News for 'democracy restoration'

Arjun Rampal to the media: Mind your own business!

Arjun Rampal to the media: Mind your own business!

Rediff.com11 Mar 2015

A look at the top tweets from your favourite Bollywood celebrities.

Egypt: Criminal probe launched against Morsi

Egypt: Criminal probe launched against Morsi

Rediff.com14 Jul 2013

61-year-old Morsi, Egypt's first democratically elected president, was toppled by the powerful military early this month and since has been kept under detention along with some senior aides of his Muslim Brotherhood party.

How NC and PDP have failed Kashmir, and New Delhi

How NC and PDP have failed Kashmir, and New Delhi

Rediff.com17 Aug 2016

'The National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party, as recent events suggest, are quite content as New Delhi's collaborators rather than trying to be true representatives of the Kashmiri people,' says Athar Parvaiz.

Modi, Ghani inaugurate landmark Afghan-India Friendship Dam

Modi, Ghani inaugurate landmark Afghan-India Friendship Dam

Rediff.com4 Jun 2016

The Afghan-India Friendship Dam, earlier known as Salma Dam, on river Chist-e-Sharif in western Herat neighbouring Iran, will irrigate 75,000 hectares of land and generate 42 MW of power.

Pak anti-govt protesters march on; shots fired at Imran

Pak anti-govt protesters march on; shots fired at Imran

Rediff.com15 Aug 2014

Determined to oust Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, tens of thousands of protesters on Friday marched towards the capital in two separate convoys as clashes erupted with opposition leader Imran Khan claiming that ruling PML-N activists fired at his vehicle.

Message for Modi from Sharif's visit

Message for Modi from Sharif's visit

Rediff.com26 May 2014

The biggest success of Nawaz Sharif's visit to India is that it will lessen mistrust between the two countries, writes Amir Mateen from Islamabad.

I Am Bihar: Looking for JP

I Am Bihar: Looking for JP

Rediff.com28 Oct 2015

JP was a People's Hero unmatched in Independent India. Archana Masih goes to Jayaprakash Narayan's village looking for Bihar's greatest son as the claimants of his legacy go to war in what is being called the Election of Elections.

'The Modi government is in panic mode'

'The Modi government is in panic mode'

Rediff.com5 Sep 2017

'Modi and his team have read the message from the ground.' 'People have started questioning what they have achieved by putting Modi in power.'

'Kanak Mani Dixit being punished for his anti-establishment writing'

'Kanak Mani Dixit being punished for his anti-establishment writing'

Rediff.com25 Apr 2016

Aseem Chhabra on his friend, the firebrand Nepali journalist Kanak Mani Dixit, who was arrested last week. Aseem, who has known Dixit for 35 years, believes the charges are trumped up.

What Indira Gandhi's Emergency proved for India

What Indira Gandhi's Emergency proved for India

Rediff.com23 Jun 2010

'If Indira Gandhi's Emergency proved anything at all, it established that India would be governed, to the extent it can be governed, democratically or not at all,' says Inder Malhotra.

Before the Owaisis there was Shahabuddin

Before the Owaisis there was Shahabuddin

Rediff.com9 Mar 2017

Today as one sees the Owaisi brothers of Hyderabad seeking to lay claim as the custodian of the Muslim vote and the upholders of the community's interests, it is Shahabuddin who springs to mind for having been there, done that, says Saisuresh Sivaswamy.

The unbridgeable distance between words and meaning

The unbridgeable distance between words and meaning

Rediff.com12 May 2015

A time comes when the distance between words and meaning becomes unbridgeable. Or, words become shells, which hide the real intent of the speaker. To understand how language works in the case of a person like the present prime minister, you'll have to analyse the way language is practiced by the RSS, says Apoorvanand.

'Who actually enjoys the fruits of development?'

'Who actually enjoys the fruits of development?'

Rediff.com14 Feb 2016

'Although strong arm tactics do cause inconvenience, they have not been able to stop us from carrying out our campaigns.' 'Allegations about being 'anti-development' mean very little when people in the country are still going hungry.' Greenpeace India chief Ravi Chellam on the challenges ahead.

Modi enthralls Silicon Valley, shares dream of making India a $20 trillion economy

Modi enthralls Silicon Valley, shares dream of making India a $20 trillion economy

Rediff.com28 Sep 2015

My dream is to convert Indian economy into $20 trillion from the present $8 trillion.

Could 2017 be a repeat of 1975?

