News for 'South Asia Centre'

Gadkari's recipe for reducing vehicle pollution

Gadkari's recipe for reducing vehicle pollution

Rediff.com18 Dec 2023

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday said the country needs 1,000 vehicle scrapping centres and 400 automated fitness test centres. Launching 'DigiELV', Gadkari said the road ministry has so far approved 85 vehicle scrapping facilities across the country. "We need 1,000 vehicle scrapping centres in the country and at least 400 automated fitness test centres," he said.

Former spy chiefs want Indo-Pak cricketing ties resumed. Do you agree?

Former spy chiefs want Indo-Pak cricketing ties resumed. Do you agree?

Rediff.com9 Oct 2017

At a talk organised by South Asia Centre, London School of Economics' (LSE) Pakistan Development Society and the South Asia Future Forum in London, the two former spy chiefs agreed that cricket can serve as a peacemaker and can be helpful for the national interest of both countries.

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).

Hotel Rates Hit Record High In '24

Hotel Rates Hit Record High In '24

Rediff.com19 Dec 2024

Driven by a boom in domestic tourism, a record number of weddings in November and December, and a surge in extended weekend vacations.

China's World Cup dream collapses, Iran qualifies

China's World Cup dream collapses, Iran qualifies

Rediff.com26 Mar 2025

Coach Branko Ivankovic insisted China's World Cup qualifying campaign was still alive despite back-to-back losses to Saudi Arabia and Australia over the last five days leaving them bottom of Asian qualifying Group C.

India, Don't Spurn Bangladesh

India, Don't Spurn Bangladesh

Rediff.com2 Dec 2024

Our visa operations in Bangladesh constitute the largest visa operations India conducts worldwide. This has taken a hit after Sheikh Hasina's government was overthrown and India reduced its diplomatic presence in Bangladesh, notes Aakar Patel.

Pakistan expert Shuja Nawaz on the US-Pak strategic talks

Pakistan expert Shuja Nawaz on the US-Pak strategic talks

Rediff.com26 Mar 2010

Shuja Nawaz, arguably the most authoritative expert on the Pakistani military, assesses the US-Pakistan strategic dialogue.

Farm laws: Centre to take states route

Farm laws: Centre to take states route

Rediff.com29 Nov 2021

'As far as contract farming is concerned, we already have a model Act and states will be encouraged to adopt them.'

Leaning in: Isha Ambani beyond Reliance Retail

Leaning in: Isha Ambani beyond Reliance Retail

Rediff.com16 May 2024

Isha Ambani means business. Not only when she is doing business - she leads Reliance Retail - but also when she is not. The latter was unmistakable on Wednesday, during her eight-minute 49-second video address on the occasion of "Girls in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Day India 2024".

What is Type 5 Diabetes?

What is Type 5 Diabetes?

Rediff.com16 May 2025

'Everyone with a low BMI will not get Type 5 diabetes.'

Despite odds, economists confident of India growth story: WEF study

Despite odds, economists confident of India growth story: WEF study

Rediff.com15 Sep 2023

Most economists expect the global economy to weaken in the coming year amid political and financial volatility, but a large majority of over 90 per cent are confident of moderate or strong growth in South Asia, notably India, a survey showed on Friday. At the same time, the outlook for China has dimmed following signs of deflationary pressures and fragility in the country's real estate market, the World Economic Forum's latest 'Chief Economists Outlook' report said. As the world grapples with political and financial volatility, almost six in 10 believe the global economic outlook will undermine progress towards meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with 74 per cent saying geopolitical tensions will have the same effect.

Amit Shah to attend Ratan Tata's funeral in Mumbai

Amit Shah to attend Ratan Tata's funeral in Mumbai

Rediff.com10 Oct 2024

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will attend the funeral of industrialist Ratan Tata in Mumbai on Thursday, sources said on Thursday.

Visa applications to beat pre-Covid levels in 2024

Visa applications to beat pre-Covid levels in 2024

Rediff.com21 Feb 2024

VFS Global expects visa applications from India to surpass pre-pandemic levels in 2024 with the easing of appointment availability. Vishal Jairath, head-South Asia, VFS Global, said during a media interaction that based on indications from the client governments in terms of appointment availability and the resources deployed by them, visa applications would surpass the pre-Covid levels by a healthy margin. "We have geared up. We have looked at our infrastructure and increased capacity in many locations," he added.

Companies Plan Yoga Day Celebration

Companies Plan Yoga Day Celebration

Rediff.com21 Jun 2024

'An in-house contest encourages employees to share yoga and well-being practices with their families.'

