News for 'West Japan'

Deaths on the football pitch

Deaths on the football pitch

Rediff.com21 Oct 2014

Rediff.com lists the footballers who died while playing, in the last decade.

The iconic hotel that Nehru built

The iconic hotel that Nehru built

Rediff.com28 Dec 2016

Nehru decided to build The Ashok in New Delhi to host a UNESCO conference. For a prime minister focussed on India building with projects like the Bhakra-Nangal Dam, IITs and factories, "the hotel spoke of the gumption of the country at that time." Manavi Kapur traces the eventful journey of the hotel, which has now completed 60 years.

Air India almost stopped Sumit Nagal from flying to Wimbledon!

Air India almost stopped Sumit Nagal from flying to Wimbledon!

Rediff.com23 Jul 2015

'Even if we ate our chappatis with pickle, we ensured proper food for Sumit.'

Exclusive! US Ambassador Richard Verma's journey so far

Exclusive! US Ambassador Richard Verma's journey so far

Rediff.com10 Mar 2016

'The past year has yielded extraordinary results in the strategic, commercial, and people-to-people components of the India-United States partnership, US Ambassador to India Richard Rahul Verma tells Aziz Haniffa/Rediff.com in an exclusive interview.

What China's military plans mean for India

What China's military plans mean for India

Rediff.com27 Oct 2015

'There are major implications for India. Though there was a transparently thin attempt to project the troop reduction as intended to promote peace, the downsizing is actually part of plans to streamline and strengthen the PLA, capable of defending China's national interests at home and abroad,' says Jayadev Ranade.

World's largest tech fair at Bengaluru, Sikka to skip meet

World's largest tech fair at Bengaluru, Sikka to skip meet

Rediff.com12 Nov 2014

The event, organised by Deutsche Messe AG, is held each year at the Hanover fairground, the world's largest, in Hanover, Germany.

When Nehru sought US assistance during 1962 Indo-China war

When Nehru sought US assistance during 1962 Indo-China war

Rediff.com14 Oct 2015

Former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru had sought American assistance and wrote to the then US president John F Kennedy to provide India jet fighters to stem the Chinese tide of aggression during the 1962 Sino-India war, according to a new book.

Donald Trump: A dangerous mind

Donald Trump: A dangerous mind

Rediff.com27 Jul 2016

'India and Indian Americans cannot rely on wishful thinking about the checks and balances in the US system to magically take care of the many dangerous things that Trump could do,' says Chicago-based writer Ram Kelkar.

May the Arctic chill pass

May the Arctic chill pass

Rediff.com15 Jan 2014

'Devyani -- she is a public servant and her personal life has already received far too much attention -- and her ambitious father now need to retreat to the background so that wiser diplomatic heads restore sanity to India-US relations as India prepares for parliamentary elections,' says Ambassador K C Singh.

So what will Prime Minister Modi do?

So what will Prime Minister Modi do?

Rediff.com23 May 2014

For one, the prime minister's residence will go vegetarian for the first time; Amitabh Bachchan, deservingly, will be conferred the Bharat Ratna; and the people can expect a lot of emotion-loaded communication from the prime minister, feels Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com

Why India must put any overtures to Pakistan on hold

Why India must put any overtures to Pakistan on hold

Rediff.com15 May 2014

Given our troubled relationship with Pakistan, we need to keep our security apparatus in a state of alert with state-of-the-art equipment. All bilateral issues with Pakistan -- political, military, economic -- will simply have to go on the back-burner till Pakistan decides it wants to live as a good neighbour, says Vikram Sood.

FIIs struggling to understand if economy is picking up or slowing down: Neelkanth Mishra

FIIs struggling to understand if economy is picking up or slowing down: Neelkanth Mishra

Rediff.com5 May 2015

In the near term, the key driver will still be the government's fiscal spending.

Game changing flavours

Game changing flavours

Rediff.com9 Mar 2015

Leading chefs from across the country share their journeys to find exotic ingredients and techniques.

