News for 'soviet-union'

List of Wimbledon women's singles champions

List of Wimbledon women's singles champions

Rediff.com9 Jul 2016

Following Serena Williams's win over Angelique Kerber for her 7th Wimbledon crown, here is a list of Wimbledon women's singles champions since 1922:

Brexit: An unlikely divorce?

Brexit: An unlikely divorce?

Rediff.com8 Jul 2016

The UK has had a complex relationship and checkered history with the EU.

Star Wars: India set to test anti-missile defence shield

Star Wars: India set to test anti-missile defence shield

Rediff.com5 Apr 2015

DRDO's latest test towards developing an anti-ballistic missile shield, to protect Indian targets against nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles fired from Pakistan or China will provide a technology that is akin to striking a bullet with a bullet, say Ajai Shukla

India must prepare for the daybreak of peace in Afghanistan

India must prepare for the daybreak of peace in Afghanistan

Rediff.com2 Aug 2018

'The danger today is that out of sheer fatigue and exasperation, the US might cut loose and exit from Afghanistan leaving it to the region to cope with the debris, which it is ill-equipped to handle,' says Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

The Hindi-speaking Aussie who loves India

The Hindi-speaking Aussie who loves India

Rediff.com15 Mar 2018

Charles 'Biharilal' Thomson, an Australian who speaks fluent Hindi, on how India has bewitched him.

The challenges of ruling Kerala

The challenges of ruling Kerala

Rediff.com20 May 2016

'Continuity in a common agenda is essential, not to disrupt the progress achieved so far,' says Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

'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.'

Gay people welcome at Sochi Winter Olympics, says Russia's Putin

Gay people welcome at Sochi Winter Olympics, says Russia's Putin

Rediff.com29 Oct 2013

Triggering angry criticism from the West and even calls to boycott the Sochi games, Russia adopted in June a ban on homosexual "propaganda" among minors, a law denounced by critics as discriminatory and aimed at stifling dissent.

The 'veshti' culture and code

The 'veshti' culture and code

Rediff.com17 Jul 2014

The veshti controversy in Tamil Nadu is not about the dress -- but a dress-code, which seems permissible in private homes and offices, but not in private clubs that are open only to well-heeled, and well-paying private members, observes N Sathiya Moorthy

Iran gears up for trade and investment boom that could reshape region

Iran gears up for trade and investment boom that could reshape region

Rediff.com15 Jul 2015

Iran is preparing for a trade and investment boom that could reshape the region after agreeing with world powers to curb its nuclear programme, paving the way for sanctions that have stifled its economy to be lifted.

'We don't have a Gandhi to free us'

'We don't have a Gandhi to free us'

Rediff.com31 Jan 2018

When Meenakshi Arvind and Mookambika Rathinam took an epic car journey from Coimbatore to London, they encountered a world that was more good than bad. In the cry for freedom in a dark corner of the globe, they discovered that The Mahatma remained India's greatest icon.

'Faiz was devastated by the aftermath of Partition'

'Faiz was devastated by the aftermath of Partition'

Rediff.com30 Jun 2016

'The original dream of people like Faiz was that Pakistan would be something different from the old India: Progressive, forward looking, democratic (if not socialist), tolerant, diverse and pluralistic.' 'I don't think anyone foresaw the catastrophe that Partition was to become.'

'In its imperial mood, China is surrounding India'

'In its imperial mood, China is surrounding India'

Rediff.com1 Apr 2018

'It is very much a danger.' 'With Tibet following the India tradition of ahimsa and the global visibility of the Dalai Lama who embodies these values, he should be supported by India as a diplomat.' 'It would be in India's self-interest and instead of being embarrassed about his presence, India should recognise this (role).' 'By appeasing China, India does not get anything in return; they (the Chinese have not stopped) claiming Arunachal, part of Kashmir, etc.'

JNU protestors need a debate, not the police

JNU protestors need a debate, not the police

Rediff.com15 Feb 2016

'If JNU students are anti-national, why do we send in the police? Why not send in intellectuals like M V Kamath to have a debate and discussion?'

Cong should not feel apologetic about the 1991 reforms: Jairam Ramesh

Cong should not feel apologetic about the 1991 reforms: Jairam Ramesh

Rediff.com1 Sep 2015

During the Congress regime, India did witnessa slew of reforms which are now taken up by the Modi government too.

