my vision

2012-05-03T15:19:00.003+05:30

globalization of Indian Economy

The concept of globalisation was first introduced by Adam Smith, the father of modern economics in the year 1776 through the book titled, “Wealth of the Nations”, and since then the globalisation has been liked yo-yo.

In the days of yore, British, Chinese, Indians and Mughals were involved in global business. The Chinese used to sell silk to the world and buy dynamites. The British used to come to India to buy condiments and in return India used to buy ammunition.

So, the point is that - globalisation is not a new concept. In the good old days, globalisation even more prevalent because Indian spices, silk handicrafts, gold, sliver jewellery, etc., were ubiquitous everywhere in Europea.

In the past globalisation meant quid pro quo i.e., one thing for another. But in the early 20thcentury, everything changed when France introduced the system of protectionism and every nation began to create boundaries.

Protectionism destroyed globalisation in total. But again in the late 20th century the winds of globalisation began to blow. Dr. Allen Green Span as well as Dr. Paul Walker began to egg the nation in favour of globalisation and it was July 1, 1991, when India became the part and parcel of globalisation and today every nation, which happens to be a pursuer of globlisation derives plenty of basketfuls of fruits.

The word "goalisation", which connotes where all the nations join their hands d create a kind of synergy to do business or any commercial, cultural or educational activities, in which every participant nation should beneficiary. Globalisation in a nutshell is "one for all and all for no. The purpose behind globalisation has been to open the portals for each and every nation in different fields. A nation can buy from other nation and sell to other nation.

At the time when many analysts predict a booming future for Indian economy India remains hesitant to fully embrace globalisation India and its neighbour China have been tagged as the world's next economic super powers. Yet while China industriously makes its economy hospitable to foreign capital, Indian reformers continue to grapple with an intransigent domestic opposition to liberalization. Such are the pitfalls of Indian democracy.

"As Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen and many other experts ha pointed out that India, as a geographical, politico-cultural entity has bee interacting with the outside world throughout history and still continues to do so.

India has to adapt, assimilate and contribute." There are numerous experts to tell all who listen, that globalisation opens a tremendous potential for growth and poverty alleviation, and an outward looking model frees up entrepreneurs to innovate and invest.

Globalisation means many things to the hoi polloi, particularly in India, which is the to probably the widest range of anti-globalisation groups in the world Indian economy needs globalisation because it can reduce the poverty also increase India's forex level which means Indian can manage economic crisis through it.

During 1990's India was passing through mammoth economic crisis. The economic crisis of 1991 proved a real turning point for the Indian economy. Indian ambivalence towards markets and free trade has been evident in the way it has dealt with Bretton Woods institutions.

The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund were created with the fundamental premise that protecting and expanding the system of liberal international trade would help avert a third major global conflict. India has been a vibrant participant in these institutions, not only as a major client, but also through its brilliant staff members and its commending executive directors.

Since the days of 1991, India has come a long way. It has comfortable foreign exchange reserves (despite high levels of domestic debt); booming software and services export market, and a burgeoning knowledge economic Clearly, India has tremendous opportunities to benefit from globalisation but there is also consensus that the challenges confronting In development are substantial, even daunting. India remains handicapped by enormous infrastructure and labour and capital constraints.

"Everyone is talking the talk, but not everyone is walking walk". This statement was made by Planning Commission De Chairman, Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, in the closing remarks of his talk,gIobalisation and Indian Economy." Dr. Ahluwalia suggested that most people in India now agree in India's greater participation in the global economy, but more needs to be done to achieve that objective. Even so, there have have been significant changes made, especially compared to the 1980s, when there were much talk of liberalization, but no action.

Before the 1990, India's economic model was dominated by a large public sector, which favoured partitions for domestic industry. There was distrust for private sector and suspicion of foreign investment, with extremely high taxation levels on imported goods and a different business environment for foreign business interests.

However, a balance of payment crisis in —rushed India to seek loans from the International Monetary Fund and liberalise the economy. Dr. Ahulwalia stressed that this economic liberalization led to a rapid paradigmatic shift that significantly reduced suspicion of the private sector. Dr. Ahluwalia argued that India has undoubtedly benefited from the 1990s reforms. His argument was substantiated by two major facts: (1) The reduction of Indian poverty rates in the 90s and (2) India's ranking second next to China, in comparison with growth rates for large developing countries.

India, A Hub for Globalisation", is timely. India fever has caught on in the world's investment community. Nowadays the Western press rarely mentions that certified growth miracle, that leviathan of global trade, Car: without adding India".

India and China are amongst the most pro-competition countries. India produces bountiful of software engineers and software analysts, while China supplies all kinds of equipments. So, as per the current scenario, the conclusion has been derived, "India as back office supplier, China as front office supplier." Globalisation involves FDIs & FIIs.

FDIs. India is the 'best destination' for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and joint ventures, claims country's Commerce and Industry Minister Mr. kamal Nath. Addressing an audience of United States investors at the focus India Show in Chicago recently, he said that India had emerged as an across the board low cost base, attractive enough to multinationals, to relocate in the country More than one hundred of the Fortune 500 companies have a presence in India, as compared to only 33 in China.

Reiterating that India promises high returns on investments, Mr. Kamal Kar said that repatriation of profits was freely permitted, while according to a survey conducted by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and industry (FICCI) a few months ago, 70 percent of foreign investors were making profit and another 12 percent were breaking even. These figures would have since improved further, adding that FDI policies in India were among the most liberal, lucrative and attractive in emerging economics.

Mr. Kamal Nath listed out the policy initiatives taken by the Government in specific sectors such as telecom, ports, airports, railways, roads, and energy construction development with a view to improving competitiveness of the Indian economy.

Further, lucrative investment opportunities were being offered to investors through tax incentives and customs duty concessions for import of plant and machinery needed for the projects. The Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Act was also in place facilitate this process.

India has an open system with social and politic safety valves, and a regulatory mechanism that provides comfort, Ion term stability and security to the foreign investors. FDI plays an important role in the long-term economic development of the country, not only as a source of capital but also for enhancing competitiveness of the domes economy through transfer of technology, strengthening infrastructure raising productivity and generating new employment opportunity.

According to a survey by the global consultancy firm KMPG, India has emerged as the top FDI destination on the basis of higher returns - investment that foreign investors earn in the country compared to the other emerging markets like China, Brazil and Mexico.

The Foreign Institutional Investment flows to India are very high India is believed to be a good investment destination among the Europe investors, despite political uncertainty, bureaucratic hassles, shortage power and infrastructural deficiencies.

India presents a vast potential overseas investment and is actively encouraging the entrance of foreign players into the market. A report published by Goldman Sachs shows that India has grabbed the major share of the $1 billion of investment made by Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) in emerging market; the last week of July 2006.

Due to globalisation, the Gross.Domestic Product (GDP) increase with meteoric speed. GDP is the value of all goods and services produced in a country during a given period. Today, India's rank is 10th in the top ten economies (GDP). The USA is numero uno in this. India is 5th largest economy in the world (ranking above France, Italy, the United Kingdom and Russia)

Indian exports grew by 27.08 percent during April 2006, while imports registered a growth of 20.52 percent during the same year. The exports of India are increasing due to globalisation.

Commerce and Industry Minister Mr. Kamal Nath announced fresh trade initiatives to give incentives to make a India global hut gems and jewellery as well as auto components and to tailor expo; create more jobs. Mr. Kamal Nath launched two new schemes aimed creating more jobs in rural and semi-urban areas with diversifying trade basket to emerging markets of Africa and Latin America.

To take the benefits of foreign trade to rural areas, Krishi Vishesh Yojana is being expanded to include village and cottage industries while being renamed as the Krishi Vishesh Upaj Aur Gram Udyog Yojana. Now in rural areas, denizens can also get benefit of the gloabalisation can get employment also.

Today, the foreign universities and different educational institutions are establishing their branches in other nations. Due to gloablisation in — a student gets foreign education in his own country. India has also lunched many sub-centres of different educational institutions in other countries. The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) are its best

The RBI recently formed a six-member committee headed by former Deputy Governor Mr. S.S. Tarapore to prepare a roadmap towards capital account convertibility (CAC), the first step towards making the Rupee fully convertible. The committee was formed to review the experience of measures of capital account liberalization in India, examine: implications of fuller capital account convertibility on monetary and exchange rate management and provide a comprehensive medium term operational framework. The committee has already submitted its report.

Now a days globalisation has become laissez faire i.e., unrestricted commerce. Today, Indian economy is burgeoning due to globalisation, ergo contribution of globalisation in the progress of Indian economy crucial.

2012-05-03T15:14:00.001+05:30

Tradition vs Modernity

Tradition is the collective wisdom and modes of behavior of the ancestor's cherished and ritualistical iy observed by the present generations. Tradition is also belittled occasionally when it is seen to sanction or promote unscientific and superstitious conduct and beliefs. Modernity as opposed to tradition refers to an outlook that is generally future oriented and forward looking.

Modernity rests on a rational interpretation of religious, social and economic institutions and phenomena. Modernity is identified very often with the industrialized western civilization where the family relationships, legal institutions and statecraft underwent tremendous transformation following the Reformation and Renaissance. Movements for abolition of slavery, voting rights to the women and universal suffrage were the natural outcome of the abandonment of traditional belief and practices in favor of a more democratic and equalitarian political and social system.

Traditions exercise a very strong and sometimes almost imperceptible and unconscious hold over us. Such influence is seen at its most pervasive in rituals relating to birth, death and marriage.' The restrictions on the movement of the mother who has just delivered a child are universally observed by all classes and castes of people. Very few Hindus would willingly forego the vows of traditional marriage and feel properly married if they only sign on the register in the office of the registrar of marriages. Similarly at the time of death of father, the son only would light the fire and would also perform all the rituals to ensure that the soul of the dead obtains peace after death. Any deviation of short-circuiting of the procedures is normally resented by the near and dear ones of the deceased. It is seen that even the most modern-minded Hindus would not like to tinker with traditional rituals associated with the ceremonies of birth, marriage and death. Even very poor persons beg and borrow money to discharge their traditional obligations.

Although the industrialization and the consequent urbanization have brought immense change in the Indian society, the hold of tradition still remains strong. The marriages are still arranged mostly with the initiative or consent of the parents. Caste marriages constitute the vast majority of marriages even when castes are ignored. The four major Varnas-the Brahmin, the Kshatriya, the Vaishya, and the Shudras are still maintained in most marriage alliances. The marriages between the high castes and low castes are still rare. Even highly placed public figures in India have violently opposed inter caste marriages of their sons and daughters which became hot news in the national newspapers and media.

In many states of India, parents traditionally like to have male children, Now that the scientific advancement enables the parents to know the sex of the child before birth (although such a test has been declared illegal) many parents in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan get their female embryos killed through termination of pregnancy. This tradition of doing away with the unwanted female children is so entrenched that the population figures compiled by the 2001 Census of India has shown that the female population per thousand is much lower in some states due to female infanticide.

While large population of many states of India are still stuck in the traditional quagmire of superstitions, there are growing number of parents, who are giving equal importance to the education and bringing up of their daughters. As a result, women are increasingly competing successfully in competition for jobs and professional opportunities in the country. There are many women chief ministers, chief secretaries, industrialists, business women artists' actresses, models and sportswomen who have impressed the world with their sterling performance and accomplishments.

They have broken the traditions of women playing a second fiddle and have become role models for the new generation to emulate their examples. Women have also joined professions like airline pilots, astronauts long considered a male preserve.
Media explosion and satellite television have facilitated intrusion of modernity even in the most traditional sections of population like the spiritual Gurus and astrologers.

There are ever increasing number of T.V. channels like Aastha, Sanskaar, Sadhana exclusively airing spiritual discourses and events. For many devotees, this has obviated the need to go to pilgrimage places or Gurudhams to sit at the feet of their Guru and earn Punya in their satsang. Thus the modern technology may reduce one to one contact between the Guru and devotee and dilutee the intensity of the spiritual experience which can be had only in personal contact. The astrologers have expanded their business enormously by using computer software for making horoscopes and making and communicating predictions on the internet. The modern technology has also been used effectively to reinforce and propagate the tradition.

Televising the serials on The Ramayana and the Mahabharata have revived interest in Indian mythology and tradition and acquainted the new generations with the great characters of Rama, Lakshmana, Sita, Krishna, Arjuna, Bhima, Yudhishthra, Draupadi and Bhishma. Indian children and youth now enjoy the exploits ofthe Spiderman and the Hanuman with equal delight courtesy the reach of satellite TV.

Apart for its external glamour, modernity actually refers to an out- look in life which is rooted in a scientific temper of mind. Modernity showed its first glimpse when Galileo rejected the traditional notion of the earth being flat and propounded the notion of the Earth being round. He also established the untenably of the earth centric universe and claimed that the earth revolves around the sun. Henceforth the exploration of knowledge declined itself from dependence on authority and ancient text and depended for its veracity on empirical observation and experimental results ever since modernity is bound as if with an umbilical chord with the scientific outlook on the world.

Nothing is taken on trust; the phenomena can be explained only by establishing relationship of cause and effect. This orientation has been responsible for all discoveries and scientific invention and the unimagined advancement in technology which has transformed the world more in two hundred years than the preceding millennia.

Indian metropolitan cities have been enormously modernized in its residential and hotel accommodation, offices, and transport facilities and above all by cellular phone services. Distance has been annihilated, connectivity is immediate. Express highways join many metropolitan cities on which you can safely drive at 120 kms an hour. The eating places are mushrooming in the cities.

The plastic currency of credit cards has obviated the need of carrying wads of currency notes at personal risk. The increasing practice of home delivery and shopping on the net has saved the modern man a lot of time and energy which he can use more profitably.
Although modernity is prominently visible in the occupational and professional spheres, in family and social life, tradition still looms large. Joint family has almost disappeared from the salaried classes, but it still exists in business families. The nuclear families are on the increase. But the extended family is not a thing of the past as yet; the old parents still want to live with their sons.

They find it difficult to live alone. The idea of going to old age-homes is anathema to the most. Working women are increasing in number. Many of them are still apprehensive of leaving them in creches and would prefer leaving them under the care of grand parents although out of compulsion for the comfort and security of their children and not out of love for their parents in-laws. Family - soaps on the television enjoy increasing viewership and are working as blood transfusion to a dying extended family system in the cities.

As a matter of fact, modernity in India has not replaced tradition largely or decisively. Indian tradition is ancient, long and haloed. Many western and eastern Spiritual personalities and institutions have made appreciative interpretations of Indian culture and traditions giving them a new lease of life. Yoga and meditation centers have sprung all over the world and are helping millions to gain physical and spiritual well being. Indian politics too is deriving nourishment by constant allusion and reference to the glorious Indian tradition. An obvious case in point is a string of successive Indian beauties winning the titles of Miss Universe and Miss World in international beauty contests. It was perhaps a combination of modern mind and traditional saris which won them the coveted titles of Beauty-Queens.

2012-05-03T14:59:00.001+05:30

Internet Addiction

The Internet is a social technology, but the effect it has on face to face relationships can potentially be very detrimental. Like any activity, the Internet takes up a person's time; the amount of time varies depending on the person's level of addiction. Often this time usage could be spent bettering face to face relationships.

It is not uncommon for an Internet user to begin to replace their face to face relationships with those formed on the Internet. By doing this they often negatively affect their lives. The Internet has become one of the most universal methods for communication with over 100 million users worldwide. From e-mail to the possibly billions of web pages, there is an infinite amount of information flowing. And another enticing aspect of the Internet is the opportunity to interact with other people. Chat Rooms and MUD (Multi-User Dimensional) games offer the person the ability to talk and mingle with others online.

But with this newfound freedom, also comes the possibility of abuse and addiction. It is also known in developed countries as internet addiction. Internet addiction, also known as Pathological Internet use, has emerged as a very destructive force in today's society. An estimated 6 percent of the web user's 100 million people are thought to be online addicts and that number is growing every day. But what causes Internet Addiction? There are many different causes, but one of the most essential, is thought to be a personality disorder.

The lone, bored, depress, introverted, lacking self-esteem, or have a history of addictions are most vulnerable. This group of people seems to be the most susceptible to all mental disorders, psychologically or physical. These people need to fill the void that has been created by not having any real life relationships, so they turn to the Internet, just as if someone would turn to drugs. More than 90 percent of addicts became addicted to two-way communications functions: chat rooms, MUDs (Multi- User Dungeons), news groups, and e-mail.

Pathological Internet Use or Internet Addiction is a type of impulse control disorder. Psychologists put it under this category because the effects of chemicals produced in the brain during Internet use haven't been properly documented. The addiction is similar to an obsessive compulsive disorder and is also often compared to alcoholism.

This clearly shows that internet addiction is not a thing to just laugh about or pass away as a ridiculous joke. It has to be combated worldwide. This can be done by making more friends in your active life or by hooking onto an active sport. Proper parental guidance and having a good friend circle are few ways of beating this new disorder. So come on-"let us leave the monitor screens and lead a more healthy life and make a healthy society.

