News for 'South Block Office'

As Iran Tensions Surge, India Leans On UAE

As Iran Tensions Surge, India Leans On UAE

Rediff.com13 Apr 2026

For India, much is at stake: Crucial energy supplies traversing the Strait of Hormuz, the fate of its 10 million citizens living and working in West Asia -- who send generous remittances home -- and its major trade links with the region.

Bengal polls: Fresh tension grips Bhangar, NIA teams deployed

Bengal polls: Fresh tension grips Bhangar, NIA teams deployed

Rediff.com29 Apr 2026

Fresh tension gripped Bhangar and adjoining areas of South 24 Parganas during the second and final phase of West Bengal Assembly elections, with the ISF alleging intimidation of polling agents and attempts to influence voters by TMC workers.

Two Brothers Stabbed in Delhi's Tigri Area; Suspects Identified

Two Brothers Stabbed in Delhi's Tigri Area; Suspects Identified

Rediff.com23 Mar 2026

Two brothers were injured in a stabbing incident in Delhi's Tigri area. Police have identified two suspects and are conducting raids to apprehend them.

Bengal sees massive turnout in final phase too; repoll likely at some booths

Bengal sees massive turnout in final phase too; repoll likely at some booths

Rediff.com29 Apr 2026

Voting has commenced in 142 constituencies for the second and final phase of the West Bengal assembly elections, with significant security measures in place. The outcome will determine whether the TMC maintains its dominance or if the BJP can gain ground in the state.

Wrongly deported to B'desh, 6 Bengal men will vote to prove citizenship

Wrongly deported to B'desh, 6 Bengal men will vote to prove citizenship

Rediff.com13 Apr 2026

After being wrongly deported and labelled as Bangladeshis, migrant workers in West Bengal's Murshidabad are heading to the polls to reclaim their Indian identity and fight for their right to belong.

Hormuz Blockade Is The New Battlefield

Hormuz Blockade Is The New Battlefield

Rediff.com16 Apr 2026

The clock on the ceasefire is running out. But everyone's already whispering about round two, possibly as soon as this weekend.

Missing girl found buried in wheat field; sexual assault suspected

Missing girl found buried in wheat field; sexual assault suspected

Rediff.com18 Mar 2026

An 11-year-old girl was found dead in a wheat field in Kanpur, India, with signs of sexual assault, leading to a police investigation and the detention of a neighbour.

History In Minutes: The Right To Water: Ambedkar's Mahad Satyagraha

History In Minutes: The Right To Water: Ambedkar's Mahad Satyagraha

Rediff.com23 Mar 2026

Ninety-nine years ago, a young Dr B R Ambedkar embarked on a revolutionary and most overdue reformatory path -- he led hundreds of men and women to a water tank in the town of Mahad, western Maharashtra, to fulfil one of the most basic human needs: The right to drink water from the tank.

Centre Begins Historic Relocation of 30,000 Employees

Centre Begins Historic Relocation of 30,000 Employees

Rediff.com26 Jun 2025

The orders issued this month have selected ministries ranging from home affairs under Amit Shah to rural development, headed by Shivraj Singh Chouhan, to move to Building 3 -- currently named CCS-03 -- on Kartavya Path. The scale of the shift will be even larger than when most of Lutyens' Delhi's present crop of government buildings came up in the early 1930s.

War In The Strait Has Reached A Condom Factory!

War In The Strait Has Reached A Condom Factory!

Rediff.com24 Apr 2026

Karex, the Malaysian company that makes roughly one in five of the world's condoms -- about five billion a year, supplying Durex and Trojan among others -- announced this week that it is raising prices by up to 30 percent. The reason is the Strait of Hormuz.

Japan Arms Policy Shift Sparks China Ire

Japan Arms Policy Shift Sparks China Ire

Rediff.com1 May 2026

Beijing has been wary of Sanae Takaichi's efforts to boost Japan's military profile since taking office six months ago, points out Dr Rajaram Panda.

First meet at Seva Teerth: Cabinet pledges citizen-centric governance

First meet at Seva Teerth: Cabinet pledges citizen-centric governance

Rediff.com24 Feb 2026

The Union Cabinet, meeting at the new PMO complex 'Seva Teerth', resolved to prioritize citizen empowerment and service in all its decisions, guided by the principle of 'Nagrik Devo Bhava'.

Pentagon Purge Rocks Iran War

Pentagon Purge Rocks Iran War

Rediff.com3 Apr 2026

The purge in Washington does not pause the war. Strikes continue, Hormuz remains closed, and Brent crude is still dancing around $109 a barrel. For India, the command chaos in the Pentagon is another layer of uncertainty piled on five weeks of conflict that was already straining every buffer Delhi has.

