News for 'Voice and Data'

SC rejects PIL seeking gender-neutral dowry, maintenance laws

SC rejects PIL seeking gender-neutral dowry, maintenance laws

Rediff.com15 Apr 2025

The Supreme Court of India has dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking to make dowry harassment and maintenance provisions "gender neutral." The court stated that it cannot legislate law and it is the responsibility of Parliament to look into such matters. The PIL, filed by an NGO, argued that these provisions are often misused to harass husbands and their families. The court, however, emphasized that every case must be judged on its own merits, and that the provisions are intended to protect women and children. The court also noted that the allegation of misuse was vague and that such claims should be examined on a case-by-case basis.

Air India crash: Focus shifts to decoding black box

Air India crash: Focus shifts to decoding black box

Rediff.com19 Jun 2025

A week after the devastating Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad claimed 270 lives, investigators on Thursday continued to sift for clues to ascertain the cause, while the government said the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau will decide where to decode the black box of the ill-fated Dreamliner.

Decision on caste census unlikely in near future: Sidda minister

Decision on caste census unlikely in near future: Sidda minister

Rediff.com18 Apr 2025

Karnataka PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi has stated that a decision on the Social and Educational Survey report, popularly referred to as caste census, is unlikely in the near future and may take up to a year due to the complexities involved. He expressed concerns that any missteps in addressing the concerns raised by various castes over the report could cause problems for the ruling Congress party in the future. The cabinet is scheduled to take up the matter again on May 2.

Tata Sons chief urges safer skies after AI crash; panel probes causes

Tata Sons chief urges safer skies after AI crash; panel probes causes

Rediff.com17 Jun 2025

Addressing close to 700 employees and the leadership team across the Air India headquarters and Air India Training Academy in Gurugram, Chandrasekaran urged them to stay on course, terming the accident the most "heartbreaking" crisis of his career.

Thousands Protest Against Trump In US

Thousands Protest Against Trump In US

Rediff.com6 Feb 2025

On Wednesday, protests erupted across the United States in response to President Donald Trump's recent actions.

'No Politics When It Comes To The Country's Finances'

'No Politics When It Comes To The Country's Finances'

Rediff.com2 Apr 2025

'Each state is unique, but when it comes to finance, the fundamentals cannot be different.'

Telcos seek easing of 'stringent quality of service' norms

Telcos seek easing of 'stringent quality of service' norms

Rediff.com10 Jan 2025

Continuing to push back against the stringent quality of service (QoS) norms brought in by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), telcos have informed the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) that collection and submission of monthly and site-to-cell-level data should be eased, officials and industry sources said. In place since October last year, the QoS norms call for data for network availability, call drop, voice packet drop rate in uplink and downlink, among other parameters, to be collected at the cell level.

'As Tunnels Increase We See More Incidents'

'As Tunnels Increase We See More Incidents'

Rediff.com7 Mar 2025

'Balancing tunnel developments with ecological realities is a major challenge and, when overlooked, can contribute to mishaps.'

Sundar Pichai's Future-Proof Career Tips

Sundar Pichai's Future-Proof Career Tips

Rediff.com11 Jun 2025

'Skills like critical thinking, empathy, storytelling, team management and ethical judgment will grow in value even as AI continues to master logical tasks,' says Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai.

Ambani's AI offer: Up to 100 GB free cloud storage for Jio users

Ambani's AI offer: Up to 100 GB free cloud storage for Jio users

Rediff.com29 Aug 2024

Stepping up the company's AI and cloud play, Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani on Thursday announced that Jio users will get up to 100 GB of free cloud storage to securely store and access their photos, videos, documents, digital content and data. Addressing the 47th AGM of RIL, Ambani said the Jio AI-Cloud Welcome offer will be launched during the upcoming Diwali, which would bring a "powerful and affordable solution where cloud data storage and data-powered AI services are available to everyone, everywhere". "Jio users will get up to 100 GB of free cloud storage to securely store and access all their photos, videos, documents, all other digital content, and data.

The Lawyer Who Won Mahua Moitra's Heart

The Lawyer Who Won Mahua Moitra's Heart

Rediff.com6 Jun 2025

Four-time Odisha MP Pinaki Misra's wedding to firebrand TMC MP Mahua Moitra in a quiet, intimate ceremony that chose privacy and tradition over fanfare, was a reflection of his personal style.

Ola Electric Hits Speed Bumps On Road to Future

Ola Electric Hits Speed Bumps On Road to Future

Rediff.com19 Jun 2025

Clearly, some of the bullishness of the early days has gone missing. Ola's market share is slipping amid rising competition from incumbents like Bajaj Auto and TVS.

Can Iran Expect Help From Putin Now?

Can Iran Expect Help From Putin Now?

Rediff.com23 Jun 2025

Will Russia's entry deter Trump on his warpath?, asks Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Pak a threat to humanity: Owaisi's message to world as delegation member

Pak a threat to humanity: Owaisi's message to world as delegation member

Rediff.com17 May 2025

He added, "You can never trust Pakistan as long as the Pakistani deep state, Pakistani ISI, Pakistani military's objective is to destabilise Bharat."

