RISE OF GERMAN ECONOMY: VOLKSWAGEN AND AUTO INDUSTRY

Even after bearing the brunt of two World Wars, with German economy even collapsing after the paying of the first installment of First World War’s reparations to France, for instance, Germany has shown a remarkable capacity of rebuilding itself in the current era. The most visible signs of her economic power are the three big carmakers namely, Volkswagen, Daimler and BMW.
The rise of Germany is based on complex casualty, but the recent revelation of the Volkswagen scandal becomes important in many respects: firstly, it highlights the interplay of economic and political factors in the growing prowess of a country, secondly, the role of auto industry in German politics by defining political preferences and outcomes. 
The scandal relates to rigging of diesel emissions tests. There are two view points to this development. First, that the German politicians were not aware of any such violations. Secondly, the view of those who criticize Berlin for shielding the carmakers.
The industry employs over 750,000 of people in Germany and has become a leading economic sector. This makes it important for the government to pay attention to this sector. In this context, some facts are noteworthy: It has been said that Merkel’s party received donations from the family that controls BMW. There is also a powerful lobby group of automakers called Verband der Automobilindustrie (VDA).
This clear closeness between the auto industry and German politics has both positive and negative effects on Germany as well as the world. The positive ones relate to how the collaboration between the two have led to the growing German prowess, and the negative one relating to residue left behind by a state in pursuit of power. It would be unfair on part of a strong state (i.e., Germany) because on one hand, we are talking about cutting down emissions, holding climate change summits, and putting restrictions on the “emerging markets” and on the other, not amounting to fairness by violating emission targets or in other words, failing to regulate such practices.
Why Germany should be concerned is because she is seeking a greater weight for permanent membership at the UNSC, and not to forget that Germany has taken positive steps by giving refuge to migrants in the current refugee crisis facing the EU. 
Therefore, it is important for Germany to clear the dust on the Volkswagen scandal and showcase its global leadership yet again. 

Kritika Kaushik

SYRIAN CRISIS

“Do not humiliate the Syrian people!” was the first slogan used by the civilians in February 2011 in the Syrian uprising. For the first time in Syria’s history, people demanded real and concrete political and economic reforms. This Syrian uprising is a conflict between the long-serving Government headed by the President  Bashar-Al-Assad and the  civilians as well as the opposition who undertook such a drastic step due to the lack of political freedom as well as the economic difficulties. But what once started as anti-government protests has escalated into a full scale civil war. These past four years of armed conflict have displaced vast numbers of Syrians from their homes and has also led to more than 3,20,000 people losing their lives. All sides are guilty and havoc has been wrecked on more than half of Syria’s population which has been uprooted, left impoverished and trapped in hard to reach areas. It can be said that if ever an armed conflict was characterised by the absence of proportionality and distinction, Syria’s civil war tops the list.
Across Syria’s borders, its neighbouring countries, Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey, have been generous beyond all reasonable expectations. But after the continuance of the civil war for the past four years, they have started feeling the strain. Due to increasing social tensions in these host countries and the competition between citizens and Syrian refugees for healthcare, jobs, shelter as well as water these countries are struggling to respond to the needs of the Syrian refugees that they host today.
Most of the Syrian refugees ask for jobs and education for their children apart from the basic physical comforts of life. A job because it brings with it the dignity of earning one’s own money and being able to sustain one’s family independently; an education for their children because for them education is the sole hope for a happy future. Moreover when a child goes to school – whether it be in a bombed out building or in a refugee camp – it means a system, friends and hopefully, a compassionate teacher which can bring him/her on the road to normalcy.
For refugees living in these countries income generating activities are scarce. They usually have to depend on the informal sectors where they are employed as casual, irregular and predominantly unskilled work where they are paid meagre wages to sustain themselves. However the opportunities are extremely limited and livelihood sustainability, cost of living and increasing indebtedness are coming out to be the major concerns for both the refugees as well as for the host countries.
In the host countries housing rent levels are skyrocketing and added to that are substantial increases in unemployment and depressed wage rates. Coming to the negative macro-economic impacts in the neighbouring countries there have been losses of vast magnitudes in terms of economic performance, public revenue and taxes , profits as well as cuts in growth and widening of national deficits.
Apart from the economic blows, since the beginning of the Syrian crisis human rights conditions have violently deteriorated. Arbitrary arrests and detentions, rape, harassment, other forms of sexual violence lashed out on men and women as well as children, enforced disappearances and inhumane punishments are meted out by the Syrian authorities and pro-governmental militias in official and unofficial detention centres. A report by the International Rescue Committee described rape as a significant and disturbing feature of the Syrian Civil War. Many civilians have been victimised and targeted by bombs and detentions, many have lost their near and dear ones. The mental and physical well being of these people is another reason of concern added to their long list of problems.
The most important and notable attempt to restore peace in Syria was Kofi Annan’s Plan.
Kofi Annan, who was a special envoy of the UN as well as the Arab League in March 2012, had proposed to Bashar-Al-Assad a plan. Though Assad had accepted the plan but he never actually fulfilled it practically as he wanted written guarantees from the opposition protestors. Eventually, Mr. Annan resigned as the envoy for Syria in August 2012 due to the lack of unity in the UNSC as well as the reluctance of both sides to accept the agreement.
Sadly a large chunk of people throughout the world have turned indifferent on this issue. They feel it is very common to hear about many lives being destroyed, families falling apart and losing close ones. But those few concerned keep thinking about the solutions to various issues. For instance, is a foreign military intervention an effective way to solve the current crisis and will it stop the violence? Some may say a foreign military intervention in Syria may help in ending the violence but others may argue that it may bring additional problems as well. It is possible that the military intervention in Syria just like in Iraq could turn into a long-term mission with less success in restoring peace and high costs. Further an intervention like this may incense Russia, China, Iran and maybe some other countries. Moreover the political goals of the opposition parties are also uncertain. Another reason which may contribute to the unpredictability of the situation in Syria are the existing stockpiles of chemical weapons in Syria. It is also known that international relations does not work along the lines of charity and moral principles. So will the help of rich countries in reconstructing this society be termed as inevitable or interfering?  These are some of the questions which the international community has to answer and, say, formulate a Marshall plan in order to stop violence and restore peace and normalcy in the Middle East as soon as possible. After all do declarations and good intentions actually help in feeding the hungry or in sheltering the refugees?

