News for 'State Bar Councils'

Jayalalithaa is back as CM, the question is for how long

Jayalalithaa is back as CM, the question is for how long

Rediff.com23 May 2015

Even as an enthused AIADMK cadre celebrate their Amma's return, if the Supreme Court stays the Karnataka high court judgment in the disproportionate assets case, Jayalalithaa may once again lose her chief ministership. R Ramasubramanian reports from Chennai.

Time for TN to get a full-time governor

Time for TN to get a full-time governor

Rediff.com22 Feb 2017

Now that an elected chief minister is at the helm, it is high time the Centre initiate discussions to appoint a full-time governor at the earliest, given that the state is set to face some challenging times, says N Sathiya Moorthy.

Will Xi Jinping's China survive?

Will Xi Jinping's China survive?

Rediff.com28 Nov 2018

'Is Xi's China stable?'
'No one can say whether the regime will fall all at once or if its leaders are devising a new solid and competitive -- anything but democratic -- model.' A fascinating excerpt from Francois Bougon's Inside The Mind of Xi Jinping.

Why the Orlando massacre won't be the last

Why the Orlando massacre won't be the last

Rediff.com14 Jun 2016

62 mass murders carried out with firearms across 30 US states. Of these, 12 were in schools, 19 at workplaces, the other 31 cases took place in shopping malls, restaurants, government buildings and military bases. The average age of the killers was 35, with the youngest only 11 years old. B S Raghavan on how the killings will continue until America confronts the urgent need for gun control.

With seizures up, gold smuggling into India loses shine

With seizures up, gold smuggling into India loses shine

Rediff.com17 Oct 2014

Based on the estimate, a courier bringing in 1 kg of gold currently worth around $40,000 at world prices could earn $470 if not caught.

World Cup 2019: Bowler, not batsman, will rule!

World Cup 2019: Bowler, not batsman, will rule!

Rediff.com6 Jun 2019

Consistent death bowling from a Bumrah and spinners picking up wickets in the middle overs is why the average run-rate in the last few years hasn't exploded the way one would have expected, says Dhruv Munjal.

Population size has nothing to do with sporting excellence

Population size has nothing to do with sporting excellence

Rediff.com22 Aug 2016

'No country can go from zero to hero at the Olympics.' 'A hundred Indians now feature in the world's top 25 and that's progress,' says Shekhar Gupta.

The Cinderella of all Budgets

The Cinderella of all Budgets

Rediff.com25 Feb 2015

The service conditions and judges' remuneration are not alluring .

Will Azhagiri queer the pitch for DMK ahead of bypolls?

Will Azhagiri queer the pitch for DMK ahead of bypolls?

Rediff.com13 Aug 2018

Calculated or otherwise, if Azhagiri's firing of the first salvo after Karunanidhi's death does not create some space for him to politico-electorally exploit at a later date, there may not be any space left for him at all, says N Sathiya Moorthy.

12 ways the Congress can fight back!

12 ways the Congress can fight back!

Rediff.com8 Dec 2013

Rahul's time is not now, only Sonia Gandhi can lead the Congress into the 2014 final, says Saisuresh Sivaswamy.

Tamil bloc may hold the key in Lanka's power struggle

Tamil bloc may hold the key in Lanka's power struggle

Rediff.com1 Nov 2018

In a Sri Lankan House of 225 members, the cut-off figure comes to 113. With Wickremesinghe side touching 102 and Rajapaksa's team at 101, the three-party Tamil National Alliance with 16 members and the left-leaning Sinhala-Buddhist nationalist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna with 6 members hold the key. But with the latter declaring that they will not support either formation in a vote count,that leaves the TNA as the deciding factor, says N Sathiya Moorthy.

Another year of utter disappointment for Indian athletics

Another year of utter disappointment for Indian athletics

Rediff.com31 Dec 2016

An overview of India's underwhelming performance in athletics

Will Bihar, Kerala and Tamil Nadu do a U-turn on prohibition?

Will Bihar, Kerala and Tamil Nadu do a U-turn on prohibition?

Rediff.com18 Apr 2016

State after state has imposed an alcohol ban, and has had to retreat, unable to address the financial and administrative fallout. Are we set for more of this cycle, asks Aditi Phadnis.

