News for 'social welfare'

Explained: Waqf And The New Waqf Bill

Explained: Waqf And The New Waqf Bill

Rediff.com4 Apr 2025

Puzzled about the Waqf Bill? Syed Firdaus Ashraf explains how the amended Waqf law will plug loopholes in the existing legislation.

The Politics of A Caste Census

The Politics of A Caste Census

Rediff.com2 May 2025

While data can empower communities, it reinforces identities, making local politics more caste-centric, with decisions increasingly contested on the grounds of representation.

Such dynamics could lead to shifting alliances and, in the worst case, local governance getting paralysed as each group demands proportional power-sharing, explain Amitabh Kundu and Mehebub Rahaman.

Why Modi Dropped 'Jungle Raj' Jibe In Bihar

Why Modi Dropped 'Jungle Raj' Jibe In Bihar

Rediff.com19 Jul 2025

'People are fed up with rising crimes and poor law and order.' 'Modi must have got feedback and decided not to touch the 'jungle raj' issue as it will backfire.'

'The Maha Kumbh Was A Splendid Spiritual Journey'

'The Maha Kumbh Was A Splendid Spiritual Journey'

Rediff.com1 Mar 2025

'When we finally immersed ourselves in the sacred waters, remembering Ganga Maa and Lord Mahadev, we felt a profound sense of accomplishment,' says Satish V.

Only 18 Muslim women made it to Lok Sabha since Independence

Only 18 Muslim women made it to Lok Sabha since Independence

Rediff.com20 Jul 2025

From royalty to a tea vendor-turned-politician's wife and from a first lady to a Bengali actress, the 18 Muslim women who treaded the hallowed corridors of power in the Lok Sabha are an eclectic mix, with each of them having an interesting backstory, but one common thread -- their path to power was always strewn with struggle and hurdles.

Third term: Why Modi's position remains solid despite 2024 jolt

Third term: Why Modi's position remains solid despite 2024 jolt

Rediff.com8 Jun 2025

While the BJP went back to the drawing board to recraft its political and governance outreach and regained momentum by notching up surprisingly big wins in a string of assembly polls, the burst of fresh optimism in the main opposition Congress and other INDIA bloc parties fizzled out.

Armed With Just A Laptop, This Teen Founded Skillzo

Armed With Just A Laptop, This Teen Founded Skillzo

Rediff.com23 Jul 2025

Adarsh Kumar, the son of a farmer and a Class 12 student from rural Bihar, is on a mission to build one of India's largest free skill development movements, powered only with a laptop, free Internet and his relentless determination.

USAID Funding To India Declines Amid Trump's Freeze

USAID Funding To India Declines Amid Trump's Freeze

Rediff.com13 Feb 2025

'If the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation cuts funds, there could be more impact.'

Centre expects US to consider visa applications of Indian students

Centre expects US to consider visa applications of Indian students

Rediff.com29 May 2025

India on Thursday said it expects the United States to consider visa applications of Indian students on merit amid growing concerns over the Trump administration halting new student visa interviews.

Delhi cabinet okays Ayushman scheme, to table CAG reports

Delhi cabinet okays Ayushman scheme, to table CAG reports

Rediff.com21 Feb 2025

The newly-formed Delhi Cabinet in its first meeting approved the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme in the national capital. The cabinet also decided to present 14 pending CAG reports in the first session of the assembly. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that the previous AAP government did not allow the health scheme in the city, preventing the people from availing its benefits.

Manmohan Singh nearly solved Kashmir issue: Omar's fulsome praise

Manmohan Singh nearly solved Kashmir issue: Omar's fulsome praise

Rediff.com3 Mar 2025

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said that India and Pakistan came closer to resolving the Kashmir issue during the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government. He added that he does not expect a return to that situation in his lifetime. Abdullah lauded Singh's efforts on Kashmir, including the setting up of working groups on the issue, and said he practically initiated measures for the return of displaced Kashmiri Pandits. The chief minister also praised Singh's contribution to India's economic development.

'Problem Solving Is A Big Skill To Have Today'

'Problem Solving Is A Big Skill To Have Today'

Rediff.com24 Jan 2025

'We give them problems so that they can come up with solutions using the technological skills they have learnt.' 'In fact, changemaking and problem solving are interchangeable, in a way.'

Bihar forms task force to combat child marriages

Bihar forms task force to combat child marriages

Rediff.com9 Mar 2025

The Bihar government has formed a state-level task force to monitor actions taken by authorities to prevent and eradicate child marriages in the state. Bihar has the second-highest rate of child marriage in India, with 40.8% of women getting married before turning 18. The government is implementing a multipronged strategy to combat child marriage, including stricter enforcement of the law, empowering girls through education, and raising awareness.

