News for 'Universal Access'

'Brilliant businesses were not built on money, but on great ideas'

'Brilliant businesses were not built on money, but on great ideas'

Rediff.com6 Feb 2023

'People will say a lot of things -- ignore the noise.'

A Serendipitous Civil Service Career

A Serendipitous Civil Service Career

Rediff.com22 Dec 2022

Every twist and turn in KMC's civil service career is attributed to serendipity, an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident. He plays down his capabilities, which took him to the top of the civil service as the Cabinet Secretary or his misfortune in losing a daughter in her prime and suggests that his career was indeed serendipitous, observes Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

Rajan on what India should do with its forex reserves

Rajan on what India should do with its forex reserves

Rediff.com14 Jul 2021

India needs foreign exchange buffer reserves to insulate itself from exchange rate volatility as we have "no friends" for swap lines and Japan was the only country that helped during the taper tantrum in 2013, former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan said on Tuesday. Participating in a virtual event organised by economic think tank NCAER, Rajan said during the taper tantrum in 2013, India asked for swap lines, and only country who helped was Japan. "We need this (foreign exchange) reserve buffer to insulate ourselves because we have no friends.

U'khand tragedy caused by massive rock and ice avalanche

U'khand tragedy caused by massive rock and ice avalanche

Rediff.com11 Jun 2021

The study suggests that climate change is contributing to such events happening more frequently, and highlights risks of increasing development projects in fragile environments.

WADA back in the spotlight with Russian Valieva's doping case

WADA back in the spotlight with Russian Valieva's doping case

Rediff.com11 Feb 2022

WADA on Friday was thrust into the spotlight at the Beijing Olympics Kamila Valieva tested positive

Kamala's VP nomination not a surprise: Delhi uncle

Kamala's VP nomination not a surprise: Delhi uncle

Rediff.com12 Aug 2020

Gopalan Balachandran, Harris' maternal uncle, said she will script many firsts if she wins and expressed the hope her top-level position will give Indians in the US "greater access" in interacting with the US administration.

Courts have 'institutional incapacity' to interpret Quran, hijab petitioners tell SC

Courts have 'institutional incapacity' to interpret Quran, hijab petitioners tell SC

Rediff.com12 Sep 2022

The counsel for the petitioners in the hijab ban row on Monday told the Supreme Court the Karnataka high court did an "objectionable" thing when it tried to "interpret" the Holy Quran and held the headscarf worn by Muslim women was not an essential religious practice.

Restaurant to jewellery, brands make a beeline for metaverse

Restaurant to jewellery, brands make a beeline for metaverse

Rediff.com21 Jun 2022

'We're seeing major Bollywood celebrities, fashion icons, and even movie studios all wanting to build Metaverse experiences'

Will Iranian Women Bring Down The Ayatollahs?

Will Iranian Women Bring Down The Ayatollahs?

Rediff.com27 Sep 2022

Mahsa Amini's tragic custodial death in Tehran has triggered protests across Iran. Defiant, jean clad women minus their tunics and hijabs are marching in unison and shouting 'Down with the dictator' Women in Iran have been pushed to the wall and are no longer willing to abide by the restrictions placed on them, explains Rashme Sehgal.

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.

Onboarding of e-commerce giants crucial to ensure success of ONDC

Onboarding of e-commerce giants crucial to ensure success of ONDC

Rediff.com15 Sep 2022

When Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) was conceived last December, the idea was to reduce the dominance of e-commerce giants like Amazon and Flipkart. It was also to bring in a level-playing field for small merchants in India's fragmented but fast-growing $1-trillion retail market. However, those goals have changed now as large e-commerce players such as Flipkart, Amazon and Ecom Express are in various levels of talks with the ONDC team. They want to form partnerships like integrating with the network as well as providing their expertise to build it, according to the industry sources.

Will India finally join world's largest trade bloc?

Will India finally join world's largest trade bloc?

