News for 'political patronage'

Pak Taliban warns of disastrous days ahead

Pak Taliban warns of disastrous days ahead

Rediff.com17 Nov 2013

Pakistani Taliban has warned that the next few days and weeks would be "disastrous" for the country as the banned outfit vowed to "teach" the government and its security agencies a lesson over the killing of its leader Hakimullah Mehsud in a US drone strike.

Host and patron of UN-designated terrorists: India rips into Pakistan

Host and patron of UN-designated terrorists: India rips into Pakistan

Rediff.com30 Sep 2018

Gambhir also took a dig at Qureshi's emphasis on a "new Pakistan" under Khan, saying while the Indian delegation had come to listen to Pakistan's "new" foreign minister outline the vision of a new Pakistan, "what we heard is a 'New Pakistan' cast in the mold of old."

How the Royal Wedding gave a Mumbaikar her first plane ride

How the Royal Wedding gave a Mumbaikar her first plane ride

Rediff.com12 Jun 2018

'What is the purpose of your visit?' the immigration officer at London Heathrow asked Deborah Das.

In parched Marathwada, farmers want to give Modi another chance

In parched Marathwada, farmers want to give Modi another chance

Rediff.com1 May 2019

Most farmers want to give Modi a second chance. They hope that the BJP loses at least 50 seats, so that it is dependent on its coalition partners who will then keep a check on Modi.

The real culprits behind India's Partition

The real culprits behind India's Partition

Rediff.com24 May 2018

AMU has once again been pulled into a crossfire of crass political opportunism. In these post-truth times, that the university also had political stirrings not subscribing to the Muslim League is chosen to be forgotten, says Mohammad Sajjad.

Not too many takers in Islamabad for Indo-Pak peace process

Not too many takers in Islamabad for Indo-Pak peace process

Rediff.com14 Aug 2013

The increase in violence along the Line of Control in the last few weeks indicates that despite the olive branch offered by Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, hard-line elements in Islamabad are in no mood to become friendly with India.

'Centre delaying CBI probe into Pollachi case'

'Centre delaying CBI probe into Pollachi case'

Rediff.com26 Mar 2019

'The Pollachi case will have a negative impact for the AIADMK alliance.' 'The BJP and AIADMK are in alliance in Tamil Nadu.' 'That may be the reason for the delay in the central government's approval for case transfer to the CBI.'

PM must be a leader and not just a reader: Jaitley

PM must be a leader and not just a reader: Jaitley

Rediff.com19 Apr 2014

A day after the Prime Minister's Office sought to counter the perception that Manmohan Singh has been "weak" in his tenure, senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Arun Jaitley on Saturday took potshots at him.

Battling ISIS remains the prime objective

Battling ISIS remains the prime objective

Rediff.com25 Apr 2015

'What needs to be pursued as the operations progress is a degree of reconciliation amongst the other parties, less the more orthodox Al Qaeda affiliates.'

A tale of long-standing gang-war between two villages

A tale of long-standing gang-war between two villages

Rediff.com31 Mar 2015

He may have been the latest victim of the gang-war which has been going on in between two villages

Demographic dividend or impending catastrophe?

Demographic dividend or impending catastrophe?

Rediff.com26 Aug 2016

No country has grown without educating its people. India's shameful lag in primary and secondary education has persisted for several decades, and the crisis in higher education is now threatening a social and political calamity, says Ashoka Mody.

'ISI has encouraged, trained, funded terrorists'

'ISI has encouraged, trained, funded terrorists'

Rediff.com26 Feb 2019

'The Pakistani military has encouraged and supported terrorist organisations, especially in Kashmir, as a means of waging proxy war against the Indian military and the country's superior economic resources.' 'The evidence is irrefutable with the recent killing of 46 paramilitary troops being just the latest example.'

The general, the 'spy' and no talks with India

The general, the 'spy' and no talks with India

Rediff.com9 Apr 2016

Nawaz Sharif may have permitted the trial of Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists for the Pathankot attack. But this fell apart because of General Raheel Shareef's keenness to make Kulbhushan Jadhav the centerpiece of global attention. Ambassador G Parthasarthy, a former Indian high commissioner to Pakistan, reveals the Pakistan army chief's gambit against India.

