News for 'new India'

When poll panel rift spilled into the open

When poll panel rift spilled into the open

Rediff.com5 days ago

The article details a history of internal disagreements among Election Commissioners in India, highlighting instances from 1993 to the present, including clashes between CECs and commissioners over various issues like removal recommendations, dissent notes, and affidavits, culminating in recent objections regarding voter list revisions.

'I love Test cricket': Tilak Varma opens up on India dream

'I love Test cricket': Tilak Varma opens up on India dream

Rediff.com2 Sep 2026

Tilak Varma, despite his white-ball success, expresses a strong desire to play Test cricket for India, considering red-ball cricket his true strength. He discusses the challenges of balancing international white-ball commitments with domestic red-ball opportunities and his eagerness to participate in the Duleep Trophy final amidst a tight schedule.

Shafali Verma Highlights India's Batting Challenges On Turning Pitches

Shafali Verma Highlights India's Batting Challenges On Turning Pitches

Rediff.com31 Aug 2026

India opener Shafali Verma acknowledged the team's batting unit needs to address its shortcomings on turning pitches, despite securing a 94-run victory against Thailand in the Women's Asia Cup opener. Verma, who scored a brisk 64, noted that while the new ball came on well, the older ball gripped and turned, causing difficulties for the middle order. She emphasised the need for adaptation and praised Thailand's improving performance.

EC reacts after report flags differences in poll panel on SIR

EC reacts after report flags differences in poll panel on SIR

Rediff.com5 days ago

Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi reportedly flagged multiple issues during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls, including name deletions. Despite a media report suggesting 14 objections over 10 months, Election Commission officials assert that all decisions, including SIR, were unanimous and approved by all commissioners. The report also highlights opposition parties' criticism of the SIR, alleging it targets non-BJP aligned voters.

The Importance Of Veer Guardian

The Importance Of Veer Guardian

Rediff.com7 days ago

The political confidence required to place high-end Japanese aircraft and personnel on Indian soil is itself a data point.
It indicates a level of trust that would have been difficult to imagine when India-Japan defence ties were largely symbolic, explains Varun Arya.

Indian killed in missile attack on merchant vessel near coast of Oman

Indian killed in missile attack on merchant vessel near coast of Oman

Rediff.com5 days ago

An Indian seafarer from Uttar Pradesh, Wiper Suraj Yadav, was killed after sustaining head injuries in a missile attack on the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged bulk carrier MV Cape Dao off the coast of Oman. The vessel was carrying 20 Indian seafarers, 19 of whom were safely evacuated.

Pranati Nayak eyes Asian Games vault glory

Pranati Nayak eyes Asian Games vault glory

Rediff.com6 days ago

India's sole gymnast, Pranati Nayak, has successfully qualified for the vault finals at the Asian Games, finishing seventh among 19 competitors in the artistic gymnastics event.

Why Australia A's India Tour Is Crucial For Future Test Prospects

Why Australia A's India Tour Is Crucial For Future Test Prospects

Rediff.com1 Sep 2026

Australia A has announced a 14-member squad for their upcoming series against India A in Puducherry. The tour, featuring both four-day and one-day matches, is crucial for exposing players to subcontinental conditions and preparing them for future senior team tours to India, including a Test series next year. The squad includes several players with prior international experience.

Festive Season Fuels 35% Surge in India's Passenger Vehicle Sales for August

Festive Season Fuels 35% Surge in India's Passenger Vehicle Sales for August

Rediff.com1 Sep 2026

India's passenger vehicle sales are estimated to have surged by approximately 35 per cent to about 4.5 lakh units in August, driven by strong performances from major automakers like Maruti Suzuki India, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, and Mahindra & Mahindra, with the industry entering the festive season with optimism.

Anil Kapoor Vs Rohit Sharma: Who's More Entertaining?

Anil Kapoor Vs Rohit Sharma: Who's More Entertaining?

Rediff.com7 days ago

Hosts Anil Kapoor and Rohit Sharma bring their own brand of charm and humour to two new game shows that promise to make your weekends more entertaining, observes Divya Nair.

