News for 'Universal Access'

Pele's Story Is A Story Of Hope

Pele's Story Is A Story Of Hope

Rediff.com31 Dec 2022

More than the story of any other footballer or athlete, Pele's life helped democratise his sport; made it the stuff of a widely shared dream. Shyam G Menon salutes the memory of the greatest footballer ever.

'Investing is a loser's game'

'Investing is a loser's game'

Rediff.com5 Jul 2023

'In investing, you have to first make sure you don't make big mistakes.' 'I would advise small investors to be systematic, don't be arbitrary; don't be on either end of the risk spectrum.' 'Don't go from fixed deposit to option trading or crypto trading.'

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."

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.

Modi to launch 5G services on Oct 1

Modi to launch 5G services on Oct 1

Rediff.com30 Sep 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the much-awaited 5G services in India on October 1, 2022, an official release said on Friday. According to the release, 5G to be launched by the Prime Minister in select cities, will progressively cover the entire country over the next couple of years. The cumulative economic impact of 5G on India is estimated to reach $450 billion by 2035. Capable of supporting ultra-high-speed internet services, the fifth generation or 5G is expected to unleash new economic opportunities and societal benefits, serving as a transformational force for Indian society.

Not aligned with US view: WH on India's Twitter order

Not aligned with US view: WH on India's Twitter order

Rediff.com27 Apr 2021

Twitter and other social media platforms have taken down around 100 posts and URLs after the government asked them to remove content that was critical of the handling of the current medical crisis or spreading fake news around the pandemic.

Why 50% teachers are UNHAPPY with online classes

Why 50% teachers are UNHAPPY with online classes

Rediff.com28 Sep 2020

'Online teaching requires a new set of skills to be acquired by the teacher.' 'These skills are not like foot sizes or height which can't be improved, but are like muscles which can be developed with some practice.'

You Are Fired.... So, What Next?

You Are Fired.... So, What Next?

Rediff.com6 Feb 2023

Krishna Kumar offers some tips on how to cope with being served the pink slip.

'Adani affair overshadowed Budget's stability, prudence'

'Adani affair overshadowed Budget's stability, prudence'

Rediff.com6 Feb 2023

'That is the one headline the world is reading about India this week, and it is a potentially damaging story...' 'I don't think a panic mentality has set in, but this story is one that investors and market watchers are absolutely seized with.'

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.

415 mn Indians exited poverty in 2005-21, UN calls it historic

415 mn Indians exited poverty in 2005-21, UN calls it historic

Rediff.com17 Oct 2022

The number of poor people in India fell by about 415 million between 2005-06 and 2019-21, a "historic change" and a demonstration that the Sustainable Development Goal target of reducing at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty by 2030 is possible to achieve, even at a large scale, according to the UN.

From Shy Kid To Rhodes Scholar: Ritika Mukherji's Journey

From Shy Kid To Rhodes Scholar: Ritika Mukherji's Journey

Rediff.com17 Jan 2022

It's not every day that an undergraduate from India wins a scholarship to study at one of the prestigious universities in the world.

Sukanya Verma's Favourite 2022 OTT Shows

Sukanya Verma's Favourite 2022 OTT Shows

Rediff.com29 Dec 2022

I binged on various shows this year -- some for work, some for pleasure, few I couldn't spare time for, others I didn't have access to while some started out fabulously only to fizzle towards the end.

Most Covid-tracking apps don't ensure privacy protection: Study

Most Covid-tracking apps don't ensure privacy protection: Study

Rediff.com9 Jun 2020

Professor Masooda Bashir and doctoral student Tanusree Sharma from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign analysed 50 COVID-19-related apps available in the Google Play store for their access to users' personal data and their privacy protections. The researchers noted that it is disconcerting that these apps are continuously collecting and processing highly sensitive and personally identifiable information, about health, location and direct identifiers like name, age, email address and voter or national identification of a user.

