News for 'United Services Institute of India'

India changing tax laws for stability, predictability: Jaitley

India changing tax laws for stability, predictability: Jaitley

Rediff.com21 Jan 2016

In several areas, the Indian government has put out a model law.

MHA guideline has 2-year jail term for violation of lockdown

MHA guideline has 2-year jail term for violation of lockdown

Rediff.com25 Mar 2020

The Union home ministry has issued strict guidelines for the enforcement of the 21-day complete nationwide lockdown in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic, invoking the National Disaster Management Act which may result in imprisonment of up to two years for any violation. All government offices, the offices of state and Union territory governments, autonomous institutions, public corporations, commercial, private, industrial establishments shall remain closed, the guidelines issued by the ministry said.

Reimagining Venture Capital

Reimagining Venture Capital

Rediff.com18 Oct 2022

Ajit Balakrishnan on keeping an eye on democratising finance in India.

How India, China still contribute half of world's growth

How India, China still contribute half of world's growth

Rediff.com11 Jan 2012

Despite slowing down, China and India continue to contribute more than half of the world's economic growth, a new report by an investment management and advisory services firm has claimed.

Rubber Prices, The Church, BJP's Kerala Ambitions

Rubber Prices, The Church, BJP's Kerala Ambitions

Rediff.com10 Apr 2023

With elections elsewhere in India showing that multi-pronged contests usually work to the BJP's favour, the party can gain if it hangs on stubbornly. In the meantime, any additional support helps. That is why the archbishop's comment attracted political traction in Kerala, observes Shyam G Menon.

Padma Vibhushan for Gen Rawat, Kalyan Singh; Padma Bhushan for Azad

Padma Vibhushan for Gen Rawat, Kalyan Singh; Padma Bhushan for Azad

Rediff.com25 Jan 2022

The Padma Bhushan was conferred on 17 personalities including N Chandrasekharan, chairman of Tata Sons, Krishna and Suchita Ella of Bharat Biotech, Cyrus Poonawalla, Satya Nadella, chairman of Microsoft, Sunder Pichai, chairman of Google.

China's 'Sputnik Moment'

China's 'Sputnik Moment'

Rediff.com22 May 2021

'Seen in the context of world turmoil in face of the pandemic and the Chinese 'miracle' of being the only country in the world to control it, this is not merely a 'Sputnik' moment, but a 'Sputnik Plus' moment,' argues Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

How India can improve quality of data collection

How India can improve quality of data collection

Rediff.com22 Jan 2020

As a well-wisher of the Indian Statistical System and part of the system for more than 37 years, Sunil K Sinha, former DG and CEO of NSSO, offers suggestions to improve data quality.

Can Gujarat's GIFT city be Asia's next financial hub?

Can Gujarat's GIFT city be Asia's next financial hub?

Rediff.com5 Aug 2020

'GIFT City is now on a growth trajectory,' says Tapan Ray, MD and group CEO, GIFT City, 'The time has come for the GIFT City to take the big leap and emerge as the next financial hub of Asia.'

SoftBank-backed Ola raises $500-mn term loan

SoftBank-backed Ola raises $500-mn term loan

Rediff.com17 Dec 2021

IPO-bound mobility platform Ola, said it has successfully raised $500 million via a Term Loan B (TLB) from marquee international institutional investors. This term loan has no impact on the valuation of Bhavish Aggarwal-led Ola. The Bengaluru-based firm recently raised $139 million. This is part of a $1 billion funding round for which the company is in talks with investors, increasing its valuation to about $7.5 billion, according to the sources.

SC sets aside RBI ban on cryptocurrencies

SC sets aside RBI ban on cryptocurrencies

Rediff.com4 Mar 2020

The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed banks and financial institutions to provide services related to cryptocurrencies by setting aside the RBI's 2018 circular which had prohibited them. A three-judge bench, headed by Justice R F Nariman, said the Reserve Bank of India circular is liable to be set aside on the ground of "proportionality". "Accordingly, the writ petitions are allowed and the circular dated April 6, 2018 is set aside," said the bench, also comprising justices Aniruddha Bose and V Ramasubramanian.

Indian Army's Achilles Heel: Artillery Power

Indian Army's Achilles Heel: Artillery Power

Rediff.com10 Jun 2022

The army has long been deficient in artillery, the modern battlefield's most lethal killer, says Ajai Shukla.

India overtakes US to record highest number of COVID-19 recoveries

India overtakes US to record highest number of COVID-19 recoveries

Rediff.com19 Sep 2020

The country has reported the highest number of recoveries with 42,08,431 COVID-19 patients having recovered from the disease so far, pushing the national recovery rate to nearly 80 per cent, while the case fatality rate has further dropped to 1.61 per cent, the ministry said.