Universal Basic Income? Telangana has the answer

Universal Basic Income? Telangana has the answer

Rediff.com24 Jul 2018

Telangana's Rythu Bandhu policy is an embryonic UBI, or rather embryonic QUBI (a quasi-universal basic income, pronounced Kyoo-Bee). And it could potentially also be the future of agricultural policy in India, says Arvind Subramanian.

A historic library lies in ruins in Aligarh

A historic library lies in ruins in Aligarh

Rediff.com17 Feb 2018

The government's negligence towards this 'treasure house of knowledge' can be seen from the fact that monkeys roam about freely in the reading rooms, disturbing the calm of the library, as well as putting the lives of the readers in danger, writes Sajad Ahmad Dar.

The Arab Spring withers into winter

The Arab Spring withers into winter

Rediff.com30 Aug 2013

Its promise has fallen short before the onslaught of the votaries of the old order and ruthless extremist forces, notes Talmiz Ahmad.

Malda decoded: What really happened?

Malda decoded: What really happened?

Rediff.com19 Jan 2016

India's Muslims need to assert their educational and economic upliftment and political empowerment rather than be provoked by communal remarks, says Mohammad Sajjad, reflecting on the Malda riot.

Will the Lion win? Or will the Congress's foxes survive?

Will the Lion win? Or will the Congress's foxes survive?

Rediff.com16 Jan 2014

'The present-day Congress party does not lack leaders who want a Rahul-led Congress to taste electoral success, but wish he fails in his efforts to cleanse the party.'

A warrior prince rises in Arabia

A warrior prince rises in Arabia

Rediff.com22 Jun 2017

The Middle East's power house is about to get a new ruler who is only 31 and he may lead Saudi Arabia for decades, says Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Why this hullabaloo about English in the UPSC test?

Why this hullabaloo about English in the UPSC test?

Rediff.com7 Aug 2014

What we need to do straightaway is to get our act together and educate children better than merely award degrees. Since English cannot be thrown away, it would be better to learn it well. The crux lies there. Lowering standards of UPSC tests is no use, says Mahesh Vijapurkar.

Why Lamka won't bury its dead

Why Lamka won't bury its dead

Rediff.com12 Sep 2016

The church bells don't toll in Churachandpur any more. The hill district in Manipur has been in mourning for more than a year.

For panchayats, financial freedom is a distant dream

For panchayats, financial freedom is a distant dream

Rediff.com10 Jun 2016

The Finance Commission has substantially increased the allocation of funds to panchayats, but a large part of it is apportioned by state governments.

Suddala Sudhakar Teja is Telangana's 'vaastu' expert

Suddala Sudhakar Teja is Telangana's 'vaastu' expert

Rediff.com28 Mar 2015

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao has made no attempts to conceal his obsession with vaastu, the ancient Indian principles of architecture, even telling the assembly, "Why shouldn't someone who works for the state and takes decisions use vaastu and create comfort?

Bihar topper scam: A well-oiled network

Bihar topper scam: A well-oiled network

Rediff.com20 Jun 2016

The reputation of Bihar's schools has taken a knock. Satyavrat Mishra explains how a student-teacher nexus has gamed the system to produce toppers by the dozen.

RBI chief Rajan wins over Modi despite broad mistrust

RBI chief Rajan wins over Modi despite broad mistrust

Rediff.com1 Jun 2016

The first signs of growing bonhomie between Modi and Rajan came early last year, when Modi called Rajan the "best teacher" for explaining complex economic issues to him.

'Kejriwal is not wrong, but is this the right method of realising that objective?'

'Kejriwal is not wrong, but is this the right method of realising that objective?'

Rediff.com24 Jan 2014

'Indian politics has had three-and-a-half master narratives -- secular nationalism, Hindu nationalism, justice for lower castes and regionalism. The AAP seeks to go beyond that. Therein lies its promise and its challenge,' says Ashutosh Varshney, Brown University professor and author of book Battles Half Won, India's Improbable Democracy.

Why Modi could have a long-ish ride

Why Modi could have a long-ish ride

Rediff.com10 Jan 2017

'Modi is likely to make more announcements to win or retain popularity, and put himself at the centre of things even more than now,' says T N Ninan.