Rediff.com15 Nov 2020

Countries that have signed the RCEP agreement can start negotiations with India for joining the pact once New Delhi submits a written request stating its intention for the same, according to a declaration. On November 4 last year, India walked out of mega free trade agreement RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) as negotiations failed to address New Delhi's outstanding issues and concerns. The remaining 15 member countries have signed RCEP agreement and have stated that the pact would remain open to India.

In case of war, can India be cut off from internet?

In case of war, can India be cut off from internet?

Rediff.com16 Apr 2022

With Western corporations, including Microsoft, AWS and Oracle, shutting down their operations in Russia, the rest of the world has become acutely aware of its dependence on a clutch of technology service providers.

'Our community has lost a giant'

'Our community has lost a giant'

Rediff.com31 May 2022

Urvashi Vaid dreamed of a common movement for social justice that could address them all: Racism, gender oppression and homophobia. Sandip Roy salutes the memory of Urvashi Vaid, one of America's most prominent LGBT activists, who passed into the ages this month.

The Hottest Jobs for Freshers in India

The Hottest Jobs for Freshers in India

Rediff.com16 Jun 2022

Jobs in HR, administration and recruitment have seen a substantial rise as per Monster data with a 42% growth in job posting activity.

New low-cost test can diagnose COVID-19 in just 20 minutes

New low-cost test can diagnose COVID-19 in just 20 minutes

Rediff.com14 Aug 2020

The rapid molecular test is highly accurate and easy to use, making it a prime candidate for use in settings with limited testing capabilities, according to the researchers.

Mask mandate can be removed for now, say experts

Mask mandate can be removed for now, say experts

Rediff.com8 Apr 2022

The assurance comes as India's Covid graph dips -- on Friday 1,109 new coronavirus infections were reported -- and also one case of a new Covid strain in Mumbai.

'Entrepreneurship isn't a game of roulette'

'Entrepreneurship isn't a game of roulette'

Rediff.com1 Sep 2022

'To set up a successful business, one must have a solution to an existing problem or a better way of addressing the current solution.'

Omicron variant jab could be ready in 100 days: Pfizer

Omicron variant jab could be ready in 100 days: Pfizer

Rediff.com2 Dec 2021

Pfizer's chief executive Dr Albert Bourla told the BBC that he is of the view that annual vaccinations would be needed to maintain a "very high level of protection" against the deadly disease that has claimed over five million lives across the world.

Tribal President: 'Don't Expect Magic'

Tribal President: 'Don't Expect Magic'

Rediff.com4 Jul 2022

'It will be wrong to raise the expectations of tribals because of a tribal President. 'Tribal issues have not been resolved for 150 years.'

Ukraine: India abstains on UNGA resolution deploring Russia

Ukraine: India abstains on UNGA resolution deploring Russia

Rediff.com3 Mar 2022

"India has been deeply concerned over the rapidly deteriorating situation in Ukraine and the ensuing humanitarian crisis," India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti 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.

No vaccination privileges for Tokyo Games athletes

No vaccination privileges for Tokyo Games athletes

Rediff.com12 Jan 2021

Decision on spectators by March, says Tokyo Olympics OC.

Lara Dutta has simple tips for aspiring beauty queens

Lara Dutta has simple tips for aspiring beauty queens

Rediff.com14 Nov 2019

Miss Universe 2000 Lara Dutta on what it takes to be a beauty queen.

Govt allocates Rs 99,300 cr for education in FY21

Govt allocates Rs 99,300 cr for education in FY21

Rediff.com1 Feb 2020

Steps will be taken to attract external commercial borrowing and FDI in the education sector, the finance minister said. Stating that govt will soon introduce new education policy, Sitharaman said online degree courses to students from weaker sections.

What BJP's Gujarat Win Proves

What BJP's Gujarat Win Proves

Rediff.com9 Dec 2022

What these elections prove beyond any doubt (if ever there was one) that Modi's hold over public mind and Shah's mastery of election management are unparalleled. It doesn't seem likely that they will be matched any time soon in the Indian political scene, reaffirms Shreekant Sambrani.

Modi must give Indians the capacity to reach 2021

Modi must give Indians the capacity to reach 2021

Rediff.com5 Jun 2020

'All parties and the government acknowledge that there we are in trouble and there is more trouble ahead,' observes Aakar Patel.