India Needs A National Security Strategy

India Needs A National Security Strategy

Rediff.com4 Oct 2024

The National Security Strategy document should flag all major issues concerning security strategy and provide guidelines to concerned departments to work out suitable action plans. Since the global and regional geopolitical canvas is dynamic, the NSS document should be deliberated at length before formulation and should be reviewed periodically, recommends Commodore Venugopal Menon (retd).

Where In The World Are These Stars?!

Where In The World Are These Stars?!

Rediff.com7 Apr 2022

Bollywood stars travel all the time on work or for a much-needed vacation.

'India Must Not Support Nepal's Ex-King'

'India Must Not Support Nepal's Ex-King'

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

'Gyanendra back on the throne would be bad news for the Nepali people. He may not have learnt from his experience, but we have.'

'No Intention Of A Takeover in British Telecom'

'No Intention Of A Takeover in British Telecom'

Rediff.com22 Aug 2024

'We operate in 16 countries already, and therefore adding the UK to it, and beginning a chapter in the European continent is the next step.'

Why Wayanad's Landslide Survivors Are Protesting

Why Wayanad's Landslide Survivors Are Protesting

Rediff.com27 Mar 2025

In the months immediately following the 2024 tragedy, reporting on the landslide per se had been a straightforward affair. On one side was death and destruction. On the other side, survivors and the business of survival. It was black and white. What direction to take was clear. Rehabilitation in comparison, felt like a complex situation. One that is fraught with shades of grey. As grey as human life, explains Shyam G Menon.

Amazon arm to set up data centre in Hyderabad

Amazon arm to set up data centre in Hyderabad

Rediff.com6 Nov 2020

Amazon Web Services (AWS) on Friday announced setting up of its second data centre region in India in Telangana that will be operational by mid-2022, and will see the tech giant investing about Rs 20,761 crore. While AWS did not comment on the investment detail, Telangana IT and Industries Minister KT Rama Rao tweeted that AWS will invest Rs 20,761 crore ($2.77 billion) to set up multiple data centres in the state.

Disquieting Deeds Can't Wipe Out Work AAP Has Done

Disquieting Deeds Can't Wipe Out Work AAP Has Done

Rediff.com13 Feb 2025

'A government whose policies are focused around making the life of ordinary citizens, specially the most deprived sections, richer; a government that prioritises education, health and transport, that doesn't treat its citizens as subjects who must come to it for everything, is rare in our country.' 'When such a government is thrown out, one is left stunned,' notes Jyoti Punwani.

VinFast kicks off Tamil Nadu unit construction, seeks cut in import duty

VinFast kicks off Tamil Nadu unit construction, seeks cut in import duty

Rediff.com26 Feb 2024

Vietnam-based electric vehicle maker VinFast, a rival of Tesla in the global market, has set foot in India and began work on building its Rs 16,000 crore EV manufacturing facility at Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu. The company has already sought a reduction in import duties on its cars for about two years until customers get familiar with the brand and its unit in the state. The global major kicked off the construction of the first phase of its integrated EV hub, which may see Rs 4,000 crore of investment initially and will create more than 10,000 jobs.

Ratan Tata-promoted Electra EV raises $25 mn

Ratan Tata-promoted Electra EV raises $25 mn

Rediff.com3 Nov 2022

Ratan Tata-promoted Electrodrive Powertrain Solutions or Electra EV has raised USD 25 million in equity capital from GEF Capital for a minority stake. The Tata Group patriarch set up Electra EV in 2017 and the company designs, manufactures and supplies EV powertrains systems across passenger and commercial vehicle segments. It also has products for the agriculture and off-highway segments.

Guess which was India's most polluted city in 2023? Hint: It's not Delhi

Guess which was India's most polluted city in 2023? Hint: It's not Delhi

Rediff.com10 Jan 2024

Byrnihat in Meghalaya topped the list of most polluted cities in India in 2023, closely followed by Begusarai in Bihar and Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh, according to a report released on Wednesday.

Congress criticises Centre over China's Kashmir remark

Congress criticises Centre over China's Kashmir remark

Rediff.com10 Oct 2019

Following the Chinese president's comments on Kashmir, India in a quick response asserted that it is not for other countries to comment on "internal affairs of India".

Modi Or Manmohan? Who Travelled More?

Modi Or Manmohan? Who Travelled More?

Rediff.com27 Feb 2024

While Narendra Modi spent fewer days abroad than his predecessor -- 275 days versus Dr Singh's 306 - he has travelled more widely than any other Indian PM.