Smriti Mandhana Becomes T20I's Highest Run-Scorer

Smriti Mandhana Becomes T20I's Highest Run-Scorer

Rediff.com21 Sep 2026

Smriti Mandhana added another landmark to her already impressive T20I career on Sunday, becoming the highest run-scorer in women's T20Is during India's Asian Games semifinal against Bangladesh.

Anant Nag: 'This Award Does Not Belong To Me Alone'

Anant Nag: 'This Award Does Not Belong To Me Alone'

Rediff.com5 days ago

'This award does not belong to me alone, but to everyone who has worked with me tirelessly including directors, producers, costume, makeup, assistant directors, dialogue writers and others.'

Now you can contribute to Nepal flood relief from India via UPI

Now you can contribute to Nepal flood relief from India via UPI

Rediff.com2 Sep 2026

India's UPI International payment system is now playing a crucial role in humanitarian efforts, enabling seamless disaster relief donations from Indian users to Nepal's Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund, showcasing its growing global acceptance and utility beyond tourism. UPI IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: Unsplash Key Points UPI International, initially for Indian tourists, is now facilitating disaster relief donations to Nepal's Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund. The embassy of Nepal in India is actively encouraging Indian users to utilise their UPI apps for these contributions. This marks a significant shift, expanding UPI's cross-border use case beyond tourism to include inbound collection for foreign governments. The move positions UPI International alongside global payment giants like Alipay+ and UnionPay for international aid. Donors need to activate the UPI International feature on their apps to transact, with amounts converted from INR to NPR.

When Bhagat Singh Wrote About Love

When Bhagat Singh Wrote About Love

Rediff.com13 hours ago

Did love make Bhagat Singh a weaker revolutionary? In a heated argument once, Sukhdev accused him of allowing his fascination with a woman to come in the way of revolutionary duty. Bhagat Singh's answer, in a letter days later, was a defence of love as a revolutionary's strength, not a weakness. On Bhagat Singh's 119th birth anniversary, Utkarsh Mishra looks at the friendship, arguments and ideas that bound him and Sukhdev together.

ECs Disagreed With CEC On SIR

ECs Disagreed With CEC On SIR

Rediff.com5 days ago

Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi repeatedly recorded that they had not been consulted or informed about decisions taken in the Commission's name, revealed an Indian Express report on Wednesday morning.

SC questions cremation of missing Delhi realtor's body before identification

SC questions cremation of missing Delhi realtor's body before identification

Rediff.com6 days ago

The Supreme Court has ordered the Delhi and Gurugram police to explain why the body of missing Delhi realtor Yuvraj Singh Manchanda was cremated without identification and why details were not uploaded to the CCTNS portal. This directive comes after Manchanda's family alleged they were not informed about the recovery of his body, which was found in Gurugram and cremated before they were notified. The court also referenced its earlier directives on prompt FIR registration for missing persons, highlighting concerns about human trafficking and the need for an all-India police grid.

Indian Football Team Aims To Learn From Panama Friendly

Indian Football Team Aims To Learn From Panama Friendly

Rediff.com4 days ago

Indian football coach Khalid Jamil and goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu view the upcoming FIFA international friendly against World Cup participant Panama as a crucial learning opportunity. They believe playing stronger teams is essential for India's development and ambition to become a world-class football nation, despite Panama's superior ranking and World Cup experience. The match is seen as a chance to understand the demands of top-tier football and integrate younger players into the squad.

Amid row, EC officials say ECINet functions decentralised

Amid row, EC officials say ECINet functions decentralised

Rediff.com4 days ago

The Election Commission has clarified that its ECINet platform is decentralised, with statutory functions performed only by designated officials, not headquarters staff. This comes after concerns were raised about the centralisation of electoral roll databases. The EC also defended the legality of an additional declaration sought from new voters during the Special Intensive Revision, citing unanimous commission approval and a Supreme Court judgment.