How Anant Agrawal built edX into a global giant

How Anant Agrawal built edX into a global giant

Rediff.com4 Sep 2020

'Many who have experimented with online education will adopt a blended model once things return to normal,' edX CEO and founder Anant Agrawal tells Anjuli Bhargava.

'We think about him and it moistens our eyes'

'We think about him and it moistens our eyes'

Rediff.com5 Dec 2022

'The fact that all the charges against my son are baseless and concocted, in itself, gives me all the hope.'

WHO meet next week to discuss Covaxin approval

WHO meet next week to discuss Covaxin approval

Rediff.com18 Oct 2021

The World Health Organisation's technical advisory group will meet on October 26 to consider the Emergency Use Listing (EUL) of Covaxin, a vaccine developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech protecting against COVID-19, the global health agency's chief scientist said.

Not yet clear if Omicron more transmissible: WHO

Not yet clear if Omicron more transmissible: WHO

Rediff.com29 Nov 2021

The World Health Organisation has said it is 'not yet clear' whether the newly-detected coronavirus variant Omicron is more transmissible or causes more severe disease compared to other variants, including the highly-transmissible and globally prevalent Delta variant.

Countries must vaccinate 10% of people by Sept: WHO chief

Countries must vaccinate 10% of people by Sept: WHO chief

Rediff.com1 Jul 2021

Voicing concern over many countries failing to vaccinate their people, World Health Organisation chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Thursday called for vaccinating at least 10 per cent of the population of every country by September as he described vaccination as the best way to control the pandemic and reboot the global economy.

No one safe until all vaccinated for Covid: Johns Hopkins scientist

No one safe until all vaccinated for Covid: Johns Hopkins scientist

Rediff.com22 Apr 2022

Vaccine inequity remains an issue in India, where less than 2 per cent of the population has received a Covid booster

Edtech start-up Eruditus gets funding from Zuckerberg duo

Edtech start-up Eruditus gets funding from Zuckerberg duo

Rediff.com7 Sep 2020

Eruditus runs on a partnership model with top global universities such as MIT, Columbia, Harvard, Cambridge, INSEAD, Wharton, and UC Berkeley, offering courses in coding, data science, fintech, block chain, and entrepreneurship.

Will raise racism with UK when required: Govt

Will raise racism with UK when required: Govt

Rediff.com15 Mar 2021

India will take up with the United Kingdom when required the alleged incidents of racism in Britain, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in the Rajya Sabha on Monday. He also described India as the land of Mahatma Gandhi and said it can never turn its eyes away from racism.

India issues 'demarche' to US embassy over detention of students

India issues 'demarche' to US embassy over detention of students

Rediff.com2 Feb 2019

The External Affairs Ministry said India continues to closely monitor and take proactive measures to address the situation.

Oxford jabs effective against severe Covid: US trial

Oxford jabs effective against severe Covid: US trial

Rediff.com22 Mar 2021

The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is also being produced as part of a tie-up by the Serum Institute of India.

Mukesh Ambani to launch the ultra cheap smartphone on Sep 10

Mukesh Ambani to launch the ultra cheap smartphone on Sep 10

Rediff.com24 Jun 2021

Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani on Thursday said Jio and Google have jointly developed a power-packed and affordable smartphone 'JioPhone Next', which will be available in the market from September 10. Ambani promised that JioPhone Next will be the most affordable smartphone not just in India but globally. Speaking at RIL's annual general meeting, Ambani asserted that an ultra-affordable 4G smartphone is essential to make India '2G-mukt' (free of 2G).

'They robbed us of thousands of acres'

'They robbed us of thousands of acres'

Rediff.com2 Mar 2022

'The government is just laying foundation stones everywhere.' 'It has hardly inaugurated anything.'

Pratishtha the Unstoppable

Pratishtha the Unstoppable

Rediff.com2 Jun 2022

Pratishtha Deveshwar learnt to reframe her anguish into an opportunity for action. She felt that God had given her an opportunity to make an impact on the wider world.