'In the national interest, English is a must'

'In the national interest, English is a must'

Rediff.com1 Aug 2014

'In UP/Bihar there is no industry. There are no other jobs, you either herd cows, teach or join the IAS. The brightest go to the IITs. The rest go to arts college and they become IAS officers and it is this crowd that is now agitating.' 'English is the business language of the world, we have to accept that. If I had done my IIT in Hindi, I would be stuck in the cow belt without work.' IIT graduate, entrepreneur and politician R K Misra on the row over English in the UPSC prelims.

Why Modi is silent on the Congress 'deals'

Why Modi is silent on the Congress 'deals'

Rediff.com22 Jul 2014

'The Modi administration has access to so much evidence that it can rip apart the Congress, not just the Nehru-Gandhis, but almost the entire leadership structure of the party,' says T V R Shenoy.

How Modi will change India's foreign policy

How Modi will change India's foreign policy

Rediff.com14 May 2014

'Foreign policy-making cannot be shifted out of Delhi and the regional satraps, who do not have a national perspective, should not be allowed to dominate foreign policy. But regional inputs should be integral to foreign policy-making at every step of the way,' says Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

Nestle and the Billa-Ranga syndrome

Nestle and the Billa-Ranga syndrome

Rediff.com10 Jun 2015

Just as Billa-Ranga had become symbols of everything that was wrong with the system many years ago, Nestle is now portrayed as the wickedest of the wicked. Every known food crime in India is now attributed to Nestle including deliberately increasing the level of lead in their noodles, as well as deliberately destroying the health of millions. That's not only unfair, it's downright idiotic, says Rajeev Srinivasan.

Four lessons of change from Tata Communications CEO

Four lessons of change from Tata Communications CEO

Rediff.com25 May 2015

Vinod Kumar, Tata Communication CEO has amazing business strategies to enhance topline.

Devyani row: Strong Indian response shocks US officials

Devyani row: Strong Indian response shocks US officials

Rediff.com29 Dec 2013

India's unusual tough stand on the arrest of its diplomat Devyani Khobragade has forced the United States to initiate an "inter-agency review" to look into the lapses that happened in the high-profile case that triggered an uproar in India and strained bilateral ties.

The business of Indian diplomacy is business

The business of Indian diplomacy is business

Rediff.com14 Jun 2016

Making it easier to do business is a key element of our strategy, says Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar.

Sports Shorts: Ibra shows sensitive side after winning Gold Ball

Sports Shorts: Ibra shows sensitive side after winning Gold Ball

Rediff.com12 Nov 2014

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been named Sweden's footballer of the year for the ninth time and although his eighth victory in a row came as no shock, his acceptance speech showing a more sensitive side surprised many.

How rising competition adds to Air India's woes

How rising competition adds to Air India's woes

Rediff.com4 Nov 2014

The national carrier's market share has declined from a near-monopoly to 16.6 per cent as of September 2014.

Transforming the relationship: From the transactional to the strategic

Transforming the relationship: From the transactional to the strategic

Rediff.com2 Oct 2014

'To expect that he has a magic wand to resolve all differences and announce breakthroughs in all issues during his first visit to the US is to be unrealistic,' says Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

Hinduphobia: Intolerance, racial and religious

Hinduphobia: Intolerance, racial and religious

Rediff.com19 Feb 2015

'I do hope the Patel family sues the hell out of the state of Alabama, and I hope the Hindu American Foundation and other community organisations are helping with legal aid and monetary support. For, there is reason to believe that it is religious and racial bias that led to the incident: In other words, a hate crime. There is no reason to suffer that silently.'

For Kolkata, Mother Teresa was always a saint

For Kolkata, Mother Teresa was always a saint

Rediff.com3 Sep 2016

When Pope Francis canonizes the late Mother Teresa at the Vatican on September 4, she will officially be recognised as a saint of the Roman Catholic Church. However, for her followers in Kolkata, the title is a mere formality.

'China has stolen a march over us in naval capability'

'China has stolen a march over us in naval capability'

Rediff.com3 Feb 2016

'We have been found seriously wanting in addressing our undersea warfare capability and China's emergence is a cause for concern.'