The week of reckoning for the Samajwadi Party

The week of reckoning for the Samajwadi Party

Rediff.com1 Nov 2016

On Thursday, November 3, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav will launch his Samajwadi Rath Yatra. The official launch of the party's election campaign, but also a way of assessing how much traction he has among the people.

Looking back at Shyam Benegal's mesmerising Mandi

Looking back at Shyam Benegal's mesmerising Mandi

Rediff.com12 Apr 2017

Even after three decades, Mandi proves its lasting relevance and powerful impact on cinephile memory by inviting comparisons to Vidya Balan's Begum Jaan.

'Mars was something new for all of us...'

'Mars was something new for all of us...'

Rediff.com11 Jul 2019

'ISRO provides a very positive atmosphere. What matters here is your talent, not your gender,' says Ritu Karidhal, Deputy Operations Director, India's Mars orbital mission, Mangalyaan. A fascinating excerpt from Minnie Vaid's Those Magnificent Women And Their Flying Machines, Isro's Mission To Mars.

Sarkar 3 Review: The cycle of doom has been completed

Sarkar 3 Review: The cycle of doom has been completed

Rediff.com13 May 2017

Ram Gopal Varma is back with Part Three of that series, which presented to us the first clear evidence that the great man was slipping, rues Sreehari Nair.

'The bullet train can be Modi's legacy'

'The bullet train can be Modi's legacy'

Rediff.com14 Sep 2017

'The politician in him saw to it that the foundation stone was laid in Ahmedabad in the run-up to the assembly election in Gujarat in 2017.' 'But the statesman in him also wants it to be his legacy.'

Dadri to Faridabad: Is BJP encouraging India's Ku Klux Klan?

Dadri to Faridabad: Is BJP encouraging India's Ku Klux Klan?

Rediff.com28 Oct 2015

'It would be a folly on our part to believe that the KKK or its Indian version exists only as some dedicated organisation. Rather, the Indian KKK, much like the American counterpart, exists as a fragmented and amorphous collection of independent groups and individuals,' says Shehzad Poonawalla.

Peshawar attack: Pakistan's 9/11 moment?

Peshawar attack: Pakistan's 9/11 moment?

Rediff.com18 Dec 2014

Pakistan faces a challenge largely of its own creation and only political processes can correct it, argues Raza Rumi.

Are Muslims really scared of Narendra Modi?

Are Muslims really scared of Narendra Modi?

Rediff.com7 Apr 2014

'Why do sections of Muslims seem to prefer Lalu and Mulayam who symbolise wilful neglect of governance and development? In this election, secularism is less at stake. What is more at stake is the degenerative, cynical, opportunistic, and discredit-worthy misuse of secularism by the non-BJP leaders and their social constituencies,' says Mohammad Sajjad.

Dalai Lama snub and India's plans to reset China ties

Dalai Lama snub and India's plans to reset China ties

Rediff.com8 Mar 2018

'If, as appears to be the case, India is on way to 'mending fences' with China, and China is equally desirous to 'reset' the relationship, this could be a self-reflexive moment in India's positioning vis-a-vis not just the Dalai Lama, but also the Tibetan issue and China as a whole,' points out China expert Alka Acharya.

How do we rescue the Republic?

How do we rescue the Republic?

Rediff.com4 Jul 2017

'The prime minister has merely paid lip service condemning these crimes instead of launching a massive crackdown against such brutalities,' argues Professor Mohammad Sajjad.

Can IS make its presence felt in India?

Can IS make its presence felt in India?

Rediff.com20 Dec 2016

The next big destination for IS in South Asia could be India. In India, the SIMI-IM network can provide the logistics for an IS staging area, says Brigadier S K Chatterji (retd).

We don't need religious freedom lectures from the US

We don't need religious freedom lectures from the US

Rediff.com8 May 2015

'Your constant reiteration on the lack of religious freedom in India has sown doubts about the kind of information that you are being fed and based on which you seem to be making adverse references to India and its tradition of religious tolerance.'

BJP leader's killing: 4 detained, family demands CBI probe

BJP leader's killing: 4 detained, family demands CBI probe

Rediff.com8 Jun 2014

Alleging political vendetta, the family of Bharatiya Janata Party leader Vijay Pandit on Sunday demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry into his killing as police detained four persons in the case and prohibitory orders were clamped in Gautam Budh Nagar, where the murder had sparked violence on Saturday night.