Mahima Rastogi

INDIA+PAKISTAN - DIALOGUE OR DISSENT?

Few other activities in the world generate as much excitement and deliver as few results as the India-Pakistan dialogue. The hype surrounding the planned meeting during August 2015 between the two national security advisors in New Delhi confirm this.

The temperature would have turned red hot had Sartaj Aziz, Pakistan’s NSA, chosen to come across the border before the inflammable Indian media with provocative statements on Kashmir and trash Delhi’s dossier on cross-border terrorism while levelling his own charges against India. Delhi, of course, was planning to put Aziz on the mat with all the evidence it had on Pakistan’s sponsorship of terrorism in India. In other words, it could have been a lot worse.

For those looking for an upside, Delhi has hinted that the latest fiasco may not necessarily mean a prolonged break in the dialogue. As the external affairs minister, Sushma Swaraj, put it on Saturday, there are no full-stops in Indian diplomacy towards Pakistan. Pakistan too may not oppose to letting other meetings, such as between the security forces, agreed upon by the two prime ministers at Ufa last month, take place.

Put simply, India and Pakistan can’t stay away from each other or with each other for too long. That has been the story of unending conflict and diplomacy between India and Pakistan for nearly five decades. During 1947 to 1965, the two sides successfully addressed the many problems that arose out of the partition of the subcontinent, including Indus water-sharing. The borders between the two countries remained open despite the continuing tussle over Kashmir, and the markets were connected.

Since then, we have entered a stalemate. Pakistan has shown the capacity to destabilize Kashmir and foment terror across India. But it has not been able to change the territorial status quo in Kashmir. Delhi, on the other hand, has not been able to find an effective answer to Rawalpindi’s proxy war. Nor has India been able to compel Pakistan to normalize bilateral relations through the expansion of economic cooperation and a settlement around the status quo in Kashmir. Neither side knows how to break this stalemate.

There is no consensus within India or Pakistan on either the terms of engagement or on the give-and-take that must be part of any serious effort to find a new political compact between the neighbors.
The divide in Pakistan between the civilian leaders and the army on how to deal with India is widely noted as a stumbling block to the peace process. But the internal cracks in India, too, are widening.

When in government, both the Congress and the BJP have engaged Pakistan against great odds but refused to cut the other slack when in opposition. The kind of consultation and understanding that was visible in the early 1990s between then PM P.V. Narasimha Rao and Atal Bihari Vajpayee as the leader of opposition has been elusive.

Not so fast. For all its bleak history, diplomacy between India and Pakistan has also seen luminous moments of hope. Delhi and Islamabad seemed close to agreements on the Siachen and Sir Creek disputes during 2005-06. The back channel between then PM Manmohan Singh and General Pervez Musharraf had produced a framework agreement on Kashmir in 2007 after two years of negotiations. In 2012, Pakistan seemed on the verge of normalizing trade relations with India. There were extended periods when cross-border terrorism from Pakistan seemed to ebb.

For all the problems with Pakistan, our diplomacy must be animated by hope leavened with the fact that change is inevitable. As the world of India and Pakistan changes, there will always be opportunities to break the current stalemate.