IRS officer, kin found dead at Kerala home; sister was facing CBI case

IRS officer, kin found dead at Kerala home; sister was facing CBI case

Rediff.com22 Feb 2025

The Kerala Police are investigating the mysterious deaths of an IRS officer, his sister, and their mother in Kochi. The officer, Maneesh Vijay, and his sister, Shalini Vijay, were found hanging inside their house, while their mother, Shakuntala Agarwal, was discovered dead on her bed. Police have not yet established a direct link between the deaths and a CBI case in which Shalini was summoned as an accused. Preliminary findings suggest the siblings died by suicide, but the cause of their mother's death is still under investigation. The family had been residing in the quarters for the past year and a half but reportedly kept to themselves, maintaining limited interaction with neighbours, police added.

'U-turn' vs 'game changer': Caste census sparks war of words

'U-turn' vs 'game changer': Caste census sparks war of words

Rediff.com1 May 2025

Caste census politics took centre stage on Thursday with the Congress terming the government's decision as a 'diversionary tactic' and a move for headlines management and the Bharatiya Janata Party saying it has exposed the difference between the Centre's 'true intentions' and the 'empty sloganeering' of the opposition party.

Naveen Patnaik becomes BJD president for 9th time

Naveen Patnaik becomes BJD president for 9th time

Rediff.com19 Apr 2025

Former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik, who was chosen as the Biju Janata Dal president for the ninth time in a row, on Saturday called upon party workers to expose the alleged false narrative of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

Under-construction building collapses at UP railway station, several feared trapped

Under-construction building collapses at UP railway station, several feared trapped

Rediff.com11 Jan 2025

A building under construction at the Kannauj railway station in Uttar Pradesh collapsed on Saturday, trapping around two dozen workers under the rubble. Six workers have been rescued and rushed to hospital. Rescue efforts are ongoing with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) deployed at the site. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to ensure the safe recovery of those trapped and their proper medical treatment.

One Party's Freebies Are Another's Welfare Schemes

One Party's Freebies Are Another's Welfare Schemes

Rediff.com11 Aug 2022

As some BJP pollsters concede, the Modi leadership's sweeping success in elections 2019, especially across central India, owed not to Hindutva ideology, but to welfare schemes, all of them borrowed from Tamil Nadu, reveals N Sathiya Moorthy.

'Nothing Wrong If We Rewrite The Constitution'

'Nothing Wrong If We Rewrite The Constitution'

Rediff.com20 May 2025

'The time has come to have a relook at the Constitution as every document has a shelf life.'

What makes Hemant Soren Jharkhand's unchallenged leader

What makes Hemant Soren Jharkhand's unchallenged leader

Rediff.com23 Nov 2024

Despite these challenges, his strong voice for the state's tribal population has been central to his political identity

MP minister refers to Col Quershi as 'sister of terrorists', apologises

MP minister refers to Col Quershi as 'sister of terrorists', apologises

Rediff.com14 May 2025

Madhya Pradesh Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Vijay Shah has sparked a major controversy with objectionable comments that appeared to be directed at Colonel Sofia Qureshi, whom he tried to project as a 'sister of terrorists'.

'Manmohan preferred Maruti 800 over BMW'

'Manmohan preferred Maruti 800 over BMW'

Rediff.com27 Dec 2024

Singh's humility and grounded nature were highlighted in a heartfelt social media memoir by Uttar Pradesh Minister of State for Social Welfare (Independent Charge) Asim Arun.

SC frees man jailed for 25 years, finds he was a juvenile at time of crime

SC frees man jailed for 25 years, finds he was a juvenile at time of crime

Rediff.com9 Jan 2025

The Supreme Court of India ordered the release of a man who had spent 25 years in prison for murder, ruling that he was a juvenile at the time of the crime. The court found that the convict, Om Prakash alias Raju, had been wrongly convicted due to errors by the courts in determining his age. The case highlights the importance of proper age verification and the need for courts to actively ensure the fair treatment of juveniles within the legal system.

'If Waqf Is Transparent, No Muslim Will Be Poor'

'If Waqf Is Transparent, No Muslim Will Be Poor'

Rediff.com14 Apr 2025

'There's no transparency in work (of the Wakf Board), in property transactions (of the Waqf).'

