News for 'Universal Access Service'

Sunil Mittal's $2 bn gamble on space

Sunil Mittal's $2 bn gamble on space

Rediff.com18 Dec 2020

Bharti Global is planning to put up more satellites and has set a stiff deadline to launch commercial Internet services by October in the UK, Alaska, northern Russia and northern Europe.

6 universal truths about start-up founders

6 universal truths about start-up founders

Rediff.com20 Apr 2013

Every entrepreneur should accept these truths before taking the plunge

'Toll on Mumbai trans-harbour bridge should be Rs 500, not Rs 250'

'Toll on Mumbai trans-harbour bridge should be Rs 500, not Rs 250'

Rediff.com12 Jan 2024

'You need to have enough funds to maintain the primacy of public transport and it should not suffer because of lack of funds.'

Memories Of Parliament House As It Passes Into History

Memories Of Parliament House As It Passes Into History

Rediff.com18 Sep 2023

At this poignant historic moment one can only wish that institutions are not built by bricks and mortars, but also by the rich Parliamentary traditions which have stood the test of time which needs to be strengthened by all stakeholders, notes Rup Narayan Das, a former joint secretary of the Lok Sabha Secretariat.

Why the new National Health Policy is a step in the wrong direction

Why the new National Health Policy is a step in the wrong direction

Rediff.com7 Jan 2015

The implementation of the policy would require public health spending to rise to nearly 2.5 per cent of the gross domestic product, from the present dismal one per cent, with the Centre bearing about 40 per cent of it.

Easier access to loans, skill development to boost education

Easier access to loans, skill development to boost education

Rediff.com1 Mar 2015

Education sector has reasosn to cheer Budget.

UN rights chief slams US top court's abortion ruling, says it's anti-women

UN rights chief slams US top court's abortion ruling, says it's anti-women

Rediff.com25 Jun 2022

In the historic ruling on Friday, the US Supreme Court decided by six votes to three to overturn the 50-year-old Roe v Wade judgement that guaranteed access to abortion across the country.

Women twice as likely as men to suffer from long Covid, says US study

Women twice as likely as men to suffer from long Covid, says US study

Rediff.com19 Oct 2022

Researchers at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, US, estimate that globally 63 per cent of those with long Covid during the first two years of the pandemic were female.

'History is littered with religious conflict'

'History is littered with religious conflict'

Rediff.com9 Feb 2024

'The othering of religious groups inevitably leads to violence.' 'It is sadly a narrative that has echoed through the centuries since man first discovered God.'

'Securing release of ex navy men will be tough'

'Securing release of ex navy men will be tough'

Rediff.com2 Nov 2023

'Instead of shouting at cricket matches, why don't we raise our voices for the release of the Indian Navy veterans in Qatar?'

A stringent patent rule is latest hurdle for India-UK free trade agreement

A stringent patent rule is latest hurdle for India-UK free trade agreement

Rediff.com3 Nov 2022

Negotiations for a trade deal between India and the UK have run into fresh controversy, after the proposals under a leaked chapter of the deal on intellectual property (IP) are believed to put access to affordable, lifesaving generic medicines from India at risk. According to the draft IP chapter put out by an international trade portal bilaterals.org, the UK is seeking continuous extension of patent period and rights through small tweaks in the drug, known as evergreening. This may prevent patents from expiring, impacting cheaper drug availability and its production by Indian generic drug manufacturers.

Docs withdraw all services as RS passes NMC Bill

Docs withdraw all services as RS passes NMC Bill

Rediff.com1 Aug 2019

"The provisions of the said bill are nothing short of draconian and promote gross incompetence and mockery of professionals currently working day and night and sacrificing their youth for this broken system," said the protesting doctors.

Nobel Prize in Economics awarded to Claudia Goldin

Nobel Prize in Economics awarded to Claudia Goldin

Rediff.com9 Oct 2023

American economic historian and labour economist Claudia Goldin won the 2023 Nobel Economics Prize for her work examining wage inequality between men and women, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said on Monday. The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel 2023 was awarded to 77-year-old Claudia Goldin "for having advanced our understanding of women's labour market outcomes" the prize-giving body said in a statement. Goldin will receive 11 million Swedish kronor, or around $1 million, as the sole winner of this year's prize.

Don't WASTE India's Demographic Dividend

Don't WASTE India's Demographic Dividend

Rediff.com11 Jul 2021

India has entered a 'demographic sweet spot' with half of its population being under the age of 29. This 'demographic dividend' is likely to last for 2-3 decades and provides the government a unique opportunity to harness the vast potential of India's youth, points out Raj Kishore Mishra, the former civil servant turned development professional.

King Charles III: The monarch who has a great love for India

King Charles III: The monarch who has a great love for India

Rediff.com6 May 2023

He last visited India in November 2019 and also celebrated his 71st birthday with schoolchildren in Mumbai and earlier this week he told British Indian peer Lord Karan Bilimoria at a pre-Coronation reception that he looks forward to making a State Visit to India soon.