Priyanka Chugh

PUNJABI COMMUNITY IN SALTA-ARGENTINA

The Northern Province of Salta in Argentina is home to an important Punjabi Community, about 500 Indians and descendants of these immigrants live in the cities “Rosario de la Frontera” and “General Guemes” from Salta. The Sikhs originally came to Argentina in the early 19th century to work on a British-built railroad. Later, in the 1970s, others came after being barred entry to Canada and the United States, the preferred destinations, along with Britain, for the emigrants.

At the time, Argentina seemed the most promising of South American nations, and so they stayed, eventually concentrating in the north, which reminded them of the scrappy mountains and plains of Punjab.

Rosario de la Frontera is home to the only Temple of the Sikh religion in all Argentina and South America. The building evokes the architectural lines of similar temples in India. And it is named Gurdwara Nanak Sar. 

This is the Facebook page of the Temple: https://www.facebook.com/gurudwara.argentina?fref=ts

Anita Nieva Rosas

GLOBALIZATION AND RURAL SOCIETY IN INDIA

Rural societies are traditional in nature and globalization has far reaching cultural and social impacts on these traditional societies. Thus, transition to market-oriented societies should be managed properly in order to avoid any discounting of vulnerable sections of society and also to prevent corruption, nepotism, and monopolization by other larger sections.

The effects of Globalization on the local or native traditions and culture are broadened in the case of rural societies, particularly in countries like India, Bhutan, etc. Globalization challenges the values that are regarded as traditional such as family systems, hospitality habits, kinship support systems, respect for the elders, and social attitude and behavior.

Globalization seeks every person to be an economic section and the young and old get little attention in return. The privilege of education, information and market will naturally support the richer sections of the society and again there would be a divide between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’.

The effects of globalization on rural society in India are innumerable, especially in South India:

Firstly, the rural population has increased while total land available for cultivation remains the same.  Thus, the average land available for each household continues to decrease. Moreover, the predominant inheritance system and demographic crisis has affected the intra-village economic differentiation. However, each child has the right to inherit the same share of their parental property. This and the number of heirs in previous generations thus have resulted in the present socio-economic status of the villagers in South India. As among previous generations there were only a few households with a single heir, there is now an increasing economic differentiation among villagers.  There are some large landowners who usually purchase land from those whose land does not any longer provide even for their subsistence. Thus the number of villagers who are now landless and who depend on their income from work as agricultural laborer has increased. There is an increase in the number of poor villagers which is even worsened by the increasing mechanization of the few large landowners, because of which there is a reduction in the demand for agricultural labor. No other income-earning opportunities in the villages has increased chances of urban migration, as it becomes a strategy of survival for growing numbers of South Indian Villagers.

Secondly, there is hardly any increase in the profitability of cultivating different varieties of crops. As there is a disparity in the input and the output prices of the crops, the total or net income of the farmers has rarely increased. Farmers also complained about the growth in shortage of village laborers and the rise in daily wage rates .There is a quite considerable disparity between what landowners opinionate about their farm laborers wage demands and how the farm laborers themselves discuss their employment conditions.

Thirdly, farming has lost its attraction, as most South Indian rural parents now want their children to earn a University Degree. Other factors include: changing crop prices, World Food Shortage, welfare legislation introduced by the Indian government to alleviate poverty such as widow pensions, the Below Poverty Line, life in urban slums.

Hence, even if there are advantages of globalization in the urban sector, it is not advantageous for the Indian rural sector or societies, especially in the Southern part of the Subcontinent.

Akshara Bhargava

INDIA-IRAN TIES: THE WAY AHEAD

"Few people have been more closely related in origin and throughout history than the people of India and the people of Iran"
Jawahar Lal Nehru
                                                                                                      
The relations between India and Iran can be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization's links with the latter. For instance, Indus seals have been excavated at Kish, Sasa and Ur in Iran. During the pre-Indo-Aryan civilisation period, Indians and Iranians lived together with a common language in Oxus Valley in Central Asia. Indian Vedas and Iranian Avesta have similarities as well ( they give the same reason for migration of Aryans, i.e., flood). Sanskrit and Persian have common roots.
The historical ties between the two countries were suspended due to the onset of British colonisation of India, and later, the Partition of the country in 1947.

Cold War Period

Iran had allied with the Western alliance during the Cold War Era. While, India followed a policy of non-alignment, with leanings towards the erstwhile Soviet Union (Twenty Years' Treaty of  Friendship and Cooperation, 1971). With the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979, Iran grew hostile towards USA; India had also not supported the revolution. Furthermore, India had also grown closer to Iraq during the Iran-Iraq war (1980-88). Therefore, this period was marked by rough times in the relations of India and Iran.

Post Cold War Era

Concerns about International Terrorism

The 1990s marked a major overhaul in their relations when India and Iran supported the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan against Taliban. This development is of profound importance, highlighting the similar stand of India and Iran against terrorism.

Iran and India have the largest Shia population and the fourth largest Muslim population in the world. This is why both have major concerns over Sunni-Shia conflict, especially, in Pakistan. This also explains why India and Iran supported the anti-Taliban collaboration in Afghanistan. Both countries are concerned about the Sunni-Islamist militias in South Asia and Wahhabi power in Asia and the Middle-East.