Arunachal Pradesh Launches Major AI Skill Development Initiative

Arunachal Pradesh Launches Major AI Skill Development Initiative

Rediff.com4 days ago

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu lauded the state's first 10-day artificial intelligence boot camp and hackathon at IIT-Guwahati. The programme aims to build AI skills, promote innovation, and create a future-ready digital workforce, offering hands-on training in AI/ML, Python, and NLP to 40 young participants.

Article 370 to 'vote chori': When Gyanesh Kumar made headlines

Article 370 to 'vote chori': When Gyanesh Kumar made headlines

Rediff.com5 days ago

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is facing significant scrutiny after an investigation revealed objections from his fellow election commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, regarding decisions made during the Special Intensive Revision of voter lists. The objections, reportedly made at least 14 times, concerned issues like changes to voter registration forms and centralised control over electoral roll databases, intensifying criticism of Kumar's tenure and the EC's impartiality.

'Russian Oil Is Backbone Of India's Energy Security'

'Russian Oil Is Backbone Of India's Energy Security'

Rediff.com28 Aug 2026

'In the current environment, India is effectively paying a premium for supply security and diversification.'

Why Shilpa Shirodkar Missed Out On Chaiyya Chaiyya

Why Shilpa Shirodkar Missed Out On Chaiyya Chaiyya

Rediff.com2 days ago

Shilpa Shirodkar revealed how she missed an opportunity to star in the iconic Chaiyya Chaiyya song from Mani Ratnam's Dil Se..

Lakshya Sen Inspires Indian Men To Asian Games Badminton Medal

Lakshya Sen Inspires Indian Men To Asian Games Badminton Medal

Rediff.com6 days ago

The Indian men's badminton team secured a medal at the Asian Games by defeating Japan 3-0 in the quarterfinals, highlighted by Lakshya Sen's incredible comeback victory. While the men celebrated, the women's team exited the tournament after a 1-3 loss to Japan.

Boonson claims Asian Games sprint double, Yan Ziyi stuns Olympic champion

Boonson claims Asian Games sprint double, Yan Ziyi stuns Olympic champion

Rediff.com1 days ago

Thailand's Puripol Boonson made history by winning the 200 metres gold, completing an Asian Games sprint double and matching the Asian record, while China's 18-year-old javelin sensation Yan Ziyi defeated an Olympic champion for her first gold.

SENSATIONAL! Who In Delhi Stopped The GSLV Launch?

SENSATIONAL! Who In Delhi Stopped The GSLV Launch?

Rediff.com14 hours ago

'An instruction came from somebody in Delhi saying, "don't go with the launch".'

Ola unveils S1Z EV scooter with made in India battery tech

Ola unveils S1Z EV scooter with made in India battery tech

Rediff.com4 Sep 2026

The new range brings Ola's 46-series LFP cells to its most affordable scooter lineup aimed at India's mass-market electric vehicle (EV) buyers.

3 BJP allies seek clarity on controversy involving CEC

3 BJP allies seek clarity on controversy involving CEC

Rediff.com3 days ago

Three BJP allies, including LJP (Ram Vilas), TDP, and RLM, have called on the Election Commission for a clearer explanation regarding concerns raised by two Election Commissioners over the voter list revision process. Union Minister Chirag Paswan warned that public faith in elections was at stake, while the EC asserted that differing views among its members were normal and final decisions were unanimous.

Sanath Jayasuriya hails teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as 'future' of Indian cricket

Sanath Jayasuriya hails teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as 'future' of Indian cricket

Rediff.com20 Sep 2026

Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya has lauded Indian teen cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, calling him a 'different kind of talent' and the 'future for India', despite his recent exclusion from the playing XI against Afghanistan.

Pakistan-Turkiye-Saudi Pact: Should India Be Concerned?

Pakistan-Turkiye-Saudi Pact: Should India Be Concerned?

Rediff.com31 Aug 2026

Any military response to a cross-border terror attack from Pakistan will have to take into account the new alignments beginning to take shape in the region, points out former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.

Asian Games: Joshna-Senthilkumar Assured Of Squash Mixed Doubles Medal

Asian Games: Joshna-Senthilkumar Assured Of Squash Mixed Doubles Medal

Rediff.com3 days ago

Veteran Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar have secured a medal for India in the Asian Games mixed doubles squash event by reaching the semi-finals.