Engineer arrested for post on bomb threat at Ambani wedding

Engineer arrested for post on bomb threat at Ambani wedding

Rediff.com16 Jul 2024

The Mumbai police were on high alert after an X user @ffsfir wrote a post about the potential threat which reads like "My mind is wondering shamelessly that half the world would go upside down tomorrow after a bomb went off at the Ambani wedding. trillions of dollars in one pin code."

ICC action on home soil has Pakistan fans buzzing

ICC action on home soil has Pakistan fans buzzing

Rediff.com17 Feb 2025

The national team, captained for the bulk of those years by Misbah Ul Haq, hosted its 'home' games in the United Arab Emirates and remained relatively successful until fixtures trickled back onto Pakistani soil in 2018.

US experts question decision to execute Jadhav

US experts question decision to execute Jadhav

Rediff.com12 Apr 2017

They warned that Islamabad wants to send a 'strong message' to India against isolating it on the world stage.

Decades of warnings preceded Sikkim disaster

Decades of warnings preceded Sikkim disaster

Rediff.com5 Oct 2023

A GLOF occurred in parts of Lhonak Lake, leading to a rapid rise in water levels with very high velocities downstream along the Teesta River Basin in the early hours of October 4. This resulted in severe damage in Mangan, Gangtok, Pakyong and Namchi districts.

Kerala mosque bars Muslims from lower strata, sparks row

Kerala mosque bars Muslims from lower strata, sparks row

Rediff.com13 Jul 2023

The jama'ath of a mosque in Kerala has allegedly opposed the participation of people belonging to the lower strata of the Muslim community in their general meeting, drawing sharp criticism from progressive organisations in the society.

Kerala Oppn, experts question Centre, state on dam management

Kerala Oppn, experts question Centre, state on dam management

Rediff.com26 Oct 2021

Poor dam management was considered as a major reason for the 2018 floods in the state that led to a loss of around Rs 50,000 crore and claimed as many as 483 lives, reports Shine Jacob.

North-east is gateway to south-east Asia: PM Modi

North-east is gateway to south-east Asia: PM Modi

Rediff.com27 May 2016

Describing north-east as the "gateway" to south-east asia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said his government has been pro-actively pursuing the 'Act-East Policy'

On day of Modi visit, Chinese-built Lumbini international airport thrown open

On day of Modi visit, Chinese-built Lumbini international airport thrown open

Rediff.com16 May 2022

Nepal's Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on Monday inaugurated the country's second international airport built by China that will help connect Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha and a major tourist and pilgrimage destination, to Buddhist circuits in South Asia as well as to the rest of the world.

Is Tamil Nadu Heading For A Jallikattu 2.0 Moment?

Is Tamil Nadu Heading For A Jallikattu 2.0 Moment?

Rediff.com20 Sep 2024

The recent 'revelation' by TN fishers freed by Sri Lanka after they had paid up Lankan rupees 50,000 each in fines, that their hair was tonsured in prison and they were forced to remove their garments other than the underpants, and were also made to clean toilets, as if with vengeance, has touched a raw nerve this time, just as another issue or issues had done it ahead of the Jallikattu protests, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

Who Can Dethrone The US Dollar?

Who Can Dethrone The US Dollar?

Rediff.com24 Jul 2023

Policymakers should aspire to restore the pre-Independence environment where the rupee was trusted and used all over South Asia, in Southeast Asia, in West Asia, and in East Africa, suggests Ajay Shah.

Tricks of trade: How South Asian network can help India

Tricks of trade: How South Asian network can help India

Rediff.com18 Sep 2014

ADB has often expressed its interest in promoting sub-regional integration in South Asia and perhaps could be involved as a facilitator.

J-K bureaucrat Shah Faesal faces Centre's ire over tweet on rape

J-K bureaucrat Shah Faesal faces Centre's ire over tweet on rape

Rediff.com11 Jul 2018

In a notice to Shah Faesal, the General Administration Department said, "You have allegedly failed to maintain absolute honesty and integrity in the discharge of official duty and thus acted in a manner unbecoming of a public servant."

How To Prevent Terror On The High Seas

How To Prevent Terror On The High Seas

Rediff.com17 Apr 2024

The world needs to wake up to this new dimension of war at sea and be prepared to face the 'unknown enemy' who have the advantage of attacking at their choice of location and time, cautions Commodore Venugopal Menon (retd).

WC qualifiers: 10 wins on trot for Aus; South Korea down Lebanon

WC qualifiers: 10 wins on trot for Aus; South Korea down Lebanon

Rediff.com7 Sep 2021

The South Koreans, meanwhile, secured their first win in Group B as Paulo Bento's side saw off Lebanon in Suwon.