Cooperation between the two countries is essential at this crucial moment in the international realm due to growing threats like that of  the ISIS or ISIL, which affect every state and the sooner countries unite to combat this threat, the better.

On UN Reforms

India and Iran have supported the reform of the United Nations Security Council. This could give greater weight to India's bid to become a permanent member.

The Iran Nuclear Deal and its Impact on India-Iran Ties

In order to prove the genuineness of its friendship with the USA, India had voted against Iran at the IAEA in 2005, 2006 and 2009. Later, Iran was referred to the UNSC to have sanctions imposed on it. The Bush administration had also given an option to India to either support its resolution against Iran in order to have increased cooperation from USA with regard to the Indo-US nuclear deal. India was also made to withdraw from its pipeline project with Iran.

Iran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in 2015 at Vienna, with the P5+1 (USA, France, Britain, Russia, China plus Germany).  This deal prevented the threat that the world had apprehended that Iran was a few months away from acquiring enough enriched uranium to build a bomb.

As far as the terms of the new deal of 2015 are concerned, Iran agreed to transform the nuclear plant at Fordo into a scientific research centre. It also agreed on cutting back  half of its centrifuges at a plant in Natanz. Iran has to limit its uranium enrichment to 3.7 per cent and cap its stockpile of low enriched uranium by 98 per cent (to 300 kilograms) for 15 years.  It has to rebuild the nuclear plant at Arak so as to not produce weapons grade plutonium. The reactor's spent fuel (for uranium enrichment) will be shipped out of the country and Iran will not build additional reactors for the next 15 years. This will, therefore, cripple Iran to make any nuclear bomb, at least for some years. US President Obama had announced the possibility of lifting conventional arms embargo after 5 years and ending missile sanctions after 8 years.

While the major beneficiaries of the nuclear deal are the US, who has reinforced its position as a superpower and Israel and Saudi Arabia, who could not withstand Iran's rise, the immediate impact of the deal on India lies in her interests not to have a nuclear state in its vicinity. Had Iran succeeded in building nuclear bombs, it would have initiated an arms race in the Gulf, thereby, threatening India's security as well.
Also, with the change of Western approach towards Iran, India is at ease to further
strengthen its relations with it.

Strategic Importance

Iran is India's gateway to Afghanistan, Central Asia and Caucasus. It will also help India in countering Chinese influence in Central Asia, and allow the country to have a better say in issues concerning the region.

Economic Ties

The SAGE Pipeline (South Asia Gas Enterprises Ltd., the Indian company leading the project) or the Middle East to India Deepwater Pipeline (MEIDP) is a project to build a 1,400 km long pipeline with a depth of over 2 miles underwater. It is projected to double the natural gas imports to India, thereby, diversifying as well as securing India’s energy imports, if passed. It will originate at Chabahar port, at the southern coast of Iran.
The challenges facing this endeavour cannot be ignored. Firstly, the pipeline would have to bypass the land route of Pakistan. Secondly, it would run on the Owen Fracture Zone, which is an earthquake prone zone.

If we draw our attention to India's odyssey for energy security, Iran has the second largest natural gas reserves after Russia. However, due to lack of investments and imposition of sanctions, Iran could not optimally harness its energy resources. Therefore, the removal of sanctions would lead to flow of Indian investments to Iran, which would in turn boost India's growth. Iran also provides the closest and cheapest energy supply to the country. The lifting of the trade embargoes would enable Iran to modernise its oil and natural gas infrastructure which would provide the possibility of increased revenues for Iran in the coming years, provided there is sufficient demand.

A Memorandum of Understanding was recently signed between India and Iran, according to which India would develop Iran's North South Corridor. One major concern of economic experts in India would be the trade deficit between the two because India's exports to Iran are very low as compared to its imports from Iran. India should therefore, strive to balance its trade practices with Iran, by diversifying and seeking better terms in Indian exports

Iran and the Persian Gulf

Iran influences the stability of maritime access to Persian Gulf through the narrow Strait of Hormuz. Any disruption in this area would lead to a spurt in oil and natural gas prices, which could lead to a global economic crisis. This is further established by analysing Iran's influence in OPEC as it is the second largest exporter of crude oil in OPEC after Saudi Arabia. Therefore, it is in India's interests that there is stability in the Persian Gulf region, which can be maintained through healthy ties between the two countries. Stability in the region is also conducive to ensure India's stable access to Central Asia.

Solving the problem regarding disputes with Pakistan do not seem to be answered by the India-Iran partnership in the immediate sense. Iran’s stance is against India on the Kashmir issue and it also aided Pakistan during the Wars in 1965 and 1971. But as the Neo-functional theory of International Relations (by Ernst Haas) suggests the 'concept of spillover', i.e., cooperation in some areas could lead to cooperation in other areas as well, is a possible solution.