ED grills ex-Mumbai CP Sanjay Pandey in NSE co-location case

ED grills ex-Mumbai CP Sanjay Pandey in NSE co-location case

Rediff.com6 Jul 2022

The agency recorded his statement under criminal sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), officials said.

Microsoft launches AI digital labs in India, to train 1.5 lakh students

Microsoft launches AI digital labs in India, to train 1.5 lakh students

Rediff.com13 Jun 2019

As part of the three-year programme, Microsoft will support select institutions with infrastructure, curriculum and content, access to cloud and Artificial Intelligence (AI) services as well as developer support, the company said in a statement.

Rajan questions Sebi inaction on Mauritius funds trading in Adani stocks

Rajan questions Sebi inaction on Mauritius funds trading in Adani stocks

Rediff.com5 Mar 2023

Former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan has asked why SEBI has not yet got to the bottom of ownership of the four Mauritius-based funds who are said to have parked 90 per cent of their $6.9 billion in Adani group stocks, saying does the market regulator need help of investigating agencies for this? The funds -- Elara India Opportunities Fund, Cresta Fund, Albula Investment Fund and APMS Investment Fund -- have been under cloud for last couple of years after allegations that they may be shell companies. They came into focus once again in January when a US short seller alleged that Adani Group used offshore shell companies to inflate stock price.

Many firsts as Justice Chandrachud completes 100 days as CJI

Many firsts as Justice Chandrachud completes 100 days as CJI

Rediff.com16 Feb 2023

Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud's first 100 days in office saw the Supreme Court take a giant leap towards reforms, especially making courts more technology-friendly, and ensuring relatively fast judicial appointments including those of eight judges to the apex court.

Interested in working with OpenAI? Please feel free to email Sam Altman

Interested in working with OpenAI? Please feel free to email Sam Altman

Rediff.com9 Jun 2023

If you are interested in working with OpenAI, feel free to email Sam Altman. In a free-wheeling fireside chat with university students on Thursday in Delhi, the CEO of OpenAI and his team seemed eager to welcome bright young IT practitioners of India into the OpenAI work space. Asked about the steep degree requirements for applying to tech giants such as Microsoft and Google, Altman said that his company was open to hiring undergraduates and even college drop-outs.

RBI to soon start pilot launch of digital rupee

RBI to soon start pilot launch of digital rupee

Rediff.com7 Oct 2022

The Reserve Bank on Friday said it will soon commence the pilot launch of e-rupee for specific use cases with a view to bolstering India's digital economy, making payment systems more efficient, and checking money laundering. In a concept note on Central Bank Digital Currency, the RBI said CBDC is aimed to complement, rather than replace, current forms of money and is envisaged to provide an additional payment avenue to users, not to replace the existing payment systems. "Supported by state-of-the-art payment systems of India that are affordable, accessible, convenient, efficient, safe and secure, the Digital Rupee (e?) system will further bolster India's digital economy, make the monetary and payment systems more efficient and contribute to furthering financial inclusion," the paper said.

Why Scotch Whisky Makers Are Worried

Why Scotch Whisky Makers Are Worried

Rediff.com13 Mar 2023

India is the UK's second-largest market by volumes for Scotch, importing the equivalent of 136 million bottles, worth £146.2 million, in 2021.

SC rejects legal status for same-sex marriage, bats for queer rights

SC rejects legal status for same-sex marriage, bats for queer rights

Rediff.com17 Oct 2023

Directing the Centre, states and Union Territories (UTs) to ensure the queer community is not discriminated against, the CJI, who is heading the constitution bench, said queer is a natural phenomenon known for ages and is neither urban nor elitist.

Internet access has to be an open platform; it can't be a walled garden: Nandan Nilekani

Internet access has to be an open platform; it can't be a walled garden: Nandan Nilekani

Rediff.com16 Feb 2016

Nandan Nilekani talks about moving towards a cashless economy and freedom of Internet, among others

Does Your Child Have Anger Issues?

Does Your Child Have Anger Issues?

Rediff.com20 Oct 2023

rediffGURU Dr Aarti Bakshi, a psychologist and school counsellor helps you understand and improve your relationship with your child.

The A-W Of Desi Guests At the White House Dinner

The A-W Of Desi Guests At the White House Dinner

Rediff.com24 Jun 2023

The dinner Jill Biden and her husband US President Joe Biden hosted for Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, June 22, at the White House brought together, Indians and Americans from so many firmaments.

Protests intensify in Lanka despite nationwide curfew; over 600 held

Protests intensify in Lanka despite nationwide curfew; over 600 held

Rediff.com3 Apr 2022

The government's poor handling of the economic crisis where people currently endure long hours of power outages and scarcity of essentials has angered the public which planned country-wide protests on Sunday.

The litmus test that Budget 2018 faces

The litmus test that Budget 2018 faces

Rediff.com2 Feb 2018

For maintaining sustained demand in domestic consumption and household investment, the economy must generate enough jobs in the formal sector,says Shubhashis Gangopadhyay.