Could 2017 be a repeat of 1975?

Rediff.com26 Jun 2017

'It would be too sweeping to say that the elites and the middle-class don't care about liberty.' 'It is just that they are always calculating the trade-offs: What's in it for me, what could it cost me?' 'To that extent, we haven't changed in 40 years,' says Shekhar Gupta.

Corruption major stumbling block in progress: President

Corruption major stumbling block in progress: President

Rediff.com11 Feb 2014

Terming corruption as a "major stumbling block" in the country's progress, President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday asked the central vigilance commission to lead the way in cleansing the government.

Why you should know what's going on in France

Why you should know what's going on in France

Rediff.com2 May 2017

'France's challenges revolve around an uncertain economic future, multiple terrorist attacks on French soil and a European migration crisis tied to the situation in Syria and Iraq.'

Judicial bill in RS: Govt, Oppn unite to attack judiciary

Judicial bill in RS: Govt, Oppn unite to attack judiciary

Rediff.com5 Sep 2013

The government and opposition were on Thursday united in criticising the functioning of the judiciary while seeking to scrap the collegium system of appointing judges to higher courts, saying it is essential to restore the delicate balance of power which has been disturbed.

In (partial) defence of the IAS

In (partial) defence of the IAS

Rediff.com15 Jun 2015

Administration is an evolving process, requiring the civil service to constantly re-invent itself to meet new challenges. The administration must become accountable to the law of the land and to the people.

Of markets, politics and policy

Of markets, politics and policy

Rediff.com19 Sep 2013

The fragmentation of politics and the pressures of coalition management have contributed to a near-secular rise in budgetary social expenditures and spending on subsidies since 1991, leaving little fiscal space for government-led capital investment.

525 killed in deadliest crackdown on Morsi supporters in Egypt

525 killed in deadliest crackdown on Morsi supporters in Egypt

Rediff.com15 Aug 2013

Egypt's defiant Muslim Brotherhood on Thursday vowed to bring down the military-backed government as it called for a massive anti-regime rally, a day after over 525 people were killed in the deadliest crackdown by security forces on supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi.

The most crucial Indo-US defence issue that Modi-Obama need to discuss

The most crucial Indo-US defence issue that Modi-Obama need to discuss

Rediff.com25 Jan 2015

'Implementation of the US-India Defence Technology and Trade Initiative is as much a test for the Modi government to direct its bureaucratic processes, as it is of US commitment,' says Lieutenant General Anil Chait (retd).

Abdullah Abdullah emerges front-runner in Afghan poll

Abdullah Abdullah emerges front-runner in Afghan poll

Rediff.com11 Jun 2014

P B Chandra reports from Kabul on the Afghan presidential election, that has entered a run-off stage for the first time. The battle now is between the two frontrunners Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, with Abdullah holding the edge.

A piece of advice for India's liberals

A piece of advice for India's liberals

Rediff.com7 Jun 2014

Indian liberals' sanctimony is matched only by their inability to think clearly. They need lessons in logic

Warlike situation in Arunachal, Guv in danger: Centre to SC

Warlike situation in Arunachal, Guv in danger: Centre to SC

Rediff.com29 Jan 2016

The Centre said the reports of the governor mention that law and order situation has been deteriorating every passing day and there was 'total collapse' of the law and order machinery.

Congress and its 'Achche Din' dreams

Congress and its 'Achche Din' dreams

Rediff.com30 Nov 2015

The resurgence that Congressmen feel is in fact more sentimental than substantive. The substantive reality is that the Congress is a party in terminal decline since 1989, says Shekhar Gupta.

Nehru's niece: 'I don't think one family should rule India'

Nehru's niece: 'I don't think one family should rule India'

Rediff.com9 Dec 2014

'This term -- "Nehru-Gandhi" family -- is a misnomer. Nehru was not a dynast; he did not even name his successor... The big mistake she made was to push forward Rahul Gandhi who is a dead loss as a leader,' says Nayantara Sahgal, whom Sonia Gandhi calls 'Tara Masi.'

Prez seeks cooperation of MPs as budget session of Parliament begins

Prez seeks cooperation of MPs as budget session of Parliament begins

Rediff.com23 Feb 2015

With clouds of storm hovering over Parliament's budget session, President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday sought the "cooperation" of all MPs in the smooth conduct of legislative business but gave no indication of plans to bring changes in the controversial land acquisition ordinance.

