society which is in pursuit of material aspirations.' Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com reveals the Modi government's economic and political plans for the year ahead.

18 books to read in 2015

18 books to read in 2015

Rediff.com29 Dec 2014

Nilanjana S Roy compiles a list of the most eagerly awaited books next year.

Jairam Ramesh: 2014 land Act will take us back to 1894!

Jairam Ramesh: 2014 land Act will take us back to 1894!

Rediff.com5 Mar 2015

'Give time to the 2013 Act to work. I not only think that the 2013 law is workable, I believe that the 2013 law is a compromise, a balanced middle path and protects the interests of land owners and livelihood losers.'

Suit boot ki sarkar definitely better than suitcase ki sarkar: PM

Suit boot ki sarkar definitely better than suitcase ki sarkar: PM

Rediff.com30 May 2015

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who recently completed one year in office, has, in an exclusive interview with Smita Prakash, editor, ANI, said the opposition alleging that his government is a "suit boot ki sarkar" is definitely better and more acceptable than being labelled a "suitcase" (ki sarkar), and satirically added, that after ruling for sixty years, the Congress has suddenly remembered the poor.

Why India should be worried even though tiger numbers are up

Why India should be worried even though tiger numbers are up

Rediff.com22 Jan 2015

'We are rushing to 'develop' without carefully valuing natural areas.' 'With careful land use planning and scientific zonation at least 5 to 10 per cent of the country's land can be secured for tigers and other such species, and another 5 to 15 per cent kept under low-impact uses to support biodiversity that can coexist with human uses.'

'My job is not to represent the world; my job is to represent the United States of America'

'My job is not to represent the world; my job is to represent the United States of America'

Rediff.com1 Mar 2017

The following is the full text of US President Donald Trump's first address to a joint session of the Congress on February 28, as prepared for delivery and released by the White House press office.

Exclusive! Medha Patkar: Land acquisition ordinance will destroy poor

Exclusive! Medha Patkar: Land acquisition ordinance will destroy poor

Rediff.com14 Jan 2015

The new ordinance on land acquisition will allow land grabbers to deprive millions, destroy agriculture, horticulture, rivers, forests, tree cover and mangroves to extract minerals as well as ground water, without replenishment at a pace that will not leave anything for the next generation, warns activist Medha Patkar.

'Delhi's favour-driven culture will get a big shock from Modi'

'Delhi's favour-driven culture will get a big shock from Modi'

Rediff.com13 May 2014

'Modi is a master of convergence. By his ability to converge and add new features to a non-star idea, he is able to sell it. Like how he has turned Kutch into a tourist destination by selling the salt desert of the Rann as a flat snow desert of the night and roping in Amitabh Bachchan to sell it. In one stroke this has ensured economic returns to the people and on the other hand it has taken care of the national security angle in the sense that the border population in the Rann, which is almost entirely Muslim, is feeling better as now they are much more connected with the mainstream.' Ahead of the launch of his book on the much-debated Modi model of governance, journalist Uday Mahurkar speaks to Rediff.com's Sheela Bhatt.

As 'America's Doctor,' Vivek Murthy will hit the ground running

As 'America's Doctor,' Vivek Murthy will hit the ground running

Rediff.com16 Dec 2014

More than a year after he was nominated by President Barack Obama, the US Senate, defying the powerful pro-gun lobby National Rifle Association, voted to confirm Dr Vivek Hellegere Murthy as the first Indian American US Surgeon General and the youngest ever at age 37, in a cliff-hanger of a 51-43 vote.

PM suggests 8 areas where India, China can cooperate

PM suggests 8 areas where India, China can cooperate

Rediff.com24 Oct 2013

Following is the full text of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's speech at the Central Party School in Beijing on Thursday:

Election 2014: Modi versus Macaulay's ghost

Election 2014: Modi versus Macaulay's ghost

Rediff.com17 Jun 2014

The post mandate comments that 'darkness has descended on India' shows the kind of opposition Modi has to overcome. It is this aspirational India that is attempting to throw away shackles of Macualayism. Make no mistake it is a tectonic shift and a beginning of the end of Maculayan mindset that has 'ruled' India for close to 60 years, says Colonel (retd) Anil Athale.

The extraordinary doctor who makes a difference

The extraordinary doctor who makes a difference

Rediff.com14 Aug 2015

Rediff.com digs into its archives, tracking down Dr M R Rajagopal's sincere efforts of changing lives and changing the way India looks at palliative care.