2012-05-01T16:31:00.004+05:30

Cultural Heritage of India

A nation that has no cultural heritage is like an orphan who has nothing to feed upon. An individual human being, a race or a nation must necessarily have certain roots somewhere. India is deep rooted in the culture of her past—the glorious past. India is a vast country, and centuries old. It is difficult to sum up her heritage in a few words. Her past has been full of glory. She has been the birth place of many great men and women. She has given birth to many great movements in religion, art and literature. These movements have not been limited to India alone, but they have travelled to other parts of the world. The India of today has a rich past over which we can look back with pride. Our past has given us a definite way of life, which is typically Indian and yet universal in approach.

The most prominent feature of India's culture it that it combines many cultures. India is a land of great variety and many influences have worked to produce modern India. India has shown great capacity for absorbing what came to her from outside. The base of the Indian civilization was formed by the coming together of the old Indus Valley Civilization and the Aryan Civilization came from beyond the North-West frontier of India. It has been repeatedly influenced by other civilizations, though basically it has recognize the same. The Greeks, the Romans, the Scythians, the Turks, the Russians, the Arabs and the Europeans left their impression. India's capacity to abroad was so great that they all became Indian.

British rule in India brought a new element. The industrial civilization of the West brought in her influences. It produced changes in thought and outlook. The ideas of democracy of the parliamentary type were brought to India by the West. The English language also was helpful in bringing us in contract with the modern world by science.

For several hundred years India was weak and came under foreign rule. She lost her vitality. In ancient times, Indian missions went out, carrying India's religion, language, culture, habits and art, all over South-East Asia, Western and Central Asia. Ashoka, the great emperor, sent missionaries to spread Buddhism all over the then known world, some of the oldest books in Sanskrit drama have been found in the Gobi desert.

The came a period when narrow-mindedness entered Indian ways of thinking. Religion became a superstition. The ideas of caste cut Indian society into countless divisions. Foreigners took advantage of these and conquered India.

It was Gandhiji who made Indians aware of their ancient heritage which they had forgotten. He led us in our struggle for freedom. In this task he put into practice the basic wisdom of ancient India. That wisdom consisted in freedom from fear and freedom from hatred. To the ideals of truth and non-violence which had been preached long ago by the wise men of old, he have a new shape.

Throughout her past India has preached and practiced toleration and understanding. These have been the basis of Indian religion, philosophy, art and literature. Her sons wet far and wide, unmindful of the dangers in their ways, to spread this message of peace. By adopting peaceful means forgetting our independence, Gandhiji showed the superiority of peaceful methods over force and violence.

The charms and graciousness of the .Indian way of life endures due to the philosophy of life which we have inherited from the past. Religion in India is not a thing to be put on and put off like Sunday clothes. It permeates the whole fabric of Indian life. Whatever we do, however great or small, is colored with religious sentiments. From the planting of a tree to the establishing of an industry, all are regarded as pious acts. Training and education, marriage and procreation, birth and death are all tinged with religious fervour.

It true that our attitude towards life is now rapidly becoming materialistic. The glamour of the western way of life with its glorification of material prosperity and its wonderful achievements in the field, of science and technology has modified our aim and ambitions. A new orientation has been given to Indian life. The ideal now chiefly adored is success or the ability which produces success. The Quit of success has dazzled our eyes and some of us have started looking down up to the old traditions and culture. The results, however, have not been very happy. We are losing our roots. Blind imitation of the west will just make us get lost in blind alley.

However, we must not also resist the winds of change and remain clinging to the past values and principles of life. We must not close our doors to the influences from the outside world. If those influences are good, they will strengthen the basic concepts of our culture and so enrich it as to make it truly representative of the life of our people. What is to be avoided is a blind imitation of cultures and values. Countries become great not because they have achieved progress in material things but because they follow noble traditions and base their life on what has been called by Tagore 'Dharma', or a moral way of life. We should remain true to the real genius of our land, the quality and habit of mind which has preserved us through the ages.

2012-05-01T12:08:00.004+05:30

Indian Culture Projects Unity in Diversity

In view of the diversity certain people have formed the impression that India was never a united country. But this view is not fully correct because under the facade of diversity India has always enjoyed a deep note of fundamental unity.

Dr. Radha Kumud Mukherjee says that a superficial observer fails to discover this unity. To quote him, "He fails to discover the one in many, the individual in the aggregate, and the simple in the composite."

Sir Herbert Risley also observed, "Beneath the manifold diversity of physical and social type, language, custom and religion which strike the observer in India there can still be discerned a certain underlying uniformity of life from the Himalayas to Cape Clamoring.”

Certain scholars have tried to project the image that the ideal of unity is of recent growth in India and it was to a large extent the result of the efforts of the British Government. This view is not fully correct because India has enjoyed unity right from the earliest times and the founders of the Indian civilization were fully aware of this factor.

This shall be fully substantiated by the following discussion.

Geographical Unity:

Geographically India may not be a united by itself but from times immemorial India has been considered as one country. The single name “Bharata Varsha” given to this country emphasis this unity.

According to the authors of 'Advance History of India,' this name and the sense of unity which it denotes, was ever present before the minds of the theologians, political philosophers and poets who spoke of the thousand Yojans (leagues) of land that stretches from Himalayas to the sea as the proper domain of a single universal emperor."

During the medieval times the Muslim rulers also considered it as one country and made efforts to capture all parts. The nature has also bestowed a geographical unity by providing Himalayas in the North and Ocean in the other three sides of the country and thereby completely separating India from other countries.

The rivers of, India have also been responsible for giving a sense of unity in the country. Some of the rivers are ascribed divine origin and are considered sacred by every Indian. For example, Ganga is worshipped in all the four direction of the country.

Pilgrims from all over the country continue to visit the various holy places situated on its banks. Other rivers like Yamuna and Saraswati are also considered sacred by people all over the country. In short we can say that in spite of the geographical diversity the country has enjoyed a typical unity.

Racial Unity:

No doubt, the people of India belong to different races but they are so much absorbed in the Hindu fold that they have virtually lost their separate entity. It’s a well known fact that the people of India, to whichever race or region they might belong, are known as Indian of Hindustanis. This is a clear proof of the underlying recital unity of the people.

Linguistic Unity:

Although India possesses a variety of language, but she has enjoyed a linguistic unity from the earliest times. In the 3rd century B.C. the Prakrit served as the common language of the people.

According to Dr. Choudhury, Prakrit was the one single language sufficient to bring the message of a royal missionary to the doors of his humblest subject throughout this vast kingdom." After Prakrit, Sanskrit became the common language of the masses. The other local languages which subsequently gained prominence originated out of Sanskrit.

Some of the prominent Indian languages which owe their origin to Sanskrit include Hindi, Gujarati, Telgu and Tamil. In fact Sanskrit served as the lingua franca during the ancient times. During the Medieval times also though the Sanskrit language was not extended royal patronage by the Muslim rulers, the rulers in fete south continued to patronize it and it continued to flourish with the coming of British, English became lingua franca. After independence this role has been taken over by Hindi.

The script of the various languages used in India also possesses a certain amount of uniformity. In fact almost all the scripts are based on the Brahmin script. The literature produced in different Indian languages also possesses an element of unity. Most of the literature in Indian language drew inspiration from the Sanskrit literature and maintained the unity.

No doubt, certain local pieces of literature like Vedas, Puranas, Dharma Sastras and Upanishads were written in Sanskrit and are regarded as the common reissue by the people all over the country.

Religious and Social Unity:

In the religious sphere also despite the manifold diversity a sort of unity has prevailed amongst the various religious sects in the country. India was primarily a Hindu country and its culture was based on Varna Ashrama Dharma Vyavastha, i.e., caste.

People in all the four corners of the country followed these principles. The people also worshipped the same Hindu Gods all over the country, although they were assigned different names in different regions. The Hindu religious works Ramayana and the Mahabharata were also popular throughout the country and Indians both in the north and the south as well as east and west attach great importance to these works.

Similarly, the Vadas, Puranas and other religious scriptures are given due regarded by the people from all parts of the country. Again, every Indian irrespective of his caste, creed and race believes in the doctrine of transmigration of soul, monotheism, immortality of the soul, reincarnation of Karma, deliverance or Moksha etc.

The people staying different parts of the country followed the same religious rites and rituals. Even the religious places of the Hindu like Ayodhya, Avantika, Mathura, Gaya, Kashi, Sanchi and Puri are located in the four directions of the country. Hindu festivals like Holi Diwali are also celebrated in the regions of the country. In fact, people from all religions participated in these festivals. Thus we find that in spite of the religious diversities there has been an undercurrent of cultural unity which to large extent nullified the peculiar effects of various religions.

The religious and cultural unity has also led to unity in the social sphere. The people belonging to various religions have been following common customs both with regard to the dress and eating habits.

Political Unity:

In the political sphere the unity of the country has been one of the greatest goals which most of the Indian rulers cherished. No doubt, India was divided into a number of small principalities but the powerful rulers were always keen to bring all these areas under their control. They were keen to assume the title of Chakravarti.

According to Kautilya, Chakravarti king domain extended from Himalayas to the seas. In other words according to Kautilya, the king was’ considered to be a Chakravarti only when he succeeded in extending his power or supremacy over the whole of the country. Usually such titles were assumed by the king after due performance of rites and sacrifices.

In the ancient times Chandragupta Maurya, Asoka and Samudra Gupta carved out all India Empires. During the medieval times also kings like Ala-ud-din Khiliji and AJirangzeb made efforts and succeeded in establishing their control' over the entire country. These Muslim rulers have been provided similar system of administration, uniform laws and customs, common coinage etc. and thus imparted a type of political unity to the entire country. Thus we find that despite the variety of religion, cultures, languages, geographical diversity etc. India has enjoyed some sort of the unity.

Cultural Unity:

Cultural unity amidst various diversities is found in India. Inspite of difference in language, religion, dress and manners, Indian culture is homogeneous. In ancient time, the rock-cut architecture to the Mauryan period found its expression throughout India. The Gandhara School of art and Mathura School of art also flourishe in this land. The Indo-Islamic art and architecture were alike in the and corner of India. Superscriptions found from different parts country bore uniformity in many respects though the events and narratives were different.

Similarly, many festivals like Holi, Diwali, Sahara, Rakshabandhan, Idd, Sobebarat, Christmas, and Good Friday are observed throughout the country with their colorful lustier. Further, the Kumbhamela at Allahabad, Hardwar and Ujjain are attended by people from different parts of the country. Similarly many rites like birth-rite, funeral-rite are observed throughout the country, the caste system, family sanctity, modes of offerings, several social ceremonies are celebrated almost in a similar manner in different parts of the country. Thus, the cultural unity in India amidst several diversities is a unique phenomenon.

Unity in Literature:

In different parts of India literature has been written in several languages. The ancient literature like the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, Dharmasastras etc. were written in Sanskrit. Basing upon those, literature has been written in different languages. The theme and characters of Ramayana, Mahabharata, Raghuvansam etc. are same in different languages may be Oriya, Kannad, Bengali, Ahamiya and so on. Thus, the influence of Sanskrit is greatly felt over that literature and really it plays a cementing force to bind together the literary traditions of different parts of the country.

Philosophical Unity:

India is the birth place of many philosophical systems of the world. The Vedic Philosophy, the philosophy of the Sankhyas, Yogas, Advaita Vedantins, Buddhisas, Jainas, Saivas, Shaktas etc. vary in many respects from each other. Buddha, Mahavir, Shankaracharya, Ballavacharya, Nimbarka, Kabir, Nanak, Sri Chaitanya, Nizamuddin Auliya, Eknath, Tukaram and many other saints preached their philosophy. Monotheism and polytheism have been preached in this subcontinent.

However, the ultimate aim of every philosophy is to lead a life full of bliss and happiness, the concept of Nirvana, Nfoksha, Mukti etc. or the life in this world and the other are certain other aspects of each philosophical system. This unity in Indian philosophical system has allured the attention of the people of the world at large.

Promoter of this Unity:

There are several agencies which have promoted the unity amidst diversity.' The sages, saints, reformers and pilgrims who have visited throughout India sing the glory of several places like Kurukshetra, Allahabad, Hardwar, Rishikesh, Dwaraka, Mathura, Kanchipuram so and so forth. Their description makes Indians feel that they belong to a glorious land, their motherland, India.

In the past, the conquerors like Chandragupta Maurya, Asoka, Chandragupta and Akbar wanted unity of this land which inspired the leaders of the part and inspires the present leaders too to maintain the unity and integrity of our country Among other factors, uniform administration, language and religion modern means of transport and communication, common history and nationalism and the present democratic set up act as agencie for maintaining this fundamental unity of India amidst various diversities Unity in diversity is the basic postulate of Indian culture. It is a wander that in spite of several diversities Indian culture preserves unity. That is quite unique and unparalleled in the chequered annals of history.

That is why, perhaps Herbert Risley has rightly pointed out— "Beneath the many-fold diversity of physical and social type, language, custom and religion which strikes the observer in India, there can still be discerned a certain underlying uniformity of life from the Himalayas to Cape Clamoring.

2012-05-01T12:00:00.001+05:30

India's Economic Development and

Population Growth

We now have the provisional population totals for 2001 Census and the first thing that strikes us is that we went wrong. In February 2001, we have a population of 1.027 billion. But there were earlier projections that stated we would touch 1.027 billion in 2002. So the projections have gone wrong ad we probably touched the billionth mark almost a year before we officially did so. Someone other than Astha Arora should have become famous.

The decadal population growth for 1991-2001 is 21.34%, implying an annual average growth rate of 2.134%. This is of course an annual average growth rate for the decade as a whole and is not terribly pertinent. What is much more important is hat the growth rate is now, say in 2001. according to earlier projections, it was supposed to be 1.55%. But because we went wrong in the earlier projections, it is probably still around 1.6%.

India's greatest problem is population growth. So runs the argument in most text books on the Indian economy. Had it not been for population growth, India's per capita in come would have been higher than the present figure of 450 US dollars. Per capita national income is a ratio. We have national income in the numerator and population in the denominator. Ceteris Paribus, or every thing else remaining constant, a lower population in the denominator and population in the denominator boosts per capita income. Let's assume that in the next twenty years, real national income in India grows at 7.5%. If the population rate of growth is 1.5%, that translates into a per capita income growth of 6%. But if the population rate of growth 2%, that translates into a per capita income growth of only 5.5%. That may may seem like a small difference, but compounded over a period of time, the difference this makes to per capita income is considerable. If the population growth rate slows down, the per capita income will increase faster. The percentage below the poverty line will decline faster.

A Fallacy

There is a fallacy in this argument. Or stated more accurately, there is an assumption in this argument and that assumption cannot be left implicit. It must be made explicit. It is presumed that the population that not disappears makes no contribution to national income. The denominator declines, but the numerator is left untouched. This may or may not be true, but is an assumption nonetheless. Thanks to Malthus, as refined by Coale and Hoover and thanks to developmental economies harping about disguised or not-so-dis-guised unemployment, we presume that a large chunk of the population makes no contribution to national output. The marginal product is zero. That need not be the case. Had that been the case, ethics apart, the best way to increase per capita income would have been to encourage more murders.

Why is a large population a burden? Because we won't be able to feed so many mouths. India produces 2890 kilos of paddy per hectare and 2580 kilos of wheat per hectare. China produces 6060 kilos of paddy per hectare and France produces 7600 kilos of wheat per hectare. If our agricultural productivity levels can be improved, we can easily sustain double the present population. A large population exerts pressure on land in general, as opposed to agricultural land. Really? India has a density of 324 people per square kilometer. Hong Kong seems to be functioning quite well with a density of 6946 per square kilometer. For the record, Chandigarh has not collapsed with the density of 7903 per square kilometer.

Nor is the more general point about availability of natural resources an issue. Hong Kong again is the obvious, though not the only, example. We tend to confuse our inability to provide services like education, sanitation, power, roads drinking water or medical services with a population problem. This is true of urban as well as rural areas. Yes, there are public governance problems and a large population aggravates them. Yes, there are poverty and unemployment problems and a large population aggravates these as well. But the basic problem is with lack of public governance and economic growth. Let us not blame it on population.

The Kerala Experience

As income increass, population growth does tend to slow down. This is the demo graphic transition argument of birth rates dropping eventually, after death rates drop because of improvements in medical facilities. The 1981 Census showed such a slowing down in Kerala. For years, economists debated the replication of the Kerala experience elsewhere in India, without indulging in the coercive models of China. The 1991 Census showed such a slowing down in Tamil Nadu, but it wasn't quite a replication of the Kerala experience. The slowing down in Tamil Nadu owed less to increased per female literacy and availability of potable water. For years, population policy in India was equated with a contraceptive policy (India, paradoxically, was the first country in the world to introduce a family planning policy) and this didn't work. Instead, these determinants of population growth are much more important, coupled with NGO involvement, which helps disseminate information. The 2001 Census has shown a slowing down of population growth in Andhra Pradesh.