Indira's greatest triumph was not Bangladesh

Indira's greatest triumph was not Bangladesh

Rediff.com17 Nov 2017

'According to me, her finest hour was in 1983-1984 when she neutralised a combined US-Pakistan-British conspiracy to Balkanise India by creating an independent Sikh State of Khalistan,' says Colonel Anil A Athale (retd). A special assessment of Indira Gandhi on her centenary.

Donald Trump is a blank sheet of paper

Donald Trump is a blank sheet of paper

Rediff.com12 Dec 2016

'You can ascribe any ideology to him, and it will be equally right - or equally wrong.' 'Even though the comrades on the Left will never admit it, he seems as much Stalinist as capitalist.'

When Communists part ways, it is painful to watch

When Communists part ways, it is painful to watch

Rediff.com28 Nov 2016

'Castro's huge appeal lies in the fact that he stood up to the Americans.' 'However, it becomes difficult to be judgmental about his legacy, because there are huge uncertainties about the future of the Cuba that he built,' says Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

The intricate route from Yojana to NITI

The intricate route from Yojana to NITI

Rediff.com13 Jan 2015

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced its imminent replacement in his Independence Day address, but the new name, structure and key personnel became known only a week ago.

Why India must pay attention to China's defence plans

Why India must pay attention to China's defence plans

Rediff.com2 Jun 2015

In the case of India, there are no specific references in China's white paper. However, there are several takeaways for India, says Srikanth Kondapalli.

How Indian soft power can overwhelm Pakistan

How Indian soft power can overwhelm Pakistan

Rediff.com31 Oct 2016

'Openness is a great weapon in the armoury of more open societies. That's why the fight with Pakistan isn't just about India be six times bigger, but equally bitter and insecure Pakistan,' argues Shekhar Gupta.

Why Indian prime ministers should not get a second term

Why Indian prime ministers should not get a second term

Rediff.com4 Sep 2013

Amberish K Diwanji on Indian prime ministers and the seven-year itch.

Narasimha Rao carried his nuclear secrets to his grave

Narasimha Rao carried his nuclear secrets to his grave

Rediff.com6 Apr 2015

'If Rao had, in fact, given a word to President Clinton in 1994 that India would not test, he would not have encouraged Vajpayee to test. The note, said to have been handed over to Vajpayee by Rao with the words, 'Now is the time to accomplish my unfinished task' may not have been a reference to nuclear tests at all,' says T P Sreenivasan.

Does China's nuclear power pose a threat to India?

Does China's nuclear power pose a threat to India?

Rediff.com21 Oct 2014

Despite four disarmament section talks and six strategic dialogues between the two foreign ministries, China's intransigence on recognising Indian nuclear status resulted in no confidence building measures in the nuclear field between the two, says Srikanth Kondapalli.

Pakistan must be shown its strategic vulnerability

Pakistan must be shown its strategic vulnerability

Rediff.com19 Aug 2015

'As India and Pakistan observe the 50th anniversary of the 1965 war, the one lesson that ought to have been learned by Pakistan is how vulnerable its heartland is to a sudden attack. The only alternative to this inherent geographic weakness is to have a policy of peace with India. In an extreme scenario, India can destroy Pakistani strategic targets by just artillery shelling, crossing of the border is not even necessary,' Colonel Anil A Athale (retd)

The 'spiritual desolation' of Saint Teresa

The 'spiritual desolation' of Saint Teresa

Rediff.com6 Sep 2016

What is strange, for someone who spent a lifetime in seva, is that St Teresa's own personal journals and communication with the Church hierarchy reveal someone in "spiritual desolation", says Sankrant Sanu. Could the Indian sacred traditions have helped her?

Student Of The Year

Student Of The Year

Rediff.com5 Mar 2016

Shekhar Gupta has a question for Kanhaiya Kumar, but a bigger, more vital, one for the honourable judge.

Why our grandmas and mothers fell in love with Omar Sharif

Why our grandmas and mothers fell in love with Omar Sharif

Rediff.com14 Jul 2015

'He was a magnificent looking man -- perhaps the best looking international actor of the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, even in the current century. And quite definitely the first actor from Asia to make it big in the West,' says Aseem Chhabra.