Bengal: 32 lakh 'unmapped' voters queue up as SIR hearings begin

Bengal: 32 lakh 'unmapped' voters queue up as SIR hearings begin

Rediff.com28 Dec 2025

Hearings under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls were underway in West Bengal, focusing on 'unmapped' voters who are unable to establish linkage with the 2002 electoral roll. Many people are being asked to prove their citizenship.

Heavy snowfall paralyses life in J-K; highway closed, flights cancelled

Heavy snowfall paralyses life in J-K; highway closed, flights cancelled

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

Heavy snowfall in the Kashmir Valley and Jammu region disrupted traffic and air services, leading to the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar highway and cancellation of flights. Rescue and road clearing operations are underway.

Middle East Crisis: The New Fog of War

Middle East Crisis: The New Fog of War

Rediff.com13 Mar 2026

When everyone has footage and no one can verify it, the loudest voice wins, notes Prem Panicker who begins a daily blog on the War in the Middle East.

83 dead in massive Hong Kong inferno, over 280 missing

83 dead in massive Hong Kong inferno, over 280 missing

Rediff.com27 Nov 2025

Firefighters battled for a second day on Thursday to contain a massive inferno that ripped through seven high-rise residential towers in Hong Kong, as the death toll climbed to 65 and over 280 people remained missing in what officials described as the city's worst disaster in 70 years.

'Why Can't Mr Modi Reopen The Passes To Tibet?'

'Why Can't Mr Modi Reopen The Passes To Tibet?'

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

On August 5, 1953, Jawaharlal Nehru sent a strange note to the foreign secretary. It is worth mentioning because it was symptomatic of the lack of knowledge about Western Tibet in India and in South Block in particular, notes Claude Arpi.

Digvijay's visit to South Block fuels speculation

Digvijay's visit to South Block fuels speculation

Rediff.com15 Jun 2004

The visit, which coincided with a meeting of Cabinet, led to speculation that the former chief minister may be asked to head the Planning Commission.

Zohran Mamdani thanks family from 'Kampala to Dilli'

Zohran Mamdani thanks family from 'Kampala to Dilli'

Rediff.com2 Jan 2026

Zohran Mamdani, of Indian origin, was sworn in as the 112th Mayor of New York City, promising an agenda of affordability and inclusivity. He is the first South Asian and Muslim to hold the position.

First Look: Inside Kartavya Bhavan, the new seat of govt

First Look: Inside Kartavya Bhavan, the new seat of govt

Rediff.com6 Aug 2025

Construction of all ten buildings of the Common Central Secretariat (CCS) is slated for completion in the next 22 months. Several ministries currently housed in Shastri Bhavan, Krishi Bhavan, Nirman Bhavan, and Udyog Bhavan will begin relocating to four new locations. The first building, Kartavya Bhavan, will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

PIX: Masterly Markram helps SA ace steep chase vs India

PIX: Masterly Markram helps SA ace steep chase vs India

Rediff.com3 Dec 2025

Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad hundreds help India set 359-run target in second ODI

IN PHOTOS: Modi sarkar goes to office

IN PHOTOS: Modi sarkar goes to office

Rediff.com27 May 2014

Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office on Tuesday, a day after being sworn-in by President Pranab Mukherjee.

Electric firecrackers likely caused blaze at Goa nightclub: CM

Electric firecrackers likely caused blaze at Goa nightclub: CM

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

A preliminary inquiry suggests electric firecrackers caused a devastating nightclub fire in Goa, resulting in 25 deaths. The incident has exposed illegalities and lax enforcement of safety rules.

2 officials die, another paralysed amid claims of 'SIR pressure'

2 officials die, another paralysed amid claims of 'SIR pressure'

Rediff.com20 Nov 2025

A series of deaths and health-related incidents involving staff deployed for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in multiple states has triggered alarm, even as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Election Commission, calling the ongoing exercise 'chaotic, coercive and dangerous'.

South Korean President declares emergency amid political crisis

South Korean President declares emergency amid political crisis

Rediff.com3 Dec 2024

South Korean declared an 'emergency martial law' on Tuesday with President Yoon Suk Yeol, accusing the opposition of plotting an 'insurgency' and 'trying to overthrow the free democracy' in the country, as reported by the New York Times.