If you have a map of the findings of the 2001 Census in front of you, you will notice the following. Let's leave out places like Delhi, where population growth is significantly affected by migratin. (Perhaps this is true of Haryana and Chandigarh as well.) Let's also leave out States like Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Sikkim, as they belong to special categories and the bases are low. Among major States it then transpires that there isn't a major problem in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal or Himachal Pradesh. (The deteriorating sex ratio, especially in the 0-6 age group, is a separate issue.) The population growth there is slowing down. Chhattisgarh, Uttaranchal, Punjab and Assam also don't provide much cause for worry. But population rates of growth are high in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Jharkhand, higher in Madhya pradesh and Rajasthan and Bihar, apart from Jammu & Kashmir. That indeed is the point. There is not all-India based population problems any more and there is almost a North-South divide. There are significant inter-State and inter-regional differences, with differences not only amog States, but also among districts within the same State. We do not yet have district wise figures from the provisional population totals, but they will eventually be available. To the extent that population policy is important, it thus needs to concentrate on specific States and within these States, on specific districts.

The poor and backward States of India have conventionally been referred to as the BIMARU (Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh), with a pun on the word Bihar. Bihar now has Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh now has Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh now has Uttaranchal. As the earlier identification indicates, the population growth problem is a serious one in the undivided BIMARU States and in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Haryana.

Disparities in Growth

However, post-1991 reforms, disparities in growth across States have increased and will increase even further. In States like Gujarat and maharashtra, real State domestic product has grown at rates of 6% and more and this has beneficial effects on poverty (percentage of population below the poverty line or head count ratio) and unemployment. But among the BIMARU states, real State domestic product has only grown at around 3% in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh (and in Orissa among the non-population growth has thus contributed to per capita income growth rates of 1 to 1.5%. There have thus been limited beneficial effects on poverty and unemployment. The debate about the link between per capita income growth and declines in the poverty ratio (head count ratio or percentage of population below the poverty line) has hopefully been resolved. Post-1991, this debate took place in the absence of any data, since the last NSS (National Sample Survey) large sample dated to 1993-94. The NSS large sample figures of 1999-2000 are now available. Subject to minor problems of data incomparability, at an all-India level, they show a drop in the poverty ratio from 36% in 1993-94 to 23% or 26% in 1999-2000. (23% is according to one criterion, 26% according to another.)

The relationship between population growth and economic development is a two-way one, even though we sometimes tend to forget one part of the relationship. In the classic demo graphic transition sense, an increase in income tends to bring down birth rates. In the 1991 Census, among the major States, crude birth rates were sus, among the major States, crude birth rates were more than 30 per thousand in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.) and as I have argued earlier, a large population can also contribute to economic growth and a negative correlation between the two is not necessarily axiomatic. In fact, in an all-India sense, the country is clearly going through a period of demographic transition now. The crude birth rate has dropped. But babies who were born twenty or twenty-five years ago, are not entering the labor force. Stated differently, the percentage of population in the productive age-groups in in creasing and the dependency ratio is declining.

Paul Krugman

Before the East Asian currency crisis, there was a lot of talk about the East Asian miracle, although that phrase is somewhat unpopular now. Several people have suggested that an economist named Paul Krugman predicted the crisis. Not quite. In his 1994 article in Foreign Affairs (not the later 1998 one), Paul Krugman argued that growth in East Asia came about primarily through input increases, not through productivity increases can occur because of increases in labor and capital, sometimes referred to as extensive growth. Or output in creases can occur with same inputs of labor and capital, if the productivity with which these inputs are used increases, sometimes referred to as intensive growth.

Once one take away the effect of increases in capital and labor, the residual growth is referred to as total factor productivity (TFP) increase. Krugman thus argued that there was little evidence of TFP growth in Eat Asia. Growth happened becuae of increases in capital (based on high savings rates) and labor inputs. Sine there was a limit to how much these could be increased, East Asian growth must eventually slow down. That was the essence of the argument. my intention is not to discuss TFP, Krugman or East Asia.

I only want to point out that there are some other studies (other than Krugman's) that have tried to decompose growth in East Asia. And these suggest that the demographic transition (drop in dependency ratio) contributed around 2% to real national income growth in East Asia. At an aggregate level, India is entering this demographic transition cycle now and this is a cycle that will last for the next twenty or thirty years. After that, it will plateau out, as it did in East Asia. The point is that such demographic transition can add 2% to real national income growth in India also, in the years leading income growth in India also, in the years leading up to 2020 or 2030.

However, two conditions have to be satisfied. First, jobs have to be found for these people. Second, these people have to possess the requisite skills, for which, the literacy rate is a useful indicator, although it is legitimate to argue that broader indicators of human development should be considered. Let us consider the second point first.

The Literacy Scene

In the 1991 Census, we had a literacy rate of 52.2%. In 1951, we had a literacy rate of 18.3%. So over a period of 40 years, te literacy rate improved by 34% or 0.85% per year. In 1997, the National Sample Survey (NSS) collected some data on literacy in the course of its 53rd round and arrived at a figure. From 52% in 1991 to 62% a year. How is that possible, when the track record has been 0.85% a year? After all, NSS surveys are not designed to capture data on literacy. No one disputes that the census is designed to capture data on literacy and we now know that in 2001, the overall literacy rate is 65%. This is an improvement of 1.3% a year and is not out of synch with the NSS figure for 1997. There are indeed people who argue that definitions of literacy don't capture much, they have no functional tests. True, but that is neither here nor there. The definition hasn't changed much. And even if the definition is unsatisfactory, as long as is does not become more unsatisfactory, an improvement is an improvement. Surely, that cannot be denied.

What has changed since 1991 so as to make such improvements believable, in defiance of earlier trends? Without getting into details, I suspect that two changes have been important. First, government-administered delivery of primary education has become more decentralized and therefore, more accountable, the Education Guarantee Scheme in Madhya Pradesh being one example. Contrary to popular perception, at the primary level, the problem is not that accessible schools don't exist. The problem is the quality of education delivered there. Second, there has been considerable NGO (non-government organization) involvement and this too, makes the delivery of education more flexible. We should be headed for an overall literacy rate of around 85% 2015.

Job Growth

I have tried to argue that we don't need to worry about the population problem if we can solve the literacy (human development) and job growth problems. Let me turn to job growth now. Clearly, the answer does not lie in jobs in the government sector, including the public sector. Provided labor laws are made more flexible in the private organized manufacturing growth does not translate into employment growth. Part of the answer also lies in employment growth in the services sector, conventionally perceived to be more labor intensive than manufacturing. Part of the answer also lies in the agricultural sector, with agriculture being interpreted as rural industries and services and not just narrow crop and livestock output. For that to happen, agricultural reforms (removal of inter-State restrictions, improvement in rural infrastructure, phasing out of controls on output sales and prices, end of inefficient subsidies on inputs, opening up of futures markets, corporate sector involvement in extension services and credit, banking and insurance) need to happen. Unfortunately, despite what has happened since 1991, agricultural sector reforms haven't been implemented. Even talking about them, at the government level, is of recent vintage.

In conclusion, population growth is not per se a problem. Economic growth is indeed a problem. In that sense, population growth becomes a problem if reforms don't happen. And there is also an inter-State dimension to this. Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have begun to climb out of the BIMARU fold. But what happens in Uttar Pradesh 9at least the Eastern part), Uttaranchal, Assam (the rest of the North-East also), Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand and Jammu & Kashmir? Given the physical infrastructure there, extrapolation of present trends doesn't suggest an enormous explores doesn't suggest an enormous explosion in manufacturing activity there. Given the social infrastructure there, extrapolation of present trends doesn't suggest an enormous explosion in the service sector there. Migration cannot be a large-scale solution. At least in some of these states, agriculture and agricultural reforms hold the key. And that is primarily a State-government subject. Thanks to what has happened since 1991, the focus of policy change is now at the level acted positively? There in lies the tragedy. Let's not blame population growth for that.

2012-04-29T12:15:00.002+05:30

Agni-5's launch is a major milestone, India ,joined the elite club of nations

Defence minister A K Antony on Thursday described the maiden test flight of Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Agni-5 as an "immaculate success" and a "major milestone". "The nation stands tall today. We have joined the elite club of nations (to possess the ICBM capability)," Antony told the DRDO chief Dr V K Saraswat on phone after the test flight of the missile was declared successful on Thursday.

"The immaculate success of the Agni-5 is a major milestone in the country's missile research and development programme," he said. The about 5,000 km range Agni-5 was launched from a test range at Wheeler Island off the coast of Odisha at 0807 hours and took 15 minutes to reach its target in southern Indian Ocean. The missile achieved all the mission parameters and has turned out to be a huge success, defence ministry officials said.

The launch was cancelled last night due to bad weather and a spate of heavy lightning in the test range. Antony also spoke to the Agni-5 project director Dr Avinash Chander and congratulated his entire team for their hard work and dedication. DRDO took four years to develop the missile. In his conversation with Dr Saraswat and Dr Chander, Antony told them that the nation is proud of its defence scientists and recalled the contributions made by former DRDO chiefs, specially Dr M Natarajan, a brain behind success of various projects such as MBT Arjun and pioneering efforts in LCA Tejas and Pinaka MBRL projects.

AGNI- 5 LAUNCH - CHINA REACTS CAUTIOUSLY, SAYS INDIA NOT ITs RIVAL

Reacting cautiously to India's test of the Agni 5 missile, China on Thursday said the two countries are not rivals and enjoy "sound" relations.

"China has taken note of reports on India's missile launch. The two countries have a sound relationship. During the (recently held) BRICS meeting (in Delhi) the leadership had consensus to take the relationship further and to push forward bilateral strategic cooperative partnership," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Weimin told a media briefing in Beijing when asked about the launch.

In Delhi, diplomatic sources in the Chinese embassy said, "The Agni 5 launch can give rise to another round of arms race in this part of the world."
Asked whether China was concerned as most of the country would come under the Agni's range, Liu said, "Both countries are emerging powers. We are not rivals. We are cooperative partners. We should cherish the hard earned momentum of cooperation."

But China's state-run Global Times came out with a strong editorial criticising the launch, claiming that the Chinese nuclear power is more "stronger and reliable" and New Delhi has "no chance" to catch up.

"India should not overestimate its strength. Even if it has missiles that could reach most parts of China, that does not mean it will gain anything from being arrogant during disputes with China. India should be clear that China's nuclear power is stronger and more reliable. For the foreseeable future, India would stand no chance in an overall arms race with China," stated The The Global Times article further said that while India's path for boosting its military strength has not met too many obstacles, the country is still poor and lags behind in infrastructure construction.

It also criticized the West for consistently overlooking India's disregard of nuclear and missile control treaties.

It questioned why the West remains silent about the fact that India's military spending increased by 17 percent in 2012 and the country has again become the largest weapons importer in the world.

The paper warned India against overstating the value of its Western allies and the profits it could gain from participating in the containment of China. If it equates long-range strategic missiles with the deterrence of China, and stirs up further hostility, it could be sorely mistaken, stated The Global Times.Global Times.

2012-04-29T11:57:00.002+05:30

Census 2011: Kerala continues to top literacy chart

Highlights of the 2011 Indian Census

The provisional figures of Census 2011 were released in New Delhi on March 31, 2011 by Union Home Secretary Shri G.K.Pillai and RGI Shri C. Chandramouli. Rising numbers in the literacy rate among the general population were just one encouraging results of India’s latest census reports.

Major Highlights of the Census 2011 (Provisional figures)
■The population of the country as per the provisional figures of Census 2011 is 1210.19 million of which 623.72 million (51.54%) are males and 586.46 million (48.46%) are females.
■The population of India has increased by more than 181 million during the decade 2001-2011
■Percentage growth in 2001-2011 is 17.64; males 17.19 and females 18.12.
■2001-2011 is the first decade (with the exception of 1911-1921) which has actually added lesser population compared to the previous decade.
■Uttar Pradesh (Home to popular tourist spots such as Agra, Lucknow and Varanasi) is the most populous State (199.5 million) in the country followed by Maharashtra (Home to Mumbai and Pune) with 112 million.
■The percentage decadal growth rates of the six most populous States have declined during 2001-2011 compared to 1991-2001:
Uttar Pradesh (25.85% to 20.09%)
Maharashtra (22.73% to 15.99%)

Bihar (28.62% to 25.07%)

West Bengal (17.77 % to 13.93%)

Andhra Pradesh (14.59% to 11.10%)

Madhya Pradesh (24.26% to 20.30%)

■During 2001-2011, as many as 25 States/Union Territories with a share of about 85% of the country’s population registered an annual growth rate of less than 2% as compared to, 15 States/Union Territories with a share of about 42% during the period 1991-2001.
■15 States/Union Territories have grown by less than 1.5 per cent per annum during 2001-2011, while the number of such States/Union Territories was only 4 during the previous decade.
■The total number of children in the age-group 0-6 is 158.8 million (-5 million since 2001)
■Twenty States and Union Territories now have over one million children in the age group 0-6 years. On the other extreme, there are five States and Union Territories in the country that are yet to reach the one hundred thousand mark.
■Uttar Pradesh (29.7 million), Bihar (18.6 million), Maharashtra (12.8 million), Madhya Pradesh (10.5 million) and Rajasthan (10.5 million) constitute 52% children in the age group of 0-6 years.
■Population (0-6 years) 2001-2011 registered minus (-)3.08 percent growth with minus (-)2.42 for males and –3.80 for females.
■The proportion of Child Population in the age group of 0-6 years to total population is 13.1 percent while the corresponding figure in 2001 was 15.9 percent. The decline has been to the extent of 2.8 points.
■Overall sex ratio at the national level has increased by 7 points to reach 940 at Census 2011 as against 933 in Census 2001. This is the highest sex ratio recorded since Census 1971 and a shade lower than 1961. Increase in sex ratio is observed in 29 States/UTs.
■Three major States (Jammu & Kashmir, Bihar & Gujarat) have shown decline in sex ratio as compared to Census 2001.
■Kerala with 1084 has the highest sex ratio followed by Puducherry with 1038, Daman & Diu has the lowest sex ratio of 618.
■Child sex ratio (0-6 years) is 914. Increasing trend in the child sex ratio (0-6) seen in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Mizoram and A&N Islands. In all remaining 27 States/UTs, the child sex ratio show decline over Census 2001.
■Mizoram has the highest child sex ratio (0-6 years) of 971 followed by Meghalaya with 970. Haryana is at the bottom with ratio of 830 followed by Punjab with 846.
■Literacy rate has gone up from 64.83 per cent in 2001 to 74.04 per cent in 2011 showing an increase of 9.21 percentage points.
■Percentage growth in literacy during 2001-2011 is 38.82; males : 31.98% & females : 49.10%.
■Literates constitute 74 per cent of the total population aged seven and above and illiterates form 26 per cent.

2012-04-29T11:52:00.002+05:30

Kerala Police Detains Two Italian Ship Guards In Fishermen Killing Case

Kerala police on Sunday took into custody two armed personnel of an Italian vessel from which gunshots were fired killing two fishermen off Alappuzha on Wednesday.

Latore Massimiliano and Salvatore Girone, who are part of the six-member security detail of the ship Enrica Lexie from Italian Navy, were brought to the shore this evening nearly eight hours past the deadline set by the police last night.

The two were brought to the shore from the vessel by senior police officers led by Ernakulam Range IGP K. Padma Kumar, Kochi Police commissioner, M. R. Ajith Kumar, Kollam SP Sam Christy Daniel and Assistant Commissioner (Special Branch) M.N. Ramesh. Italian Consul General also accompanied them.

They were taken to a CISF guest house at nearby Wellignton island for detailed interrogation, police sources said.

IGP Padmakumar told reporters that police examined documents in the ship and recorded the statement of the 20-odd crew and the Captain.

“As the matter was very sensitive, a detailed statement had to be made,” he said adding, at no point of time they (ship crew) created any obstacles and extended their cooperation.

Meanwhile, an Italian delegation, including officials from their Legal and Foreign ministries, arrived in New Delhi on Sunday and met Indian officials in connection with the killing of fishermen by the guards on board the ship.

The visiting team discussed the case with senior External Affairs Ministry officials during which the Indian side expressed hope that the Italians will cooperate in ensuring that law of the land takes its course.

MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said both the sides had a “fairly comprehensive” discussion.

“We had a fairly comprehensive discussion whereby we have explained to them the rationale of our position and the situation as it exists today. We have also explained to them that as good partners and as External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna had requested yesterday, we hope Italy will cooperate with us in ensuring law of the land takes its course. We also requested them to fully cooperate with Kerala Police,” he told reporters.

Official sources have said that the team will also go to Kochi for legal consultations in connection with the case.

