News for 'Universal Access'

After Ranchi, bird flu outbreak reported in Bokaro; 250 birds dead

After Ranchi, bird flu outbreak reported in Bokaro; 250 birds dead

Rediff.com9 Mar 2025

A bird flu outbreak caused by the H5N1 strain has been reported in Bokaro, Jharkhand, leading to the death of around 250 birds at a government poultry farm. The outbreak was confirmed on March 7, prompting authorities to cull 46 birds and destroy 506 eggs at the farm. A 1-km radius has been declared an affected zone, where birds will be culled, and a 10-km radius has been designated as a surveillance zone, prohibiting the sale and purchase of poultry. This outbreak comes roughly a month after a similar incident in Ranchi, where 5,500 birds were culled.

With Old Visa Doors Closing, Indians Forge New Paths

With Old Visa Doors Closing, Indians Forge New Paths

Rediff.com5 May 2025

Australia, Canada, US and UK are restricting immigration, but other countries are opening their doors.

3 Cheers For Divita's Miss Universe Journey

3 Cheers For Divita's Miss Universe Journey

Rediff.com16 Jan 2023

Divita made it to the Top 16 in the pageant.

Skip Canada! 10 Places To Study Abroad

Skip Canada! 10 Places To Study Abroad

Rediff.com29 Nov 2024

Indian students are looking at destinations that offer quality education coupled with unique cultural and career experiences, often at more affordable costs, says Gaurav Batra, CEO, Infinite Group.

COMING SOON: Withdraw EPF Money At ATMs

COMING SOON: Withdraw EPF Money At ATMs

Rediff.com17 Dec 2024

By June 2025, financial freedom will be just an ATM away. Pleasantly surprised? But there's more, says Ramalingam Kalirajan

Want To See This Jodi In A Movie?

Want To See This Jodi In A Movie?

Rediff.com6 Jun 2025

A Delhi-based girl and a Mumbai-based boy hope to bring glory to India.

Alert in J'khand after bird flu case reported at poultry farm

Alert in J'khand after bird flu case reported at poultry farm

Rediff.com8 Feb 2025

The Jharkhand government has sounded an alert after bird flu cases were reported at a veterinary college-based poultry farm in Ranchi. The Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has asked the state to take all measures to contain its spread. Around 150 Guinea fowls died over the past 20 days at the farm. The presence of H5N1, a type of avian influenza A virus, was confirmed in samples sent to the ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal.

As Election Nears, Patna Gets Metro Boost

As Election Nears, Patna Gets Metro Boost

Rediff.com29 May 2025

The metro, it seems, is politics-proof -- even if it comes at a high cost.

Tariffs are integral to Trump's vision for US economy

Tariffs are integral to Trump's vision for US economy

Rediff.com23 Apr 2025

Trump may temper his approach from time to time, but to think that he will change his basic philosophy is delusional, asserts T T Ram Mohan.

CUET: 'Where can I access mock tests?'

CUET: 'Where can I access mock tests?'

Rediff.com11 Jul 2022

Anurag Tiwari, national academic director, medical, Aakash+BYJU'S, answers queries from students who will appear for the exam the first time this year.

Trump's Tariff Tsunami: Will India Sink or Reform?

Trump's Tariff Tsunami: Will India Sink or Reform?

Rediff.com21 Apr 2025

The Trump trade shock is a chance to push long-overdue reforms, rather than tinker with tariffs to appease the US, suggests M Govinda Rao.

India's N-E landlocked, B'desh only...: Yunus pitch to China

India's N-E landlocked, B'desh only...: Yunus pitch to China

Rediff.com1 Apr 2025

Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has called upon China to expand its economic influence in Bangladesh, controversially mentioning that India's northeastern states being landlocked could present an opportunity. Yunus, who recently visited China and met with President Xi Jinping, highlighted Bangladesh's role as the "only guardian of the ocean " in the region, suggesting it could be a pathway for Chinese economic expansion. This statement has sparked debate, with Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's economic advisory council, questioning the relevance of India's landlocked states in Yunus' appeal to China. Yunus, however, emphasized the importance of a strong friendship with China, viewing it as a counterbalance to India. During his visit, Yunus signed nine agreements with Beijing and secured USD 2.1 billion in investments, loans, and grants from the Chinese government and companies.

Why Are Child TB Cases Rising?

Why Are Child TB Cases Rising?

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

Children below the age of 15 years account for about 10 to 12 per cent of India's overall TB burden.

Govt may use reserve oil funds to finance fertiliser subsidy gap

Govt may use reserve oil funds to finance fertiliser subsidy gap

Rediff.com18 Feb 2025

For the first time, the government is likely to dip into the Oil Industry Development Fund (OIDF) to finance part of its fertiliser subsidy programme for 2025-26, according to official sources. The finance ministry has accounted for Rs 23,000 crore in the FY26 Budget as net additional resources to be drawn from dedicated reserve funds, including the OIDF, the Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Fund, and the Universal Service Obligation Fund.

