All stories by Sahil Makkar
Govt schools in 4 BJP-ruled states to go digital
Rediff.com23 Jun 2017The MHRD plans to track various performance parameters of government school teachers and students through tablets and smartphones, reports Sahil Makkar.
Captain faces an uphill task in Punjab
Rediff.com13 Jun 2017Why does Punjab's CM find it hard to fulfill poll promises?
Modi @3: Smart cities, slow progress
Rediff.com19 May 2017Lukewarm response from private investors and turf battles between government agencies have resulted in delaying Modi's ambitions. Sahil Makkar reports.
BJP's Delhi win will send a message to Gujarat, Himachal
Rediff.com27 Apr 2017The emphatic victory in all three municipal corporations in Delhi will enthuse the party to keep its winning trajectory for the next polls, reports Sahil Makkar.
GST rollout will not immediately boost FDI, say experts
Rediff.com12 Apr 2017Though FDI inflow has been on the rise in the past three years, it is mostly on account of services
Why has Kejriwal promised to abolish property tax
Rediff.com7 Apr 2017The poll promise is an attempt to woo the middle-class and rich voters in the wake of the party's growing unpopularity.
India has turned into fertile ground for ISIS
Rediff.com7 Apr 2017'We could crack IM modules in the country because one arrested member would spill beans on the other.' 'With ISIS, every module is different and is possibly being handled by different operators abroad.'
Parrikar will be missed at defence ministry
Rediff.com13 Mar 2017His absence will be felt because of his decision taking ability and rapport with armed forces.
Why Mayawati needs to reinvent herself
Rediff.com6 Mar 2017'She should review her strategy of social engineering and get back to the BSP's initial plank of social change.'
End of American dream for Indian youth?
Rediff.com1 Mar 2017Experts say Indian students will have to accept that international space for them is shrinking.
2017 will see lower pay hikes across India
Rediff.com23 Feb 2017Increments in 2017 would be less than in 2016, says survey.
Why AAP could spring a surprise in Punjab
Rediff.com3 Feb 2017Punjab has around 19.7 million voters, of whom 53% are below the age of 40 years.
AAP or Congress: Inside Punjab's election of change
Rediff.com1 Feb 2017Anti-incumbency sentiment in Punjab puts SAD in a weak spot. But voters remain divided over AAP and Congress. Sahil Makkar reports.
Will AAP be the change Punjab seeks?
Rediff.com31 Jan 2017The only factor working against the AAP, and in favour of the Congress, is the infighting in the former.
Was SP feud a veil for Akhilesh's failure?
Rediff.com27 Jan 2017Akhilesh believes his catchment area is the 4.1 million new voters who are 18 to 19 years old.
The cost of demonetisation: Jobless hundreds in Jalandhar
Rediff.com27 Dec 2016In the fourth of a six-part series Sahil Makkar finds out how badly Jalandhar's sports goods industry was hit by the note ban and the price it continues to pay.
In non-election year, political donations down 84%
Rediff.com22 Dec 2016despite an Election Commission notification, disallowing tax benefits on cash donations to political parties, the cash contribution increased from 0.14% in FY15 to 1.42% in FY16.
Will 2017 be as good as 2012 for the Badals?
Rediff.com12 Dec 2016There is anti-incumbency in urban areas. Rural Punjab, the Akali base, will hold the key.
In Ludhiana, manufacturing takes a beating post notes ban
Rediff.com5 Dec 2016In the concluding article of a six-part series, Business Standard visits Ludhiana, one of the largest industrial towns in Punjab, to assess the effect of demonetisation.
Villagers begin early harvesting as tension simmers on border
Rediff.com8 Oct 2016Most villagers decided to stay back to harvest crops, their only source of livelihood.