News for 'Society Policy Institute'

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.

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

'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."

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.'

'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 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.'

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.

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.

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.'

'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.'

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

'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

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.

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

'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.'

'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 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.

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.

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.

'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?'

'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.