All stories by SHOBHA WARRIER
The most moving feature you'll read today
Rediff.com21 Aug 2018In these dark, divisive times, Ajitha's humanity gives us cause for hope.
Kerala disaster: 'Nature has defeated us'
Rediff.com20 Aug 2018'The most alarming thing is all our wells have got filled with flood waters.' 'Drinking water is going to be a big problem for all of us.'
'We were breathless in fear'
Rediff.com18 Aug 2018'Only when you see it, you will understand how bad the situation is.' 'The soil in the entire mountain range is soaked with water now and that uproots the trees.' 'It is frightening to see the way the soil drags down the trees with great force.'
'I won't forget that night ever'
Rediff.com18 Aug 2018'We used to enjoy looking at the serene Periyar river every day, flowing quietly and calmly.' 'How everything changed in a day!' 'The quiet Periyar became angry, aggressive, ferocious terrifying everyone in its way.' 'I have not seen this kind of rain fury in my entire life.'
What caused the rain havoc in Kerala
Rediff.com15 Aug 2018'A lot of unauthorised encroachments have taken place in our forest area.' 'The landslides are partly because of such encroachments.' 'The other factor is deforestation.' 'Protection of forest resources is not on the agenda of any government.' 'The damage caused by the rain in Kerala is a man-made factor.'
'Real fight is between BJP-led and DMK-led coalitions'
Rediff.com10 Aug 2018'It is not going to be a fight between the AIADMK and the DMK; that fight is over.' 'The fight is going to be between the BJP's attempt to finish the Dravidian era and the DMK and the others trying to prevent the BJP from doing so.'
The tragedy of M Karunanidhi
Rediff.com9 Aug 2018'Whatever good he did, all his achievements were overshadowed by the perception of corruption and other things.'
She changed the lives of India's disabled
Rediff.com2 Aug 2018The differently-abled deserve a normal life. Nothing will stop Poonam Natarajan from ensuring that India, slowly but surely, gives it to them, discovers Shobha Warrier.
'With NEET, only merit plays a role. Money has no place'
Rediff.com31 Jul 2018'You must understand that NEET is in its infantile stage.' 'When a child falls down while trying to stand up, you don't say it will never walk or run.' 'The child that falls down several times while trying to stand up may one day run a race at the Olympics.' 'Similarly, if there is firmness in approach and the willingness to listen to suggestions, NEET will be a great success.'
The labourer who floored Kamal Haasan, Shankar Mahadevan
Rediff.com17 Jul 2018'When Kamal Haasan came into the room, I was literally shivering. I am just an ordinary head load worker and there, I was standing next to a legend like him. I didn't know what to do. Not even in my dreams did I think of meeting Kamal sir or talking to Shankar Mahadevan sir. I was living a dream.'
'Water is not anybody's private property'
Rediff.com12 Jul 2018'Water is not an economic resource, but we treat water as an economic resource meant for the benefit of human beings.' 'Water is more of a life source than an economic resource.'
'Only Kashmiri Pandits can bring peace back'
Rediff.com6 Jul 2018"Whether we are back or away, if they put Kashmiri Pandits in isolation, they will never see peace in Kashmir."
'Education is the best gift the government can give youngsters'
Rediff.com25 Jun 2018'I want to make the government realise that they are not empowering Dalits by giving them free goats or hens; what they need is good education.'
'Delhi LG's role is very disturbing'
Rediff.com22 Jun 2018'He is a former civil servant and has complete control over the administrators.' 'He should have sorted it out before it reached such a stage.' 'How did he allow the stalemate to go on for so many days?'
'Govt banks rarely take note of RBI directives'
Rediff.com20 Jun 2018'For years, the RBI has been warning banks on probable frauds in bank guarantees and advised them to exercise due care.' 'PSB staffers feel their jobs are secured, hence there is no need to be vigilant and exercise financial prudence.'
Why Kashmiri Pandits are going back after 30 years
Rediff.com18 Jun 2018'We know the situation has worsened in the valley, but we are taking the first step.' 'We have lost 30 years of our life. We do not want to wait any longer.' 'The political class always said, you come down to Kashmir.' 'So, we are going to be there and we are going to demand a place to stay.' 'After all, it is our own land.'
The doctor who brings hope to the seriously ill
Rediff.com12 Jun 2018'Healthcare is so expensive that while it saves lives, it destroys more lives socially and financially.' 'While the poor gets wiped out, a middle-class man goes to a corporate hospital and after the treatment, he ends up below the poverty line.' 'Generally, hospitals would like to have patients who need procedures and operations.' 'They are not so fond of palliative care.' 'How much can be made from one hour of counselling? And how much can be made from one hour of an operation?'
'Walmart will dump all the kachra in India'
Rediff.com7 Jun 2018'Walmart will source globally and more from China and will dump these cheap goods in India, making our country a dumping yard.'
The Malayali Christian who built a mosque in the UAE
Rediff.com30 May 2018'It made me sad that these people had to spend a minimum of 20 dirhams from the meagre 800 dirhams they get, to pray.' 'God had helped me many times in my life, it was my duty to help these people.' The incredible story of Saji Cherian.
'Politicians look at bankers as villains'
Rediff.com29 May 2018'Today, bankers don't want to take risks as the good decisions taken by them were not protected.' 'There is risk involved in all decisions, like businessmen taking risks in their businesses.' 'A banker must have taken a decision when the economic condition was different, and you cannot question him on the basis of the present situation in hindsight.' 'Naturally, this has affected the morale of bankers.'