'Obama's visit honours India's Constitution, military might'

'Obama's visit honours India's Constitution, military might'

Rediff.com25 Jan 2015

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Barack Obama will meet on Sunday, January 25, at Hyderabad House a few hours after the American leader's arrival in New Delhi.

'To have a war or not is in Chinese hands'

'To have a war or not is in Chinese hands'

Rediff.com27 Jul 2017

'India is a huge market for Chinese goods. I don't think a war stands to logic when you have economic compulsions, but then Chinese are known to do illogical things.'

Are we destroying leadership at the IITs?

Are we destroying leadership at the IITs?

Rediff.com21 Apr 2017

'As engineers, as alumni and as Indians, we should be concerned about today's leadership that is making tomorrow's leaders at our IITs,' says Air Marshal P V Athawale PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd).

Why August 9, 1953 casts a dark shadow over Kashmir

Why August 9, 1953 casts a dark shadow over Kashmir

Rediff.com9 Aug 2016

On that day, Sheikh Abdullah, political anchor of J&K's accession with the Indian Union, was unceremoniously removed from power and put behind bars; causing a tectonic emotional breach and setting off disastrous fault lines between Srinagar and New Delhi and its effects continue to this day, says Mohammad Sayeed Malik.

General Rawat knows the challenges his men face

General Rawat knows the challenges his men face

Rediff.com18 Feb 2017

'The scope of cordon and search operations has changed drastically.' 'Operations are now more focused, intelligence driven and involve very small cordons with minimum inconvenience to the people.' 'This has been the humanisation of conflict.' 'It has come to be institutionalised in the army's concept.' 'General Rawat has been schooled in this thinking and when he makes a statement it is with full consciousness of the institutionalised concept,' says Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (retd), the former GOC 15 Corps in Srinagar and the officer acclaimed as the 'People's General'.

The RBI has lost credibility and needs a revamp

The RBI has lost credibility and needs a revamp

Rediff.com16 Jan 2017

'The temptation of governments, to have a finger in the RBI pie will be just too great to resist, unless extensive amendments are carried out in the RBI Act treating it almost as the fourth branch of the government.'

FULL TEXT of Trump's address on South Asia policy

FULL TEXT of Trump's address on South Asia policy

Rediff.com22 Aug 2017

'For its part, Pakistan often gives safe haven to agents of chaos, violence, and terror.'

'To call the BJP or its leaders 'fascist' is historically untenable'

'To call the BJP or its leaders 'fascist' is historically untenable'

Rediff.com16 May 2014

'Narendra Modi could be too old to change his personality. On the other hand, his attachment to the RSS could be mostly sentimental. So one must hope that if he becomes prime minister, he is able to detach himself from the RSS view of the world as completely as Narasimha Rao detached himself from the Congress's First Family.' 'India cannot be governed by the autocratic methods by which he has governed Gujarat. If he becomes prime minister he will have to learn to speak in a more civil language about his political opponents,' historian Ramachandra Guha tells Arthur J Pais/Rediff.com

Don't the massacres prick your conscience, Azambhai?

Don't the massacres prick your conscience, Azambhai?

Rediff.com16 Sep 2013

'The spread of barbarity in Muzaffarnagar's villages makes administrative complicity so very evident that your government is rightly alleged to be imitating what the Modi-led administration did in Gujarat in 2002,' Mohammad Sajjad tells UP Minister Azam Khan.

Economic issues key to Modi's US visit

Economic issues key to Modi's US visit

Rediff.com25 Sep 2014

'Political meetings will be a mere side show; the main show is economic investment and the business partnership. The success of Modi's US visit will be judged on the basis of India's ability to attract American investment and setting up of manufacturing in India to give jobs to millions,' says Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

No votes for Muslims: Sena's demand, a cry in the wilderness

No votes for Muslims: Sena's demand, a cry in the wilderness

Rediff.com14 Apr 2015

'It was Dr B R Ambedkar's foresight which saved us from some marauding state political leaders who could have indirectly disfranchised large sections of our population as we see some attempts even now,' says V Balachandran.

'Indo-US partnership is stuck right now'

'Indo-US partnership is stuck right now'

Rediff.com4 Mar 2014

In perhaps the first major conference on the United States-India strategic partnership in the aftermath of the Khobragade controversy that plunged the bilateral relationship in a downward spiral and is now in the process of being resurrected, the undeniable consensus among the panelists and participants was that much ballyhooed strategic convergence between Washington and New Delhi has dissipated.