The temple and the dam

The temple and the dam

Rediff.com14 May 2014

Two decisions handed down by the Supreme Court have spread gloom in Kerala as they have shaken two basic faiths of a majority of the people in the state, says T P Sreenivasan.

Why Gujarat's 'GIFT' is doomed to fail

Why Gujarat's 'GIFT' is doomed to fail

Rediff.com15 Oct 2015

GIFT is a financial centre almost entirely devoid of bankers and, indeed, of people.

'Identity politics isn't going away anywhere'

'Identity politics isn't going away anywhere'

Rediff.com5 Jan 2017

'The ruling provides a Constitutional template, it draws boundaries, and there is this expectation that henceforth political parties will not make crude appeals to religion for electoral gains.'

Treaties like Indus Water work on mutual trust: MEA

Treaties like Indus Water work on mutual trust: MEA

Rediff.com22 Sep 2016

Vikas Swarup says India unlikely to give Pathankot-like offer to Pak in Uri attack probe.

India will develop only if north-east develops, says Modi

India will develop only if north-east develops, says Modi

Rediff.com24 Aug 2015

The PM added that developing the infrastructure in the north-east region is being given top priority by the government.

India-Pakistan fireworks at UN serve no purpose

India-Pakistan fireworks at UN serve no purpose

Rediff.com4 Oct 2017

If we ignore Pakistan and direct our energies to more important issues at the UN, our position against internationalising Kashmir would be strengthened.

Stalin, Tamil Nadu's own Prince Charles

Stalin, Tamil Nadu's own Prince Charles

Rediff.com9 Mar 2015

Will the 2016 assembly election be Stalin's to lead the DMK in?

Muslim rally: Nitish's masterstroke, or miscalculation?

Muslim rally: Nitish's masterstroke, or miscalculation?

Rediff.com21 Apr 2018

The Deen Bachao, Desh Bachao conference in Patna on April 15 was attended by lakhs of Muslims. Will the electoral dividends from this rally be reaped by Nitish Kumar, the BJP (through Hindu consolidation), by both Nitish and the BJP or will it be reaped more by the anti-BJP forces, asks Mohammad Sajjad.

Chennai erupts in joy as Amma set to become CM on Saturday

Chennai erupts in joy as Amma set to become CM on Saturday

Rediff.com22 May 2015

AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa will be sworn in for the fifth time as Tamil Nadu chief minister on Saturday along with 28 ministers.

American diplomats should also respect our laws: Indian envoy

American diplomats should also respect our laws: Indian envoy

Rediff.com30 Jan 2014

To no one's surprise, the first question directed at Indian Ambassador to the United States Dr S Jaishankar -- at the end of his first public address since he assumed his duties in December -- was about the controversial Devyani Khobragade episode.

Modi-Trump Summit: 'The buzzword is going to be continuity'

Modi-Trump Summit: 'The buzzword is going to be continuity'

Rediff.com25 Jun 2017

Aziz Haniffa, who has covered every Indian Prime Minister's visit to the US since Rajiv Gandhi in 1985, gives us a peek into what's happening in Washington, DC on the eve of the Modi-Trump summit.

Fragrance of Cuban cigars and rum will embellish ties

Fragrance of Cuban cigars and rum will embellish ties

Rediff.com25 Mar 2016

'I recall an encounter I had with a US Congressman of Cuban origin, who was hostile to India because of our continuing goodwill for Cuba.' 'He asked me why India was still friendly with Cuba and I gave him an honest answer that it was rooted in historical and friendly ties.' 'He took it as an affront and spread the word that an Indian diplomat had defended Fidel Castro in his chamber!'

How the government created Yoga Day euphoria

How the government created Yoga Day euphoria

Rediff.com23 Jun 2015

After the United Nations declared June 21 as the International Yoga Day in December last year at India's request, the officers in the Ministry of Ayush began ideating about how to celebrate it in the country.

2016 Rewind: India's women shine bright; Kohli enjoys dream run

2016 Rewind: India's women shine bright; Kohli enjoys dream run

Rediff.com31 Dec 2016

An Olympic campaign saved by the fortitude of three women, a cricket team that rediscovered itself under a bold and zealous Virat Kohli -- Indian sports in 2016 was a dramatic mix of highs and lows wherein athletes mostly raised the bar but administrators found new ways to embarrass the country.