The two fishermen, Ajesh Binki (25) and Jalastein (45) ,were killed off Kollam coast near Kerala when armed guards of the ship fired at their boat, suspecting it to be a vessel belonging to pirates.
Kerala Police officers Sunday morning began recording the statements of the crew of the Italian tanker 'Enrica Lexie', currently berthed here as part of the investigation into the killing of two Indian fishermen.

Inspector General of Police K. Padmakumar told reporters here that the investigating officers were recording the statements of the captain and other crew members.

'The investigating officers include Kollam Superintendent of Police Sam Christy Daniel. They have taken the statements from the captain and other crew members. They are fully cooperating with the process,' said Padmakumar.

An team of Kerala Police officers, as also ballistic and forensic experts, boarded the ship Sunday morning for investigations.

Top officials from the Italian Embassy were also aboard the ship and were in constant touch with authorities in Delhi.

Sources pointed out that the two security officers of the Italian ship who shot dead two Indian fishermen four days ago are likely to be taken into custody by the police.

Two fishermen, Ajesh Binki, 25, from Tamil Nadu and Gelastine, 45, from Kerala, were mistaken as pirates and shot dead by the crew of the Italian cargo vessel on Wednesday evening, about 14 nautical miles off Alappuzha.

The owners of the ship had late Saturday agreed to cooperate with the inquiry.

Two Italian Marines arrested by Kerala Police
Indian diplomacy ended four days of Italian defiance on Sunday, allowing the Kerala Police to arrest two members of Italian ship Enrica Lexie's security team who allegedly shot dead two fishermen off the state's coast on Wednesday.

Marines Latorre Massimiliano and Salvatore

Girone, part of the six-member security detail of the ship - from the Italian navy - were arrested nearly eight hours past the 8am deadline set by the police for the ship's authorities to turn them over.
"They will be handed over to the Kollam Police and produced before a magistrate," Ernakulam range inspector general of police K Padmakumar said.

Though the police had sought the custody of six people, they later zeroed in on the two for the killing of fishermen Ajesh Binki, 25, and Jalastein, 45.

The Italians had fired on their boat after mistaking them for pirates.

The breakthrough came after the Centre rejected arguments offered by a special Italian delegation in New Delhi to stave off the arrests.

The Indian side insisted that the ship's crew would have to face trial in India.

Kochi city police commissioner MR Ajith Kumar and his team reached the ship, berthed in Kochi port, in the morning and started quizzing the accused. Italian consular general Giampaolo Cutillo was present when the arrest took place.

A murder case was registered against them at Neendakara costal police station. The arrested will be questioned at Kochi police club and later produced before the magistrate. A team of eminent lawyers is camping in the city to assist Italian authorities.

Though the police had sought the custody of six crew members later they zeroed in on two, believed to be Italian navy commandos, who fired at unarmed fishermen.

“If needed we will add more after questioning the arrested,” a senior police office said when asked about this.

“It was so cumbersome and irritating. Since diplomatic strings were attached we showed utmost restraint and patience,” the officer said ridiculing the Italian authorities delay tactics showing flimsy reasons.

Throughout the talks Italian authorities insisted that India could not take action against them as the incident occurred in international water.

However its claim did not wash with the regional commander of Coast Guard (west), inspector general SPS Basra, who said the fishing boat was in Indian exclusive zone when it was fired upon.

Kerala director general of police Jacob Punoose also maintained that the firing took place in Indian waters and the country has every right to book them under Indian laws.

After the firing the Indian Navy and Cost Guard vessels had escorted the 58,000 tonne merchant vessel — carrying crude oil and cargo from Egypt to Singapore — to the Kochi Port. The ship’s crew includes 19 Indians.

The ball started rolling after the Prime Minister’s office sought a report from both home and external affairs ministries and Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy toughened his posture calling it a ‘cold-blooded murder.’

2012-04-29T11:48:00.001+05:30

EFFECTS OF ENDOSULFAN IN HUMAN BODY

HARMFUL EFFECTS OF ENDOSULFAN

VICTIMS OF ENDOSULFAN

Between 1976 and 2000, more than 50,000 villagers of Kasargod district in Kerala, India have been exposed to endosulfan, a persistent organic pesticide, sprayed on the cashew plantations owned by the Plantation Corporation of Kerala. More than 3000 people living near, downstream and downwind of the estate were affected by debilitating rare diseases like mental retardation, cerebral palsy, cancer etc. In response to the peoples’ agitation, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) mandated the National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOH) to investigate the issue in 2001. NIOH observed that “aerial exposure” to endosulfan was responsible for delay in sexual maturity among the adolescents. In the final report submitted to NHRC and the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, NHRC categorically stated that they did not see any serious diseases like cancer or mental retardation in the villages they went. They recommended a detailed epidemiological study and long term monitoring for cancers of the endocrine system in the affected villages

I would like to invite you to Kerala-famously known as God’s own country. Kerala in South India is flanked by the Arabian Sea on one side and the Sahayadri’s on one side and as a result this South Indian state has a lot to offer nature buffs in terms of exotic flora, natural greens and of course birds and wild animals. Evidently Kerala, South India is a land of immense natural beauty and offers undulating stretches of lush green forests generously sprinkled with gurgling waterfalls, colorful blooms, animals and chirping birds. All this and more add to the natural beauty of this picturesque state. Famous for its greenery and natural beauty Kerala is a world famous tourist spot. Kerala has uppermost literacy rate in the nation. But Education and lust to earn more have made keralites fools. They have started clearing paddy fields and coconut farms and turned into cash crops such as rubber and cashewnuts. In the run to greater yield Malayalees are using unethical and harmful pesticides in cashew plantations.

Now let’s visit a district in Kerala – Kasaragod, once known for its greenery today Kasaragod is haunted by diseases and tragedy. Thanks to hamlets of cashew plantations spread along the district. The diseases are side effects of Endosulfan a deadly pesticide sprayed in these plantations. The UNO classifies Endosulfan as highly dangerous insect killer and banned in 62 countries
Endosulfan should be completely banned.We have to study from experiences. but the Central Govt is supporting the corporates and the policy makers are the agents of the corporates. The use of endosulfan will damge the the soil fertility also. The microorganisms of the soil will be completely damaged and in few years our agriculture will be utter failure.

The insect killer was sprayed aerially with in particular used helicopters. As the plantations are mostly in mountainous areas, the pesticide drains and gets washed down the slopes during rains into drinking water below. Consuming this water will result in diseases ranging from physical deformities, cancers, birth disorders and damages to brain and nervous system. During 2000-2001 the victims got huge media introduction and resulted in Study on the victim’s. The study of Endosulfan effects showed larger abnormality such as mental retardation, cancer and infertility in the victims. But the pesticide and fertilizer industries were very fast to refuse the studies. Endosulfan is manufactured and distributed in India by Hindustan Fertilizers limited. Endosulfan has been banned in Kerala. People are still facing the side effects of Endosulfan in Kerala and Karnataka but the Indian Government has not yet banned the deadly chemical. The Pesticide is still used for cotton and Cashew plantations in many parts of the nation Karnataka, Punjab, Assam and Andhra Pradesh. India needs an effective chemical norm and should ratify a chemical & pesticide policy which would help people affected from chemical accidents & disasters; also stop usage of deadly pesticides for agriculture. Even during the Bhopal gas tragedy Government did nothing for the victims. The victims of Endosulfan also were turned down by the Government. It is clear that all these chemical disasters are due to ignorant and negligent policies from the Government.
The Exposure Pathways
All the environmental media studied have been contaminated with endosulfan. The main routes of entry into the human body are:
1. From mother’s body to foetus via placenta– 36 weeks – Placental Exposure
2. From mother’s milk to baby – 36 months – Maternal Milk-borne exposure
3. From locally grown plant and animal foods – egg, milk and meat – chronic, perennial – Food borne exposure
4. From water – Chronic and perennial – Water borne Exposure
5. From air through breathing and through skin – Few hours till the vapour remains suspended in air. – short duration. – Aerial Exposure
Those who are exposed through the first three pathways, will also be exposed to metabolites – stress chemicals – that are generated by the living systems in response to the exposure. Cattles with congenital anomalies and cancers are more likely to be sold for slaughter

: Union Minister K.V Thomas’ statement backing Endosulfan pesticide is humiliating the hapless victims of Endosulfan disaster in eleven Panchayaths in Kasargod district, states P Mujeeb Rahman, State Head of the Solidarity Youth Movement. K.V Thomas earlier said that Endosulfan did not have any adverse affects in Kasargod.

2012-04-28T17:11:00.001+05:30

Unemployment

An idle man cannot find food for him. In order to live he must do some work. Some occupation is necessary to enable man to satisfy his wants. Everywhere in this world there is a constant struggle for an occupation.

Only deserving people win the struggle and get occupations. Those who are defeated suffer starvation and misery. In our country many persons are unemployed. Their number is very large. Unemployment problem is a great problem in our country.

There are many causes of unemployment. The chief among them is the rapid growth of population. Chances of employment are decreasing day by day due to the use of machines which save labour.

Lack of skill and ability is another cause of unemployment. An unskilled labour cannot be successful in any work. If a chance of employment is created, only the skilled labour avails it.

Our system of education is also responsible for the problem of unemployment in our country. Vocational subjects are not compulsorily taught in school and college. Students are reading some superficial subjects and are trying to get through with high marks. Their attention is on securing marks, not on the effectiveness of the subject in their practical life.

Students are jobless after their education. M.K. Gandhi attached great importance to manual labour. But in the present system-of education, no student learns it. Self- employment is, therefore, a dream in our country.

Ill health is another factor of unemployment. Majori of the Indians do not get proper treatment of their illness Physical fitness is a criterion for getting a job. Nowadays more and more industries are set up in our country. Although there are chances of employment there, the hazardous atmosphere of the industrial area discourages people to go for employment there.

Cottage industries are neglected. Agriculture is done in old method. Therefore it is an unprofitable occupation now-a-days. Political people are talking very high about unemployment. But they are not sincerely doing anything for providing employment to the young men and women in our country. Only political propaganda cannot solve the problem.

Unemployment is a social problem. Many other social problems are born from it. The unemployed youth are growing more and more rebellious. Their attitude to education, interest for genuine qualification and faithfulness to our society decrease.

Dacoit, blackmailing, treachery and dishonesty grow rampantly. Moral perversion also occurs. There is no respect for the seniors. In a family, the unemployed children create disturbances. They feel frustrated. They kill either themselves or their parents. Thus social tension is born. Gradually, our culture of love and tolerance is converted to the culture of anger and maladjustment.

There is still some hope to remove unemployment from our country. Firstly, our educational system must be reformed. Vocational subjects must be compulsorily taught to our students. Stress must be given on manual labour and self- employment.

Most important of all is to check corruption and nepotism in our country. Ministers and important persons in high positions are now accused of showing favour and sympathy to their own relatives. Further, they are accused of selling jobs at high price. Thus, the children of the rich get employments by paying.

2012-04-28T16:33:00.002+05:30

Globalization in India

For a long time since Nehru's days, India followed the model of 'mixed economy'. Its economic philosophy was 'democratic socialism'.

For a long time since Nehru's days, India followed the model of 'mixed economy'. Its economic philosophy was 'democratic socialism'. As Nehru himself believed in socialism, he did not have faith in rich people. He was of firm view that the rich exploited the poor. Therefore, his government laid stress on the development of poor, and the state was given the main responsibility for this.

Nehru viewed state as the main agency of economic development. In the regime of mixed economy, security of country, social welfare and economic development were mainly the responsibility of government. The public sector was under government control. Other industries were in the hands of industrialists.

Nehru's mode! Of economic development lasted long. But in course of time it became clear that the industries in the public sector were incurring heavy losses while private industries were making big profits. The weakness of Indian economy was exposed in the middle of 1980s. The government faced a serious foreign exchange reserve crisis. It miserably failed to repay the debts taken from the World Bank and the IMF.

Against this background the Narasimha Rao government, adopted the New Economic policy in July 1991. The main elements of this policy were liberalisation and privatisation which were also the elements of globalization. The Finance minister in the Rao government was an eminent economist, Dr. Manmohan Singh who is now the Prime Minister of India.

The introduction of New Economic Policy by the Rao government was part of India welcoming globalization. Free economy and market economy received boost. Thelicense raj was discarded. The government control over economy largely loosened.

The importance of public sector decreased, and that of private sector increased. As a result of this, India's economy had a turnaround within a short period. The foreign exchange reserve crisis was successfully tackled, inflation decreased and the rate of economic growth increased.

The economic growth that globalization gave to India was praised not only in India, but also abroad. The fear of Indian industrialists and business people that they would be great losers because of globalization did not prove to be true.

On the other hand, some of them successfully competed at the international level and took over some major industries and business concerns of other countries.

But, in course of time, some bad consequences of globalization were felt. These harmful effects were:

1. The importance of state in the economic field decreased. Capital was withdrawn from many industries in the public sector.

2. Market economy was encouraged and private sector became more influential.

3. The ordinary people suffered a lot as the state largely withdrew from the field of social welfare. The poor suffered most as MNCs and other private companies entered the fields of education, health, insurance and banking etc.

4. Many small industries and cottage industries were closed. They could not compete with big industries - either MNCs or other big private industries.

5. There took place increase in unemployment. As big industries in the private sector got many of their works done through mechanized machines, many employees were fired from jobs, and there was hardly any fresh recruitment.

6. Women, in particular, suffered a lot. More than male employees, female employees lost their jobs, and the small number of employees who were recruited was mostly males.

Globalization is capitalism in its globalized form. In fact, capitalism enriches itself only when it makes the globe or a number of countries its field of operation.

The end of the cold war marked the victory of capitalism over communism. Capitalist democracy has decisively won, and communism has accepted defeat. This, Fukuyama claims, marks the 'end of history'.

For the time being capitalism has come to stay, and there is no alternative to capitalism. Those who until the other day, bitterly criticized capitalism have willy-nilly accepted it. Now the choice is between neoliberal capitalism advocated by neo-conservatives of the west and regulated capitalism, advocated by liberal democrats of many developing countries.

As it seems, globalization is irreversible. The challenge is to force it to have a 'human face'. Globalization will be universally acceptable only when it brings freedom, rights, peace, security and economic benefits to the vast number of people across the globe that have remained poor, weak and deprived.

2012-04-28T16:16:00.000+05:30

Kerala------ God's own country

Cochin, the biggest city is the commercial capital of Kerala famous for the Jewish Synagogue, Dutch palace & the historical churches. Jew town is famous for spice trade & curios shop. Most picturesque are the Chinese fishing nets. These Chinese nets were first established by Kublai Khan around 1450 AD.

Munnar is 4hrs drive(130kms) from Cochin is in the highland area of Western Ghats at a height of 1600m above sea level. The drive is very beautiful. The coconut grooves, the lush green lands, beautiful tea gardens and the weather are the cherry on the cake. One has to experience the ambience of Munnar. It also has an interesting wild life - Eravikulum national park famous for Nilgiri Thar an endangered species & Nilgiri Langoors.

Periyar wild life sanctuary is near Munnar. The route is full of coffee, rubber, cardamom & Eucalyptus plantations. Periyar is a deep forest full of wild animals like elephant, porcupines, Sambhar deer, Bison lucky few can spot a tiger also. Jungle walks & bamboo boat rafting in Periyar lake are organized by the local authorities. It is altogether a different experience to see wild elephants in their natural habitat.

Back waters also called as Kumarakom is a great place to relax. Live in a houseboat which is called a kettuvalam. There is not much to do on a moving houseboat except sit back and appreciate god's artistic capabilities in and around Vembanad Lake. The sight of beautiful birds and shore side villages is one that cannot be captured in the camera It has to be seen, and when you get to enjoy the beauty of the backwaters along with some delectable marine cuisine there is not much one can ask more for. This place is a photographer's delight

If you want to pamper yourself to the extreme on a beach then I guess Kovalam is the place for you. Whether it's relaxing on the soft sand of the beach or indulging yourself into an ayurvedic massage or capturing the beauty into your camera it's all here. Local food is great specially the lively shacks where you can get every possible marine cuisine specially the Karimeen fish of backwaters. It might sound cliche but Kerala cannot be described in any other words other than gods own land.

Kerala - god's own country - Fishing Nets

Kerala - God's own country - Periyar lake

Keral - God's own country - periyar wild life sanctury

Kerala - God's own country- A tribal family

Kerala - God's own country - Kovalam beach

Kerala - God's own country - Kovalam beach sunset

Kerala - God's own country - Munnar tea gardens

Kerala - God's own country- Backwaters

Kerala - God's own country-fishing Nets Kochi

2012-04-28T16:10:00.001+05:30

Tourism and economic Growth in Kerala

Tourism goes for economic growth of Goa to a great extent. Although the sea shore of Kerala is more beautiful than that of Goa and is many times longer, Kerala has not come up as a tourist centre as Goa has and has been. Kerala, the birth place of Sankaracharaya can boast of its culture. The state has many first—literacy, education, urbanization and social activism being some important ones. The state also provided haven to the Christian missionaries from the Middle East as Gujarat did to the Parsees during the same period. Naturally Keralites do not get involved in a thing that looks culturally cheap and superfluous.