Kritika Kaushik

"THE MUSIC EVERYWHERE AND THE CONCERT NOWHERE"

On June 21st, every year, the streets of France are filled with musicians, the event is known as Fête de la Musique or the World Music Day. World Music Day is celebrated in more than 700 cities and 120 countries including Greece, Italy, Russia, Mexico, United States, Japan, Argentina, Australia, Britain, Luxemburg, Germany, Switzerland, Costa Rica, China, India, Lebanon and several other countries.

The concept of an all-day musical celebration on the days of the solstice was originated by the French Minister of Culture, Jack Lang in 1982. In October 1981, Maurice Fleuret became Director of Music and Dance at Minister of Culture Jack Lang’s request, and applied his reflections to the musical practice and its evolution: "the music everywhere and the concert nowhere".

The day is celebrated to endorse peace and spread goodwill through music. The key purpose of World Music Day is to provide both amateur and professional musicians a platform to showcase their talent. According to another theory, American musician Joel Cohen in France, in 1976, proposed an all-night music celebration to mark the beginning of the summer solstice and since then the entire world celebrates World Music Day on June 21.

 The main objective of World Music Day is to bring out the musicians on to the street to have live concerts, and the main purpose of this Day is to promote music, which happens in two ways:

1. The professional musicians are encouraged to perform live concert on street. With the slogan Faites de la musique,  which means MAKE MUSIC and is a homophone of Fête de la Musique (World Music Day), this goal is promoted.

2. Uncountable live concerts are organized, in which all genres of music are accessible to the public. And the most beautiful part of these concerts are, that these are free, that means the professional musicians donates their time to make this happen at no cost.

This festival is known to bring together all performers and spectators. Music-lovers of various age groups gather all over France to enjoy the performances and discover new genres of music.

World Music Day 2015 Celebrations in India

Since India is a land of diversity with varied cultures, every region which has its own unique musical form celebrate the day to continue the eternal tradition of music.

The metros, pubs and clubs were packed with revelers enjoying the music of local talent or established names. Auditoriums and open air spaces were also been booked for shows that will last till the wee hours. Parikrama performed in Pune on this day, as a part of their 22nd anniversary celebrations.

Not just the artistes and labels, but radio stations, music channels and sites also joined in the celebrations. While cynics may see this as a commercial venture of an event, the program heads made it a point to give music lovers full value of their time for their passion.

Radio City organized a nationwide offering of programs across their Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore and Nagpur stations. The content included unplugged versions, popular songs with quirky twists, unheard versions of hit songs, mash-ups, music cocktails, tribute to great artistes like AR Rahman, re-launch of the popular program ‘Radio City Antakshari’ and a makeover of PlanetRadiocity sporting a brand new station sound with more than 100 artistes featuring throughout the day.

9X Media has also created a music video titled Tung Tucking Ting that aired across all 9XMedia’s music channels on 21 June to celebrate World Music Day. 

Facts

1. Gruff-voiced rocker Bryan Adams photographed Queen Elizabeth II for this Canadian stamp.

2. Monaco's orchestra is bigger than its army

3. None of the Beatles could read music. 

4. Metallica is the first and the only band to have played on all seven continents.

5. According to all-known recorded sales data, the harmonica is the world's best-selling musical instrument. 

6. Michael Jackson bought the rights to most of the Beatles music for USD $47.5 million in 1985. It’s now worth USD $450 million.

 Saloni Nayar & Jyothi Menon

TIME FOR A RELOOK AT RESERVATIONS

The recent agitation by the Patel community led by Hardik Patel is another example of never-ending demands for reservation. The mass protest, organized and well-funded, across Gujarat is nothing short of a display of power and a threat to the law and order of the state. It has resulted in the loss of life of approximately nine people and the toll is expected to rise as this agitation is not going to stop any time soon.
The leader of this movement, Hardik, who was just another person until a few days ago, has today grabbed the eyes of whole the nation. Hardik belongs to a middle-class Patidar family from Viramgam, near Ahmedabad. He is a B.com Graduate from a very less known college who merely managed to score an aggregate of 50 percent and helps his father run a small submersible-pumps business. But today this man is demanding the inclusion of Patel community in the OBC status claiming that most of the members of this community hail from backward backgrounds, a claim that has no standing considering that most of the well doing Gujaratis belong to the Patel community and even the current Chief Minister of Gujarat, Anandiben, is herself a Patel.
Reservation was introduced to make up for the millennia of injustice to certain segments of the society and to bring them into the mainstream. It was introduced by the V.P. Singh government on the recommendation of the Mandal Commission and undoubtedly was a need of that hour because otherwise the backward sections of the society would have been wearing the tag of untouchables even in today’s time. But, considering that times have changed and so has the social structure, the government is still stuck in the past, at least as far as bringing any amendment in this law is concerned.
Today, reservation is being misused while the real motive behind its introduction remains unfulfilled. The caste of the person is no longer a reflection of his backwardness. As a result of it, even those people who come from well-off families are able to take the benefit of reservation and at the same time, candidates who really deserve to get reservation are denied this right.
The agitation, currently being witnessed across the country is an alarm for the government to wake up. It is high time that instead of searching for political mileage, the government should do away with caste-based reservation and introduce a new yardstick to measure backwardness, so that people who truly belong to the weaker sections of the society could get the real benefit of reservation.

