News for 'Urban Design Research Institute'

How India's Mobile Algal Tree Fights Urban Pollution

How India's Mobile Algal Tree Fights Urban Pollution

Rediff.com7 Jul 2026

Researchers at CSIR-CIMFR have developed India's first mobile Smart Algal Liquid Tree (SALT), an innovative air-purification system using microalgae to absorb CO2 and release oxygen. Designed for polluted urban areas, this compact unit offers a sustainable solution where conventional tree planting is challenging, also providing public utility features.

How To Plan Urban Greenery For Cooling Effect

How To Plan Urban Greenery For Cooling Effect

Rediff.com12 May 2026

An analysis of 138 Indian cities reveals that urban greening should consider humidity and airflow for effective cooling, emphasising climate-responsive strategies over one-size-fits-all approaches.

Digital Divide Keeps Women Out of India's Gig Economy: Report

Digital Divide Keeps Women Out of India's Gig Economy: Report

Rediff.com11 hours ago

Despite near gender parity in basic bank account ownership, women in India remain significantly underrepresented in the growing platform economy due to gaps in digital financial capability and access to credit, according to a joint report by the International Labour Organization and National Council of Applied Economic Research.

Why Indian Cities Need Smarter Greening Strategies

Why Indian Cities Need Smarter Greening Strategies

Rediff.com11 May 2026

A study by IIT Gandhinagar researchers reveals that urban greening alone is insufficient to reduce heat stress in Indian cities, highlighting the need for climate-responsive planning that considers humidity, ventilation, and urban compactness.

Why mixed-use developments are the future of Indian real estate

Why mixed-use developments are the future of Indian real estate

Rediff.com20 Apr 2026

Mixed-use real estate projects, integrating residential, commercial, retail, and hospitality segments, are gaining significant traction in India as developers seek to maximise returns, optimise land use, and diversify cash flows, with experts predicting 35-40% of urban real estate supply will be mixed-use by 2030.

Energy-Efficient Bricks Developed by IIT Guwahati Offer Sustainable Cooling Solution

Energy-Efficient Bricks Developed by IIT Guwahati Offer Sustainable Cooling Solution

Rediff.com27 Mar 2026

Researchers at IIT Guwahati have developed energy-efficient bricks designed to keep buildings naturally cool, offering a promising solution for sustainable construction. These bricks incorporate Phase Change Materials (PCMs) to absorb and release heat, reducing the need for air conditioning and lowering energy consumption.

Spirit Of Giving: Households Earning Rs 5,000 A Month Give To Charity

Spirit Of Giving: Households Earning Rs 5,000 A Month Give To Charity

Rediff.com11 Mar 2026

Of the donations, 48% is in kind -- such as food, clothing, or other household goods -- followed by cash (44%) and volunteering (30%) with non-profits, religious institutions, or community groups.

Muslim names in LD lists exceed population share in 4 Kolkata seats: Study

Muslim names in LD lists exceed population share in 4 Kolkata seats: Study

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

A new study alleges that Muslim voters are disproportionately represented in Logical Discrepancy (LD) lists during Kolkata's voter roll revision, raising concerns about potential bias in the electoral process.

SC declares menstrual health as fundamental right

SC declares menstrual health as fundamental right

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

Private schools failing to provide these facilities risk de-recognition

New Rural Jobs Bill Sparks International Concern

New Rural Jobs Bill Sparks International Concern

Rediff.com20 Dec 2025

'Previously, contributing only 25 per cent of material costs, states now face burdens of 40 per cent to 100 per cent of total costs, ensuring poorer states will curb project approvals, directly stifling work demand.'

Charles Correa, India's 'greatest architect', passes away

Charles Correa, India's 'greatest architect', passes away

Rediff.com17 Jun 2015

Correa played a defining role in developing architecture of post-Independence India and has designed some of the most outstanding structures.

'We Aren't Security Conscious As A Nation'

'We Aren't Security Conscious As A Nation'

Rediff.com6 Nov 2025

'Government officials use Gmail and ordinary phones without basic security consciousness.' 'Interoperability, especially in joint exercises with countries like the US, worries me.' 'It often means we open our systems to them, but they don't reciprocate.' 'They could have kill switches in their systems and might even be able to affect ours.'