Gyanesh Kumar appointed as next CEC

Gyanesh Kumar appointed as next CEC

Rediff.com18 Feb 2025

Gyanesh Kumar, a 1988-batch Kerala Cadre IAS officer, has been appointed as the next Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India. Kumar, who was previously an Election Commissioner, will serve until January 26, 2029. His appointment comes amidst controversy as the Congress party demanded the government defer its decision until the Supreme Court concludes its hearing on a petition challenging the composition of the selection panel. Kumar's tenure will see him oversee several state assembly elections, including Bihar, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.

India summons Bangladesh envoy over negative statements by officials

India summons Bangladesh envoy over negative statements by officials

Rediff.com8 Feb 2025

India has summoned Bangladesh's acting High Commissioner, expressing concern over recent statements by Bangladesh authorities that "portray India negatively" and hold New Delhi responsible for internal governance issues. The Ministry of External Affairs said India desires a positive relationship with Bangladesh, but these statements "vitiate the atmosphere" and are "responsible for persistent negativity." The statement comes after Bangladesh's interim government accused deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of "provocative" statements from India that led to unrest in Bangladesh.

South Korean investigators seeking to arrest impeached Prez face standoff

South Korean investigators seeking to arrest impeached Prez face standoff

Rediff.com3 Jan 2025

Investigators seeking to arrest South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his attempted martial law declaration faced a standoff with the Presidential Security Service (PSS) outside the presidential residence in Seoul on Friday, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Maratha Quota Stir: 'Business Is Affected'

Maratha Quota Stir: 'Business Is Affected'

Rediff.com2 Sep 2025

'All commercial and banking transactions happen in South Mumbai.'

Video calls to Jarange, CCTV: How Mumbai police handled Maratha protest

Video calls to Jarange, CCTV: How Mumbai police handled Maratha protest

Rediff.com3 Sep 2025

In the last five days, there were instances in which various groups of protesters agitated in front of the Mantralaya (secretariat), Bombay Stock Exchange, were seen roaming along the Marine Drive, Jehangir Art Gallery, Giragon Chowpatty and Gateway of India, but police controlled the crowd and were seen requesting them to take precautions.

South Korea puts travel ban on Prez amid martial law probe

South Korea puts travel ban on Prez amid martial law probe

Rediff.com9 Dec 2024

On Saturday, Yoon apologised to the nation in his first public statement since his attempt to declare martial law, acknowledging that he "caused anxiety and inconvenience" to people of South Korea.

How Zohran Mamdani Went From 1% To Frontrunner

How Zohran Mamdani Went From 1% To Frontrunner

Rediff.com4 Nov 2025

What an achievement it will be if a young Gujarati-Punjabi man is able to give the most powerful nation in the world a new direction, asserts Aakar Patel.

PM's 'media handler' starts attending office

PM's 'media handler' starts attending office

Rediff.com30 May 2014

Jagdish Thakkar, retired officer of Gujarat information service, has started attending the South Block office of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The order to appoint him in the media department of the Prime Minister's Office will be issued soon.

How Shubhanshu Shukla's life came full circle with space trip

How Shubhanshu Shukla's life came full circle with space trip

Rediff.com24 Aug 2025

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India's second astronaut, shares his journey from a shy child hearing stories of Rakesh Sharma to becoming part of the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station. He emphasizes the role of the IAF in his transformation and inspires India's youth to explore space.

Jarange to stop drinking water as fast enters 4th day

Jarange to stop drinking water as fast enters 4th day

Rediff.com1 Sep 2025

Activist Manoj Jarange vows to intensify his hunger strike for Maratha reservation under OBC, while the Maharashtra government seeks legal opinion on the issue.

Flood fury from Himachal to Kerala; Kashmir breathes easy

Flood fury from Himachal to Kerala; Kashmir breathes easy

Rediff.com28 Aug 2025

Heavy rains across India have led to widespread flooding, causing damage to infrastructure, displacement of residents, and disruption of normal life. Rescue efforts are underway in affected areas.

India summons US diplomat over Kejriwal remarks

India summons US diplomat over Kejriwal remarks

Rediff.com27 Mar 2024

Reports had it that a US state department official had said that Washington "encouraged a fair, transparent and timely legal process for chief minister Kejriwal".

Rain fury claims 10 lives in Haryana, Himachal, J-K

Rain fury claims 10 lives in Haryana, Himachal, J-K

Rediff.com4 Sep 2025

Heavy rainfall across North India leads to fatalities, structural damage, travel disruptions, and school closures. Eastern states brace for more rain.

Amazing growth story of the Jindal group

Amazing growth story of the Jindal group

Rediff.com24 Sep 2025

You have to grow, and grow fast - that's the DNA of the JSW group, chairman Sajjan Jindal said as JSW Cement made its debut on the stock market mid-August. The remark captured not just the moment but also the momentum of JSW's growth story.