News for 'Study of Society and Politics'

'Very, very hard for Modi to return with a comparably large majority'

'Very, very hard for Modi to return with a comparably large majority'

Rediff.com21 Aug 2018

'Most likely scenario is Modi comes back with either a much smaller majority and no majority at all and a coalition.' 'Very hard to imagine him doing better than he did last time.' 'He will then be a weaker prime minister,' the author of The Billionaire Raj tells Rediff.com's Vaihayasi Pande Daniel.

How do we rescue the Republic?

How do we rescue the Republic?

Rediff.com4 Jul 2017

'The prime minister has merely paid lip service condemning these crimes instead of launching a massive crackdown against such brutalities,' argues Professor Mohammad Sajjad.

Jignesh Mevani: BJP is afraid of me

Jignesh Mevani: BJP is afraid of me

Rediff.com12 Jan 2018

'Dalits are not going to vote for the BJP in 2019.'

BJP believes Maya is a soft target

BJP believes Maya is a soft target

Rediff.com1 Jul 2016

The logic behind the BJP targeting Mayawati's votes.

The logic of BJP targeting Mayawati's votes

The logic of BJP targeting Mayawati's votes

Rediff.com29 Jun 2016

She has been losing her party's core voters since the 2007 assembly polls, whereas the Samajwadi Party has managed to keep its flock together. The BJP believes she is a soft target.

Pravasi Special: 'Modi has enthused the Diaspora'

Pravasi Special: 'Modi has enthused the Diaspora'

Rediff.com8 Jan 2015

The Diaspora is no longer a mere remittance economy. It today claims dual loyalty and demands a say in Indian politics, says sociologist Shiv Visvanathan

UPSC topper: 'I will work for a truly Inclusive India'

UPSC topper: 'I will work for a truly Inclusive India'

Rediff.com27 Jul 2015

Ira Singhal, the country's first differently-abled UPSC topper shares her secret to success and her big plans for India.

Manmohan's advice for Modi: 'No free market without freedom'

Manmohan's advice for Modi: 'No free market without freedom'

Rediff.com6 Nov 2015

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday stepped into the raging debate on intolerance by condemning the murders of dissenters and some on the basis of what they eat and said the nation is deeply concerned at the "blatant violation" of the right to freedom of thought, belief and speech by some violent extremist groups.

Assault or murder of thinkers can't be justified: Manmohan on intolerance

Assault or murder of thinkers can't be justified: Manmohan on intolerance

Rediff.com6 Nov 2015

Amid a raging debate over intolerance, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday deplored "blatant violation" of the right to freedom of thought by "some violent extremist groups" and shared the view that it was an "assault on the nation".

Will Trump take sides in the India-Pakistan dispute?

Will Trump take sides in the India-Pakistan dispute?

Rediff.com31 Jan 2017

'It is highly doubtful that the Trump administration will consider inserting itself into the volatile India-Pakistan dispute.'

The Yogi arrives: A warning for Narendra Modi

The Yogi arrives: A warning for Narendra Modi

Rediff.com10 Dec 2013

'The Congresswallahs will hope that Arvind Kejriwal's oratory and confidence will be the anti-aircraft guns to Narendra Modi's airwave-capturing force. Both Kejriwal and Modi speak Hindi well. Both are supremely self-confident about their agenda and vision. Some of their catch-phrases -- 'Vande Mataram' and 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' -- are identical. Both are inspiring figures for their cadres. Both are not hesitant at all to wear their faith in Bhagwan on their foreheads on public platforms.' Sheela Bhatt believes that the 2014 election will be a Kejriwal versus Modi battle.

Angus Deaton wins Nobel Prize for economics

Angus Deaton wins Nobel Prize for economics

Rediff.com13 Oct 2015

Deaton was at a loss when asked what the future held.

China's Belt and Road Initiative: What are India's options?

China's Belt and Road Initiative: What are India's options?