Is It Wise To Get A Harvard MBA?

Is It Wise To Get A Harvard MBA?

Rediff.com17 Feb 2025

Divya Nair/Rediff.com speaks to students and experts to find out whether it is better to study management in India or try for an international MBA.

Why 64% MTech Seats Are Vacant in Indian Colleges

Why 64% MTech Seats Are Vacant in Indian Colleges

Rediff.com23 Jan 2025

The growing decline of MTech applicants in Indian colleges is due to multiple factors, including outdated curricula, poor return on investment and lucrative non-engineering alternatives, say experts.

What Are Total Market Index Funds?

What Are Total Market Index Funds?

Rediff.com28 Feb 2025

Total market funds are ideal for long-term investors who prefer a simple, hands-off approach, making them suitable for those unwilling to manage multiple funds.

'Drones And Missiles Can't Deliver A Decisive Military Victory'

'Drones And Missiles Can't Deliver A Decisive Military Victory'

Rediff.com15 May 2025

'Unfortunately, India and Pakistan could learn a 'lesson' from this conflict that will make them more likely to use these weapons against each other in the future.' 'Rounds of missile and drone attacks could be more routine features of their hostility, just like artillery fire has become a familiar fact of life along the Line of Control.'

Rashid Khan's emotional plea to Taliban

Rashid Khan's emotional plea to Taliban

Rediff.com4 Dec 2024

Rashid Khan said education held a central place in Islamic teachings and that the faith emphasised the pursuit of knowledge for men and women.

How Tamil Nadu Is Becoming A Global Hub

How Tamil Nadu Is Becoming A Global Hub

Rediff.com2 Apr 2025

After Chennai, it is Coimbatore, Madurai, and Tiruchirappalli, that are emerging as manufacturing hubs. Coimbatore is India's top Tier-II city in terms of the number of GCCs, according to a report by Cushman & Wakefield.

Study In US: India Overtakes China

Study In US: India Overtakes China

Rediff.com19 Nov 2024

331,602 Indians are studying in the US, making India the 'top sender' of international students to America for the first time in 15 years, as it overtook China for the academic year 2023-2024.

SC shields Hyderabad University professor from Manipur complaints

SC shields Hyderabad University professor from Manipur complaints

Rediff.com14 Aug 2023

The Supreme Court on Monday ordered no coercive steps shall be taken for two weeks against Hyderabad University professor Kham Khan Suan Hausing over two complaints lodged against him in strife-torn Manipur.

Excited go into microgravity conditions: Astronaut Shukla on ISS travel

Excited go into microgravity conditions: Astronaut Shukla on ISS travel

Rediff.com31 Jan 2025

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will be the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station (ISS), flying aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft as part of a joint effort between NASA and ISRO. Shukla, a group captain in the Indian Air Force, will serve as the pilot for the Axiom Mission 4, scheduled for launch no earlier than spring 2025. The mission will also carry the first astronauts from Poland and Hungary to stay aboard the ISS.

History in Minutes: When Dr Ambedkar Was Denied Water

History in Minutes: When Dr Ambedkar Was Denied Water

Rediff.com14 Apr 2025

On the 134th birth anniversary of the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, Utkarsh Mishra revisits three incidents from Dr B R Ambedkar's life that lay bare the deeply entrenched nature of caste prejudice.

K'taka budget: Sidda announces Muslim quota for govt supplies

K'taka budget: Sidda announces Muslim quota for govt supplies

Rediff.com8 Mar 2025

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced reservation for Muslims in supplying goods and services up to a value of Rs 1 crore to various government departments, corporations and institutions in the state budget for 2025-26. The budget also increased the value limit of government contracts in which Muslims can avail reservation to Rs 2 crore. The reservation to Muslims under 2B category is in addition to the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and Castes coming under Category-1, Category-2A. The budget also included various welfare schemes for minorities, including Rs 50,000 to support simple marriages and Rs 1,000 crore under the Chief Minister's Minority Colony Development Programme.

Telecom industry wants govt to junk USOF, slash duties

Telecom industry wants govt to junk USOF, slash duties

Rediff.com27 Jan 2024

Telecom services providers have urged the Ministry of Finance to suspend the universal service obligation (USOF) till the existing corpus is exhausted. In their Budget recommendations, they have also pressed for an exemption from the service tax on "assignment of right to use natural resources" and the slashing of Customs duty on telecom equipment to zero. The Cellular Operators Association of India (Coai), which represents private sector telecom operators Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, called for abolishment of USOF levy.

Salvaging Marx From The 'Marxists'

Salvaging Marx From The 'Marxists'

Rediff.com15 Mar 2025

'If we truly wish to understand and apply Marx's insights today, we must reject the rigid dogmas that later 'Marxists' imposed in his name.'

