News for 'foundation of democracy'

'Pakistan treating US like chumps'

'Pakistan treating US like chumps'

Rediff.com13 Jul 2016

American lawmakers and experts called for cutting off aid to the country and listing it as a state sponsoring terrorism.

President Pranab lists 8 steps to resolve India, China issues

President Pranab lists 8 steps to resolve India, China issues

Rediff.com26 May 2016

Outlining eight "pillars" for the future of India-China relations, President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday underlined the need for comprehensively resolving challenges including the boundary question through "political acumen" and "civilisational wisdom".

Tharoor: 'Scindia's shallowness and hollowness of convictions'

Tharoor: 'Scindia's shallowness and hollowness of convictions'

Rediff.com11 Mar 2020

'Scindia's willingness to consort with the BJP, a party he has rightly, and eloquently, excoriated in various speeches and statements in the recent past suggest a shallowness and hollowness of convictions and principles.'

Why the privacy verdict matters

Why the privacy verdict matters

Rediff.com6 Sep 2017

The court has correctly refrained from defining privacy or delineating definitively its contours

Poll reforms should begin with the Election Commission

Poll reforms should begin with the Election Commission

Rediff.com31 Jan 2018

For successive governments the Election Commission remains a 'holy cow', where unhealthy precedents are allowed to be nurtured since Independence, says N Sathiya Moorthy.

'I get slightly troubled when people see Sherlock Holmes as sexy'

'I get slightly troubled when people see Sherlock Holmes as sexy'

Rediff.com17 Sep 2015

'I was very wary about stepping into the limelight and the populist role like Sherlock Holmes, but the minute I saw who was involved and read the script and the quality of it I thought: I've got to do this.' Benedict Cumberbatch tells CNN International why he nearly turned down the chance to play Sherlock Homes.

FULL TEXT: Pranab's address at RSS headquarters

FULL TEXT: Pranab's address at RSS headquarters

Rediff.com7 Jun 2018

The soul of India resides in pluralism and tolerance. This plurality of our society has come through assimilation of ideas over centuries. Secularism and inclusion are a matter of faith for us. It is our composite culture which makes us into one nation.

'Passing Aadhaar Act as Money Bill amounts to fraud'

'Passing Aadhaar Act as Money Bill amounts to fraud'

Rediff.com27 Sep 2018

He said the Aadhaar programme violated informational privacy, self-determination and data protection.

Can the EC fight Tamil Nadu's 'cash-for-votes' frenzy?

Can the EC fight Tamil Nadu's 'cash-for-votes' frenzy?

Rediff.com27 Apr 2016

The EC's actions remain to be seen on 'money-hoarding and transportation' for poll-time use. The question remains if the polity in the state would push the EC so far as to use the countermanding option. Even then EC would have to push its constitutional powers to find a way to prevent 'money-power' in the state's elections, says N Sathiya Moorthy

Mr Rashtrapati, please tell us how to repair the Republic!

Mr Rashtrapati, please tell us how to repair the Republic!

Rediff.com31 Jan 2014

'Since Pranab Mukherjee is the Custodian of the Constitution, he should present practical ideas to solve the problems he has been so outspokenly highlighting,' feels Sudheendra Kulkarni.

Modi-Trump meet: Who will say what?

Modi-Trump meet: Who will say what?

Rediff.com21 Jun 2017

'Even in this age of self-willed and authoritarian leaders and spontaneous gestures, a script is still written,' notes Ambassador B S Prakash, imagining the 'talking points' are for the India-US summit on June 26.

'The BJP has behaved disgracefully'

'The BJP has behaved disgracefully'

Rediff.com29 Mar 2016

'This is about demolishing all that we have stood for as a nation after Independence. This is an attack on the nation's very foundation.'

25 years in the making, Encyclopedia of Hinduism finally unveiled

25 years in the making, Encyclopedia of Hinduism finally unveiled

Rediff.com27 Aug 2013

A 25-year quest by nearly 1,000 scholars to document and present one of the world's oldest living traditions came to fruition when the 'Encyclopedia of Hinduism' was unveiled in Columbia.