Himank Agrawal

THE GREAT WAR

World War I, also known as The Great War (as at that point in time, the second world war had not yet been foreseen), was a war between the Allies consisting of Britain, the Russian Empire and France, with Italy, Japan, USA joining in during the war; and the Central Powers consisting of Germany and Austria-Hungary initially, with the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria joining in later on.

The scope of this article is to trace how World War I did not prove to be the war to end all wars, how even after the armistice conditions in Germany grew hostile and then culminated in World War II.

When the Allies were overpowering Germany, the country found itself alone as its allies had already sued for peace. During this time, the rule of The Kaiser in Germany was weakening due to civilian protests. Under pressure, he had to give in the demand for a civilian government in Berlin. This was the first time that peace was negotiated by civilians. With Germany’s defeat, the conditions of armistice were placed before her. Some of the demands of the Allies were:
Germany must forfeit its arms, ships, military equipment, aeroplanes and submarines, thus, breaking Germany's capacity to wage a war.
Germany must withdraw from the Banks of the Rhine and consent to foreign troops being stationed on German soil, for the first time.
German navy must allow her ships to be intervened and finished and the British Royal Navy's blockade of German ports would continue.

The Germans had found these demands to be unfair; however, they could only get concessions on the number of submarines and aeroplanes to be handed over to the Allies. 

In 1918, the Crown Prince of Germany announced that his father, The Kaiser, will abdicate. He also renounced his own succession and left for Holland. This was followed by an armed revolution and riots in the country, which culminated in Germany being declared a Republic.

The humiliation of 1918 and, later, the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, wherein the armistice was confirmed, led to the rise of extremist politics in the form of Nazism and Fascism in Germany and Italy respectively. The Emissaries were labelled as the “November Criminals” (the armistice took place in November 1918). Matthias Erzberger, the head of German delegation, was assassinated by nationalists.

Therefore, Germany was facing turbulent times leading to the downfall of its economy, it was blamed for the war and had to pay reparations. At this crucial point in history, Adolf Hitler assumed leadership in Nazi Germany. The peace treaty at Versailles didn't lead to peace in absolute terms; it was only the beginning of the conditions which led to World War II.

The emergence of these conditions also stands testimony to the validity of the Realist theory of international relations. According to Realists, incidents of violence in international politics are inevitable because the basic structure international relations is anarchic, which means that each of the independent sovereign states consider themselves to be their own highest authority. While, domestic politics is hierarchical with different political actors subject to supervision and subordination. Therefore, state survival becomes the core national interest.

Kritika Kaushik

HEALTHCARE POLICIES OF INDIA AND ARGENTINA

India: The Drugs and Cosmetics Act

The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 is an Act which regulates the import, manufacture, distribution, sale & clinical research of drugs and cosmetics. 

Pharmaceuticals were being imported from abroad. In 1920 Indian manufacturing sprang up to produce pharmaceuticals at cheaper rates to compete with foreign products. Some of these products were of poor quality and harmful. Government, therefore, decided to introduce this act.

The primary objective of the act is to ensure that the drugs and cosmetics sold in India are safe, effective and quality standards 

                    

History:

This act was originally known as the Drug Act and was passed in 1940. The act was prepared in accordance with the recommendations of the Chopra Committee formed in 1930. The related Drugs Rules were implemented in 1945. Since 1940, the act has undergone several amendments and is now known as the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The definition however excludes soaps. In 1964, the act was amended to include Ayurveda and Unani drugs.

The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 was passed in all states except Jammu and Kashmir 

Main features of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act:

·         To ensure standards of Drugs and Cosmetics, Diagnostics and Devices.

·         To monitor quality of drugs and medicines imported, manufactured, distributed & sold.

·         To regulate clinical research and publication of Indian Pharmacopoeia.

Penalties Related To Import 

OFFENCES

1) Import of Spurious or Adulterated Drug or Drug which involves Risk to Human beings

2) Contravention of the Provision 

PENALTIES

A) 3 Years imprisonment and 5000 Rs Fine on First Conviction 

B) 5 Years imprisonment and 1000 Rs Fine or Both for Subsequent Conviction 

Cosmetics Prohibited to Import 

1) Misbranded Cosmetics

2) Spurious Cosmetics

3) Cosmetics Containing Harmful ingredients 

4) Cosmetics not of standard Quality 

The Central Government can give directions to any State Government which may seem necessary to Central Government for carrying out execution of any of the provisions of this act in the state.

