News for 'South Block and North Block'

HC deploys CAPFs in Bengal after 3 killed in violent protests

HC deploys CAPFs in Bengal after 3 killed in violent protests

Rediff.com13 Apr 2025

The situation in these violence-hit places remained tense on Saturday morning, but no untoward incident was reported, officials said.

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).

Govt slaps show-cause notices on 27 more coal block allottees

Govt slaps show-cause notices on 27 more coal block allottees

Rediff.com19 Jul 2013

The decision was taken by the ministry this week, a top Coal Ministry official said, while refusing to reveal the names of the companies.

Ex-secretary gets bail in coal block allotment case

Ex-secretary gets bail in coal block allotment case

Rediff.com7 Feb 2017

Former coal secretary H C Gupta and six others were on Tuesday granted bail by a special court New Delhi in connection with a case related to alleged irregularities in the allocation of a Chhattisgarh-based coal block to SKS Ispat and Power Ltd. All the seven accused persons were granted the bail on a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh and one surety of a like amount.

After Parliament, now focus on VP Enclave, new PMO

After Parliament, now focus on VP Enclave, new PMO

Rediff.com28 May 2023

The government also plans to build MPs' chambers that will come up on the land where the Transport Bhawan and Shram Shakti Bhawan are located.

2012: Another annus horribilis, like the one before

2012: Another annus horribilis, like the one before

Rediff.com27 Dec 2012

A year ago, India's GDP was expected to grow at 8.2 per cent. Instead it is growing at 5.3 per cent.

Laptop, pen drive stolen from high-security MEA

Laptop, pen drive stolen from high-security MEA

Rediff.com19 Mar 2012

Thieves have struck at the ministry of external affairs adjoining the Prime Minister's Office in the high-security South Block in Delhi, decamping with the laptop and pen drive of a senior official, besides attempting to break into two rooms. The incident comes two months after the theft of a hard disk was reported from the home ministry in North Block. In November last year, a computer was stolen from the same room in the home ministry.

Rain fury wreaks havoc in Northeast; lakhs hit, toll at 36

Rain fury wreaks havoc in Northeast; lakhs hit, toll at 36

Rediff.com3 Jun 2025

So far, over 30 people have died across Northeastern states due to heavy rainfalls, floods and landslides, according to media reports.

AFSPA extended in Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal for 6 months

AFSPA extended in Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal for 6 months

Rediff.com30 Mar 2025

The AFSPA, often criticised as a draconian law, gives armed forces operating in disturbed areas sweeping powers to search, arrest and open fire if they deem it necessary.

Heritage buildings won't be demolished under Central vista: Govt

Heritage buildings won't be demolished under Central vista: Govt

Rediff.com31 May 2021

While the main building of the National Archives will remain intact, its annexe will be demolished and a new building will be constructed, officials said.

Why China Shield's Pakistan's Terror Agenda

Why China Shield's Pakistan's Terror Agenda

Rediff.com16 May 2025

'It is typical of China's strategic deception of making virtue out of necessity,' observes Rup Narayan Das.

Bengal bandh: BJP workers clash with police

Bengal bandh: BJP workers clash with police

Rediff.com28 Aug 2024

Daily life was partially affected in West Bengal on Wednesday due to a 12-hour shutdown called by the Bharatiya Janata Party, protesting the police action against demonstrators during a march to the state secretariat.

Why Kerala Opposes Sand Sea Mining

Why Kerala Opposes Sand Sea Mining

Rediff.com19 Apr 2025

If as critics point out, the environmental impact assessment study was commissioned only after the auction process got underway with not all the stakeholders getting to know of it, then the government has already compromised the trust it could have enjoyed with Kerala's public including its coastal communities, points out Shyam G Menon.

Diplomatic chill as North hosts South Korea in World Cup qualifier

Diplomatic chill as North hosts South Korea in World Cup qualifier

Rediff.com15 Oct 2019

The football teams will be competing amid a tense political backdrop with international negotiations stalled over North Korea's nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.

