News for 'The Connections and Freedom'

Modi has no magic wand to change the country: Sonia

Modi has no magic wand to change the country: Sonia

Rediff.com15 Apr 2014

Congress president Sonia Gandhi, while addressing a rally in Jaipur Rural on Monday, attacked the BJP and Narendra Modi and said they are not seeing the achievements of the UPA government. She also sought to point out, in a barb at Modi, that running a state and a country are two different things. Shanawaz Akhtar reports.

Mukesh Ambani, Adani to join Modi's business meetings in US

Mukesh Ambani, Adani to join Modi's business meetings in US

Rediff.com24 Sep 2014

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not taking along an industry delegation to the US but top representatives of India Inc are likely to travel to New York and Washington to be part of the power-packed business meetings and receptions being hosted for him.

The troubling legacy of Ranjan Gogoi

The troubling legacy of Ranjan Gogoi

Rediff.com31 Dec 2019

'Under Justice Gogoi's tenure, the Supreme Court has gone from an institution that was at least formally committed to the protection of individual rights as its primary task, to an institution that speaks the language of the executive, and has become indistinguishable from the executive,' warns Gautam Bhatia.

Akshara Haasan: I feared acting would not work out

Akshara Haasan: I feared acting would not work out

Rediff.com4 Feb 2015

'Some days I would feel disappointed, but not many people knew that I wanted to be an actress. I had to wait, and I would keep telling myself to stop complaining,' Akshara Haasan tells Patcy N/ Rediff.com

Hindi author, Telugu translator return Sahitya Akademi awards

Hindi author, Telugu translator return Sahitya Akademi awards

Rediff.com18 Oct 2015

Kashinath Singh and Katyayani Vidmahe announced their decision to return their awards.

'Gully Boy is about our country's talented youth'

'Gully Boy is about our country's talented youth'

Rediff.com18 Feb 2019

'They are out there, singing about their socio-economic status, their family structures, their politics, the way the system treated them, what they would like to change... and the beauty is that they are positive.' 'They are not bitter or cynical.'

Abhishek Bachchan's #RoadTo20

Abhishek Bachchan's #RoadTo20

Rediff.com1 Jul 2020

Abhishek has been posting fond memories and interesting anecdotes on Instagram, recapping his #RoadTo20.

Delhi HC fines media houses who revealed Kathua rape victim's name

Delhi HC fines media houses who revealed Kathua rape victim's name

Rediff.com18 Apr 2018

Advocates representing the media houses told the court that the mistake of disclosing the name and showing photograph of the victim was due to their ignorance of the law.

Modi wants to move rapidly to make things happen in India: John Kerry

Modi wants to move rapidly to make things happen in India: John Kerry

Rediff.com12 Jan 2015

Elaborating on America and India's scope of engagement, Kerry said he has seen first-hand the transformation in Indo-US relationship as well as the ups and downs in the relationship. Kerry says the world's oldest and largest democracy were "finally beginning to captalise on our connections to each other." Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com reports after the media interaction with the US secretary of state.

De-terrorise Pak policies towards India, General Sharif!

De-terrorise Pak policies towards India, General Sharif!

Rediff.com6 Oct 2015

'New Delhi feels that given the internal dynamics in Pakistan and the overwhelming powers wielded by the army, one will have to wait for better times to see any meaningful progress in the India-Pakistan relationship,' says Ambassador G Parthasarthy.

Decoding Malaysian PM's 6-day visit to India

Decoding Malaysian PM's 6-day visit to India

Rediff.com3 Apr 2017

Considering the common linkages, high-level trust, complementarities, and convergent interests between the two nations, Malaysia has the potential to become India's key partner in Southeast Asia, says Dr Rahul Mishra.

'Someone asked me why did you cast Paresh Rawal'

'Someone asked me why did you cast Paresh Rawal'

Rediff.com25 Sep 2018

'People were apprehensive when I cast Nawaz. Especially after Sacred Games, people told me you are diminishing Manto.' 'But he is an actor and actors don't diminish.'

Every Indian is proud that Abhinandan is from Tamil Nadu: PM

Every Indian is proud that Abhinandan is from Tamil Nadu: PM

Rediff.com1 Mar 2019

Modi hit out at the UPA government for allegedly 'blocking' surgical strikes post 26/11 Mumbai attacks in 2008.