Sutlej canal: SC ruling sets Punjab's political pot boiling

Sutlej canal: SC ruling sets Punjab's political pot boiling

Rediff.com10 Nov 2016

Supreme Court's ruling favouring Haryana on the contentious Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal issue has set political temperature soaring in Punjab, with the state Congress chief Amarinder Singh quitting as Member of Parliament and all MLAs following suit, as Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal asserted "not a drop of water" will be allowed to be taken out of the state.

Manmohan's advice for Modi: 'No free market without freedom'

Manmohan's advice for Modi: 'No free market without freedom'

Rediff.com6 Nov 2015

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday stepped into the raging debate on intolerance by condemning the murders of dissenters and some on the basis of what they eat and said the nation is deeply concerned at the "blatant violation" of the right to freedom of thought, belief and speech by some violent extremist groups.

Assault or murder of thinkers can't be justified: Manmohan on intolerance

Assault or murder of thinkers can't be justified: Manmohan on intolerance

Rediff.com6 Nov 2015

Amid a raging debate over intolerance, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday deplored "blatant violation" of the right to freedom of thought by "some violent extremist groups" and shared the view that it was an "assault on the nation".

Why Privacy must be a Fundamental Right

Why Privacy must be a Fundamental Right

Rediff.com17 Aug 2017

Privacy is liberty itself. And in ruling on it, the Supreme Court must not only seize the concerns of today but also gaze into the future, says Apar Gupta.

The Pakistan Problem: The Long Term Option

The Pakistan Problem: The Long Term Option

Rediff.com14 Feb 2018

'The best course for India is to wait out the implosion that is bound to take place in Pakistan sooner than later.' 'We have to ensure that the fallings debris from a collapsing State does not damage us,' says Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

In final speech to India, Obama emphasises religious tolerance

In final speech to India, Obama emphasises religious tolerance

Rediff.com27 Jan 2015

"India will succeed if it's not splintered on religious lines."

What India's youth can learn from Gandhi

What India's youth can learn from Gandhi

Rediff.com9 May 2017

'You are beginning your professional life in a time of global turmoil, when economic systems and the earth's eco-systems are in deep crisis.' 'Societies across the world are struggling with the complexity of technological and social change happening at a speed that our species has never experienced before.' 'May you be more excited than frightened by the times we live in.' 'Precisely because the crises are so deep, there are also unprecedented opportunities for pioneering and brave work that can transform society, culture and economy to create a much better world for your children.'

Uttarakhand HC quashes President's Rule, orders floor test on April 29

Uttarakhand HC quashes President's Rule, orders floor test on April 29

Rediff.com21 Apr 2016

The chief minister Harish Rawat has been asked to prove his majority on April 29.

The Indian touch is what BRICS needs

The Indian touch is what BRICS needs

Rediff.com6 Sep 2017

'The BRICS anthem has to necessarily be an anthem of Vedic times -- Walk together, Dream together, Achieve together.' 'And who knows it better than Modi?' says Tarun Vijay.

India-Nepal relations: Close neighbours tread a precarious path

India-Nepal relations: Close neighbours tread a precarious path

Rediff.com10 Dec 2015

The contrived controversy over the so-called blockade of the India-Nepal border has obscured the perilous path on which the current ruling elite in Nepal are taking the country towards.

2019: The year in photos

2019: The year in photos

Rediff.com2 Jan 2020

We sorted through countless photographs taken around the world to come up with the top photos of 2019. Together these images tell the story of the year -- capturing moments of hope and heartbreak, triumph and tragedy.

'Success is not the only thing you should pursue'

'Success is not the only thing you should pursue'

Rediff.com20 Mar 2019

'What is forgotten but is actually as important for a society's long run success is morality.' 'Morals and trust are the nuts and bolts of an economy.' 'Without those you can get short run success, but not long-run development.'

Ami Bera's father, 83, sentenced to year in prison

Ami Bera's father, 83, sentenced to year in prison

Rediff.com19 Aug 2016

United States Congressman's father is convicted of making illegal donations to his son's campaign coffers.