The Govt of India has made a law to stop misuse of drugs and cosmetics but the law is not fully active in the country. Prescription drugs are still sold without prescription which has resulted in 18.7% deaths every year due to misuse of drugs in the country.

Argentina:Law of National Programme of Sexual Health and Responsible Parenthood

Argentina has had strong reproductive health laws ever since the year 1991. It was a national program made with the agreement of the public for reproductive health policies. It is believed that the reproductive healthcare in Argentina is marked by the gender, access to healthcare and even by age. Due to this reason rural population, not well educated, are most affected by unwanted pregnancies and maternal and infant mortality. In implementation of sexual and reproductive health policies, the government faced many political as well as ideological barriers to introducing such changes.

In a survey conducted by National Women’s Council in the year 1994, around 200 women over the age of 18 living in Buenos Aires were surveyed. Surprisingly, around 80% of women said that sex education should be provided in schools, colleges and even with the help of media. Around 98% of them supported the sex education to consist of sexually transmitted diseases, 98% of them wanted menstruation, 96% chose delivery and pregnancy, violence and abuse (sexual) was preferred by 92%, 91% chose physical changes in adolescences and homosexuality and masturbation was chosen by around 90% of the women surveyed.

Even though this policy was highly appreciated and was accepted by the majority, the officials faced many challenges like the number of sites meant for such programs should be increased, the role of public services should be increased and resisting the conservative attacks that could be made. The reproductive health policy aims to prevent sexually transmitted diseases like STD’s and HIV, unwanted pregnancies and even educate people about health. These programs will be available at every primary health care centre and every public hospital in the city. 

Problems and the recommendations regarding the Policy

The two major problems with such a policy according to users of women services as well as professionals are that the lack of education and lack of awareness of sex education is the main obstacle while, women disagreed to it stating that the level of sex education is inadequate and that’s the major reason. All in all, everyone agreed to the need of intervention. The Ombusperson’s office had made a brochure that listed all the already existing national as well as local sexual health laws as well as the reproductive healthcare laws. The program head also suggested the need to have proper training for the staff as well as the administration members. It was looked into and many training workshops were also conducted. Although majority of the issues were discussed and a solution was found, there are still many aspects that needs to be looked into and a solution has to be found for issues such as better infrastructure, to have a better working environment for women and also address the issue of staffing in such sectors.

To conclude, both human rights and public health policies should be brought together to have better healthcare policies.

Anjali Thomas and Kanhaiya Chaudhary
  

THE BEAUTIFUL AFGHANISTAN

Afghanistan is that land of violence whose culture has been hidden by bloodshed and Taliban and Islamist groups fighting since 1970s to get hold of this beautiful land, its people and its culture wounded and children born after 1970s came to be called as CHILDREN OF WAR in the process. But before that, Afghanistan was a beautiful country with beautiful traditions.

There was a time in Afghanistan when young and beautiful children played along the sidewalks, the buzkashi, the nowroz festival and many more festivals like that, while Ahmed Zahir’s doste darom used to blare in the background and young Afghan women used to work as teachers, doctors, professors.

NOWROZ literally means new day and this festival marks the beginning of Afghan New Year, also celebrated as farmer’s day. Nowroz contains many festivals on its own, some and main of which are, Guli Surdh , which is tulip festival,  Buzkashi, which is the kite flying tournament, Haft Mewa, which is a festival during which seven dried fruits are served in their own syrup, such as resins, pistachios, almonds, Hazlenut, Apricot. Jashn e Dashqan- which means festival of farmers , in which farmers walk the city streets dancing and celebrating as a sign of encouragement to agriculture.

So what changed all this? The Afghan war, rather these were a series of wars,the Soviet Russia, the Taliban, the American invasion…But we are here to talk about love not war, and it is only the royal Pashtun resilience that love and life has prevailed under covers, sleeves, scarves and landmines, that the culture of Afghanistan not only sustained, but is also reviving now.  The main language spoken in Afghanistan are Dari and Pashto, and main sects in Afghanistan are Pashtuns, Hazaras, Uzbeks, Mochis and Balouchs, with Pashtuns dominating in numbers. And it is fight of these factions for power that dominated Afghanistan in late 1990s. Almond cakes of Afghanistan are a famous snack, almost in every Dari book ,there will be a reference of carrying Almond Cakes on long journey as a sweet snack and almost every time there will beautiful “hamshireh”* tagging along her grandfather “agha jan*” and both of them sharing almond cakes on their beautiful long journey via mountains of Kabul.

That brings us to Kabul city, the heart of Afghanistan. Kabul city is believed to be cultural centre of Afghanistan, but lately many centres like Hairat and Mazri Sharif have developed as cities and big cultural centres. Hairati accent of Dari and Pashto is very famous in Afghanistan, you can almost recongnise a Hairat*i person because of their thick Pashtu accent.

