author

Shobha Warrier

Shobha Warrier has been associated with Rediff from its inception and currently works as Senior Editorial Director. She is also the author of five books in English, Battlefield India: 25 years of Politricks and Economix, Dreamchasers: Entrepreneurs from the South of the Vindhyas, Dreamchaers: Women Entrepreneurs from the South of the Vindhyas, His Days with Bapu, and The Little Flower girl and Others- A diary of a journalist. Her three Malayalam short story collections include Jalavidya, Meghana and Ramakundam. She won the Lalitambika Antharjanam special award in 1996 for her book, Jalavidya. She likes talking to people and listening to their stories! You can e-mail the author at shobhaw@rediff.co.in

Stories by Shobha Warrier

'Vijay Is Not Accessible Even To His Parents'

'Vijay Is Not Accessible Even To His Parents'

Rediff.com   5 hours ago

'He is not accessible even to his family, his wife or his mother or his father. No one.' 'He has created a barrier so that nobody can go and talk to him.' 'This kind of a mentality is a big question mark in politics.'

'Delhi Leaders Can't Read The Minds Of Tamil Nadu People'

'Delhi Leaders Can't Read The Minds Of Tamil Nadu People'

Rediff.com   5 hours ago

'The BJP is projected as a party that follows Hindu politics, talking about religion, gods and goddess all the time.'
'People of Tamil Nadu are not bothered about religion in politics.' 'That is why Tamil Nadu people do not encourage the BJP.'

'Life Support Withdrawal Is About Reducing Suffering, Not Ending Life'

'Life Support Withdrawal Is About Reducing Suffering, Not Ending Life'

Rediff.com   2 days ago

'Families go through turmoil at that time. There is a feeling of guilt and uncertainty, and they do not know what they should be doing.' 'Now that the new judgment has clarified what the procedure is, doctors will be confident enough to talk to the families and explain what is to be done.'

'Right To Die With Dignity Is A Fundamental Right'

'Right To Die With Dignity Is A Fundamental Right'

Rediff.com   7 days ago

'Why can't we work towards a dignified end of the person when a cure is not possible and the end is inevitable?'

The Inspiring Journey Of Sreeja, UPSC AIR 57

The Inspiring Journey Of Sreeja, UPSC AIR 57

Rediff.com   16 Mar 2026

'India is at a critical juncture in this century. I want to be a part of the diplomatic team that works to make India great.'

'Worst Gulf Crisis For Migrants In 50 Years'

'Worst Gulf Crisis For Migrants In 50 Years'

Rediff.com   6 Mar 2026

'In India, there is this first generation migrant, say from a small village in UP. He didn't go to the Gulf to buy a big house but make the life of his family better.' 'He may have paid 1 lakh rupees to an agent to go to the Gulf. Imagine what will happen to him and his family if he has to come back. He and his family will become poor again.' 'He went to the Gulf to come out of poverty, but this war will make his family trapped in poverty once again.'

'Let's Stop Treating AI Like COVID'

'Let's Stop Treating AI Like COVID'

Rediff.com   2 Mar 2026

'It is too early to conclude that there will be a bloodbath, that there will be no jobs, and that there will be civil unrest.' 'Let's calm down.' 'AI is a tool, it is not a weapon, it is not a virus.'

'Child Marriage Is Nothing But Child Rape'

'Child Marriage Is Nothing But Child Rape'

Rediff.com   27 Feb 2026

'People don't believe that a 15-year-old girl subjected to sexual intercourse within a marriage is a victim of rape.'

The Gulf Dream That Led To A Palace

The Gulf Dream That Led To A Palace

Rediff.com   20 Feb 2026

After spending 43 years working inside Dubai's royal palace, a man from Kottakkal returned home with nothing but gratitude for the life he lived in extraordinary circumstances.

'Let Children Have Real Friends Whom They Can't Block Or Delete'

'Let Children Have Real Friends Whom They Can't Block Or Delete'

Rediff.com   16 Feb 2026

'Recently a girl who was suicidal was brought to me.' 'When I asked her what was bothering her, she said she and her friend took photos at the same place and posted them on Instagram.' 'While her friend got 23 likes, she didn't get a single like.' 'She said, "nobody likes me, nobody wants me in this world. I am rejected by everybody".' 'And she wanted to end her life.'

Supriya Sahu, Champion of the Earth

Supriya Sahu, Champion of the Earth

Rediff.com   11 Feb 2026

'We should learn from the wild world on how they live harmoniously.'

'Don't Get Carried Away Signing A Trade Agreement'

'Don't Get Carried Away Signing A Trade Agreement'

Rediff.com   9 Feb 2026

'There is a lot of euphoria in the country after a trade agreement is signed. But it is an illusion for us. What is more important is making it real.'

Meet The 'Waste Warrior' Of India!

Meet The 'Waste Warrior' Of India!

Rediff.com   5 Feb 2026

Her mission: Making Mother Earth cleaner and greener!

'India Should Not Rush To Celebrate Trump's Trade Announcement'

'India Should Not Rush To Celebrate Trump's Trade Announcement'

Rediff.com   3 Feb 2026

'Trump says India will buy over $500 billion of US goods.' 'At present, India's annual imports of goods and energy from the US are under $50 billion.' 'Reaching $500 billion would likely require more than 20 years, suggesting the figure refers to a long-term aspiration rather than a near-term commitment.'

Why Kerala's Twenty20 Party Joined The NDA

Why Kerala's Twenty20 Party Joined The NDA

Rediff.com   2 Feb 2026

'When the prime minister and home minister promised their full support for the development of Kerala, why should we not be a part of them?'

'Hindu Unity Is Not What I Am Aiming At'

'Hindu Unity Is Not What I Am Aiming At'

Rediff.com   30 Jan 2026

'The Kerala of today is not the Kerala of yesterday.' 'What has seeped into this society is the feeling of hatred towards other castes and religions.'

'AI Makes This The Most Exciting Time To Be Alive'

'AI Makes This The Most Exciting Time To Be Alive'

Rediff.com   27 Jan 2026

'In three years, you will have an AI model that will be smarter than the smartest mathematician or the smartest scientist.'

How A Sanitation Worker Became A Celebrity

How A Sanitation Worker Became A Celebrity

Rediff.com   23 Jan 2026

S Padma, a street cleaner in Chennai, found a box full of gold worth more than Rs 45 lakh and returned it. 'I have been sweeping the streets of Chennai for 21 years. Nobody in the street knew me. I was just a faceless, nameless sanitation worker in an orange and blue uniform.'

'Dr Gadgil Understood Environment's Impact On Mankind's Future'

'Dr Gadgil Understood Environment's Impact On Mankind's Future'

Rediff.com   12 Jan 2026

'His report created a lot of negative reaction in Kerala and in a way, he was crucified for writing such a report.' 'I asked him, "Don't you feel frustrated?"' 'His reply was, "Have you read Bhagavad Gita Chapter2"?' 'He particularly mentioned verse 47, where Sri Krishna tells Arjuna, "Your duty is to work without thinking of the fruits you get".' "He said, "similarly, my duty was to do what best I could do without hoping for any rewards".'

'Age Shouldn't Be A Factor When You Want To Realise A Dream'

'Age Shouldn't Be A Factor When You Want To Realise A Dream'

Rediff.com   8 Jan 2026

'I was embarrassed that I was learning a martial art form at 55. I thought what will people say? I kept it a secret even from my husband.'