RSS like Muslim Brotherhood, says Rahul in UK; BJP hits back

RSS like Muslim Brotherhood, says Rahul in UK; BJP hits back

Rediff.com24 Aug 2018

"The RSS is trying to change the nature of India. Other parties haven't tried to capture India's institutions," he said.

How yoga came to the UN

How yoga came to the UN

Rediff.com24 Jun 2015

It was almost 10 years ago that the idea of a Yoga Day was mooted by some NGOs, but it had no takers till Prime Minister Narendra Modi realised its potential, probably at the instance of Sri Sri Ravishankar, says Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

Did India gain anything from Modi-Xi meeting?

Did India gain anything from Modi-Xi meeting?

Rediff.com18 Jul 2014

All the three issues raised by China at the Modi-Xi meeting are either intractable or peripheral to the bilateral relations and suggest conventional methods to placate the other side without yielding much, says Srikanth Kondapalli.

Murray etches name in Wimbledon history with 2nd title

Murray etches name in Wimbledon history with 2nd title

Rediff.com11 Jul 2016

Britain's Andy Murray won lifted his second Wimbledon title after defeating Canadian Milos Raonic 6-4 7-6(3) 7-6(2) on Sunday. Following that clinical performance, here is a list of Wimbledon men's singles champions since 1922....

What remains of the October Revolution in St Petersburg

What remains of the October Revolution in St Petersburg

Rediff.com17 Nov 2017

It's been 100 years since Lenin and the Bolsheviks overthrew the government, and its legacy remains visible even today in the buildings and monuments scattered throughout St Petersburg.

The war that helped India regain its military confidence

The war that helped India regain its military confidence

Rediff.com26 Aug 2015

'India was in no position to wage another war in 1965, having suffered a morale-shattering defeat in 1962. The three services were in the middle of a modernisation and expansion phase and therefore not fully trained or battle-ready.'

Russian protection for India against Pak nuclear attack

Russian protection for India against Pak nuclear attack

Rediff.com26 Oct 2016

'With Pakistan's 'first use doctrine' threatening the use of nuclear weapons early in a war with India, the S-400 will shield vulnerable targets like Delhi and Mumbai, complicating Pakistan's targeting calculations.'

Why Modi's visit to Iran is important for India

Why Modi's visit to Iran is important for India

Rediff.com21 May 2016

India's low passion, very cautious, relationship with Iran of the last 36 years awaits transformation, says Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (retd). Prime Minister Modi's visit cannot be a negotiating event; it is a symbolic one to strengthen the politico-diplomatic relationship.

The nutty Right and the illiberal Left

The nutty Right and the illiberal Left

Rediff.com8 Nov 2015

'The new generation voter is hyper-nationalistic, but it isn't essentially illiberal.' 'They will find the rants of Adityanath as laughable as Irfan Habib's. They will also find the BJP's polarising approach to vote-gathering unacceptable if it fails to deliver jobs and growth,' says Shekhar Gupta.

Immigration ban: America Inc vs Trump

Immigration ban: America Inc vs Trump

Rediff.com31 Jan 2017

Donald Trump's executive order prohibiting the entry of people from seven Muslim-majority nations widened the rift between the Trump administration and several leading American companies.

Teaching Pakistan a lesson: What India can do about the Indus Waters Treaty

Teaching Pakistan a lesson: What India can do about the Indus Waters Treaty

Rediff.com29 Sep 2016

'Much can be done by India under the provisions of the treaty to make full use of its rights it has.' 'The impact of that will be felt downstream.'

Did Mossad kill Zia?

Did Mossad kill Zia?

Rediff.com1 Aug 2017

29 years ago this August, Pakistan's dictator, the general who made jihad part of Pakistani State policy, died in a mysterious air crash. Did the KGB, the then USSR's dreaded espionage agency, assassinate Zia-ul Haq? Was India's RA&W responsible for blowing Zia's military aircraft out of the skies? Was it Zia's many enemies in Pakistan's military? Was it a box of mangoes as Mohammad Hanif speculated in his fascinating novel about Zia's death? Or was the assassin someone else?