When we look at the tourist centers in Kerala they have been decided and devised from national or cultural point of view not from the western angle. Naturally they are Thiruvananthapuram, once the cleanest city of India—an abode of beautiful temples, churches and mosques, Ponmudi and Padmanabhapuram palace, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, the pilgrim centre of Sabarimala—abode of Lord Ayyappan, Kochi—the Queen of the Arabian Sea, Willingdon Island, Kalady the birthplace of Sankaracharaya, Lord Krishna's shrine of Guruvayur, Edaki cave in Wyanad and Kaiamandalam the famous kathakali centre. It is something like going to see the famous palace or Brindaban Garden in Mysore, the Taj in Agra, the Red Fort in Delhi, the Jain Shrines, the beautiful temples of Madurai or the historical forts in Rajasthan. All these may be of interest to most of the Indian tourists and some in qualities ones coming from abroad. But they can hardly be associated with the booming trade of tourism that flourishes in Himachal Pradesh and Goa-for two different reasons of course.

With the highlands having peaks well over 1,800 m. the State can have a semblance of tourist centers of U.P., H.P. and Bihar. The midlands between the mountains with rich plantations of fruits, tea and spices have their own attraction. But the most important area is the lowlands i.e. the coastal area, made up of river deltas, backwaters and the shore of the Arabian Sea-the land of coconuts and green rice fields. It is this area that can be grown as a tourist attraction as it is ten times more beautiful than the beach resorts of Goa.

Even Kovalam Beach Resort is not as much developed as Calangute, Colva and Vagator beaches and many smaller ones are in Goa. The tourist industry—the main industry of Goa flourishes not on the Basilica of Bom Jesus having the casket of St. Francis Xavier, the Assissi Church, the Mangueshi Siva Temple, the Santha Durga Temple, the Nagueshi Temple or the Aguada Fort but on the sea beaches that have a direct access to Dabolin airport near Vasco-da-Gama that receives international chartered flights. The sea beaches attract a million tourists a year including 1.25 lakh foreigners.

To develop tourist industry Kerala will have to do away with the apathy for westernization to some extent. The government launched "Destination Kerala 1993-94" for the development of Roads and waterways around 15 selected centers. But it was a half-hearted plan as no budgetary provisions were made.

The government as well as the NGOs has given priority to social service sector. So there are achievements in that area. Moreover whatever is done is only by government agencies. 11 hotel units, 2 Yatrinivas and eight motels are run by Kerala State Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) and Department of Tourism. As five star facilities are not available these do not attract foreign tourists and had an accumulated loss of 7.98 crore in 1991. The State is ranked fourth among the recipients of financial assistance from the Tourism Finance Corporation of India for hotel projects. Still it hasn't come up.

There was a 27 per cent increase in the inflow of foreign tourists in India in 1993-94. But Kerala could not increase its share. The state will have to develop its infrastructure i.e. development of better roads, telecommunication, power and water supply and five star hotels.

Moreover the government should encourage private sector to develop hill stations, sea beaches and areas in between plantations. If tourism industry is developed on the right lines in Kerala it will top other States and will provide employment to the large number of unemployed people both in the private and public sector.

Because of the ancient cultural background Kerala can ill afford the promiscuity that plays an important role in the inflow of tourists on the Goa beaches. According to a report if the trends in Goa continue unchecked it may 'put London's hottest night spot Soho to shame. In variety and sensuality the State may have more to offer than Las Vegas'.

A hotel in Panaji in Goa has been mentioned in "Spartacus" an international guide for homosexuals. Male prostitutes are available in the guise of oil massagers while young local girls have replaced professional prostitutes. Drug peddling is a common phenomenon. Sexual services are available in shacks and privately rented houses. Unemployment, promiscuity and blind invitation of western life style by local youth is responsible for such a situation.

According to Bruno De Souza 'tourism is ruining the quality of our life and spoiling our youth'. But according to Libia Pereira 'tourism is not bad provided we take proper safeguards to keep its evils out'. The people and the government have to take a hint from this lady who runs an embroidery class.

Let the youths of Kerala who go for white collared jobs not fall a prey to the evils of this flourishing industry. Let them be lotus surrounded by slushy water and develop the industry as is being done in other states. It is rather encouraging that Kerala has developed tourism in the states to the extent that in 2001 it won the national award for the best state in tourism for the second year in a row.

2012-04-28T15:58:00.000+05:30

Indian constitution: a unique

document

The Indian Constitution, which stands for national goals like Democracy, Socialism, Secularism and National Integration, was framed by the representatives of Indian people after a long period of debates and discussions. It is the most detailed constitution in the world. No other constitution has gone into such minute details as the Indian Constitution.

The Constitution of India was framed by a Constituent Assembly which was established in 1946. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected President of the Constituent Assembly. A Drafting Committe was appointed to draft the Constitution. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was appointed the Chairman of the Drafting Committee.

The Assembly met for 166 days spread over a period of 2 years, 11 months and 18 Days. The Constitution was adopted on 26 November, 1949. It came into force on 26 January, 1950. It had incorporated some of the salient features of the British, Irish, Swiss, French, Canadian and the American Constitutions.

The Constitution of India begins with a Preamble which contains the basic ideals and principles of the Contitution. It lays down the objectives of the frames of the Constitution. The Constitution contains 395-Articles and 12 Schedules. A number of amendment passed have also become a part of this Constitution.

The Constitution declares India to be a Sovereign, Secular, Socialist, and Democratic Republic. At the same time, India has federal features. The powers of the government are divided between the centred government and the state governments. The Constitution demarcates the powers of the central and estate governments into different lists of subjects.

These lists ire called the Union List, the State List and the Concurent List. The constitution provides for an independent and impartial lUdiciaiy and the Supreme Court is the highest court of the country. It decides disputes between the people and the government. The Constitution provides for the establishment of parliamentary form of government in India.

The President is the nominal head of the state. In actual practice the administration is run by the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers. The council of Ministers is responsible to the Parliament.

The Constitution of India guarantees Fundamental Rights to all its citizens. They have Right to Equality, Right to Freedom, right against Exploitation, Right to Freedom of Riligion, Cultural and Educational Rights and Right to Constitutional Remedies.

Taking inspiration from the Constitution'' of Ireland, framer of our constitution included the directive principles directions given to the central government and state governments to adopt such policies which would help establish a just society in our country. There are times when the country could not be run as in ordinary times. To cope with such difficult times, the constitution provides for the emergency provisions, which are it's another important features.

Yet another unique feature of our constition is that it is not as rigid as the American Constitution or as flexible as the British constitution. It means it is partly rigid and partly flexible. And so it can easily change and grow with the change of times.

Thus, Indian Constitution in keeping to its size has a number of distinctive features.

2012-04-28T15:50:00.002+05:30

Alcoholism and Drug Addiction

We live only once, many of us believe. And therefore some say let us eat, drink and be merry. Surely we must eat, drink and be merry now that we believe that we live only once, but must live like men and women, free from health hazards, free from unnecessary cares and worries. So, eating and drinking is alright as long as we know what to accept and what to avoid. Unfortunately many of us do not have discrimination. Like the notorious Epicurus, we mistake one for the other and do not know what we do. So we substitute that fluid which nature provides us so bounteously with something else and invite ills unspoken of and live like wrecks, with untold miseries.

The urban elites drink to the health of their friends and fall of their foes. They drink for old times, to ring out the old year and to ring in the New Year. They drink when they set out to negotiate for a big contract as a good omen, drink during negotiations and drink again when they win it as a token of joy and success; and yet once again, to win more such contracts. When they welcome their friends, or bid them farewell, when in company for the sake of company, when alone to end the monotony of loneliness, before dinner as an appetizer, after it as a digester, it is a must. No time frame, no time schedule, any time is drink time. No prohibitions, no inhibitions.

His counterpart in the village or the slum dweller in the city is not far behind. He may sometimes worry about his next meal, but nothing of the type as far as his drink is concerned. In fact, it is to drive out his worry that he often drinks. But it is the country liquor that he drinks. In the evening, on his way home, he stops on the way to gulp his favorite drink, to drown the fatigue of his day long labour; unfortunately his weak under nourished body cannot tolerate the intake and it rebels. His legs wobble, his mind wanders, and his tongue prattles.

There is no escape from the spell of this Bacchus' potion, young or old, rich and poor, without exception they wait for their turn to get their favorite nectar, like demons and gods (Rakshasas and Devathas) - waiting for amrit. Finally they become addicts; even gods cannot redeem them. Merciful death alone must save them.

Drinking is not a personal problem. The moment a drunken man sits behind the driving wheel, it becomes a problem to the sea of people who are out on the roads, and to the traffic officer and finally when the accident takes place, it becomes a law and order problem, besides creating numerous problems in the two families, that of the drunken driver and his innocent victim. If it is a rich man who is an addict, it will not be a strain on his financial status; but if it is a poor man, he will become a thief and robber in his own house; and a regular customer to the pawn shop. He would not hesitate to beat his wife, if she dares to oppose him. He will not only wreck his health but also his family life.

Alcoholism aside, there is another evil that has become a cult among young men and women, mostly rich and educated. One fine evening the young student suddenly discovers that there is a lot of communication gap between him and his. Elders; he seeks the company of his friends who are wiser than his elders, and all these fellow travelers take refuge in hallucinations. They get the euphoria they are searching for. They recede to a lonely spot and smoke a joint, inhale a coke or inject a needle. This becomes a regular affair and in course of time they become addicts. Finally they reach a stage from where there is no come back. If they stop, they die for it; if they take they die with it. Either way, death alone must be the way out.

These misguided youths set out to grab the reflection I instead of the original. No doubt the world is at cross roads and the gap between the older and the younger generation is widening in every walk of life. Their thoughts differ, their ambitions differ; the paths they pursue and the means they adopt too vary. They are born out of discontent, bred in discontent and breathe discontent - the discontent resulting from the polluted political, economic and social conditions. Even in the most advanced industrial nations, there is unemployment; the most solid political structures are crumbling like mud walls and the moral values that have guided the older generations through thick and thin, are fast vanishing. No wonder if the weak willed seek easy ways to bring down the pressure mounting in their heads. Instead of water pools they go after mirages.

If they are detected at an early state, they can be resurrected; rehabilitation is easy. But when they become despicable addicts, the disease becomes terminal, and not even the surgeon's scissors can then redeem them.

It is an accepted fact that prevention is always better than cure. But who will bell the cat? The parents who are preoccupied with their own problems and predilections find little time to think of their children. Even if they find time, it is too difficult for them to bridge the widening gap that separate the two generations, come down to their level, think like them and think with them. Even if all this is possible, it is again too difficult to inspire and motivate them, in the changing environment. When they say that the end justifies the means how can you convince them that the means are as important as the end? When dishonesty and deceit seem to thrive, how can you prove that honesty is the best policy?

The problem is not as superficial as it appears to be. It is not the problem of the individual parents alone or the erring youth. When your addict friends tell you that you can have the taste of heaven in a puff of a joint, how can you suppress the temptation, innocent as you are? Satan could tempt the firstman and his wife and make them eat the forbidden fruit against the command of God Himself. Will anyone be guided by the statutory warning that smoking is injurious to health and give up smoking? So the first culprit is the easy availability of these alluring fruits. The manufacturer, whose only aim is to make money, will produce; the trafficker will open outlets for their sale and the government which is interested in collecting duties and taxes regularizes them. The party that declares prohibition as its manifesto opens road side shops to sell sealed sachets of half liter nutritious country liquor when it comes to power. Instead of scrapping the wet laws, it auctions toddy shops and regulates its sales.

Kingdoms and countries are involved in the production and distribution of these abominable drugs. For all external appearances, they are people of authority wealth and respect that are involved in this world wide industry. Nobody can suspect that they play a different part in a different world where they have their own rules and code of conduct. Bui these invisible men have unbelievably great power and influence. They can abduct anyone in the world, assassinate ministers and prime ministers and change governments there is no crime they cannot commit, no act they cannot accomplish.

The solution lies in educating the people. When the realise that it is not heaven that they taste, but hell with all horrors imperceptible, they will accept their folly and give of their habits. We have far to go before we hope to have such a welfare state.

2012-04-28T15:41:00.002+05:30

Dowry System in India

Our society is suffering from many social evils at the moment. The dowry system is prevalent virtually in all parts of India. Dowry has been defined by a young lady as "the price paid by the parents for getting their daughters the post of a daughter-in-law". Parents pay huge sums of money so that their daughters may secure a satisfactory and permanent post. Unfortunately, the whole affair has assured the proportions of a scandal. The groom's parents try to extract the maximum from a matrimonial alliance. They insist on receiving huge amount of cash, luxury items like television sets, VCR's, refrigerators, cars, scooters and in certain cases even houses. Cases of harassment of young brides and bride burning on account of in-adequate dowry have multiplied during the recent years.

Dowry system is deeply ingrained in the social texture of our country. Giving away a daughter in marriage is called 'Kanyadan'. Traditionally, no 'daan' was considered to be valid unless accompanied with 'dakshina'. The dowry was supposed to be the 'dakshina' to validate the 'Kanyadan' Kings used to give even parts of their kingdom in dowry, common people gave a dowry consisting of articles of household utility and some cash. Since a girl enjoyed no right to the parental property, the system carried some kind of a moral justification also.

In modern times, however, dowry is a contemptible social evil. It reduces the sacred institution of marriage to a business transaction. It degrades a young maiden to the level of a saleable commodity. Poor people have to incur heavy debts to provide their daughter with a handsome dowry. This wrecks them financially. Some people resort to unfair means to meet dowry demands, which poses a grave threat to the moral values of the society. The daughters of poor parents consider themselves a burden on their family and they either opt for a life of disgraceful spinsterhood or commit suicide. The dowry system is also an evil since it perpetuates the myth of male superiority. If a bride is harassed for more dowry, it may breed hatred in her mind for her husband and ruin the married life of the couple.

It is very difficult to find a good boy for a girl without paying a high price for the same. Parents of highly educated boys try to demand a large amount of dowry both in cash and in kind. In a way, they fix the rate of dowry according to the education of a boy. In some communities, if the boy is a matriculate, the parents want a dowry of Rs.100,000/- and if he is a post-graduate, they would demand Rs.250,000/- and if he happens to be a doctor or an engineer, price will go up to Rs.500,0000/- or may be more.

Thus, whether a parent can pay or not, it has become a compulsory present at the time of marriage. It has ruined the lives of many a brilliant girls, because their parents could not afford to give sufficient dowry to satisfy their in-laws. Sometimes the girls commit suicide when their in-laws persecute them to bring more and more money from their parents. Sometimes the greedy husbands along with their parents also kill their wives, when they are not given huge dowry. This accounts for the spurt in cases of bride-burning and violence on women.

The supporter of the dowry system give numerous arguments to justify it. According to them, it is a fine method of setting up an establishment for the newly weds. The second argument is that since the bride's parents are quite choosy about the groom's income, his qualifications, this property, why shouldn't the groom get a price for what he has to offer ? They think that marriage is a girls' life insurance and so the dowry is the premium. Thirdly, the supporters of this system argue, a girl carrying with her a respectable dowry feels confident while entering her in-law's house while a girl without dowry feels uneasy and apprehensive.

Social reformers of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries clearly perceived the pernicious effects of the dowry system and assiduously strove for its abolition. Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chander Vidya Sagar and Mahatma Gandhi, to name only a few, tried their best to mobilize public opinion against the system. Gandhiji unequivocally expressed his views against dowry when he said "Any Youngman who makes dowry a condition of marriage discredits his education and his country and dishonors womanhood."

From time to time the Government has enacted legislation to extricate the Indian Society from this great social evil. In 1961, it enacted the Dowry Prohibition Act, but the act proved utterly in effective. Instead of showing signs of subsiding, the system took deeper roots, Recently giving or taking of dowry has been made a legally cognizable offence punishable by imprisonment up to two years.

Now there is a great demand by the people that this evil of dowry should be eradicated completely. Many girls and boys are taking pledge that they will not accept dowry at the time of their marriage. Their is no doubt that until and unless the educated youths of the country come forward to abolish this evil from our society nothing tangible can be done to eliminate it once for ever. It is quite heartening to note that during the last few months a strong public opinion has been created against this evil.

In reality a strong propaganda should be started against this evil by all responsible persons in the society. The young men and women should stage demonstrations against those persons who give or take dowry. Of course, the Government should also pass stringent laws against this evil but social evils can only be abolished with the active co-operation of the society.

