News for 'United Services Institution'

The bank branch is dead; long live the branch

The bank branch is dead; long live the branch

Rediff.com22 Nov 2020

Banks now ride on what is defined as a "banking outlet". This is a fixed-point service unit, manned by either the bank's staff or its business correspondent (BC), where all kinds of services - acceptance of deposits, encashment of cheques, cash withdrawal or lending of money - are provided for a minimum of four hours per day, for at least five days a week. Banks are now turning to reposition the manner in which they acquire customers, report Abhijit Lele and Raghu Mohan.

487 out of 615 women officers granted PC, court lauds COAS

487 out of 615 women officers granted PC, court lauds COAS

Rediff.com6 Dec 2021

The top court which recorded its appreciation for all the concerned authorities including Chief of Army Staff for acting fair and objective manner to resolve the issue directed that 12 WSSCOs, who have been released from service during the pendency of proceedings, shall be deemed to continue in service and be granted the Permanent Commission (PC).

Museums, churches, malls: Unusual vaccination venues

Museums, churches, malls: Unusual vaccination venues

Rediff.com25 May 2021

The distribution of the Covid-19 vaccine is underway across the world. To provide a convenient and safe place for people to receive COVID-19 vaccines, countries around the world transform shopping malls, churches, airports, subway stations and museums to vaccination centers. Some also offer vaccination services on the river and mountain.

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.

Mumbai limps back to life after major power outage

Mumbai limps back to life after major power outage

Rediff.com12 Oct 2020

Railway services across city on the Western Railway and Central Railway came to a grinding halt at 10.05 am, as a result of the power outage.

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.

Kamala Harris, Pelosi make history at Biden speech

Kamala Harris, Pelosi make history at Biden speech

Rediff.com29 Apr 2021

United States Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have made history as they shared the stage during US President Joe Biden's first joint session to Congress, marking the first time that two women sat behind a US president during an address to Congress.

Maruti boss brushes aside concerns on EV project

Maruti boss brushes aside concerns on EV project

Rediff.com24 Mar 2022

Brushing aside concerns raised by proxy advisory firm IiAS on Suzuki's investment in the EV project, Maruti Suzuki chairman RC Bhargava on Thursday asserted that there was nothing in it against the interest of the company and its shareholders as it is part of an earlier arrangement. Countering the criticism from the proxy advisory firm, Bhargava noted that all models produced at Suzuki Motor Gujarat (SMG), including EVs, would be ultimately sold by Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) in the marketplace. IiAS has raised serious questions regarding the decision of the Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) to invest directly in the EV project instead of MSI doing it.

5 from UK test COVID positive amid fears over new Covid strain

5 from UK test COVID positive amid fears over new Covid strain

Rediff.com22 Dec 2020

This comes as flight services from the UK to India have been suspended till December 31 over the spread of a new strain of coronavirus in London and England.

Amid backlash, UK says engaged with India on vax recognition

Amid backlash, UK says engaged with India on vax recognition

Rediff.com21 Sep 2021

The comments by a spokesperson in the British High Commission in New Delhi came amid concerns in India over the latest Covid-related travel restrictions announced by the UK.

B School Curricula: Time for A Reset?

B School Curricula: Time for A Reset?

Rediff.com21 Sep 2021

... As the world swings from 'financialisation' to 'artificial intelligence', asks Ajit Balakrishnan.

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.

How long before the world gets a COVID-19 vaccine?

How long before the world gets a COVID-19 vaccine?

Rediff.com28 Apr 2020

More than 2 million people have been diagnosed with coronavirus across the world, and the pharmaceutical industry is pulling out all stops to find potential treatments and vaccines for the global pandemic. According to the World Health Organization, there are now more than 70 potential vaccines under evelopment, with some already in clinical trials.

Govt may slash defence budget by up to 40%

Govt may slash defence budget by up to 40%

Rediff.com6 May 2020

That would result in the military under-spending about Rs 80,000 crore over the financial year.

Is Tourism Destroying Goa?

Is Tourism Destroying Goa?

Rediff.com24 Feb 2023

Poor governance and mediocre short-sighted politics are destroying the paradise that Goa was as its environment, water table, culture and way of life is drastically threatened by tourism and migration, points out Ramesh Menon.