Is This The Right Time To Stay Invested In Small Caps?

Is This The Right Time To Stay Invested In Small Caps?

Rediff.com28 Apr 2025

Why try to time the market when time in the market works better? History shows that patient investors who stay the course often walk away with the real rewards, says Ramalingam Kalirajan.

MPC members voiced different views on interest rate

MPC members voiced different views on interest rate

Rediff.com23 Dec 2022

The members of the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voiced different views on the interest rate and stance, with two of them indicating they may not vote for further rate increases even if Governor Shaktikanta Das and Deputy Governor Michael Patra maintain bringing down inflation as their primary objective, the minutes of the December review of the monetary policy showed. The other two members remained neutral. The MPC increased the policy repo rate by 35 basis points (bps) - which was lower than the previous three hikes of 50 bps. The repo rate has been hiked by 225 bps to 6.25 per cent since May this year.

1 survives, at least 265 killed in AI crash in Ahmedabad

1 survives, at least 265 killed in AI crash in Ahmedabad

Rediff.com13 Jun 2025

An Air India aircraft with 242 passengers on board heading to London crashed in the Meghaninagar area near Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon, the police said.

'Nagrik Devo Bhava': Modi's message to bureaucrats

'Nagrik Devo Bhava': Modi's message to bureaucrats

Rediff.com21 Apr 2025

Citing evolving needs and aspirations of the citizens, he said that the civil service must adapt to contemporary challenges to remain relevant.

Thumping win for Vinesh Phogat in political debut

Thumping win for Vinesh Phogat in political debut

Rediff.com8 Oct 2024

'This fight was against the strongest oppressive forces in the country. And Vinesh emerged victorious.'

Now Alexa will respond in Bachchan's voice

Now Alexa will respond in Bachchan's voice

Rediff.com4 Oct 2020

Every word spoken by "Alexa Bachchan" is computer-generated, not a recording.

K'taka caste census sparks outrage, Sidda ministers to oppose in cabinet

K'taka caste census sparks outrage, Sidda ministers to oppose in cabinet

Rediff.com16 Apr 2025

Opposition to the Karnataka government's proposed implementation of a caste census has intensified with dominant communities raising concerns about the survey's findings. The report, which has not been publicly released, is said to contradict traditional perceptions regarding the numerical strength of various castes, particularly Veerashaiva-Lingayats and Vokkaligas. These communities, along with political parties, including sections of the ruling Congress, have criticized the survey as "unscientific" and demanded a fresh assessment. The Vokkaligara Sangha and the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha have expressed strong opposition, alleging that the report misrepresents their populations and demanding a fresh survey. Meanwhile, Dalit and OBC groups have defended the survey and its recommendations, including an increase in reservation for OBCs to 51%. The controversy has fueled political tensions in Karnataka, with opposition parties accusing the Congress government of using the caste census for political gain.

New data law: Alexa, Google Home may stop speaking

New data law: Alexa, Google Home may stop speaking

Rediff.com18 Dec 2019

In the worst-case scenario, it will be next to impossible for tech companies like Amazon and Google to run any service that requires user biometrics.

Norms for voice BPOs eased to make India global outsourcing hub

Norms for voice BPOs eased to make India global outsourcing hub

Rediff.com23 Jun 2021

To cement India's position as a preferred global outsourcing destination, the government on Wednesday liberalised guidelines for voice-based BPOs removing the distinction between domestic and international units as well as permitting interconnectivity between all types of OSP centres. Broadly, the rules would allow global companies, say an airline, with a voice-based centre in India to now serve global and domestic customers with common telecom resources, something that required dedicated, separate infrastructure previously. Moreover, the restrictions on data interconnectivity between any BPO (business process outsourcing) centre of the same company, a group company or any unrelated company has been done away with, allowing for massive flexibility in resource management for BPO operations.

Market Storm: Radhika Gupta's Advice for Investors

Market Storm: Radhika Gupta's Advice for Investors

Rediff.com16 Jan 2025

Gripped with fear as an investor following a 12 per cent market fall? Here's Radhika Gupta's advice to investors.

Jio announces free domestic voice calls from Jan 1 as IUC regime ends

Jio announces free domestic voice calls from Jan 1 as IUC regime ends

Rediff.com31 Dec 2020

With the interconnect usage charges (IUC) regime for domestic voice calls coming to an end, Reliance Jio on Thursday said that all calls from its network to other networks anywhere in India will be free from January 1, 2021. As per the telecom regulator's directions, 'Bill and Keep' regime is being implemented in the country from January 1, 2021, thereby ending IUC charges for all domestic voice calls, it said in a statement.

Data Protection Bill panel gets 5th extension till Winter Session

Data Protection Bill panel gets 5th extension till Winter Session

Rediff.com23 Jul 2021

The JCP was constituted in the Lok Sabha in December 2019 and was expected to submit its report in the Budget Session.