Financial inclusion a key driver of economic growth: Das

Financial inclusion a key driver of economic growth: Das

Rediff.com15 Jul 2021

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das on Thursday said financial inclusion will continue to be a "policy priority" for the central bank to make the post-pandemic recovery more equitable and sustainable. The Reserve Bank of India will very soon be coming out with the first financial inclusion index, which will assess progress in terms of access, usage and quality, Das said, while speaking at the Economic Times Financial Inclusion Summit. It is the responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure that the financial ecosystem (including the digital medium) is inclusive and capable of effectively addressing risks like mis-selling, cybersecurity, data privacy and promoting trust in the financial system through appropriate financial education and awareness, he added.

When A Country Erases Its Film-makers

When A Country Erases Its Film-makers

Rediff.com5 Apr 2023

'The Iranians are very resilient people. So even when they are throttled, they try their best to survive.'

India's 1st Covid nasal vax gets phase 2 trial nod

India's 1st Covid nasal vax gets phase 2 trial nod

Rediff.com13 Aug 2021

The first nasal vaccine against COVID-19, developed by Bharat Biotech, has received regulator's nod for conducting phase 2 clinical trials, the Department of Biotechnology said on Friday.

How Tech Is Reinventing Fashion Shopping

How Tech Is Reinventing Fashion Shopping

Rediff.com24 Nov 2022

With the fashion world blurring the lines between innovation, technology and reality, shopping is all set to be revolutionised.

JNU lodges FIR against students for breaking in, clashing with staff

JNU lodges FIR against students for breaking in, clashing with staff

Rediff.com10 Jun 2021

The Jawaharlal Nehru University administration on Thursday alleged that a group of students broke into the central library and clashed with the staff there following which an FIR has been registered with the police.

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.

Activists warn to lay siege to Lankan Parl amid demand for Gotabaya's ouster

Activists warn to lay siege to Lankan Parl amid demand for Gotabaya's ouster

Rediff.com7 May 2022

Thousands of student activists from the Inter University Students Federation blocked the main access road to the parliamentary complex since Thursday and carried on protests for almost 24 hours.

SIA charges 3 Hizbul terrorists for coordinating terrorist activities in JK

SIA charges 3 Hizbul terrorists for coordinating terrorist activities in JK

Rediff.com3 May 2022

The charge sheet has been filed in a case registered on November 7 last year, they said.

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.

WHO nod for Covaxin expected any time now

WHO nod for Covaxin expected any time now

Rediff.com26 Oct 2021

A technical advisory group of the World Health Organisation was on Tuesday reviewing data on Covaxin for the emergency use listing of India's indigenously-made vaccine and it could pronounce its decision within the next 24 hours or so, a spokesperson said.

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.

India gets $1.75 bn World Bank loan for health, private investment

India gets $1.75 bn World Bank loan for health, private investment

Rediff.com1 Jul 2022

The World Bank has approved loans totalling $1.75 billion (about Rs 13,834.54 crore) to fund India's PM Ayushman Bharat scheme and private investment to boost the economic growth. Of the total loan, $1 billion will go towards the health sector, while the rest $750 million will be in the form of development policy loan (DPL) to fill the financing gaps through private sector investment in the economy. The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved two complementary loans of $500 million each to support and enhance India's health sector.

China sees red over new US-led Indo-Pacific grouping, calls it 'economic Nato'

China sees red over new US-led Indo-Pacific grouping, calls it 'economic Nato'

Rediff.com24 May 2022

As US President Joe Biden launched a new trade deal with 12 Indo-Pacific nations, including India, to enhance trade, economic and investment opportunities, China, which sees the pact as a threat to its dominance in the region, went on the offensive against it, promising more opening up, while the official media here termed it as "economic Nato".

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.

Does China Really Want Indian Territory?

Does China Really Want Indian Territory?

Rediff.com26 Dec 2022

The Chinese aren't after territory. Their target is our national will, morale and the sense of autonomy we feel in making our strategic choices. They are attacking India and the Modi government at their weakest point, asserts Shekhar Gupta.

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.

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

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.

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'

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.