Form 6 row: About 2.37 crore young voters added to rolls since SIR began

Form 6 row: About 2.37 crore young voters added to rolls since SIR began

Rediff.com2 days ago

The Election Commission of India has introduced a mandatory declaration for new voters, requiring them to provide parental details from the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. This move, aimed at streamlining voter mapping, has sparked controversy, with some Election Commissioners deeming it "illegal" and "unauthorised" due to potential negative impacts on young voters.

Modi And The Return Of The Vajpayee Numbers

Modi And The Return Of The Vajpayee Numbers

Rediff.com16 hours ago

The BJP knows that there is no leader in its ranks who can match Modi's popularity or have his cult following, and what awaits is a return to the Vajpayee numbers, when allies called the shots, argues Saisuresh Sivaswamy.

'Three Olympic golds': India remembers Dhyan Chand

'Three Olympic golds': India remembers Dhyan Chand

Rediff.com29 Aug 2026

On National Sports Day, political leaders including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and several Chief Ministers paid tribute to hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand and lauded Indian sportspersons for their contributions to the country.

'Stop me if you can': Mamata alleges house arrest, BJP route blockade

'Stop me if you can': Mamata alleges house arrest, BJP route blockade

Rediff.com2 days ago

Mamata Banerjee, former West Bengal chief minister and TMC supremo, alleged that her party leaders were kept under "house arrest" and prevented from attending a rally in Serampore. She accused BJP workers of blocking routes and the police of inaction, comparing the situation to "atrocities" seen in African countries.

Asian Games: Suchika Tariyal Settles For MMA Bronze After Controversial Weight Rule

Asian Games: Suchika Tariyal Settles For MMA Bronze After Controversial Weight Rule

Rediff.com7 days ago

Suchika Tariyal secured India's first-ever medal in mixed martial arts at the Asian Games, winning a bronze in the women's traditional 60kg event.

'Not looking to sell the game to India': Cricket Australia allows private investment in Big Bash League

'Not looking to sell the game to India': Cricket Australia allows private investment in Big Bash League

Rediff.com8 Sep 2026

Cricket Australia has announced that private investment will be introduced into the Big Bash League (BBL) from the 2027-28 season, beginning with the sale of the Melbourne Renegades T20 franchise, a move aimed at strengthening the league's long-term future and boosting finances.

Asian Games: Elavenil reveals what went wrong in mixed team final

Asian Games: Elavenil reveals what went wrong in mixed team final

Rediff.com6 days ago

Indian shooters Elavenil Valarivan and Parth Mane finished fourth in the 10m air rifle mixed team event at the Asian Games, missing out on a medal. Valarivan cited struggles with her position, while Mane focused on consistency. Both expressed determination to learn from the experience.

'CEC Gyanesh Kumar will go to jail': Oppn on report of difference in EC over SIR

'CEC Gyanesh Kumar will go to jail': Oppn on report of difference in EC over SIR

Rediff.com5 days ago

A political storm has erupted with the Opposition demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, following reports that two Election Commissioners raised 'expansive red flags' over the Special Intensive Revision of voters' lists, citing issues like name deletions and decisions made without their knowledge.

Women storm into quarters, men bow out in Asian Games TT

Women storm into quarters, men bow out in Asian Games TT

Rediff.com6 days ago

The Indian women's table tennis team secured a hard-fought victory over Thailand to advance to the quarterfinals of the Asian Games. However, the men's team faced an early exit after a 0-3 defeat against South Korea in the round of 16.

Thackerays to hold massive protest in Mumbai against EC on Oct 4

Thackerays to hold massive protest in Mumbai against EC on Oct 4

Rediff.com2 days ago

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Shiv Sena (UBT), led by Raj and Uddhav Thackeray, are organising a mass protest march in Mumbai on October 4 against the Election Commission. They accuse the EC of acting as a "branch of the ruling party" and allege "gross deception" of voters, calling for broader political and public participation.