It's time to stand up for OUR India

It's time to stand up for OUR India

Rediff.com30 Jun 2017

'We've been unable, or unwilling, to be vigilant about how the government and its proxies are changing the character of India.' 'We have accepted public relations as fact, kept our heads down instead of risking our interests, and allowed militant chauvinism to define love of country,' says Mitali Saran.

3 tactical changes Modi & co need to make

3 tactical changes Modi & co need to make

Rediff.com29 Apr 2016

The prime minister sees himself as the "vikas purush". But realising his government's agenda for development requires not just a more efficient administration but also a credible implementation plan, says Nitin Desai.

'Castes were not created by Lalu Yadav'

'Castes were not created by Lalu Yadav'

Rediff.com9 Oct 2015

'For the BJP, development is nothing more than a jumla,' says Tejaswi Yadav.

'Amit Shah said we have to rule Kerala'

'Amit Shah said we have to rule Kerala'

Rediff.com21 Jan 2016

'What authority has a secular government to administer Hindu temples? When Hindu temples are ruled by secular governments, what religious freedom do Hindus have?'

IIT-Roorkee looks for collaborations in Houston

IIT-Roorkee looks for collaborations in Houston

Rediff.com4 Aug 2015

The management was open to attracting qualified people from the US for either short-term or long-term assignments in Roorkee, reports Manu Shah.

Why Bharat Mata Ki Jai is a secular slogan

Why Bharat Mata Ki Jai is a secular slogan

Rediff.com18 Apr 2016

'Genuine secularism cannot be built on the backs of Hindus alone.' 'In a pluralistic society every religion is duty bound to respect the rights and sentiments of the others.' 'Vande Mataram was a casualty of minorityism. Bharat Mata Ki Jai cannot be allowed to go the same way,' says Vivek Gumaste.

NSA unlawfully gathered emails of Americans

NSA unlawfully gathered emails of Americans

Rediff.com22 Aug 2013

The United States National Security Agency illegally intercepted thousands of e-mails from Americans with no connection to terrorism and misled the court about the scope of what it was doing, according to latest declassified documents.

This Mulk of mine

This Mulk of mine

Rediff.com24 Aug 2018

'We demonise the Others.' 'We are constantly reminded that they are different and are an existential threat to Us.' 'The toxin of Nellie in 1983, Delhi in 1984 and Gujarat in 2002 is not yet flushed out of our body politic,' says Shreekant Sambrani.

Explained: The meaning of Sushma's Vietnam visit

Explained: The meaning of Sushma's Vietnam visit

Rediff.com31 Aug 2018

'India does not wish to remain silent in improving its strategic space so that its leverage to counter China's expansionist designs is maintained, besides enabling it to play a responsible role from a position of strength for peace and stability in Asia,' points out Dr Rajaram Panda.

Google Moto X launched to take on Apple and Samsung

Google Moto X launched to take on Apple and Samsung

Rediff.com2 Aug 2013

Motorola today launched its first flagship smartphone Moto X, after being taken over by Google, to take on competition from Apple and Samsung.

Kejriwal slams Centre's 'interference' on 'Talk to AK'

Kejriwal slams Centre's 'interference' on 'Talk to AK'

Rediff.com17 Jul 2016

Kejriwal, the AAP national convenor, indicated that the party may contest the next assembly polls in Gujarat, alleging that an "atmosphere of suppression" was prevailing there and people wanted to overthrow the BJP regime.

The Quad Needs Wind in its Sails

The Quad Needs Wind in its Sails

Rediff.com23 Apr 2018

'Chinese dominance reduces India's influence in South and Southeast Asia and erodes its status globally.' 'For a country striving to create a multipolar Asia, it would be a serious setback,' says Brigadier S K Chatterji (retd).

CBI books Lalu family over hotel tender irregularities

CBI books Lalu family over hotel tender irregularities

Rediff.com7 Jul 2017

Searches are being conducted on Friday at 12 locations including Delhi, Patna, Ranchi, Puri and Gurgaon.

Why ban Internet when alienation drives Kashmir protests?

Why ban Internet when alienation drives Kashmir protests?