The youth can definitely play a key role in eradicating this evil practice. Young boys should take a pledge that they will neither demand a dowry nor accept it, and young girls should be resolved not to give their consent to marriage with a boy who demands a dowry. If more and more girls are educated and made economically independent, it will accelerate the process. More love marriages and more inter-caste and inter-provincial marriages should also prove helpful.

One more concrete suggestion, if the Government is really keen on solving this gigantic problem. The Central Government should enact a law by which those young men and girls who enter into 'dowry-less' marriages should get top priority in all government employment. The cases of 'dowry-free’ marriages should make the prominent news-item in the news bulletin. This would encourage the youth to take the lead

2012-04-26T16:23:00.003+05:30

WILL PARLIAMENT BE ABLE TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF CRIMINALISATION OF POLITICS IN INDIA

Corruption in high places has become the order of the day. In the blind pursuit of power, – what matters is the result, not the means. What was known to the public for decades has been reported by the Vohra Committee – that there is a nexus between politicians and criminal elements and there is a proliferation of criminal gangs under political patronage. The Union Government has been slack in dealing with this menace.Though the Union Home Secretary is the chairman of the nodal agency and the chiefs of intelligence agencies are members, and interact almost on a daily basis with each other, nothing seems to have come about from their meetings, which means the nodal agency is an eyewash. If our democracy is to survive the onslaught of criminal elements—the organised crime—on the system, there is need to take urgent and decisive steps. Do we have the political will to do so? Can the Indian public be roused to demand stern action against this nexus?

Politicians, devoid of a record of service, sacrifice and a mass base, need money and muscle power to retain their positions and to bludgeon their constituency into submission. Criminal elements thrive on wrong doings and they need someone to keep the police away off their back. They also need the cooperation of the bureaucracy to regularise their illegal activities.

The police and the bureaucrats need political patronage to have comfortable postings and a smooth advancement in career. Thus, a mutually beneficial relationship develops between these three. Once the politician reaches a particular stature and develops clout, he dictates terms to the police and bureaucracy much to the delight of the criminal elements. The bonds become stronger and one finds it difficult to survive without the help of the other and a point of no return is reached.-

Organised crime is opposed to all values cherished by a liberal democracy. Its activities deny the basic human rights to the havenots and undermines the principle of rule of law and equality before law. It vitiates the electoral process by denying the opportunities to many to exercise their franchise freely. It undermines the rights of women, children, labour and others. As a first step, all national political parties in the country should realise the threat to the foundation of democracy from organised crime.

Existing laws are woefully inadequate to deal with various manifestations of organised crime. There is need for a special law like other countries to deal with this menace. We need special courts and suitable modifications in the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Acts to deliver justice fast. The inability of the system to deal firmly with, breach of public peace, extortion, protection rackets, gambling, prostitution, drugs leads to the development of organised crime.

Organised crime treats the system with contempt and exploits the loopholes in law. A pro-active, public spirited judiciary can change this scenario. The law should be implemented in spirit and criminal elements should not be allowed to get away. For example, while the slogan, ‘Bail is a right’ may be commendable in respect of lawabiding citizens, its denial to a criminal prevents many a crime and serves a social purpose. Since granting of bail is the discretion of the judiciary, it should be exercised in the larger interests of society. Re-establishment of the rule of law is a sure way of deciminating the organised crime. Members of the public and non-governmental organisations can play a vital role in this sphere.

The police and the bureaucracy are at the mercy of politicians for’their survival. A politician’s displeasure would mean harassment such as frequent transfers and disruption in career advancement. Therefore the rule of the game is to toe the line of politicians. Since the police and bureaucracy act as catalysts for the growth of the nexus between the politician and criminal elements, it is necessary to liberate them, to make both the wings of the -government people-oriented and act without fear or favour. Control of politicians over them should be carefully structured. The recommendations of the National Police Commission to establish a State Security Commission should be vigorously implemented. Similarly, there is need to establish an autonomous State Administrative Commission. Activities of organised crime transcend state and national boundaries and are illegal. To deal with them effectively and bring them to book, professional expertise of a high order in detection, investigation and application of science and technology are called for. The Central Bureau of Investigation possesses all these. As part of Interpol network, it has access to the resources of national police agencies all over the world. It has a reputation for impartiality and integrity.

It is in the fitness of things that the CBI should be made the nodal agency and the clearing house for all information on organised crime. A separate wing styled as anti-organised crime division should be opened in the CBI with an additional director as its head. This division should have officers in all metropolises and cities where organised crime thrives. Its members should be deputed to visit Italy, the US, France and other countries which have a well established network and study the work of law enforcement agencies there.

The nexus between politicians and criminal elements is worldwide. Unlike India, in other countries, swift action is taken and tainted politicians are made to retire from public life. A standing joint parliamentary committee on ethics in political process should be established. Ali reports of links of politicians with criminal elements and doubtful sources of finances of politicians and political parties should be referred to this committee. For investigation of specific allegations, this committee should use the services of the anti-organised crime division of the C.B.I. To take heed on the nexus, a moral courage and vision is needed. It is said, that since 1967 and particularly after 1977, the Indian National Congress has allowed itself to be dominated by lumpen elements. Their success at the grassroots level had spurred other parties, with little or no hope of coming to power, to refine the strategy. This has resulted in the criminalisation of the political process. The recent Tandoori murder in New Delhi, is a case in point. Political sagacity demands that leaders should cry a halt to this downward trend in ethics of politics. Leaders of the nineteenth century paved the way for democracy in the twentieth century. What will be the claim of our present day leaders and how will they be remembered in twentyfirst century? Defenders and preservers of democratic values or as harbingers of lumpenisation of political process? There is time yet to avert an adverse verdict of history. Without wasting time, let us act decisively.

The words much maligned and brandied about these days are “crime and politics”, “criminalisation of politics” and “politicisation of crime”. Why is there such uproar about the nexus between crime and politics has assumed such monstrous dimensions that it seems to shake the confidence of the public and threatens the very existence of our body politic. In fact, the shadow of crime, of late, has been crippling the legislative bodies to such an extent that a question often, raised is whether the system of democracy which we have adopted with such gaiety and gusto will survive.

It is the elected members of Parliament and State legislatures as custodians of public welfare—some of whom become Ministers and Chief Ministers—who decide the destiny of the country. They play a pivotal role in shaping the policies and programmes for the welfare of the people through appropriate legislation. Hence the paramount importance attached to the elected representatives, and their activities on the floors of Parliament and State legislatures.

In view of the onerous responsiblities cast on members of the legislative bodies, the founding fathers of the Constitution, through Article 102 (1), have laid down some disqualifications for such membership. Besides, Parliament, in pursuance of the powers granted under Article 327, has further enacted the Representation of the Peoples Act, 1951 governing the elections which contains some more additional disqualifications. A member of a State legislature is also disqualified on the same grounds.

The Constitution makers optea tor a parliamentary system of government with the pious hope that only people of unimpeachable conduct and character, inspired with a deep-seated commitment to do selfless service to the people would enter the portals of Parliament and State legislatures.

But, alas , it has not taken much time for the expectations of the architects of the Constitution as well as the people who have entertained high hopes about their elected representatives to be belied. The legislative bodies have lost their luster, what with people of proven record of crime trooping in through abuse of money, muscle and liquor, thus making a mockercy of the august institutions they happen to be members of.

Hearty pleasantries, sense of humour, sparkling repartees, enlivening debates, inspiring arguments and counter arguments cutting across politics, pride and prejudice which were the characteristic features of the legislative bodies in the past are conspicuous by their absence now. Instead, ugly andunruly scenes, such as firsty cuffs, invading the will of the house, besieging of the Speaker’s podium and exchange of unparliamentary epithets have become the hallmarks of our parliamentary democracy. Discipline, decency and decorum have been cast away.

Adjournments, some times more than once, on a single day, on flimsy and rivolous grounds, causing a loss of crores of rupees to the Central and State exchequers, have become a rule rather than an exception. Seldom have we seen the Treasury benches andthe Opposition working on tha same wavelength even on issues relevant to the welfare of the people.

The political situation in India is such that crime has infiltrated politics and political parties on such a massive scale that the lines of demarcation between crime and politics, criminals and politicians are blurred. Criminals masquerading as politicians are calling the shots resulting in a steady erosion of the confidence of the public in the very system of parliamentary democracy. A new brand of politicians steeped in crime and oblivious of our glorious heritage have appeared on the political firmament and are holding the country to ransom. Rape, murder and abduction for money have become as routine as anything else in almost all the states. No political party, whatever be its strength and stature, can feign innocence of such criminal activities. Politics has become highly criminalised, particularly , in Bihar and U.P. the two biggest states which send the largest contingent of members to the Lok Sabha.

This canker of crime is noted in all walks of life. A tenant who does not pay the rent and even refuses to vacate the house, ultimately yields at the intervention of goons, backed by political heavyweights. Where the aggreived parties hesitate to approach the courts either because of the prohibitive cost of litigation or because of abnormal delay in the disposal of the cases by the courts, they approach the goondas who in turn dispense instant justice. The goons, with the blessings of the politicians have usurped the privilege and duty of the Court. Reprehensible activities are indulged in by the mafia gangs with the full protection and partonage of the politicians in power.

It is reported that Phoolan Devi, bandit queen of Madhya Pradesh, who for a long time sent shivers down the spine of many a policeman in and around the Chambal Valley may contest against Ms. Mayavati, the Chief Minister of UP, in the next elections. She thinks she may be killed by the police in a false encounter at the instance of Ms. Mayavati. Phoolan Devi, notorious for her ruthlessness, was seen in a photograph that appeared in a newspaper smiling standing by the side of Mr. V.P. Singh, former Prime Minister. A more shocking spectacle cannot be conceived.

The violence that was let loose in the State Guest House at Lucknow on Ms. Mayavati and her supporters on June 2, 1995 by the activists owing allegiance to Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav, former Chief Minister, is still fresh in our memory. A cabinet rank Minister of U.P., a criminal turned politician, gate crashing into a police station, wielding a gun, has not yet vanished into oblivion. In Andhra Pradesh, Kondapali Sitaramaiah is still referred by his friends and foes alike. He is the partiarchal figure in the naxalite movement (called the People’s War Group), responsible for the death of hundreds of innocent persons and still a force to reckon with, intending to contest the elections, at the same time asserting that he would rebuild the naxalite party. What would be the fate of democracy and its cherished institutions if persons like K.S. were to enter the portals of legislatures?

The bomb blasts that occurred sometime ago in Bombay resulting in the death of several persons and the alleged connection of underworld mafia gang with political leaders are only too well-known to be repeated here. The gruesome murder of Naina Sahni, by her husband Sushil Sharma, an influential Youth Congress activist being a suspect, sent shock waves across the country.

Parliament elections are held every five years. Every politician tries to show himself virtuous to be virtuous. No purpose will be served by mere rhetoric perorations and fulminations denouncing the nexus between crime and politics and its baneful effect on the body politics. Nor will any amount of sermonisation stem and stall the steady flow of crime into politics. What is urgently required is some concrete action calculated to restore the sagging confidence of the people in the very existence of democratic institutions. It is time for all the political parties to pause and ponder over the steps urgently needed to weed out the criminal elements from their parties.

The set of disqualifications prescribed in Article 102(1) of the Constitution and the People’s Representation Act fall short of the panacea needed to cure the disease of crime afflicting the democratic polity. There is no educational qualification prescribed for membership many of the parliament. Hence quite rich veterans are compelled to buy lot of votes by money. The prospect of political parties imposing on themselves any restrictions in this regard is ruled out. After all, they are the beneficiaries of the infiltration of criminals.

It is therefore incumbent on the part of the Election Commission, to evolve and enact stringent legislation to prohibit the political parties from fielding candidates whose past is tainted with crime and who have better chances of winning through strongarm methods than through merit. The Election Commission should maintain dossiers on the candidates and if necessary extend the duration between the dates of nomination and withdrawal. It should be empowered to prevent candidates with a proven criminal record from contesting elections and be empowered to annul the election of such candidates who are found to have aided, abetted or actually perpetrated any crime during the term of their membership of either Parliament or State Legislature by amending the People’s Representation Act. The Election Commission must open a separate cell in its office exclusively for this purpose.

The Government has rejected the. Opposition demand for a parliamentary panel to monitor the implementation of the Vohra Committee report on criminalisation of politics, but in what looked like an attempt to soften the blow, the Lok Sabha Speaker, Mr. Shivaraj Patil, accepted in principle the idea of setting up an Ethics Committee of Parliament. The Committee would regulate the conduct of MPs with a view to minimising the scope for corruption.

For its part the Government, keen to establish that it was serious about decriminalising politics, supported the Opposition motion demanding action on the Vohra Committee’s report. The motion, moved by the Janata Dal leader Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan, was unanimously adopted by the House by a voice vote.

Mr. Chavan said the various intelligence agencies would not easily part with information fearing that it might be leaked and therefore a nodal agency to coordinate the follow up was the only solution. Besides, each agency which had gathered intelligence wanted to claim credit for itself rather than share it with another body. The nodal agency which had already been set up could evolve its own investigative mechanism.

The Opposition had strongly opposed the idea of a nodal agency and demanded a parliamentary committee to supervise implementation of the report. Mr. Arjun Singh had moved an amendment to Mr. Paswan’s motion suggesting an 11-member parliamentary committee for the purpose. The Speaker, while rejecting it, agreed that the leaders could advise the Government on how best to implement the report.

He also accepted the demand for an ethics committee made by the entire Opposition.

Mr. Chavan in his reply said criminalisation of politics was not a party issue and appealled to all parties not to support candidates with criminal record He also urged the States to allow the Centre to investigate cases of “heinous crimes” saying that otherwise New Delhi might be constrained to pass a legislation waiving the need to seek the State government’s consent in such cases

2012-04-26T16:19:00.003+05:30

CORRUPTION, POLITICS AND DEMOCRACY

For centuries saints and sages have urged the people to eliminate graft and corruption from private as well as public life; there have been countless sermons against this deep-rooted menace that has eaten into the vitals of society, distorted all values and made mincemeat of morality, truth and virtue. But the evil has grown to gigantic proportions and there is hardly any sphere of social, economic, political and even religious activity that is free from graft, deception and corruption of some kind. Like the air we breathe, it has become all-pervasive and entered every aspect of life to such an extent that it is now regarded as a fact of life and an evil we have to live with. In fact, a time has come when very few eyebrows are raised when we are informed of a case of blatant bribery; it is so common, so usual and all too familiar. We give and take bribes in the sphere of education, government and private service, all branches of administration, trade and commerce, industrial activity; scrupulous-honesty is rare; even temples and other places of worship are not free of it. Most of pur politicians and legislators indulge in it without any qualms of conscience.