BJP has nothing new to offer, stealing our ideas: Sonia

BJP has nothing new to offer, stealing our ideas: Sonia

Rediff.com13 Aug 2014

In a frontal attack on the Narendra Modi government, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday said there has been an "alarming increase" in communal incidents since it came to power and asked party men to resist its "authoritarian and sectarian" tendencies.

'Modi hit the ball out of the park'

'Modi hit the ball out of the park'

Rediff.com9 Jun 2016

'The speech he delivered had a profound impact on my colleagues,' US Congressman Ed Royce, Chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee, tells Aziz Haniffa/Rediff.com in an exclusive interview.

Not surprised by Khan de-linking Pak from Pulwama attack: MEA

Not surprised by Khan de-linking Pak from Pulwama attack: MEA

Rediff.com20 Feb 2019

It said the prime minister of Pakistan has neither chosen to condemn the heinous act nor condoled with the bereaved families.

Modi says Mamata shielding corrupt; Didi calls him 'Mr Maddy'

Modi says Mamata shielding corrupt; Didi calls him 'Mr Maddy'

Rediff.com8 Feb 2019

'From chaiwala he has now become Rafalewala. He speaks a bunch of lies,' the West Bengal CM said.

Why Hindutva vote is unable to grow in TN

Why Hindutva vote is unable to grow in TN

Rediff.com8 Apr 2019

In a state where Hindu social identity continues to remain in the overarching Dravida umbrella, the 'Hindutva' political identity does not have the same, or even near-similar electoral purchase, says N Sathiya Moorthy.

A permanent state of war with Pakistan is to be expected

A permanent state of war with Pakistan is to be expected

Rediff.com25 Nov 2016

'India has to understand that the permanent state of war that exists between India and Pakistan has to be expected,,' says Colonel Anil A Athale (retd). 'The only way to ensure peace or absence of war is to maintain a militarily-dominant position over Pakistan.'

Day after drub, ministers cagey on social media

Day after drub, ministers cagey on social media

Rediff.com10 Nov 2015

Most, save Jaitley and Venkaiah Naidu, were silent on Bihar polls; it was business as usual for the PM.

'Why promote silly characters like Mickey Mouse and Goofy?'

'Why promote silly characters like Mickey Mouse and Goofy?'

Rediff.com11 May 2016

'Children should be brought up connected to our culture and should be introduced to characters from our mythologies. What is this Baa Baa Black Sheep?'

US Congressmen want PM to address Congress in June

US Congressmen want PM to address Congress in June

Rediff.com20 Apr 2016

Obviously having gotten the green light from the Prime Minister's Office in New Delhi that if they lobby the Speaker to address a joint session of Congress, which he has not been able to do despite his three visits to the US, the Congressmen informed Paul Ryan that 'It is our understanding that if invited, the prime minister would accept.'

Madam Raksha Mantri, this is what you need to do first!

Madam Raksha Mantri, this is what you need to do first!

Rediff.com6 Sep 2017

'She must first change the Rules of Business 1961 that makes the defence secretary and not the defence minister responsible for the defence of the country!' says Colonel Anil A Athale (retd.)

Sonia charges PM Modi with making 'blatant U-turn' on transparency

Sonia charges PM Modi with making 'blatant U-turn' on transparency

Rediff.com6 May 2015

Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "blatant U-turn" on the issue of transparency.

'You can't sustain a campaign of hate'

'You can't sustain a campaign of hate'

Rediff.com24 Dec 2018

'You can't go on creating division and rhetoric of hate.' 'It comes to roost. We are seeing the first glimpses of that in the state elections.'

Battle rages in US between pro and anti Modi desi academics

Battle rages in US between pro and anti Modi desi academics

Rediff.com15 Sep 2015

A coalition of over 150 US-based academicians back Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Silicon Valley next week and counter refute 130 US-based South Asian academics who oppose the Modi visit and his Digital India initiative.

'Fortune' favours Kejriwal: Delhi CM among world's 50 greatest leaders

'Fortune' favours Kejriwal: Delhi CM among world's 50 greatest leaders

Rediff.com25 Mar 2016

Fortune's third annual 'World's 50 Greatest Leaders' list features men and women from across the globe from the fields of business, government, philanthropy and the arts who are "transforming the world and inspiring others to do the same."