'We Are Not Listening To The Alarms'

'We Are Not Listening To The Alarms'

Rediff.com29 Aug 2025

'What we are witnessing is not a freak incidence or a freak occurrence, but a new climate reality where warming oceans, monsoon variability and local geography are combining to produce extreme events.'

How Census 2027 Will Be Done

How Census 2027 Will Be Done

Rediff.com14 Aug 2025

'There will be not less than 31 lakh people working in the census process.'

'Companies Will Be More Powerful Than Nations'

'Companies Will Be More Powerful Than Nations'

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

'If you align your ambition with India's rise, the peak of your careers will unfold alongside the peak of India's power.'

The Politics of A Caste Census

The Politics of A Caste Census

Rediff.com2 May 2025

While data can empower communities, it reinforces identities, making local politics more caste-centric, with decisions increasingly contested on the grounds of representation.

Such dynamics could lead to shifting alliances and, in the worst case, local governance getting paralysed as each group demands proportional power-sharing, explain Amitabh Kundu and Mehebub Rahaman.

Kharge's son withdraws 5-acre Bengaluru site request after row

Kharge's son withdraws 5-acre Bengaluru site request after row

Rediff.com13 Oct 2024

The move by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's son Rahul Kharge comes close on the heels of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's wife Parvathi returning the 14 sites to Mysuru Urban Development Authority after the Lokayukta police registered a case against Siddaramaiah, his wife and brother-in-law.

Does Young India Care About Elections 2024?

Does Young India Care About Elections 2024?

Rediff.com4 May 2024

Politics is not on the radar of 18 to 21-year-old Indians, reveals Rama Bijapurkar.

Google unveils a slate of AI tools for Indian developers

Google unveils a slate of AI tools for Indian developers

Rediff.com29 Jun 2023

Google unveiled on Wednesday a slate of artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies for Indian developers at its first I/O Connect event for India, being held in Bengaluru. The company made accessible for Indian developers its faster, more accurate large language AI model accessible through PaLM API, Makersuite, as well as features on Google Cloud's Vertex AI. Google Cloud officially launched a new initiative in collaboration with Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, to help sellers build and scale commerce platforms across the country.

This Mum Helps Women Return To Work

This Mum Helps Women Return To Work

Rediff.com3 Jan 2025

In two years, the start-up Overqualified Housewives has helped over 6,000 women across India find flexible-job roles across India from salaries ranging between Rs 8,000 to Rs 80,000, making them financially independent.

Is The World Spinning Out Of Control?

Is The World Spinning Out Of Control?

Rediff.com30 May 2024

The current instability in the world is a result of long term systemic and socio-politico problems, points out Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Rediff's Wave Rider Retires!

Rediff's Wave Rider Retires!

Rediff.com1 Nov 2024

We asked colleagues, present and past, to reflect on a man who has made such a difference to their lives and careers. Here it is then, a rich collection of memories that offer enchanting glimpses of the enigmatic Ajit Balakrishnan.

Is It Time For 5 Regional RBIs?

Is It Time For 5 Regional RBIs?

Rediff.com7 Feb 2023

Despite its admirable competence and proven track record, the RBI doesn't have the capacity to supervise an economy that's growing so fast and becoming larger by the year, points out T C A Srinivasa Raghavan.

Manipur: A Distant Outpost Full Of Promise

Manipur: A Distant Outpost Full Of Promise

Rediff.com9 Jun 2023

A lesson we have not learnt from China is the urgent need to knit the vast country together to keep it from falling apart at the seams. While there is considerable dent in poverty, sadly, the North East remains as distant today as it always was, points out Shreekant Sambrani.

How AI and machine learning can help in better weather forecast

How AI and machine learning can help in better weather forecast

Rediff.com23 Sep 2022

'AI can be very useful for making analysis and especially making city-based local forecasts.'

Indian American heads top US science funding body

Indian American heads top US science funding body

Rediff.com23 Jun 2020

Unanimously confirmed by the Senate last week, Panchanathan, 58, from the Arizona State University, replaces White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) Director Dr Kelvin Droegemeier who served as Acting Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Suman Chakraborty Is Revolutionising Rural Healthcare

Suman Chakraborty Is Revolutionising Rural Healthcare

Rediff.com24 Jan 2023

'If you can simplify the technology, you don't need a doctor or a highly qualified technician to work on the technology; even an Asha health worker or a similar front line health worker can use it with minimal training.'