The great philosopher and reformer Edmund Burke warned the world in the 18th century that corrupt influence, which is itself the perennial spring of all prodigality and of all disorder; which loads us, more than millions of debt; which takes away vigour from our arms, wisdom from our councils and every shadow of authority and credit from the most vulnerable parts of our Constitution is a fast growing evil. The conclusion has, in fact, been drawn that there was never anything devised by the wit of man which, in course of time, has not been corrupted. At one time, it was said that a society in which there is corruption cannot survive long, but this has proved to be a myth. Corruption has continued, and even increased beyond measure, even as democracy has spread and civilisation has advanced; so it can no longer be asserted that democracy and corruption are incompatible; both are developing fast, and simultaneously, and as far as human vision can go this duality will continue. Hasn’t the time come to accept this menace as inevitable, incurable, almost as the price of socialism, progress and civilisation?
It is all right to preach honesty and purity in life, but the preachers either live in a world far removed from reality, or are themselves hypocrites, talking of one thing but doing another, as if their left hand does not know what their right hand does—a veritable case of Jekyll and Hyde.
It is also wholly incorrect to say that our ancestors were fully honest people and that we should, therefore, follow their example. A close study of history shows that deception, dishonesty, conspiracy and corruption in various spheres of life have existed all through the ages. Chanakya, the Machiavelli of India and the celebrated author of Arthashastra (which has been described as the manual of government in the times of the Mauryas), specifically mentions 40 types of ways of embezzling government property. Obviously, if corruption and embezzlement had not existed in those good old days, Chanakya would not have discussed this question in such detail. Graft and corruption have also been common during Mughal rule, during the regime of the East India Company, and during British rule also, though the opportunities for offering open bribes were fewer. During the rule of the white “sahibs”, the favours were secured through other ways—”dalis” for the “memsahib”, receptions to officers on one pretext or the other and ever so many subtle ways to please the super bosses and bring them round step by step.
It is true, however, that the opportunities for bribery and palm-greasing have increased greatly with the dawn of Independence, and the growth of democracy and industry, the system of licences and ‘permits for setting up enterprises, securing quotas of raw materials, imports and exports and expansion of trade and commerce. Consequently, the types of corruption have increased a thousand fold; the panorama is vast and baffling and beyond control, however loud the talk of anti-corruption measures, stringent laws and of deterrent sentences. Every few years there is much discussion of this problem, which is described as the foremost issue in the country; corruption is condemned as a cancer in society, but then there is silence; the flush of enthusiasm fades away and life goes on in the same way. The focus of attention shifts to other more pressing problems of bread and butter and of political survival; of new ministers and new parties and politicians, of enquiries and commissions and political witch-hunting, of majorities and minorities in Parliament and State legislatures.
Perhaps, the most ironic comment on the modern channels and types of corruption was by Mr K. Santhanam, Chairman of the Committee for Prevention of Corruption, appointed by the government of India some years ago. The ultimate sources of corruption, according to him, are (a) Ministers, (b) legislators, (c) political parties uiul (d) industrialists and merchants who seek favours from these three and nre willing to pay for them. Item 6 of the terms of reference of the Committee wiin revealing by itself—”to suggest measures calculated to produce u Nodiil climute, both
among public servants and in the general public, in which bribery and corruption may not flourish”. This was an indirect admission that bribery and corruption were indeed flourishing among public servants and also the general public.
The observations made by the Committee in this connection are significant, because they stress one of the main sources of graft in the country, and also the fact that this source has not been tackled by the government. There is a large consensus of opinion, said the Committee, that a new tradition of integrity can be established only if the example is set by those who huve the ultimate responsibility for the governance of India, namely the ministers of the Central and State governments. The problem is indeed difficult and delicate. Ministers are the leaders of the political party which, by virtue of being in a majority or a partner in a coalition set-up, constitute the government. The Committee said that there was a widespread impression that failure of integrity is not uncommon among ministers and that some ministers who have held office for 10 to 15 years or so “have enriched themselves illegitimately, obtained good jobs for their sons and relations through nepotism, and have reaped other advantages inconsistent with any notion of purity in public life”. The Committee felt that the general belief about the lack of integrity among ministers is as damaging as . actual failure.
It was for this reason that the Administrative Reforms Commission expressed preference for a permanent authority to keep a continuous watch over ministers and suggested the setting up of a Lokpal, who would have the authority to enquire into allegations against a Central minister or his secretary and others. The fact that ministers sometimes accept gifts in cash or kind is undeniable; several instances are known of ministerial corruption, but there has hardly been a case of a minister getting convicted or even publicly censured for dishonest practices. This also applies to politicians and legislators. There have been many cases of such people accepting bribes. No wonder, there is a general belief that politics and democracy bring corruption in their wake; since politics and democracy are indispensable, corruption cannot be avoided; hence it must be tolerated as a necessary evil.
The standard or size of the bribe naturally differs from man to man, depending upon his status, his moral character, his inclinations and often the instigation and compulsions of his wife. Every man, it is said, has his price, and by and large this has proved true. When the entire social and economic set-up breathes of what is called “speed money” to push things through, it is almost impossible to resist temptation—human beings are, after all, human beings. But the stink lies not only in the prevalence of the lure of gold, but in the hypocrisy that accompanies it.

2012-04-26T14:09:00.003+05:30

child labor

Child labor is a serious blot on our efforts to project India as a dynamic country on the move. According to International Labor Organization (ILO) statistics, India has perhaps the largest child labor force in the world, which is around 16.5 million. Unofficially however the estimate is around 45 million of which around 20 percent are in urban areas and the rest in rural areas.

In a country where much of the people live below the poverty line, it is simply not easy to eliminate this social problem. The root of child labor is always poverty and to some extent ignorance. But it is a stark truth that without getting into an employment these child labors would starve to death. Their parents cannot afford to feed them on their own and these little, children are simply forced to work. To acquire this basic necessity of life, the family forgets all their sense of morality and sends their children to work in factories and small scale industries. These children, deprived of the precious memories of childhood, grow up into ignorant adults with hardly any type of intellectual gain.

In the past, measures taken by the developed world against the developing countries to check this social evil hardly had any impact because the developing countries simply did not bother. The problem continued to grow. The fact that this social evil is inextricably intertwined with other common problems such as poverty, female literacy etc. make it a vicious circle. To eradicate this social evil was laws were made and a national body was set up against child exploitation. However, the situation worsened. Article 24 of the Indian constitution dealing with fundamental rights says ‘No child below the age of 18 years shall be employed to work in any factory or mine or be engaged in any hazardous employment’. But this provision also remains ideal. The problem of child labor has also started affecting Indian economy. It is likely to threaten Indian exports. Germany put pressure on India to stop export of products made by children. United States also banned Indian exports of products involving child labor. International labor Rights Funds also accused and threatened India that if Indian Carpet Industry did not adopt Rugmark label, that guaranteed that no child labor was used, they have to Indian into line with a boycott like what was organizes by the child Labor coalition against Bangladesh.

It was then the country decided to take a hard and serious look into the issue. But to their dismay, the government found that bringing in adequate legislative measures to curb child labor is easy, but implementing them is another matter altogether. Education and economic prosperity are the only solution to fight against this problem. The problem facing the implementation policy is defining what exactly a hazardous job is and which kinds of jobs actually exploit children. With modernization and globalization of the economy, the working conditions have considerably improved, so the jobs which were considered hazardous yesterday are not at all hazardous today. Secondly, children are exploited due to many advantages. They are very cheap. Child laborers are often paid Rs. 3 per day when an adult takes the minimum wages of Rs. 1,400 per month as per law. Children never fight for their rights. They are meek and easily submissive.

At many places child labor has consumed a sinister form. In Mumbai and Goa sex with children is available as ‘Pleasure-packages’. It is estimated that 20 percent of the one lakh prostitutes in Mumbai alone are below 18 years of age. In Tamil Nadu Children are employed in the highly hazardous small scale match and firework factories. Around 30 lakh children work in the Saree industry in Varanasi. More than 10 lakh children work in brick-pits stone guarries o the banks of the Ganges. The carpet belt of India employ about 1.5 lakh and hundreds of children work in bidi-rolling factories in Tamil Nadu and so on.

The tough step taken by European governments against import of goods whose manufacture involve child labor has forced the authorities to take some concrete steps to eradicate child labor. Serious measures are being taken such as providing education for children is made a topmost priority and punishment is ensured through legal means to those who violate the child labor Act. Special attention should be drown towards the plight of bonded child laborers who are worse than the free child laborers and such policies should be discouraged in which allowing non-formal education for two hours or so and then sending the children to work. Full use of mass communication such as Doordarshan, press, Akashwani etc. should be made.

However, the task of eradicating child labor is not an impossible one because European and the other developed countries have eradicated this evil. The first and foremost task is to create awareness about the magnitude of the problem and this can be achieved through economic liberalization.

The Supreme Court in its historic judgment, given on 10^thDecember, 1996, ordered the employers to pay Rs.20 thousand to each child-laborer due to the disobeyance of child-labor law. In its 36 page judgment the court clearly started that an adult from the family of every child-laborer will be given a job so that parents will not be compelled to send their child to work. These measures should be started immediately and children working in hazardous condition should be given priority.

2012-04-26T13:15:00.001+05:30

importance of education

Just as a face is the mirror to the heart of a person, level of education reflects the status of a nation. Since independence India has marched much ahead in the field of science and technology. We are among the six nuclear powers of the world. In information technology we are second to none. We have our own satellites orbiting the earth launched from our own launching station and manufactured indigenously. We are self sufficient in food production and the position of balance of payments is more than satisfactory. But the social face of India is from satisfactory. In the two major segments of social face i.e. education and median age in India, we have not performed up to the mark and have thus adversely affected the social performance. Hence to rape the real fruits of growth and achievements of the country the issue of education shall have to be dealt with an all seriousness.

The importance of education for the development of a country must not be underestimated because education is the tool which alone can inculcate national and cultural values and liberate people of false prejudice, ignorance and representations. Education provides them required knowledge, technique, skill and information and enables them to know their rights and duties towards their family, their society and towards their motherland at large. Education expands their vision and outlook, provokes the sprit of healthy competition and a desire to advance for the achievements of their consciousness regenerating truth, and thereby capability to fight ignorance, injustice, corruption, violence, disparity and communalism, the greatest hazards to the progress of the nation. Education is thus a means to stir up the consciousness of the people against injustice, violence and disparity, generally resulting in unrest and violence.

From the British rule of more then two centuries India inherited grinding poverty, ignorance and above all illiteracy percentage at the time of transfer of power was eight. Even after sixty years of independence nearly 35 per cent of our total population lacks basic literacy. More then 50% of Indian children drop out of the schools at primary level, majority of the drop-outs coming from the population segment living below subsistence level. Hardly seven out of 100 youths in the age group of 17-23 years get an opportunity for higher education. Those potting for science are less then 20%, 7% go for engineering and technology while 3.3% are enrolled in Medical colleges, Number of students of basic science is decreasing and hence standard of research in the universities is on the wane.

It is evident that our government has failed to provide compulsory primary education to the masses. India shares 34% percent of the world’s illiterate population. Under the circumstances how can the nation reap the fruits of development? The Major factor responsible for this situation seems to be the lack of will and commitment on the part of central and state governments. During the year 2005-06 total expenditure by the centre and state governments was Rs. 9900 crores, hardly 2.8% of country’s GDP whereas Kothari Commission’s recommendation was the provision of at least 6% of GDP towards education meaning thereby that provision is less than one half.

We are now entering into XI plan and allotment for education continues to be 3% of GNP whereas in the common minimum programme of the government public expenditure on education it should be six percent of GNP. In accordance with in the approach paper for XI plan it has been stressed that public spending on education must be raised to 6% of GDP so that constitutional obligation of providing free and compulsory education of good quality to children of all sects irrespective of caste, creed and color may be fulfilled.

Social face of India is poor and dark. A healthy and happy population are the basic components and indicators of development and progress of a nation. Undoubtedly India’s GDP is rising and touching the level of 9% but there is no reflection of this rise in the standard of living of nit only in rural population but urban people as well. Gulf of disparity is widening every day. This shows lack of coherence between economic growth and social progress meaning thereby that overall development of our economy is yet to be achieved. Economic progress not accompanied by social progress is of no use for a nation. There are countries having lower per capita income than India but much better placed in matter of literacy only for the reason that public expenditure in those countries is around 50% of the amount required by India in order to enhance the existing state of adult literacy.

A lot has to be done for India’s large young and blooming masses which constitute nearly seventy percent of country’s total population. Median age comes to about 35 years. How unfortunate it is that countries having much lower median age are far better than India. There are many countries having much lower median age but having life expectancy of more than sixty years.

In order to improve the social face of a country Education must be job-oriented. Education is a means to secure employment hence there is need to encourage and expand avenues for vocational training. Our percent education system is going a long way towards widening the gulf of disparity among the rich and poor students as also between students from rural and urban areas. Education in technical branches has become so costly that poor parents of most talented students cannot even think of getting their wards admitted into such institutions. We need a system of education that can provide equal opportunities to all rich and poor, education that can contribute towards development and can promote growth not only in terms of GDP but may also bring about all out development and growth such that may uplift the poor and the deprived and such that may alleviate poverty and may narrow the gulf between the rich and the poor. We need education system that may eradicate illiteracy and may provide the common man an access not only to basic education but also to higher and technical education.........

2012-04-26T11:31:00.001+05:30

Terrorism in India

Terrorism means the policy of striking terror in the minds of the people by violent methods to achieve some ends. It is a law of the jungle to use muscle power and force to get things done. It is a barbarian act. Of late, terrorism has become the order of the day.

People who are disgruntled and who are unable to get their desires fulfilled by normal and accepted methods in society are resorting to terrorism. Some other causes for which terrorism is resorted to may be genuine like a protest from people to come out of bondage or fight for freedom. Even such causes do not support terrorism, when there are other channels and methods to solve the problem.

Terrorism has now become an international phenomenon. There are terrorists in developed and advanced countries as well as developing countries like India. We must find out the reasons for emergence of terrorism. There has been exploitation of the weak and the poor for centuries by the rich and the powerful. All representations and appeals of non-violent nature failed to yield any response. Hence the frustrated and the oppressed resort to violence as there is no other alternative. Such protests are also called terrorist activities. There is another type, that is, where one uses force on the weak to gain his ends; sit may be to serve the cause of a religion, a language or to establish a new pattern of government.

The communist movements which resort to force, and the armed protests which Netaji subhas Chandra Bose led, in the name of eh Indian National Army (I.N.A) cannot be termed as terrorist activities. Protests like Khalistan Movement carried on earlier in Punjab, the armed protest marches of Assam and the L.T.T.E. Movement of Sri Lanka are not justifiable movements. They could always use other forums of a non-violent nature if they have any grievances to be redressed. The hijacking of the Indian Airlines Plane in December 1999 is also another ugly face of terrorism. The worst type of terrorism was that of Idi Amin of Uganda who let loose terrorism in his country to serve his personal ends. Whether terrorism is justified or not, it has of late become the normal method for achieving one’s ends.

Terrorism is not confined to any area or activity. It is finding its place in the elections conducted in our country to elect members to legislatures and parliament. Many a time the candidates are found taking the help of terrorists to win their elections, as violence has its own place in and election campaign. As long as violence pays dividends much more easily and is allowed to go unchecked, the animal in man favors its use instead of peaceful methods.

Governments all over the world are doing their best to put and end to terrorism. There are a few who encourage and support terrorism in other countries to meet their own political ends. The U.N.O. also is unable to completely eliminate this evil, even though it is able to contain it. But use of violence to check violence is not a permanent solution.

The only remedy to this evil appears to be the diagnosis of the root cause for each act of terrorism and if there is a genuine reason behind it, it is better to concede the demand. If terrorism is based on issues which are immoral and not acceptable, the sure and powerful weapon against it appears to be non violent “satyagraha” introduced by Mahatma Gandhi..

terrorists attack at mumbai

2012-04-25T13:32:00.002+05:30

IMPORTENCE OF READING

A book can make you laugh when you are in the saddest mood....a book can scare you when yor in the safest location in the world...a book can even make you feel romantic, though you are most un romantic person in the world, a book can give you goosebumps with its thrilling scripts...a book can bring you in tears without you being in any sad situation...a book can take you deep inside the human psycology without even knowing about this, a book can give you all th einformation which you might never dreamed off....you think about anything and there are books explaining that too you...so do you require anything else to gain knowledge about anything in the world if you have books....i guess no....

Answered by Abhimanu singh, 09 Dec '08 06:52 am

Q.Why we use book
1.

Book is the treasure house of knowledge for making one exact in everything in the world so that one can be successful in all ventures!

TO KNOW THE WHOLE WORLD.

To gain knowledge

we use a book because it gives us knowledge

some people cannot afford to buy expensive books so we have librarys where people can know the world

To get Knowledge.

To read, to scan and to absorb

It is said that real purpose of books is to train the mind for self thinking. In a world that is in the grip of a digital revolution, schools have the challenge and responsibility of creating and sustaining.
Books are man's best friends. They give him company equally in times of happiness as well as in times of distress. They are one of the main sources of knowledge.
The importance of Book
            In the past, when people didn’t   have   written language, all information is spreaded through speaking. Therefore, much knowledge was lost. It bared humankind from catching on   to the reality about the world. But, nowadays, books help us count out all these worries. And in fact, beyond the role as a means for storing knowledge, books give us many other benefits and chip in on our progress towards a better life.
            Firstly, books provide us with a great amount of knowledge, which is passed from the ancestor to the next generations.Books call off the block of time and space.Through reading, we can catch on to many secret and interesting things of history, custom, culture… of many other races in the world. Each generation write down their achievements   of science and art in book, thus, our developing modern life today may be originated from the beneficial accomplishments in the past.
            Secondly, books widen the door of knowledge.We had book as a close friend when we were children. Then day -to- day, books gradually tell us about the variety   of the world.Many mythical phenomena are cleared up.The knowledge   freshen barren souls with science, art, music and literature ,and by this way developing our mental faculties. It’s actually cruel and silly   when in the past many autocratic rulers banned people from reading book and fired book because of their belligerent attitude to book. In fact, the most developed country is the country where book and education are respected and it ‘s free for everyone barters their knowledge. The brisk boom in economy of Japan in the 1950s was an accurate mirror for that.An unknowledgable person can make serious blunders which lost an arm and a legs and an ignorant nation is a weak nation.
            Book teach us   about bold attitude against violence and ambition to build up a peaceful world . We have to count for all biases, cut off bolstering for war which are made suffer......