Rediff.com17 May 2017

'Whichever option India chooses, it should be clear to the government that the China-Pakistan nexus poses a clear and present danger to national security,' says Brigadier Gurmeet Kanwal (retd).

'BJP-Sena's honeymoon is over too soon'

'BJP-Sena's honeymoon is over too soon'

Rediff.com3 Mar 2015

'The BJP said they want less government and more governance. But they are doing neither. It is shocking to see them so ineffective.'

'Mars was something new for all of us...'

'Mars was something new for all of us...'

Rediff.com11 Jul 2019

'ISRO provides a very positive atmosphere. What matters here is your talent, not your gender,' says Ritu Karidhal, Deputy Operations Director, India's Mars orbital mission, Mangalyaan. A fascinating excerpt from Minnie Vaid's Those Magnificent Women And Their Flying Machines, Isro's Mission To Mars.

PM announces Rs 745-crore package for flood-hit J&K

PM announces Rs 745-crore package for flood-hit J&K

Rediff.com23 Oct 2014

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced a Rs 745-crore package for renovation of houses and six major hospitals damaged by the recent unprecedented floods in Jammu and Kashmir.

Why Obama's Hiroshima visit is so important

Why Obama's Hiroshima visit is so important

Rediff.com26 May 2016

'Obama's visit to Hiroshima must generate a fresh debate in the international community about how to reduce the salience of nuclear weapons in international politics and how to disarm the world from these monstrous weapons forever,' says Sanjeev Shrivastav..

'Relax son, it's just advertising'

'Relax son, it's just advertising'

Rediff.com8 Aug 2016

'Cynics don't make it big in advertising.' 'Often, the medium calls for a rock-like commitment to puny, easily digestible ideas.' 'Here's a text that understands this facet of advertising and one that keeps its tone breezy and reporter-like; that's set across a wide canvas but one that never overstates its own importance,' says Sreehari Nair.

How Muzaffarpur was different from Muzaffarnagar

How Muzaffarpur was different from Muzaffarnagar

Rediff.com22 Jan 2015

'The horrific episode of January 18 in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, is quite different from what happened in Muzaffarnagar, UP, in September 2013. The Akhilesh Yadav-led administration in UP and riot-mongers among our political formations need to learn lessons from the response of the state and society in Bihar's Muzaffarpur,' says Mohammad Sajjad.

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.

President hosts Inspired Teachers at Rashtrapati Bhavan

President hosts Inspired Teachers at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Rediff.com18 Jun 2015

Thirty one outstanding teachers were invited to Rashtrapati Bhavan for a first-ever in-residence programme.

'Religious leaders are trying to suppress Muslim women'

'Religious leaders are trying to suppress Muslim women'

Rediff.com7 Dec 2015

'Male domination is not coming down but women have started standing up and questioning the authority of men.' 'I was attacked in such a crude manner only because I am a woman. Had this been written by a man, he would not have been attacked like this.' 'If at all the fascists are using this as a stick to attack Islam, it is not because of my post but because of the intolerance of those who abused me in foul language.' V P Rajeena, who created an online stir by claiming that a madrassa teacher had sexually abused her, says what she wrote on her Facebook page is just a sample, more will follow.

The dangerous threat of nuclear terrorism

The dangerous threat of nuclear terrorism

Rediff.com5 Apr 2016

During last week's Nuclear Security Summit, President Obama asked the media to leave and then screened videos depicting plausible scenarios pertaining to nuclear terrorism.

How girls are duped into 'bonded labour' in India's textile mills

How girls are duped into 'bonded labour' in India's textile mills

Rediff.com6 Aug 2015

Brands such as Gap, Primark and C&A which source some of their garments from Tamil Nadu say they do regular audits to ensure their suppliers comply with their codes of conduct.