Maharashtra, Haryana record brisk polling as voters make last-hour dash

Maharashtra, Haryana record brisk polling as voters make last-hour dash

Rediff.com15 Oct 2014

Maharashtra registered over 64 per cent voter turnout while a record 76 pc polling in Haryana, which witnessed stray incidents of violence, in the first eight hours of polling on Wednesday in the riveting contest to elect assemblies in the two states.

Keeping Kashmir, but losing the Kashmiris

Keeping Kashmir, but losing the Kashmiris

Rediff.com30 Jul 2016

'There is a problem with the rise of a popular view that sees Kashmir through the prism of the larger, chronic Hindu-Muslim tensions.' 'By redefining the Kashmir problem simplistically in Hindu-Muslim terms could end up keeping Kashmir but losing most Kashmiris,' says Shekhar Gupta.

Praying with Fire in Kerala

Praying with Fire in Kerala

Rediff.com11 Apr 2016

'Reluctance to go against temple rituals is understandable and the Hindu vote bank is extremely important at the ensuing elections.' 'But even the devout Hindus will not hold it against the government if the opportunity presented by the tragedy is utilised at least for a temporary ban.' 'Later, it may be too late as it might dawn on people that a hundred lives are not too much of a sacrifice to save a tradition,' says Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

Why Two Leaves symbol is crucial for bypolls to Jaya's seat

Why Two Leaves symbol is crucial for bypolls to Jaya's seat

Rediff.com14 Mar 2017

For the AIADMK's cadres, it is much more than an election symbol, they believe the party's electoral chances rest on owning it, says N Sathiya Moorthy.

'Commonwealth can't support a regime that attacks, kills regularly'

'Commonwealth can't support a regime that attacks, kills regularly'

Rediff.com13 Nov 2013

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's decision not to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting at Colombo has once again put the focus on alleged cases of human rights abuses in Sri Lanka.

Meet Trump's Cabinet and Inner Circle

Meet Trump's Cabinet and Inner Circle

Rediff.com20 Jan 2017

Incoming US President Donald Trump has assembled a core team that is -- not surprisingly -- overwhelmingly white and male.

Germany, France press Greece to make fast, credible proposals

Germany, France press Greece to make fast, credible proposals

Rediff.com7 Jul 2015

The crisis remains acute with the country's banks already closed.

Tendulkar, Dravid in CLT20 squads; Sangakkara opts for domestic team

Tendulkar, Dravid in CLT20 squads; Sangakkara opts for domestic team

Rediff.com30 Aug 2013

Barring Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara, all players have declared their allegiances to IPL franchises over their respective countries' domestic sides ahead of the upcoming Champions League Twenty20.

Jayalalithaa keeping her alliance options open?

Jayalalithaa keeping her alliance options open?

Rediff.com28 Feb 2014

Inscrutable have been the ways of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. She is a political strategist and tactician rolled into one that her unpredictable ways have won the day for her - mostly, says N Sathiya Moorthy

Why it's wrong to hang Yakub Memon

Why it's wrong to hang Yakub Memon

Rediff.com20 Jul 2015

The curative petition and other legal remedies still available to Yakub Memon are part of his rights as a prisoner condemned to death. Does the Maharashtra government want to deprive him of these rights, asks Jyoti Punwani.

Sri Lanka: India's CHOGM dilemma

Sri Lanka: India's CHOGM dilemma

Rediff.com25 Oct 2013

If Indian PM boycotts the CHOGM, it is likely to add to Sri Lanka's bitterness. This would not help India's desire to add more depth and content to its relations with Sri Lanka but its ability to influence Sri Lanka's decision making process on the both strategic issues and on Tamil minority issues, says Colonel (retd) R Hariharan.

Street art: From the margins to mainstream

Street art: From the margins to mainstream

Rediff.com10 Apr 2015

Street art has emerged from its rebellious underground existence to a growing art genre in its own right. Ritika Bhatia maps the Indian leg of the movement.

'Maoists ONLY seek a marriage of convenience with anti-India groups'

'Maoists ONLY seek a marriage of convenience with anti-India groups'

Rediff.com16 Sep 2013

Indian intelligence agencies have often claimed that left-wing extremists are trying to make inroads in the militancy-hit regions of north-east to foment further unrest. But Jaideep Saikia, noted terrorism and conflict analyst, claims, "People who speak of Maoism taking roots in the north-east have not read history".