Full text: President's address to the nation on the eve of Republic Day 2023

Full text: President's address to the nation on the eve of Republic Day 2023

Rediff.com25 Jan 2023

Here's the full text of address to the nation by President Droupadi Murmu on the eve of the Republic Day 2023.

Why 'Make in India', why not Create in India?

Why 'Make in India', why not Create in India?

Rediff.com19 Apr 2016

The real issue in India is not between Make or Made/Create in India or basic or applied research. We need both. The solution is to create an eco-system where new ideas can flourish and convert themselves into new technologies and products, says Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Assam passes bill to scrap state-run Madrassas

Assam passes bill to scrap state-run Madrassas

Rediff.com30 Dec 2020

From April 1 next year, over 600 state-run Madrassas will be converted into upper primary, high and higher secondary schools with no change of status, pay, allowances and service conditions of the teaching and non-teaching staff.

Read books: Akhilesh on controversy over his Jinnah remark

Read books: Akhilesh on controversy over his Jinnah remark

Rediff.com6 Nov 2021

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday sought to defend his widely criticised statement equating Muhammad Ali Jinnah with Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Jawaharlal Nehru and saying they helped India get freedom even as an Uttar Pradesh minister suggested a narco test for him for 'glorifying' the founder of Pakistan.

Modi turns 72, leads a busy day as wishes pour in

Modi turns 72, leads a busy day as wishes pour in

Rediff.com17 Sep 2022

Wishing him, President Droupadi Murmu said the work for nation-building under his incomparable hardwork, dedication and creativity continue to advance.

Return Of 'Committed Judiciary' Or Judicial Over-Reach?

Return Of 'Committed Judiciary' Or Judicial Over-Reach?

Rediff.com23 Jan 2023

Vice President Dhankar's and Law Minister Rijuju's recent interventions have the danger of destabilising the Constitutional equilibrium, cautions N Sathiya Moorthy.

Why overseas fund managers find India unattractive

Why overseas fund managers find India unattractive

Rediff.com9 Aug 2019

Increase in surcharge will adversely impact fund managers planning to shift to India. As a matter of fact several fund professionals based in India could also relocate to other jurisdictions, resulting in a brain drain.

11,502 new COVID-19 cases, 325 deaths in India in 24 hrs; toll 9,520

11,502 new COVID-19 cases, 325 deaths in India in 24 hrs; toll 9,520

Rediff.com15 Jun 2020

There are 1,53,106 active cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), while 1,69,797 people have recovered and a patient has migrated, according to the ministry data updated in the morning.

UN report sees India growing at 7.6% in 2017

UN report sees India growing at 7.6% in 2017

Rediff.com2 Dec 2016

"India's economy is projected to sustain a 7.6 per cent growth rate in both fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18," says the year-end update of the flagship report Economic and Social Survey for Asia and the Pacific 2016 of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

Nirav Modi has been dethroned!

Nirav Modi has been dethroned!

Rediff.com2 Mar 2022

If there were an Olympics for bank frauds in India, Rishi Agarwal, founder and former chairman of ABG Shipyard Ltd, a nephew of the Ruia brothers of the Essar group, would bag the gold, pushing Nirav Modi to his right, says Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Telecom ministry has a plan to combat tele frauds, pesky calls

Telecom ministry has a plan to combat tele frauds, pesky calls

Rediff.com15 Feb 2021

The telecom ministry will set up an intelligence unit and a consumer protection system as part of continuing efforts to tackle the menace of pesky calls as well as to take strict action against financial frauds perpetrated using telecom resources.

Cryptos are not even worth a tulip: RBI Guv

Cryptos are not even worth a tulip: RBI Guv

Rediff.com10 Feb 2022

Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das on Thursday said cryptocurrencies are a "threat to macroeconomic and financial stability" and cautioned investors against punting on them, days after the Union government's move to tax the gains made from cryptocurrency trades. In the Union Budget for 2022-23 presented in Parliament on February 1, the government proposed levying a 30 per cent tax on gains made on cryptocurrency trades by investors and the announcement was welcomed by cryptocurrency industry players, saying it legitimises their trades. Das invoked the 17th century 'tulip mania', widely considered to be the first financial bubble, to caution investors, saying the cryptocurrencies do not even possess the value of the exotic flower.

Pakistan is playing with fire

Pakistan is playing with fire

Rediff.com13 Aug 2020

'By annoying the Arabs and cozying up to Iran, Pakistan may end up losing Arab economic support, annoying the Americans and increase Shia-Sunni tensions domestically,' Colonel Anil A Athale (retd) points out.