'There is a big game plan to defame Modi'

'There is a big game plan to defame Modi'

Rediff.com27 Oct 2015

'The dirt in the Indian Ocean must be less than the abuses Narendra Modi got from secular forces.' 'If you are going to put the blame on the central government and the RSS for every wrongdoing, then it is not going to serve any purpose, rather it will complicate the issue instead of resolving it.' 'There are fringe elements in every society, but for an ideal State it is important to finish off the fringe elements.'

Have you seen these AMAZING movies?

Have you seen these AMAZING movies?

Rediff.com6 Nov 2018

Sukanya Verma recaps all the action at this year's MAMI.

'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.'

Is Narendra Modi really an OBC?

Is Narendra Modi really an OBC?

Rediff.com5 Jun 2014

It is unusual to see Narendra Modi highlight his OBC status -- something he has never done in his long political career. Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com examines Modi's compulsions for bringing his caste to the foreground

'Nehru should have quit in the late 1950s'

'Nehru should have quit in the late 1950s'

Rediff.com18 May 2014

To mark his 50th death anniversary, rediff.com has launched a special series to evaluate Jawaharlal Nehru's legacy.

'The Congress is like a waste management company'

'The Congress is like a waste management company'

Rediff.com22 Dec 2016

'While Kejriwal has lost his credibility due to his failure in Delhi, Captain Amarinder Singh is dancing on the tune of his image managers.'

The mother who has won India's heart

The mother who has won India's heart

Rediff.com13 Apr 2017

Single mother Gauri Sawant hopes to change the way people view transgenders in India.

Queer, and proud of it!

Queer, and proud of it!

Rediff.com28 Dec 2015

The LGBT community in Mumbai, as in parts of India, longs for acceptance, freedom and equal rights and to spread this message a group of 15 people gathered at Mumbai's Marine Drive to ask for hugs. And acceptance.

Why Modi's Myanmar visit signals the beginning of a realignment

Why Modi's Myanmar visit signals the beginning of a realignment

Rediff.com11 Nov 2014

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Myanmar is aimed at transforming the arch of Bay of Bengal into the Circle of Southeast Asia, says Anirban Ganguly.

Why the doctors' strike ended as a bittersweet victory

Why the doctors' strike ended as a bittersweet victory

Rediff.com27 Mar 2017

Resident doctors are the engines that run hospitals. For the patient, they are the face, hands, and voice of the hospital.

Why India must be wary of the Chinese dragon

Why India must be wary of the Chinese dragon

Rediff.com18 Feb 2016

There are signs of China's external behaviour becoming more aggressive in the coming years. If that happens, strategic implications for neighbours having territorial disputes with China can become deeper and imperatives can rise for the former to counteract, says D S Rajan

Punjab polls: AAP promises 25 lakh jobs, free Wi-Fi hotspots in villages

Punjab polls: AAP promises 25 lakh jobs, free Wi-Fi hotspots in villages

Rediff.com4 Jul 2016

Delhi Chief Minister and AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal unveiled the party's manifesto for the youth. The party, which is aiming to capture power in the state, will come out with separate manifestos for different sections of society.

'Global jihad does indeed threaten India'

'Global jihad does indeed threaten India'

Rediff.com5 Jun 2017

'A series of arrests have illustrated that IS now has a footprint in India.' 'India has been, for a very long time, a key part of Al Qaeda's global jihadist ambitions.'

China vulnerable over Tibet

China vulnerable over Tibet

Rediff.com9 Dec 2015

China is worried about the situation post the Dalai Lama and that his reincarnation could surface in Arunchal Pradesh, a region it claims as its own, but which is part of the Indian Republic, says former RA&W Additional Secretary Jayadeva Ranade.

Why the Japanese Emperor's India trip is significant

Why the Japanese Emperor's India trip is significant

Rediff.com27 Nov 2013

Japanese Emperor Akihito and his wife Empress Michiko'six-day on Saturday to India is expected to be defining moment in India-Japan relations.

'Gandhi would have had social media accounts'

'Gandhi would have had social media accounts'

Rediff.com2 May 2017

'Gandhi has not become out of date, we have.'