All stories by SYED FIRDAUS ASHRAF
What a comeback, Kapil!
Rediff.com31 Dec 2018Syed Firdaus Ashraf applauds The Kapil Sharma Show's reincarnation.
'The lives of coal miners don't matter'
Rediff.com28 Dec 2018'On November 8, two women activists were assaulted and left for dead because they were following the illegal mining trail. This is how bad the coal mafia is in Meghalaya.' 'Most politicians own coal mines, some policemen own coal mines and some in the administration own them.' 'So what you have is a nice cocktail and everybody is protecting each other.'
The Accidental Prime Minister: Sheer propaganda!
Rediff.com27 Dec 2018Nothing 'accidental' about this movie, feels Syed Firdaus Ashraf.
Does Nawaz fail Thackeray?
Rediff.com26 Dec 2018Can Nawazuddin Siddiqui bring Bal Thackeray's powerful personality to life? Syed Firdaus Ashraf watches the Thackeray trailer to find out.
Did #MeToo take life of Genpact executive?
Rediff.com26 Dec 2018'Just because a girl accuses someone of sexual harassment it does not mean that person should be held guilty.' 'A man must be given a fair chance.' 'Even if he is able to clear his name in the case, he would not be able to face the world.'
Billionaire: 'It's very important Modi gets re-elected'
Rediff.com21 Dec 2018Billionaire investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala explains why he thinks Modi should be at the helm of India.
Will cell phone radiation kill off birds, like shown in 2.0?
Rediff.com20 Dec 2018'Cell phone towers with 4G technology might certainly impact the lives of birds, and humans.' 'This needs a greater amount of investigation, research and mapping in the country.'
'Why do we need court's permission to build Ram temple?'
Rediff.com19 Dec 2018'When the Babri Masjid was demolished, we didn't take permission from anyone.'
'Only 10% of farmers gain from loan waivers'
Rediff.com19 Dec 2018'Some farmers know when elections are due.' 'Before that, they take loans.' 'They then ask their farmer unions for loan waivers and the political party who shouts first about a loan waiver (gets the votes).'
'1984 was the beginning, followed by 1992 and 2002'
Rediff.com17 Dec 2018'1984 is important as it is the beginning of the State making war against its citizens in India.' 'Since then, we had the government of the day organising riots or genocide by attacking certain people.'
Jobs! An interview all youngsters must read
Rediff.com15 Dec 2018'Don't waste your time in doing long pointless graduation courses.' 'Try and get into an apprenticeship or a job after Class 10 or Class 12, as there is always time to get back to academics and learn new skills.'
How Congress's gang of 4 unseated BJP in MP
Rediff.com12 Dec 2018'From 10 am on Tuesday to 3 am this morning, we must have made not less than a thousand phone calls.' 'We kept fighting till the end and we did not leave the room till we got 113 certificates.' 'Two-three losses would have changed the game and the BJP wanted to become the largest party which they did not become.'
'This defeat is that of Amit Shah, Modi, Raman Singh'
Rediff.com11 Dec 2018'The Congress didn't win elections only on soft Hindutva.'
How KCR secured a landslide victory in Telangana
Rediff.com11 Dec 2018'When the Congress tied up with Chandrababu Naidu, they helped trigger Telangana pride.'
'RBI won't overcome trust deficit'
Rediff.com11 Dec 2018'If Urjit Patel had resigned after the five-state elections results people would have taken a different view. So this was the right time for him to resign.' 'He rightly resigned as he felt the differences with the government were not getting settled.'
'BJP wants to run India according to Manusmriti, not Constitution'
Rediff.com7 Dec 2018'The BJP has been tinkering with the Indian Constitution every now and then.' 'Instead of celebrating November 26 as Constitution Day, the BJP was more interested in (the VHP's) Dharam Sabha which was called that day.' 'This shows they believe more in the Ram mandir than in the Constitution.'
Was cop killed for his role in probing Dadri case?
Rediff.com5 Dec 2018'Subodh Singh had a key role as the investigating officer in the Akhlaq murder case.' 'He was the first key witness from the government side in the case.'
'Without skills you are a recipient of charity'
Rediff.com4 Dec 2018'Jobs will exist at very high levels or low levels of skill sets.' 'People, who are in middle level jobs, are the ones who are facing the problem as such jobs are fast disappearing because of technological advancement.'
'Can you divide society only on the basis of caste?'
Rediff.com3 Dec 2018'We were supposed to be a united nation based on unity and diversity.' 'Now what we are doing is there will be a class called Marathas, Dangars, etc.' 'The 100 per cent of our nation's population will be in classes and you will be allocating the nation's education and service resources in terms of classes.' 'How does it work out in terms of equality? Where is your equal nation?'
'If farmers' demands are not met, govt will suffer'
Rediff.com30 Nov 2018'Till the time the Modi government is ruling, they will write off loans of corporates and give opportunities to rogue businessmen to run away, so we will have to come again and again on the roads to demand our just rights.'