How Ratan Tata reacted when govt picked BMW bullet-proof cars over TaMo

How Ratan Tata reacted when govt picked BMW bullet-proof cars over TaMo

Rediff.com10 Oct 2024

On another occasion, he recalled, as part of the SPG, he was tasked with the security of the then prime minister Manmohan Singh and assigned the responsibility of escorting Tata from Taj Mansingh Hotel in New Delhi.

Caste census: Opposition parties claim victory

Caste census: Opposition parties claim victory

Rediff.com30 Apr 2025

As the Centre announced the inclusion of caste enumeration in the next census on Wednesday, opposition parties said it is a victory for their long-standing demand and sought time-bound implementation.

Maha govt sets up 7 member panel for law on love jihad

Maha govt sets up 7 member panel for law on love jihad

Rediff.com15 Feb 2025

The committee includes secretaries of the women and child welfare, minority affairs, law and judiciary, social justice and special assistance departments, and deputy secretaries of the home department.

Recipe: Lajjaya's Kullu Soybean Kachoris

Recipe: Lajjaya's Kullu Soybean Kachoris

Rediff.com16 Oct 2024

An age-old recipe for a savoury dish from Himachal Pradesh.

India's $100 Bn Gambling Black Hole

India's $100 Bn Gambling Black Hole

Rediff.com11 Jun 2025

'The larger and more opaque this shadow economy becomes, especially online, the greater the risk to India's national security.'

'Manipur Will Celebrate R-Day Come What May'

'Manipur Will Celebrate R-Day Come What May'

Rediff.com24 Jan 2025

'We are not anti-national like these armed secessionists. We have no intention of breaking away from the Indian Union.'

They never told me: Alcaraz slams Djokovic-led PTPA

They never told me: Alcaraz slams Djokovic-led PTPA

Rediff.com20 Mar 2025

Carlos Alcaraz distanced himself from the class-action lawsuit filed by the Professional Tennis Players' Association

Atishi retains 4 ministers, admits a new face

Atishi retains 4 ministers, admits a new face

Rediff.com19 Sep 2024

Aam Aadmi Party MLA Mukesh Ahlawat will be the new face in the Delhi cabinet headed by Atishi, who will be sworn in as chief minister on September 21, and four ministers will be retained, the party said on Thursday.

Maha portfolio allocation: Fadnavis gets Home, Ajit Finance, Shinde...

Maha portfolio allocation: Fadnavis gets Home, Ajit Finance, Shinde...

Rediff.com21 Dec 2024

Shiv Sena's Dadaji Bhuse is the new school education minister while Uday Samant continues to be the industries minister.

High points of Sitharaman's 8th Union Budget

High points of Sitharaman's 8th Union Budget

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

These are the highlights of the Union Budget 2025-26 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament on Saturday.

'Votebank ka virus': Modi slams Cong for opposing new Waqf law

'Votebank ka virus': Modi slams Cong for opposing new Waqf law

Rediff.com14 Apr 2025

Modi alleged that the Congress government in Karnataka gave reservations in tenders based on religion, "snatching the rights of SCs, STs and OBCs." But Ambedkar had said there would not be reservation based on religion and there is a bar on giving reservation on the basis of religion in the Constitution, he stressed.

Nirmalaji Listens To Economists' Ideas

Nirmalaji Listens To Economists' Ideas

Rediff.com20 Jun 2024

'The Budget needs to focus more on social welfare schemes.'

'Help! My Teenage Son Stopped Talking To Me'

'Help! My Teenage Son Stopped Talking To Me'

Rediff.com11 Feb 2025

Instead of trying to make your son talk, which might feel like pressure to him, consider this: How can you create an environment where he wants to open up? suggests rediffGURU Dr Ashish Sehgal.

'I'm Grateful I'm Indian'

'I'm Grateful I'm Indian'

Rediff.com28 May 2025

'Thankfully, as Indians, we have a long history of trans people in our culture, in our religions, in our mythology.' 'It's not a fad which has suddenly come into existence, the way that a lot of Americans treat it.'

How about granting same sex couples social benefits, SC asks govt

How about granting same sex couples social benefits, SC asks govt

Rediff.com27 Apr 2023

The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Centre whether social welfare benefits can be granted to same-sex couples without going into legalising their marriage.

Caste census: Has BJP turned tables on Opposition?

Caste census: Has BJP turned tables on Opposition?

Rediff.com30 Apr 2025

The BJP's surprise announcement of a caste census in the next census has sparked political debate, particularly in Bihar where the issue of backward empowerment holds significant electoral weight. The move is seen as a strategic maneuver by the ruling party to counter opposition efforts to mobilize support among disadvantaged sections of society. The decision is also viewed as a recognition of the growing influence of OBC politics in India.