Rediff.com16 Jul 2016

Mobile Internet, of course, helped Burhan Wani to spread his message. And some rumour-mongers at the inception of the current unrest spread falsehoods at least on two occasions, but why ban all mobile communication including cellular network and cable TV when deep-seated alienation among youth has shaped their ideology which is now playing out in the form of massive protests, asks Athar Parvaiz.

'We are more interested in the monsoon than anyone else in the world'

'We are more interested in the monsoon than anyone else in the world'

Rediff.com16 Jul 2018

'It affects our economy, it is very important in many ways.' 'So we have to be the foremost experts in the world on the monsoon.' 'But the best minds in India have not devoted their time to the study of monsoon and they have followed the fashions of the West.'

What does 2017's cinema hold for you?

What does 2017's cinema hold for you?

Rediff.com10 Jan 2017

There's a lot happening in Bollywood, Hollywood and world cinema this year.

To Sonu Nigam, with love

To Sonu Nigam, with love

Rediff.com22 Apr 2017

'How did you sleep through the cries of a Mohammad Akhlaq, or a Pehlu Khan being beaten to death? Did you then tweet, 'Goondagardi hai, bas'?' Durba Dhyani addresses the singer.

Preachers of hate threatening society: PM in Nairobi

Preachers of hate threatening society: PM in Nairobi

Rediff.com11 Jul 2016

He also emphasised that those giving shelter to terrorists and using them as political instruments must be condemned, an apparent reference to Pakistan.

Return of 'displaced persons' can restore normalcy: Swaraj on Rohingya crisis

Return of 'displaced persons' can restore normalcy: Swaraj on Rohingya crisis

Rediff.com22 Oct 2017

She, however, preferred not to use the word 'Rohingya' and said 'we have urged that the situation be handled with restraint, keeping in mind the welfare of the population'.

'Risk of India-Pak military confrontation has increased'

'Risk of India-Pak military confrontation has increased'

Rediff.com19 Aug 2019

'The general perspective -- certainly on Capitol Hill and Congress -- the love for India, the positive feeling for India still focuses on India as a democracy.' 'The more that Indian democracy and its pluralistic features is called into question by Indians, the more that same debate will replay back here.'

'I won't judge someone because even I have a past'

'I won't judge someone because even I have a past'

Rediff.com27 Feb 2019

'When you love someone, you have to love him, without looking at his past. Everyone has a past.'

He Makes History Speak

He Makes History Speak

Rediff.com7 Jul 2018

'We like to tell the rest of the world that we did it better, that we were stronger, that we had larger cities, that we taught them science,' Naman Ahuja tells Anjali Puri. 'This exhibition is an antidote to insularity -- it is saying we have learnt as much from the world as we have given it.'

From Section 377 to Aadhaar: 5 key judgments by CJI Dipak Misra

From Section 377 to Aadhaar: 5 key judgments by CJI Dipak Misra

Rediff.com1 Oct 2018

Ahead of CJI Dipak Misra's final day as the head of the judiciary of India, here's a look at the key judgments that he was a part of.

How India must deal with the all-powerful Xi Jinping

How India must deal with the all-powerful Xi Jinping

Rediff.com27 Feb 2018

'The boundary dispute notwithstanding, China has always had leaders who have been, on the whole, positively disposed towards India.' 'Given the centrality of the Chinese Communist Party, we need to strengthen the linkages with the crucial personalities in the highest echelons of the Communist party and political leadership,' notes China expert Alka Acharya.

18 years of struggle. Now he has charmed India

18 years of struggle. Now he has charmed India

Rediff.com16 Jan 2018

'I would count my rotis and eat.' 'I broke my sister and brother's insurance policies.' 'Whatever savings I had got over.' 'I was struggling for work.' 'I used to struggle for Rs 500, Rs 1,000.'

India must overcome 'tremendous' challenges to realise potential, says top Indian-American diplomat

India must overcome 'tremendous' challenges to realise potential, says top Indian-American diplomat

Rediff.com11 May 2016

The US wants its trade with India to grow multi-fold, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Nisha Desai Biswal told lawmakers.

'Indian IT industry has to de-risk itself'

'Indian IT industry has to de-risk itself'

Rediff.com28 Apr 2017

"Protectionism is not new. The attention that is given is because there is a political and emotional element to it." TCS COO N G Subramaniam on why his company is optimistic despite global headwinds.