State has duty to recognise queer unions, says CJI Chandrachud

State has duty to recognise queer unions, says CJI Chandrachud

Rediff.com18 Oct 2023

Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Tuesday said the State has an obligation to recognise unions entered into by queer couples and grant them benefit under the law.

Sachin Bansal quits Ujjivan Small Finance Bank board

Sachin Bansal quits Ujjivan Small Finance Bank board

Rediff.com28 Jan 2020

"I would like to resign as an independent director of the bank with effect from January 27, 2020. Given an entity owned and controlled by me has made an application to the RBI for a universal banking license, I felt it was -- in the interest of propriety and corporate governance -- only appropriate that I stepped down from this role," Bansal said in his resignation letter, which was disclosed by Ujjivan SFB in the regulatory filing.

Why TN Has Challenged NEET in Supreme Court

Why TN Has Challenged NEET in Supreme Court

Rediff.com22 Feb 2023

As the petition points out, new medical colleges entail adjunct government hospitals, thus making specialised medical care that much more accessible to the vast majority of population that otherwise could not afford high-cost medical care in the private sector, N Sathiya Moorthy points out.

How metaverse is going to make a big difference in our lives

How metaverse is going to make a big difference in our lives

Rediff.com20 Mar 2022

Move over 3D, 4D and 5D. Cinema is now eyeing the metaverse experience. On February 15, Bollywood producer Vashu Bhagnani's production company, Pooja Entertainment, forayed into the metaverse and bought its first piece of virtual land. The space, called Poojaverse, will be a virtual area where the company will create an immersive experience for moviegoers, starting with BadeMiyan ChoteMiyan, starring Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff. Promotional events for the film, slated for release on Christmas 2023, will be held in the metaverse, says the company. The metaverse might still be in its infancy, but producers like Deepshikha Deshmukh say, "The ecosystem will only grow from here. "Metaverse will soon be the go-to place for everything virtual related to films."

What's Better? No-Cost EMI Or BNPL?

What's Better? No-Cost EMI Or BNPL?

Rediff.com13 Nov 2023

Ultimately, the choice between no-cost EMI and BNPL depends on an individual's financial situation, preferences, and ability to manage repayments responsibly.

'I told them India was like a giant jumbo jet. It would take off slowly and be unstoppable'

'I told them India was like a giant jumbo jet. It would take off slowly and be unstoppable'

Rediff.com10 Jan 2023

This doctor couple put their faith in India. And in return India has put faith in them.

Sri Lanka's cabinet resigns en masse as crisis deepens

Sri Lanka's cabinet resigns en masse as crisis deepens

Rediff.com4 Apr 2022

Ppolitical experts in Colombo said the ministers came under intense pressure from the public over the government's alleged "mishandling" of the economic crisis, triggered by the shortage in the foreign exchange reserve.

'When India grows, world grows': Modi at UNGA

'When India grows, world grows': Modi at UNGA

Rediff.com25 Sep 2021

Addressing the 76th United Nations General Assembly session here, Prime Minister Modi said that today, every sixth person in the world is an Indian.

India's biggest challenge: Good health for all

India's biggest challenge: Good health for all

Rediff.com30 Aug 2021

"If India truly wants to be a superpower," Dr Abhijit Vaidya tells Kangana Pandiya, "48 per cent of our people cannot be malnourished. We need to ensure health for all."

Modi's financial inclusion plan to come in 2 phases

Modi's financial inclusion plan to come in 2 phases

Rediff.com18 Aug 2014

The first phase would comprise universal access to banking facilities. Under this, basic bank accounts with zero balance, RuPay debit card and financial literacy, will have to be completed in the next one year, officials said.

Mukesh Ambani pitches for subsidised smatphones

Mukesh Ambani pitches for subsidised smatphones

Rediff.com8 Dec 2021

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani on Wednesday pitched for using the USO Fund to subsidise smartphones for select groups to help penetrate the digital revolution and said India should make the rollout of 5G or the fifth-generation technology standard for broadband cellular networks a national priority. As much as 5 per cent of the licence fee paid by telecom operators goes to the Universal Service Obligation (USO) Fund, which was set up in April 2002 for achieving universal service objectives by providing access to telephone services in rural and remote areas and creation of infrastructure for mobile services and broadband in these areas. However, according to the CAG, less than half of the funds so collected are transferred for the said purpose.

Govt plans to merge BBNL with BSNL this month

Govt plans to merge BBNL with BSNL this month

Rediff.com20 Mar 2022

The government is planning to merge Bharat Broadband Nigam Limited (BBNL) with the loss-making state-run telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) this month, a senior official has said. BSNL chairman and managing director PK Purwar at a recent event organised by the All India Graduate Engineers and Telecom officers Association (AIGETOA) said that the government is giving the telecom firm an opportunity for a turnaround. "The government has taken a policy decision that BBNL is going to be merged into BSNL. "This means all work of BBNL at the pan-India level is going to come to BSNL," Purwar said at the All India Conference of AIGETOA on March 13.