179 killed as South Korean plane crashes on runway; 2 rescued

179 killed as South Korean plane crashes on runway; 2 rescued

Rediff.com29 Dec 2024

After a passenger jet with 181 people on board burst into flames after veering off the runway and colliding with a wall at an airport in South Korea's Muan County on Sunday, authorities believe all but two onboard are feared to have been killed, Yonhap News Agency reported.

OBC quota: Maha seeks 2011 census data from Centre

OBC quota: Maha seeks 2011 census data from Centre

Rediff.com5 Jul 2021

The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Monday passed a resolution urging the Centre to provide the 2011 census data to enable the State Backward Class Commission to prepare an empirical data of the OBC population, in a bid to restore political reservations for its members in local bodies.

'It's Like Being Handed A Formula 1 Race Car, But Choosing To Walk'

'It's Like Being Handed A Formula 1 Race Car, But Choosing To Walk'

Rediff.com25 Feb 2025

'The choice is clear: We either embrace this transformation and cement our global leadership, or hesitate, lose ground, and fade into irrelevance.'

TikTok has interfered in polls, including India: US senators

TikTok has interfered in polls, including India: US senators

Rediff.com16 Jan 2025

US senators have alleged that TikTok, owned by the Chinese Communist Party, has interfered in elections of various countries, including India, and called for extending the deadline for a ban on the platform in the US. They applauded India's ban on the social media platform, citing concerns about Chinese propaganda and data harvesting. Lawmakers, including Democrats and Republicans, introduced legislation to delay the ban by 270 days, arguing it would allow for a more thorough review of the implications and potential alternatives to a ban. They also criticized the rushed nature of the ban and its potential impact on free speech and the livelihoods of American users.

BSNL walks out as surprise winner of July tariff battle

BSNL walks out as surprise winner of July tariff battle

Rediff.com23 Sep 2024

After continuously bleeding subscribers for nearly two years, state-owned telecom services provider BSNL added 2.9 million users in July when its private-sector rivals raised tariffs by nearly 20 per cent. With BSNL keeping tariffs unchanged, many subscribers using entry-level plans shifted from Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea (Vi), said analysts.

Tech disrupting traditional industries, warn biz leaders

Tech disrupting traditional industries, warn biz leaders

Rediff.com13 Feb 2025

Technology is rapidly reshaping industries that have long been rooted in tradition, driving a wave of innovation that is transforming everything from finance, banking, steel to manufacturing.

Traditional ties with US are over: Canadian PM's big remark

Traditional ties with US are over: Canadian PM's big remark

Rediff.com28 Mar 2025

In a dramatic shift in Canada's foreign policy, Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday declared that the long-standing economic and security relationship between Canada and the United States has ended, responding to US President Donald Trump's announcement of new auto tariffs that could severely impact Canada's economy, Politico reported.

Alexa, can I trust you with my data?

Alexa, can I trust you with my data?

Rediff.com21 May 2018

One of the key concerns for non-users of voice assistants is trust.

Covid blues: Data surge, 4G transition save telcos

Covid blues: Data surge, 4G transition save telcos

Rediff.com28 Jul 2020

Among other segments, home broadband subscriptions have picked up and the virtual private network service, too, increased by around 15 per cent.

Jio mobile tariff to go up by 12-27% from Jul 3

Jio mobile tariff to go up by 12-27% from Jul 3

Rediff.com27 Jun 2024

Reliance Jio, India's top telecom operator, announced a 12-27 per cent hike in mobile tariffs -- the first in two and half years, setting the stage for other operators like Vodafone Idea to raise charges. The company has also restricted the access of unlimited free 5G services for customers. The hike comes immediately after the spectrum auction, as per the anticipation of sector experts.

Will RJio's be hit by Airtel's unlimited voice call offer?

Will RJio's be hit by Airtel's unlimited voice call offer?

Rediff.com5 Aug 2016

Under another plan, it will offer unlimited voice calling along with 100 SMS per day, 5GB 3G/4G data and free subscription to Wynk Music and Wynk Movies for Rs 1,599

Are Trump and Musk Dismantling American Democracy?

Are Trump and Musk Dismantling American Democracy?

Rediff.com22 Feb 2025

We the people are left in the wind, waiting on the whims of an unengaged president and an oligarch with a nearly bottomless wallet, observes Sree Sreenivasan.

'Plane Was Completely Destroyed'

'Plane Was Completely Destroyed'

Rediff.com30 Dec 2024

'After the plane collided with the wall, passengers were thrown out of the aircraft.'

Jio users to be charged for voice calls for the first time

Jio users to be charged for voice calls for the first time

Rediff.com9 Oct 2019

Jio to charge users 6 paisa/min for voice calls made to rival phone networks. However, these charges are not applicable on calls made by Jio users to other Jio phones and to landline phones and calls made using WhatsApp, FaceTime and other such platforms.