'Modi'fication of foreign policy

'Modi'fication of foreign policy

Rediff.com25 Oct 2013

Narendra Modi's promise to allow states a bigger say in strategising and building foreign policy is unexceptionable, says TP Sreenivasan.

PM aims for desi boost for India's military build-up

PM aims for desi boost for India's military build-up

Rediff.com15 Dec 2015

Excerpts from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech at the Combined Commanders Conference on board the INS Vikramaditya at sea, off the coast of Kochi.

Shiv Shankar Menon hangs up his boots after 42 years

Shiv Shankar Menon hangs up his boots after 42 years

Rediff.com27 May 2014

Those who know Shiv Shankar Menon will vouch that he did lots of things, substantial in the immediate neighbourhood and widespread in South Asia, but without making things public. Twenty per cent of Menon's job was visible, while 80 per cemt of his job was not known to the public, says Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com

What happens when the Congress 'High Command' is no longer in command?

What happens when the Congress 'High Command' is no longer in command?

Rediff.com4 Dec 2013

'One senior Congress leader told me: "As long as Rahul is seen arriving there is no harm done, but when he opens his mouth, oh God...",' reveals T V R Shenoy.

Why India Inc still fears MNCs

Why India Inc still fears MNCs

Rediff.com13 May 2016

Business reacted with caution to the reforms of 1991, and demanded protection from multinationals and imports. Twenty-five years later, traces of that demand can still be found, reports Bhupesh Bhandari.

China drives India into the arms of the US

China drives India into the arms of the US

Rediff.com13 Jun 2016

'If the dimensions of the strategic partnership worked out by India and the US seem like a grand alliance targeted at you-know-who, China had better realise that it has fathered it,' says B S Raghavan, a long time observer of China.

Sports Shorts: Davis Cup to remain annual event

Sports Shorts: Davis Cup to remain annual event

Rediff.com17 Sep 2014

The Davis Cup will remain an annual tournament despite persistent complaints from some players that it over-burdens an already-crowded schedule, the head of the sport's governing body said on Tuesday.

'David Headley has a very deep-felt hatred for India'

'David Headley has a very deep-felt hatred for India'

Rediff.com1 Aug 2016

If the radical Islamic movement had been largely peaceful, Headley would have probably found another way to ensure real life excitement.' 'But I really do believe that his relationship with radical Islam is real. Very real.' 'It was a match for his desires.'

Mr PM, give us the freedom to achieve economic success

Mr PM, give us the freedom to achieve economic success

Rediff.com17 Aug 2015

After many false starts, India may well be at the inflexion point that Deng Xiaoping took China to post-1978. The window of opportunity is wide open right now, says Rajeev Srinivasan.

After years of neglect, Tirupur starts to weave a fortune

After years of neglect, Tirupur starts to weave a fortune

Rediff.com3 Sep 2014

With China and Bangladesh losing their edge, textile exports from Tirupur are rising once again, turning the city into a job magnet.

Can India and China ever be friends?

Can India and China ever be friends?

Rediff.com4 Dec 2014

'A participant in many rounds of the border talks with China once told me that China seemed not interested in resolving the border issue as it wanted to keep it as a ready excuse to intervene in the sub-continent,' says Colonel (retd) Anil A Athale.

American sins come to haunt Iraq, Syria

American sins come to haunt Iraq, Syria

Rediff.com23 Jun 2014

Iraq is on the verge of collapsing and foreign military intervention is inevitable. But for those who follow the developments in Iraq and the Middle-East will understand the current situation is nothing but a culmination of US and western policies toward the region, says Dr Waiel Awwad

Election 2014: Modi versus Macaulay's ghost

Election 2014: Modi versus Macaulay's ghost

Rediff.com17 Jun 2014

The post mandate comments that 'darkness has descended on India' shows the kind of opposition Modi has to overcome. It is this aspirational India that is attempting to throw away shackles of Macualayism. Make no mistake it is a tectonic shift and a beginning of the end of Maculayan mindset that has 'ruled' India for close to 60 years, says Colonel (retd) Anil Athale.