'Give people confidence to rebuild their lives'

'Give people confidence to rebuild their lives'

Rediff.com18 Nov 2020

'It may take two years for the economy to return to normal.' 'We should ensure that the vulnerable do not dig into their savings or give up their assets because that will set them back by several years.'

India's mood: 'Pessimism, confusion, sadness'

India's mood: 'Pessimism, confusion, sadness'

Rediff.com4 Jun 2020

'Give cash assistance of Rs 75 per person per day and an android phone and you will see the economy reviving.'

How will India's poor cope with this crisis?

How will India's poor cope with this crisis?

Rediff.com8 Apr 2020

'Unless the State is a welfare State, unless the State has more welfare measures, it will not be able to deal with these kind of sudden situations.'

Survey bats for enhanced govt spending in healthcare

Survey bats for enhanced govt spending in healthcare

Rediff.com29 Jan 2021

An increase in government spending on the healthcare sector - from the current 1 per cent to 2.5-3 per cent of GDP - as envisaged in the National Health Policy 2017 could reduce out-of-pocket expenditures, as per the Economic Survey 2020-21. The rise in public spending can lead to a reduction in expenditures from 65 per cent to 30 per cent of overall healthcare spend, it noted. The Economic Survey said that for the country to effectively respond to future pandemics, the country's health infrastructure needs to be agile. Given its potential to provide healthcare access in remote areas, telemedicine needs to be harnessed to the fullest by especially investing in internet connectivity and health infrastructure, it added.

How MSMEs can create 1 crore jobs in 5 years

How MSMEs can create 1 crore jobs in 5 years

Rediff.com17 May 2019

'When a new superhero film releases, China creates figurines based on the film and puts them out in the market along with the film's release.' 'Does our domestic manufacturing sector been able to do it so quickly? No.' 'We have a large millennial population and we have to make products that are more in line with the tastes of those people.' 'The MSME sector can win back its customers only this way.' 'When they change with the consumers's needs, there will be a move towards Indian products.'

Smart city challenge: Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, are you ready?

Smart city challenge: Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, are you ready?

Rediff.com8 Dec 2014

India's top metro cities need to improve their infrastructure and other civic amenities too.

7 Indian pharma players race to develop COVID-19 vaccine

7 Indian pharma players race to develop COVID-19 vaccine

Rediff.com19 Jul 2020

Bharat Biotech, Serum Institute, Zydus Cadila, Panacea Biotec, Indian Immunologicals, Mynvax and Biological E are among the domestic pharma firms working on the coronavirus vaccines in India.

India can deliver COVID-19 vaccine swiftly and efficiently

India can deliver COVID-19 vaccine swiftly and efficiently

Rediff.com4 Jan 2021

'Rolling out the vaccine is not a major challenge in India.'

The beautiful mind of Balkrishna Doshi, who won architecture's Nobel Prize

The beautiful mind of Balkrishna Doshi, who won architecture's Nobel Prize

Rediff.com16 Mar 2018

He designed some of India's most iconic buildings.

The challenges that await ISRO's new boss

The challenges that await ISRO's new boss

Rediff.com11 Jan 2018

K Sivan has to hasten the effort to bring in private players into satellite and rocket building and replicate India's software success in aerospace.

What can we next expect from Xi?

What can we next expect from Xi?

Rediff.com1 Mar 2021

It will be interesting to see whether India-China border tensions figure during the deliberations of PLA deputies to the NPC and CPPCC, notes Jayadeva Ranade, the distinguished China expert and retired RA&W officer.

Indian economy to contract 11.5% in FY21, says Moody's

Indian economy to contract 11.5% in FY21, says Moody's

Rediff.com11 Sep 2020

For 2021-22, it projected the economy to clock a growth of 10.6 per cent.

Rameswaram included under AMRUT as tribute to Kalam: Centre

Rameswaram included under AMRUT as tribute to Kalam: Centre

Rediff.com27 Jul 2016

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Kalam had left an irreplaceable void, Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said the Centre has decided to include Rameswaram in AMRUT by relaxing norms as a tribute to the former president.