How India's heritage of pluralism is being undone

How India's heritage of pluralism is being undone

Rediff.com19 Sep 2013

The main culprit in vitiating the inter community/caste/class relations has been the so called 'targeted' approach. This is nothing but discrimination on the basis of faith/caste/class. When an equally poor and deprived child is denied scholarship, despite equal merit, resentment begins to brew, says Colonel (retd) Anil Athale.

Doctor who brought EMS to India honoured

Doctor who brought EMS to India honoured

Rediff.com21 Apr 2008

Dr Balasubramanium, immediate past president of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, was awarded the AMA's Dr Nathan Davis International Award on March 31 for his work in India in helping to institute emergency medical services and trauma centers.

World mourns India's beloved Sushma Swaraj

World mourns India's beloved Sushma Swaraj

Rediff.com7 Aug 2019

Condolences continued to pour in from world dignitaries for former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj who breathed her last due to cardiac arrest on Tuesday night.

Deepak Parekh on India's $ 93 billion 'real estate goldmine'

Deepak Parekh on India's $ 93 billion 'real estate goldmine'

Rediff.com2 Oct 2019

While student housing, retirement homes, and co-living spaces are going to be new realty growth drivers, Parekh also said foreign investors have also been investing in a big way in good commercial projects, while warehousing is another segment where they are showing keen interest.

Zoos across India on 'highest' alert after tiger in US gets COVID-19

Zoos across India on 'highest' alert after tiger in US gets COVID-19

Rediff.com7 Apr 2020

The female tiger, named Nadia, is believed to be the first known case of an animal infected with COVID-19 in the US. It is suspected that she contracted the virus from a caretaker who was asymptomatic at that time.

India's new foreign secretary: A firebrand and go-getter

India's new foreign secretary: A firebrand and go-getter

Rediff.com5 Jul 2013

Sujatha Singh stands for the right values and quite simply, she's a "good person" who understands complex economic issues thoroughly, say her friends.

Salman Rushdie: The free speech champion whose 'verses' put his life at risk

Salman Rushdie: The free speech champion whose 'verses' put his life at risk

Rediff.com13 Aug 2022

The attack on Rushdie sent shock waves around the world, with world leaders and literary stalwarts saying they were appalled at the attack on the author who championed free speech and lived under the threat of assassination for nearly half his life.

Amid spike in Covid cases, India boosts health infrastructure

Amid spike in Covid cases, India boosts health infrastructure

Rediff.com28 Mar 2020

Even though the Health Ministry and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have been insisting that there is 'no solid evidence' of community transmission so far, the government has started scaling up health infrastructure to deal with any situation.

Rupee edges closer to 80-mark, slides 18 paise to 79.99 vs dollar

Rupee edges closer to 80-mark, slides 18 paise to 79.99 vs dollar

Rediff.com14 Jul 2022

The rupee appreciated 7 paise to 79.74 against the US dollar in early trade on Thursday as a positive trend in domestic equities supported the local unit. However, a strong American currency overseas and forex outflows restricted the rupee's gain, dealers said. At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 79.72 against the American dollar, then went lower to trade at 79.74 against the greenback in early deals, registering a gain of 7 paise over the last close.

Be Prepared for Taliban Terror

Be Prepared for Taliban Terror

Rediff.com1 Sep 2021

Pakistan would want to take full advantage of the situation to direct Taliban trained terrorists into the Kashmir Valley, alert Lieutenant General Ashok Joshi (retd) and Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Heavy security across country for 76th Independence Day

Heavy security across country for 76th Independence Day

Rediff.com14 Aug 2022

India has not only been decked in tricolour hues in the lead up to the 76th Independence Day celebrations, but also put under a heavy security blanket, right from Delhi, the epicentre of the mega celebrations, to Jammu and Kashmir.

Bumpy Road for India with Biden

Bumpy Road for India with Biden

Rediff.com8 Nov 2020

'Any normal human being, even if he is the American president, will find it hard, at least in the initial stages, to get over the gnawing feeling that Modi is Trump's man.' 'Modi should not be surprised if India and its requirements are treated as of low priority by Joe Biden,' warns B S Raghavan, the distinguished civil servant.

'UAE's role is to encourage India and Pakistan to meet'

'UAE's role is to encourage India and Pakistan to meet'

Rediff.com16 Apr 2021

'The Indian side has realised that not talking to Pakistan has not served any useful purpose.'

Harsh Vardhan Shringla appointed as new foreign secy

Harsh Vardhan Shringla appointed as new foreign secy

Rediff.com24 Dec 2019

Shringla, a 1984 batch officer of the Indian Foreign Service, is considered an expert on India's neighbourhood and is currently serving as envoy to the US.