2012-04-25T13:10:00.002+05:30

INDIA & UNO

(seat in security council)

The United Nations Security Council is the most influential organ of the United Nations. It charged with maintaining peace and security among nations. While other organs of the UN make only recommendations to member governments, the Security Council has the authority to take decisions, which the member governments must carry out under the United Nations Charter. The resolutions of the Council are known as UN Security Council Resolutions.
The Security Council today has the same worldwide power structure as it had in 1945, though the Council adopted four additional members in 1965, bringing the total number to 15. The five World War II victors, the USA, UK, France, Russia, and China [P-5] retain their honored "permanent" status.
They enjoy the prohibition supremacy and, often, prohibition extensively certified resolutions to promote their own interests. The arrangement renders the Council autocratic and inefficacious.
The powerful P-5 dominates the UN policy and decisions. The geographical demonstration of the other ten selected members has made no structural difference to the Security Council, which remains demanding in favor of the industrialized North.
After decades of debates on Security Council alteration, the UN-appointed High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change proposed two models of enlargement in December 2004. Both models predict the Council expanding to 24 members.
Model A recommends six additional new permanent seats, with no prohibit, and three new two-year term elected seats. Model B creates a new category of eight seats, renewable every four years, and one new two-year nonrenewable seat.
Neither the Panel's document, nor the Secretary General's March 2005 report titled "Enlarging Freedom" express preference for either model. Member- states are currently debating the UN Security Council Reforms in the 2005 General Assembly Session.
The foregoing context explains the coming together of India, Japan, Brazil and Germany for staking their individual claims collectively to permanent seats of the United Nations Security Council. Geographical dissimilarities apart, there are other discrepancies among this odd Group of Four [G-4].
A most glaring common feature being the antagonism they face from their geographic peers and neighbors. Pakistan fiercely opposes India's claim and has launched a diplomatic offensive to debunk it. China and Korea are aggressively campaigning against Japan.
United Nations officials have received more than 41 million signatures seeking to block Japan's bid for a permanent UNSC seat. Italy is opposing Germany as a prospective permanent member.
Mexico is countering Brazil's moves to enter the Security Council. Perhaps this pattern of opposition is the logic behind the formation of G-4 for making a common bid to become permanent members of the most powerful Organ of the United Nations, with or without the Veto power.
On July 7, 2005, the G-4 with 23 co-sponsors, introduced the first part of their "framework resolution" for staking their claims. Earlier, they had reached an understanding with the 15-member Caribbean Community [Caricom] and are negotiating support of the 54-members African Union [AU] amidst opposition from the USA, China, Russia and other countries.
India says that "The G-4 framework resolution will offer the member states a window of opportunity to express individual decisions in reforming the UN", but Pakistan views it as "inequitable and unfair".
Eighteen countries, calling themselves 'Coffee Club' or "Uniting For Consensus "[UFC], determinedly oppose the UN Security Council expansion and G-4 claims. Italy, Pakistan, Argentina, South Korea, Mexico, its leading members, have China's support. Indian media have been splashing news of visiting dignitaries promising support to India's claim but France is the only P-5 that has officially supported the G-4 Framework resolution.
India and the G-4 face two basic challenges. The first is the challenge of securing 2/3^rd majority support of the UN General Assembly. The second involves the unanimity among the veto-wielding permanent members or P-5 to accept UNSC expansion and G-4 candidature.
The USA has announced its support to Japan and possible endorsement of one developing country, keeping India, Egypt, South Africa guessing! G-4 are agape, looking covetously to the Yankee sphinx and divisively at one another! The USA has not changed its stand despite the much-hyped Indian PM's Washington visit.
Russia and China are simply opposed to any expansion move. Russia sees it as lessening its importance as an exclusive UNSC member, a vestige of the lost Soviet might. For China, UNSC Veto is a symbol of its rising power.
Great Britain eyes India as a big buyer of its arms yet has backed out from co- sponsoring the G-4 resolution in the face of the US ambivalence. France, hoping to sell aircrafts and submarines to India, is the only P-5 country to co- sponsor G-4 resolution.
India lacks in real politic skills and tactics. Its standing as the UNO's "moralizer" is gone with the non-aligned movement. Its increasing economic potential and stature are the main consideration for the P-5 to lend their very reluctant "future" support.
Nonetheless, India has taken an unprecedented ambitious stance in forming the G-4 and displaying a rare resolve to force a vote on the UNSC expansion amidst pervasive opposition. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization accorded India observer status but rebuffed the G-4 resolution.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to G-8 summit proved lackluster. His Washington visits July [18-20], though bilaterally significant, failed to get President Bush's nod for India's UNSC claim. As it is, the Vote on G-4 framework resolution hangs fire.
What does G-4 framework resolution spell? Most importantly, it commits the G-4 -India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan- to seeking six new UNSC permanent seats, increasing the Council's size from 15 to 25. The six new permanent members will be two each from Asia and Africa, one from Latin America/ Caribbean, one from West Europe and other states.
It seeks an increase of four to the present 10 non- permanent members, that is, one each from Africa, Asia, Latin America and East Europe. Germany, hoping to win the support of 20-odd East European states, suggested an additional seat from East Europe.
The G-4 proposal differs in two respects from afore mentioned Model A and Model B as contained in UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's In Larger Freedom. Both models look for increase of UNSC from 15 to 24. G-4 resolution seeks UNSC strength of 25 members.
More important is the G-4 call for the right to block resolutions. Under the sub-head Veto', it states, "the new members should have the same responsibilities and obligations as the current permanent members." India's choice of "shall" substituted by Japanese preference for "should".
Perhaps, Japan had inkling from the USA that seeking VETO could hamper its chances. Now G-4 has toned down their earlier stand and is willing to be just permanent members "with or without the veto".
Japan is very 'flexible' on Veto and for Germany Veto "should not be an obstruction to Security Council reform". The G-4 draft reduces the affirmative UNSC vote from 9 out of 15 to 14 out of 25 or from 60% to 56% with a view to appease the USA who fears losing its capacity to carry the "expanded" UNSC on issues like its Invasion of Iraq in 2003.
The G-4 has prepared a tricky and clever two-stage- voting scheme. First, the G-4 resolution must be passed by2/3^rd majority or 128 countries. Following which, the interested parties will "submit their candidatures to the President of the UNGA". Later, all 191 member- states will elect six states as permanent members by secret ballot.
According to the framework, "all ballots shall be restricted to candidates [already registered] until six states obtain the required majority to occupy the six seats". This ingenious procedure obviates competition among the G-4 and [ii] emergence of a regional dark horse in case one or more of G-4 fail to win two-thirds majority even after repeated rounds of balloting.
Only on achievement of the above procedure, UNGA will consider the comprehensive Charter-amending resolution, incorporating already voted changes, in accord with Article 108 of the UN Charter, requiring acceptance and ratification by 2/3^rd majority of UN member-states, including the P-5.
G-4 framework proposes to alter articles 27[2], 27[3], 109[1] but is quiet about Article 23 that lists the names of the five permanent members. By this procedure, the G-4 plan to present the P-5 with a fait accompli that they must, either accept or reject in Toto.
Therefore, USA will not be able to implement its preference for Japan, nor will China its veto against Japan, unless they wish to provoke the rejected one as well as the five newly elected permanent members.
The G-4 got the clue for this procedure from what happened in 1963 when China became a Permanent member replacing Taiwan and the UNSC was expanded from 11 to 15 members. Then, only China [whose seat was held by Taiwan then] among the P-5 voted in favor of the UNGA resolution calling for expansion. France and Soviet Union voted against the expansion, Britain and USA abstained but all the five, finally, ratified the amendment for expansion.
Will the G-4 get the 128 member-state support? This is a big question with no clue. At the outset, Italy and Pakistan are lobbying hard that the G-4 resolution be first ratified by P-5. How the UNGA can elect six permanent members to six seats that legally do not exist, they argue.
Even if the UNGA President allows G-4 procedure, winning a 128-majority appears insurmountable. African Union of 53 members could vote as a solid bloc but most other votes are doubtful. At this stage, 60 are the maximum analysts are prepared to comply with the G-4 claim.
Whether Germany or USA will prevails over 20 East Europeans remains uncertain. Latin Americans are wary of the G-4 resolution. Japan's influence in Asia is almost nil. Japan is perceived as a vassal state of the USA and resented among developing countries. The voting shall be open.
Indian campaign has been lackadaisical. India is either too hopeful of the last minute US support or expects to win the UN permanent seat by default. From the weakest, India has surely emerged as the strongest G-4 candidate. Bush needs Japan and India to counter China's influence over Asia.
The belief that the 21^st century belongs to Asia is gaining ground in the West. The USA wants to wean away India from Russia and China who, along with France, want to challenge the US superpowers.
Nevertheless, US-support is never without cost. India will have to be subservient like UK, Australia and Japan to become a non-veto-wielding member of UNSC, if it wants US backing. A price too heavy.
New York, seat of the UNO, will remain rife with international conspiracy and political maneuver. Interested parties will wine, dine and confabulate on the UNSC expansion until the Voting Day

2012-04-25T12:47:00.000+05:30

India & ASEAN





Since its start about a decade ago, the partnership between India and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) comprising Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam has been developing at quite a fast pace. India became a sectoral dialogue partner of ASEAN in 1992. Mutual interest led ASEAN to invite India to become its full dialogue partner during the fifth ASEAN Summit in Bangkok in 1995. India also became a member of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in 1996. India and ASEAN have been holding summit-level meetings on an annual basis since 2002. In August 2009, India signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the ASEAN members in Thailand. Under the ASEAN-India FTA, ASEAN member countries and India will lift import tariffs on more than 80 per cent of traded products between 2013 and 2016, according to a release by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. In January 2010, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand accepted the FTA on goods. The other seven ASEAN countries are expected to operationalise the FTA by August 2010. India and ASEAN are currently negotiating agreements on trade in services and investment. The services negotiations are taking place on a request-offer basis, wherein both sides make requests for the openings they seek and offers are made by the receiving country based on the requests. India has made requests in a number of areas including teaching, nursing, architecture, chartered accountancy and medicine as it has a large number of English speaking professionals in these areas who can gain from job opportunities in the ASEAN region. India is also keen on expanding its telecom, IT, tourism and banking network in ASEAN countries. Trade The deepening of ties between India and ASEAN is reflected in the continued buoyancy in trade figures. India’s trade with ASEAN countries has increased from US$ 30.7 billion in 2006-07 to US$ 39.08 billion in 2007-08 and to US$ 45.34 billion in 2008-09. During April – September 2009-10, India’s trade with ASEAN was US$ 20.19 billion, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. In 2008-09, India's exports to ASEAN totalled US$ 19.14 billion. During April-December 2009-10, India exported goods worth US$ 12.8 billion to ASEAN, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. India imported goods worth US$ 26.3 billion in 2008-09 from ASEAN. During the period April-December 2009-10, India's imports from ASEAN totalled US$ 18.09 billion, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Singapore The growing bilateral economic relationship is reflected in the rapidly rising bilateral trade between Singapore and India. Singapore continues to be the single largest investor in India amongst the ASEAN countries and the second largest amongst all countries with foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into India, totalling US$ 2.4 billion in 2009-10. The cumulative FDI inflows from Singapore during April 2000 and March 2010 were US$ 10.2 billion, according to data released by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP). The total bilateral trade during 2008-09 was US$ 16.1 billion, an increase of 3.86 per cent over US$ 15.5 billion in 2007-08, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. During 2008-09, India exported goods worth US$ 8.45 billion to Singapore. During April-December 2009-10, Indian merchandise exports to Singapore totalled US$ 5.12 billion, comprising mainly of mineral fuels and oils, ships, boats and floating structures and natural pearls, gems and jewellery, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in May 2010, Mr Anand Sharma, the Union Minister of Commerce and Mr Lim Hng Kiang, Minister for Trade and Industry, Singapore, agreed on a bilateral economic roadmap to take the India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) forward in the coming five years. As per the roadmap the two countries will work towards doubling the annual bilateral trade by 2015. Moreover, they will promote greater business and investment flows by identifying ways in which Indian businesses can leverage on Singapore as a business hub in the Asia Pacific to support their international expansion. The two countries will also explore and develop co-operation, in science and technology, intellectual property rights, and media. India-Singapore Bilateral Economic Roadmap includes: Increase two-way flow of tourists, businessmen and professionals Expedite conclusion of mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) for dentistry, medical, nursing, architecture, accountancy and company secretary professionals on priority Explore expansion of the provisions of CECA to liberalise and facilitate movement of Indian professionals to Singapore. Develop closer co-operation in tourism Moreover, according to Standard Chartered Bank, the business between India and Singapore is set to double in the next five years. The number of Singapore-based companies setting up operations in India, 350 at present, is expected to double in the next five years. Similarly, India-based business community in Singapore is likely to increase to 5,500 companies from the present 4,000 in the next two and a half years. Malaysia The bilateral economic relationship between India and Malaysia has been steadily moving ahead. Malaysia has been a huge source of FDI for India. In fact, Malaysia is the 25th largest overall investor and third largest investor among ASEAN countries with a total inflow of US$ 252.97 million during the April 2000-March 2010 period, according to data released by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion. Bilateral trade among the two countries amounted to US$ 10,604.75 million during 2008-09, an increase of 23.48 per cent over 2007-08, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. India exported goods worth US$ 3.42 billion to Malaysia in 2008-09. During April-December 2009-10, India’s exports to Malaysia totalled US$ 2.14 billion, comprising ships, boats and floating structures, mineral oils and fuels, and organic chemicals, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Indians play an important role in promoting tourism in Malaysia. Following a 7.1 per cent growth in revenues from Indian tourists in 2009, Malaysia expects 650,000 visitors from India in 2010, according to the Director General of Malaysia Tourism. Moreover, Indian biotech companies are increasingly looking at making investments in Malaysia. Malaysia is positioning itself as a cost-competitive country and a regional hub for global biotech companies. It is attracting Indian companies with a large number of sops including a 10-year tax holiday, duty exemptions, customised incentives for large investments, access to ASEAN markets through free trade agreements and no restrictions on equity. Thailand Bilateral trade between the two countries touched US$ 4.6 billion in 2008-09, as compared to US$ 4.12 billion in 2007-08, registering a growth of 12.9 per cent, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. India exported goods worth US$ 1.94 billion in 2008-09 and worth US$ 1.25 billion during April-December 2009-10, to Thailand which included natural pearls, gems and jewellery, residue and waste from food industries and organic chemicals, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Total FDI inflow during the period April 2000-March 2010 from Thailand was US$ 77.97 million, according to data released by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion. India and Thailand are targetting bilateral trade worth US$ 12 billion by 2012. In May 2010, the Thai Deputy Minister of Commerce, Alongkorn Ponlabhoot said, "We are hoping that the increase in trade would be generated through cooperation under various agreements like the BIMSTEC, the Asean-India FTA and the proposed Thailand-India FTA." Indonesia Bilateral trade between India and Indonesia totalled US$ 9.3 billion in 2008-09, an increase of 32.08 per cent over US$ 6.99 billion in 2007-08, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. During the period 2008-09, India exported goods worth US$ 2.56 billion to Indonesia. During April-December 2009-10, India exported goods worth US$ 2.3 billion to Indonesia comprising mainly of organic chemicals, mineral fuels and ships and boats, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. India and Indonesia are targetting bilateral trade worth US$ 20 billion by 2020 according to Indonesian ambassador to India, Andi M Ghalib. Indonesia is an important source of FDI for India. It is the 16th largest FDI investor amongst all countries and the second largest amongst the ASEAN countries. FDI inflows from Indonesia into India totalled US$ 604.28 million during April 2000-March 2010, according to data released by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion. Myanmar During 2008-09, India exported goods worth US$ 221.64 million to Myanmar comprising mainly of pharmaceuticals and iron and steel. Bilateral trade stood at US$ 1.15 billion during 2008-09, an increase of 15.7 per cent over US$ 994.45 million in 2007-08, according to the latest data by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. During April-December 2009-10, India’s exports to Myanmar totalled US$ 159.77 million, according to the latest data by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. FDI inflows from Myanmar into India totalled US$ 8.96 million in the period April 2000-March 2010, according to data released by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion. Vietnam Bilateral trade between India and Vietnam grew to US$ 2.15 billion in 2008-09 from US$ 1.78 billion in 2007-08, registering a growth of 20.38 per cent, according to the latest data by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Indian exports to Vietnam in 2008-09 totalled US$ 1.7 billion, while India exported goods worth US$ 1.25 billion from Vietnam during April-December 2009-10 comprising mainly of residues and wastes from food industries, animal fodder, meat and cereals, according to the latest data by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Philippines Bilateral trade between India and Philippines was worth US$ 998.54 million in 2008-09 as compared to US$ 824.87 million in 2007-08, an increase of 21.05 per cent, according to the latest data by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Indian exports to Philippines during 2008-09 totalled US$ 743.77 million. During April-December 2009-10, India exported goods worth US$ 534.38 million to Philippines, comprising chiefly of meat, iron and steel and vehicles other than railways, according to the latest data by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Cambodia During 2008-09, bilateral trade between the two countries stood at US$ 49.61 million. India exported goods worth US$ 46.90 million to Cambodia in 2008-09. During April-December 2009-10, India exported goods worth US$ 30.53 million, chiefly comprising pharmaceuticals, cotton and tobacco, according to the latest data by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.