Terrorism in J-K in decisive phase, reduced to mere proxy war: Amit Shah

Terrorism in J-K in decisive phase, reduced to mere proxy war: Amit Shah

Rediff.com16 Jun 2024

The home minister also reviewed the preparations for the annual Amarnath pilgrimage scheduled to begin on June 29.

PM Modi to move to a new home by 2024

PM Modi to move to a new home by 2024

Rediff.com16 Jan 2020

Used since 1984 when late Rajiv Gandhi became the PM, the current residence was built over 12 acres of land, based on designs by New Delhi's chief architect Edwin Lutyens. However, with a new redevelopment blueprint on the table, the PM's residence is now expected to move to the South-West corner, behind South Block on Raisina Hill. Arnab Dutta reports.

No fans, no goals in North vs South Korea WC qualifier

No fans, no goals in North vs South Korea WC qualifier

Rediff.com16 Oct 2019

North Korea's official KCNA news agency issued a brief report early on Wednesday, saying the qualifier ended in a 0-0 draw after a series of "attacks and counterattacks".

Rail Bhavan agitation: Court grants bail to Kejriwal, 4 others

Rail Bhavan agitation: Court grants bail to Kejriwal, 4 others

Rediff.com8 Aug 2014

Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and four others were on Friday granted bail by a Delhi court in connection with a case relating to Aam Aadmi Party's agitation near North block in New Delhi in January this year.

Public access to 10 sensitive installations removed

Public access to 10 sensitive installations removed

Rediff.com17 Feb 2023

Ten sensitive installations in six states and one Union territory have been declared out of bounds for the general public, with the Centre saying any information with respect to certain activities carried out at these premises may be useful to India's enemies.

Beating the Retreat ceremony held amid downpour in Delhi

Beating the Retreat ceremony held amid downpour in Delhi

Rediff.com29 Jan 2023

Rains failed to dampen the spirit of Beating Retreat ceremony held at the historic Vijay Chowk in New Delhi on Sunday as Indian classical tunes played by bands of the armed forces filled the air, marking the end of Republic Day celebrations.

Ladakh Disengagement: What's The Reality?

Ladakh Disengagement: What's The Reality?

Rediff.com11 Nov 2024

The government needs to answer the critical question of whether it has accepted any restrictions on its infrastructure creation activities, asserts Ajai Shukla.

When Dr Singh Took On Congress Bosses

When Dr Singh Took On Congress Bosses

Rediff.com6 Jan 2025

Many were hoping that with Vajpayee's NDA gone, there would be a return to the Congress normal. Nobody was prepared for the opposite. Sonia Gandhi was sceptical. This became the only issue over which Manmohan Singh took on his party bosses and risked his government. Politically, it was riskier than the 1991 reform, recalls Shekhar Gupta.

India's West-South vs North-East mismatch

India's West-South vs North-East mismatch

Rediff.com31 Jan 2019

'Persisting with the inequalities, indeed seeing them get worse, is no one's prescription for national unity,' notes T N Ninan.

A Rogue Wave Rising In The North

A Rogue Wave Rising In The North

Rediff.com21 May 2024

While people voted in a fifth round that will set the tone as this election rounds into the straight, and while Modi on the stump chews the cud of personal grievances and hackneyed promises that have long since passed their use-by date, there is a rogue wave rising -- what damage it will do, we will know 16 days from today, observes Prem Panicker.

India's Neighbourhood First Policy Crumbling

India's Neighbourhood First Policy Crumbling

Rediff.com26 Aug 2024

The fundamental construct of India's neighbourhood policy still needs to be what Vajpayee postulated, Manmohan Singh embraced, and Modi energised. It's just that we need to junk domestic politics and excessive religiosity, while acquiring much humility and a renewed respectfulness towards our neighbours, recommends Shekhar Gupta.