Ex HC judge to oversee post-poll Bengal violence probe

Ex HC judge to oversee post-poll Bengal violence probe

Rediff.com3 Sep 2021

A five-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court on Friday appointed its former chief justice Manjula Chellur to "overview" the functioning of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) that has been formed to probe allegations of post-poll violence, other than rape and murder.

17 US states, tech giants sue against new visa rule

17 US states, tech giants sue against new visa rule

Rediff.com14 Jul 2020

The lawsuit seeks an injunction to stop the entire rule from going into effect.

MHA issues fresh guidelines on lockdown exemption

MHA issues fresh guidelines on lockdown exemption

Rediff.com25 Mar 2020

The guidelines listed several services including government and private offices that will be out of bounds during the period, while exempting establishments such as hospitals, ration shops, dairies, banks, insurance offices, and print and electronic media. Delivery of all essential goods including food, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment through e-commerce has also been exempted from the purview of the lockdown.

Jaishankar meets Russian counterpart in Moscow

Jaishankar meets Russian counterpart in Moscow

Rediff.com10 Sep 2020

'Pleasure to meet FM Sergey Lavrov, this time in person. Excellent talks that reflect our Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. Value our exchanges on the international situation,' Jaishankar tweeted after talks with his Russian counterpart on the sidelines of the SCO meeting.

Banking tech start-up Zeta enters unicorn club with $1.4 bn valuation

Banking tech start-up Zeta enters unicorn club with $1.4 bn valuation

Rediff.com26 May 2021

Banking technology start-up Zeta is the latest entrant to the unicorn club after raising $250 million in its Series C round from SoftBank Vision Fund 2. Sodexo participated as an additional minority investor in the round. Founded by serial entrepreneur and billionaire Bhavin Thurakia, the startup is now valued at $1.4 billion. It is the 14th company this year to cross the $1 billion valuation mark after Meesho, Cred, Pharmeasy, ShareChat, Moglix and others.

Karnataka imposes new anti-Covid measures amid Omicron scare

Karnataka imposes new anti-Covid measures amid Omicron scare

Rediff.com3 Dec 2021

Intensifying screening of international passengers at airports, asking educational institutions to postpone their public events, and limiting gatherings, meetings, conferences to 500 people, are among the other measures announced by the government.

How an Iran-US war could affect Pakistan

How an Iran-US war could affect Pakistan

Rediff.com6 Jan 2020

'The bigger challenge and dilemma for Pakistan would be if the US and Saudi Arabia go full throttle against Iran and enforce regime change in Tehran.' 'That would be bad news for Pakistan, especially with the current instability in Balochistan,' notes Brigadier Narender Kumar (retd).

The Two Faces of India's Democracy

The Two Faces of India's Democracy

Rediff.com22 Sep 2022

How should one billion Indians, for whom deprivation has become an inescapable way of life, join us in celebrating 75 years of Independence? And where do we go from here? asks Kalyan Singhal.

CCD's fundraising could be hit by complex shareholding

CCD's fundraising could be hit by complex shareholding

Rediff.com2 Aug 2019

A complex holding structure and unrelated businesses clubbed under one roof could have been the reasons that prompted investors to shun the stock, experts say. These are likely to impact the company's ability to raise funds, too, they add.

US, allies cut off Russian banks from SWIFT

US, allies cut off Russian banks from SWIFT

Rediff.com27 Feb 2022

The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) is the world's main banking messaging service which links around 11,000 banks and institutions in more than 200 countries, including India.

Losses in index majors drag Sensex by 678 points

Losses in index majors drag Sensex by 678 points

Rediff.com29 Oct 2021

Tech Mahindra was the top loser in the Sensex pack, shedding over 3 per cent, followed by NTPC, IndusInd Bank, Kotak Bank and Reliance Industries. NSE Nifty fell 185.60 points to 17,671.65.

US toughens stand, slaps sanctions on Putin, other leaders in rare move

US toughens stand, slaps sanctions on Putin, other leaders in rare move

Rediff.com26 Feb 2022

The US, in coordination with allies and partners, continued to forcefully respond to Russia's "unjustified, unprovoked and premeditated" invasion of Ukraine by imposing sanctions on Putin and Lavrov.

Why is NCDC not in the centre of managing the Covid-19 crisis?