How Will Trump Change The World On April 2?

How Will Trump Change The World On April 2?

Rediff.com1 Apr 2025

We have entered a new era in human history, asserts Aakar Patel.

Budget proposes social security scheme for gig workers

Budget proposes social security scheme for gig workers

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said the government will arrange identity cards and registration on the e-Shram portal to assist 1 crore gig workers. Presenting the Union Budget 2025-26, the finance minister also said a scheme for the socio-economic upliftment of urban workers will be implemented.

AI-Enabled Glasses Will Help Visually Impaired

AI-Enabled Glasses Will Help Visually Impaired

Rediff.com4 Dec 2024

'Integrated with sensors, cameras, Nvidia Jetson processors, LiDAR technology and AI model computation, the glasses provide a real-time interpretation of the environment and the individual's surroundings.'

Study Abroad: 4 SIMPLE TIPS To Save Money

Study Abroad: 4 SIMPLE TIPS To Save Money

Rediff.com16 Jan 2025

Aditya Mhatre shares some practical and actionable tips to save money and focus on what matters most when you are studying abroad

Trump Tariffs: How Must India Respond?

Trump Tariffs: How Must India Respond?

Rediff.com12 Mar 2025

India should convert the Trump threat to an India opportunity, re-embracing a more liberal trade regime as a way of reviving manufacturing output and exports.

US pledges to boost technology ties with India

US pledges to boost technology ties with India

Rediff.com14 Feb 2025

Artificial Intelligence, innovation and next-generation technologies figured prominently during the high-stakes discussion between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump at the White House, as the two sides announced transformative measures, including the US-India TRUST initiative, roadmap on accelerating AI infrastructure and INDUS Innovation, to boost tech ties.

This MP Wants Ban On Online Betting Apps

This MP Wants Ban On Online Betting Apps

Rediff.com27 Mar 2025

'The pressure from these betting games, coupled with financial ruin, is becoming unbearable for many, and tragically, some even resort to extreme measures like suicide.'

Google's Willow milestone may revolutionise AI, quantum computing

Google's Willow milestone may revolutionise AI, quantum computing

Rediff.com12 Dec 2024

With Google announcing the milestone of Willow - a state-of-the-art quantum computing chip that can solve complex problems in under five minutes, a computation so complex it would have taken a supercomputer around 10 septillion (10^25) years to complete - tech experts believe this breakthrough could impact artificial intelligence (AI), particularly by making it more accessible to the masses. However, industry players caution that it may take several years for this innovation to become commercially viable.

Why BJP Still Hasn't Named Nadda's Successor

Why BJP Still Hasn't Named Nadda's Successor

Rediff.com18 Apr 2025

The prolonged delay over electing J P Nadda's successor possibly stems from the RSS leadership wanting a person who is at least equidistant from the Sangh as well as the Modi/BJP edifice, observes BJP-RSS watcher Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

Privacy is media's alliance, fear of surveillance is an assault: HC

Privacy is media's alliance, fear of surveillance is an assault: HC

Rediff.com6 Feb 2025

The Madras High Court has asserted that press freedom and privacy are intertwined and that surveillance constitutes an attack on the press, which is considered the fourth pillar of democracy. The court made this observation while addressing petitions filed by the Chennai Press Club and three reporters seeking protection from harassment by a police Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the leak of an FIR concerning a sexual assault case at Anna University. The court highlighted the importance of protecting journalists' sources and criticized the SIT for seizing reporters' mobile phones without justification and for failing to adequately investigate the source of the leaked FIR.

Why Are Children So ANGRY, AGGRESSIVE?

Why Are Children So ANGRY, AGGRESSIVE?

Rediff.com23 Apr 2025

'The earlier a child is given a smartphone, the worst it becomes when they are 17, 18.' 'Every year you delay in giving a smartphone to child, the outcome becomes better.' 'The behavioural changes that are very specific to smartphones are aggression and anger.'

Union Budget 2025: Will 10K new medical seats curb students outflow?

Union Budget 2025: Will 10K new medical seats curb students outflow?

Rediff.com2 Feb 2025

The Indian government's announcement of 10,000 additional seats in medical colleges next year, part of a plan to add 75,000 seats over five years, has been welcomed by education experts and stakeholders. The move aims to address the shortage of medical professionals and reduce the outflow of Indian medical students to other countries. The budget also includes infrastructure expansion at five new IITs to accommodate 6,500 more students and an allocation of Rs 500 crore to set up a Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence for education.

Review: Naah-daniyan!

Review: Naah-daniyan!

Rediff.com7 Mar 2025

Nadaaniyan's lack of charm, chemistry and cheek fails to create any ripples sighs Sukanya Verma.