Modi 3.0 mantris off to quick start, priority for 100-day action plan

Modi 3.0 mantris off to quick start, priority for 100-day action plan

Rediff.com11 Jun 2024

Signalling both change and continuity, India's new government, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a third consecutive term, got into work gear on Tuesday with cabinet ministers and ministers of state filing into their respective offices to assume charge.

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.

Classical ragas, mega drone show at Beating Retreat ceremony

Classical ragas, mega drone show at Beating Retreat ceremony

Rediff.com28 Jan 2023

The ceremony will begin with the massed band's "Agniveer" tune which will be followed by the enthralling tunes like "Almora", "Kedar Nath", "Sangam Dur", "Queen of Satpura", "Bhagirathi", "Konkan Sundari" by pipes and drums band, the defence ministry statement said.

Budget: Time To Bet On Big Ideas

Budget: Time To Bet On Big Ideas

Rediff.com16 Jul 2024

The generation of quality jobs and skill development should be the focal point, cutting across ministries and departments, asserts Nivedita Mookerji.

Tatas win contract to build new Parliament building for Rs 861.9 cr

Tatas win contract to build new Parliament building for Rs 861.9 cr

Rediff.com16 Sep 2020

The new Parliament building will be constructed close to the existing one under the Central Vista redevelopment project, and it is expected to be completed in 21 months.

Coal block investments: Rs 2.86 lakh cr impact figure highly inflated

Coal block investments: Rs 2.86 lakh cr impact figure highly inflated

Rediff.com22 Sep 2014

Though the current National Democratic Alliance government has not endorsed the figure, it has not even repudiated it.

Doctors to rickshaw pullers, Kolkata rocked by protest rallies

Doctors to rickshaw pullers, Kolkata rocked by protest rallies

Rediff.com8 Sep 2024

People from all walks of life -- former students of several educational institutions, clay modellers, rickshaw pullers and junior doctors -- separately hit the streets of Kolkata on Sunday in continued protest over the rape and murder of a medic in a state-run hospital a month ago.

How Indian Weddings Got So Big, Glitzy

How Indian Weddings Got So Big, Glitzy

Rediff.com20 Nov 2024

What was once a solemn Vedic ritual is today a celebration for the entire extended family. And why not? With families living in distant cities, even continents, weddings are seen as an occasion for cousins and uncles to congregate under one roof for two or three days, observes Ambi Parmeswaran.

'Trump Has Very Positive View Of Modi'

'Trump Has Very Positive View Of Modi'

Rediff.com17 Feb 2025

'By his words, actions, and body language during their joint press appearance wanted to convey his personal respect and, more broadly, his desire to work closely with India.'

Plea in Delhi HC seeks suspension of Central Vista project

Plea in Delhi HC seeks suspension of Central Vista project

Rediff.com4 May 2021

The plea also states that the petitioners are also questioning why or how the project constitutes an "essential service", merely because some executive mandated contractual deadline has to be met.

North East Win Modi's Success Story

North East Win Modi's Success Story

Rediff.com16 Mar 2023

The North East is a sizeable success story for the Modi government politically and for the BJP electorally. It will be an unpleasant surprise if they choose to blow it, bowing to their basic, polarising instinct at any point, points out Shekhar Gupta.

Govt doesn't see emblem atop new Parl as different from the original one

Govt doesn't see emblem atop new Parl as different from the original one

Rediff.com12 Jul 2022

Opposition leaders and activists have accused the government of distorting the national emblem by replacing the 'graceful and regally confident' Ashokan lions with those having menacing and aggressive posture, and sought immediate change.

Light rains bring respite from scorching heat in North India

Light rains bring respite from scorching heat in North India

Rediff.com20 Apr 2023

The weather department has said that the skies are expected to be partly cloudy for the next few days in Delhi.

The majestic Beating Retreat ceremony regales crowd at Raisina Hill

The majestic Beating Retreat ceremony regales crowd at Raisina Hill

Rediff.com29 Jan 2018

Kaleidoscopic lights replace incandescent glory this year.