Why is NCDC not in the centre of managing the Covid-19 crisis?

Rediff.com12 Jul 2021

'We have the technical expertise, and international collaborations. We also have robust real-time data. We are a university of pandemic management. If the ministry neglects the role of NCDC, it is the loss of the country'

India was there for us, we will be there for them: Biden

India was there for us, we will be there for them: Biden

Rediff.com27 Apr 2021

"The president pledged America's steadfast ongoing support for the people of India, who have been impacted by the recent surge in the COVID-19 cases," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters at her daily news conference.

India accelerates Iranian port project after US-Iran thaw

India accelerates Iranian port project after US-Iran thaw

Rediff.com29 Nov 2013

India's involvement in the port development was not strictly under the international sanctions that had been imposed on Iran.

Phase-I trials of 2 Indian Covid vaccines reveal 'excellent safety': Govt

Phase-I trials of 2 Indian Covid vaccines reveal 'excellent safety': Govt

Rediff.com15 Sep 2020

Phase-I clinical trials have revealed "excellent safety" of the two candidate vaccines indigenously developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with Indian Council of Medical Research and Cadila Healthcare Ltd and their immunogenicity testing is now in progress, minister of state for health Ashwini Choubey informed the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

Govt unveils major reforms in bureaucracy under Mission Karmayogi

Govt unveils major reforms in bureaucracy under Mission Karmayogi

Rediff.com2 Sep 2020

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved 'Mission Karmayogi', dubbed as the biggest bureaucratic reform initiative, aimed at capacity building of government employees to make them more "creative, proactive, professional and technology-enabled". The core guiding principles of the competency-driven programme will be to support a transition from "rules based to roles based" HR management to prepare the Indian civil servant for the future, according to a government statement.

When A Param Vir Chakra Hero Retires

When A Param Vir Chakra Hero Retires

Rediff.com22 Feb 2022

A salute to the youngest Param Vir Chakra Awardee, Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Yogendra Singh Yadav who has retired from the Indian Army.

Stop sending our soldiers home in coffins!

Stop sending our soldiers home in coffins!

Rediff.com21 Feb 2019

'The bottom line is that disproportionate losses should be avoided at all cost and terrorists should be denied tactical successes that act as opium for them to become bold to achieve perceived victory.' 'This is a long war and instead of rushing to achieve quick success, the objective should be not to give any success to the terrorists in terms of casualties and freedom of movement.' 'Every soldier martyred by terrorists in combat is a moral victory for them,' says Brigadier Narender Kumar (retd).

PM grants $12m to Pacific island states, $150m line of credit

PM grants $12m to Pacific island states, $150m line of credit

Rediff.com25 Sep 2019

A release issued by the MEA said the meeting was attended by the heads of delegations of Fiji, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Nauru, Republic of Palau, Independent State of Papua New Guinea, The Independent State of Samoa, Solomon Islands, Kingdom of Tonga, Tuvalu and Republic of Vanuatu.

US authorises Moderna vaccine for emergency use

US authorises Moderna vaccine for emergency use

Rediff.com19 Dec 2020

According to an official statement, the FDA has determined that the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine has met the statutory criteria for issuance of an emergency use authorisation (EUA).

How India Won The 1971 War

How India Won The 1971 War

Rediff.com3 Dec 2021

December 3, 2021 marks 50 years since the beginning of the 1971 War which ended in a decisive military victory for India and the liberation of Bangladesh. Most analysts of the 1971 War agree that the IV Corps dash across the mighty Meghna river led by the brilliant General Sagat Singh was the turning point in the war, recalls military historian Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Bharat Bandh on Sep 27: Sanyukt Kisan Morcha appeals for peace

Bharat Bandh on Sep 27: Sanyukt Kisan Morcha appeals for peace

Rediff.com26 Sep 2021

Many non-NDA parties have extended support to the nationwide 10-hour strike on Monday called by farmers protesting against the three agri laws under the aegis of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM).

Is The Taliban Breaking Away From Pakistan?

Is The Taliban Breaking Away From Pakistan?

Rediff.com18 Jan 2022

The Taliban's main challenge comes on the financial and economic front and there Pakistan doesn't have the capacity to be of any meaningful help, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.