Then there is famous late Afghan singer, Ahmed Zahir, although I do not understand Dari and Pashtu, but this man made me fell in love with this foreign language, his voice is so magical. A lot of young Afghanistan women are taking interest in music* now, after decades of suppression at the hands of Taliban. Performing Arts, law, medicine are famous professions chosen by women after that of teaching, and more than 7 million children of Afghanistan are taking up education. Some factions of Afghanistan people also know Russian, mostly those on Uzbek side. Besides, Afghan weddings are a lavish affair and attan, which is traditional dance of Afghanistan, is performed at weddings, almonds, almond cakes, walnuts, cashews, saffron are famous food gifts of Afghanistan.

And a famous line which all women sing for the bride leaving for her home to be in Dari is:

“Ahesta Boro maahe maan*”

Which means, “Go slowly my lovely moon”.

Aghan proverbs are famous for being crisp and precise and quirky , along with Mullah Nasrudden jokes*.

And it is to see that modern Kashmiri language has many many Dari and Pashto words, and so does Hindi*.

There is always a granny or a loyal servant performing “sadka*” when you go out of the house to ward off the evil, and then always some football fans, lovers hiding, and a Hairati carpet shop, or some quirky hamshireh tagging along wying to get small plate of ferni* or serbet*. Always. 

And there is always a hill to cross. Afghanistan is mainly hilly,and most of the population follow simple way of life, waking up for Fajr*, going downhill to collect water , and naan for breakfast, and then bathing and going for work.

The Afghan way of life is simple and still evolving after many decades of war, like they say in Dari:

Qattra Qattra Dariya Mey Sha.*

River is made drop by drop. 

KhodaHafiz!

#References and Meanings#

• Hamshireh: language- Dari, meaning: Daughter.

• Agha Jan: language- Dari/Urdu/Pashtu, meaning: used to address some elder male of family, mostly father, elder brother or grand father, in many cases, used by servants for male members as a sign of respect.

• Hairat/Hairati accent: Hairat is a very famous cultural city of Aghanistan, it is 3rd largest city in Afghanistan and is important as it has links with Kandahar, Mazr I Sharif, and also Iranian city Mashhad by a small village named Islam Kala.

• People of Hairat speak Dari and Pashto with a very thick accent that is easy to recognise, this accent has also been locally a butt of joked for Afghan people and is used in many comedy and parody videos.

• Afghan women interested in music and arts: Training is given by CCAA (Centre for Contemporary Arts, Afghanistan) and programs in Kabul University.

• Ahesta Boro Mahe Maan:

This is a famous wedding song which is mainly sung in Afghan weddings. It literally translates to, “go slowly my lovely moon”. Translations and full lyrics for this Pashtu song are available on youtube.

• Mullah Nasruddin Jokes:  Mullah Nasruddin used to be a famous character for local jokes, and these jokes are famous in south asian countries of India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. This character always used to be in trouble due to his over smartness. 

• Dari and Pashtu words in Hindi: Common Hindi used these days in north india is also referred to as HINDUSTANI language is a mix of words from many dialects of ancient India, ancient India that comprised of Pakistan and parts of Afghanistan, and hence we find many words common to these languages. Some examples are : Saaya, pareshan, ahmaq,  darwazah, mast, beparwah, shahr, pasand ( from Persian word “pasandidan”) and so on.

• Sadka: sadka is performed in order to ward off evil from the people of family who go outsideto work/play etc. It mostly involves reading an islamic dua by someone who is not going out.

• Ferni/Serbet: Ferni is a sweet dish of rice and milk and Serbet is a cold drink made by milk and  added flavous such as rose or dry fruits etc.

• Fajr: Fajr is the namaz performed at dawn.

• Dari Proverb: Qattra Qattra Dariya Mey Sha

• There are many more quirky Dari proverbs such as:

• Durugh go hafiza nadarad: A liar is always forgetful.

Eisha Tomar 

GENDER BIAS ON FIELDWORK

Gender bias is a major issue across the globe. It refers to favoring either of the genders anywhere, in the society, workplace, school, college, etc. Gender Bias normally is a term put forward to signify the authority that is taken away from a gender, which is normally a truth for females.

                The gender ‘female’ goes through a lot of gender bias issues as men are favored in a lot of place, especially in the work field. Men and women are paid differently at the same level and status of work in an organization, which means that the income of a woman is less than that of a man. Not just this but also the way women are treated in the office or whatever their work place is. They lack opportunities, trust and most importantly the due respect. However, they are put to work much more than men.

                To quote an example: a woman who worked at a multinational company became a victim of gender bias when her colleague, who was a man with less efficiency, but same status was elected as the manager and was paid more. When it is a case of gender bias, then the quality of women, their work efficiency, their potential everything is ignored, without realizing that they can change the whole situation for better and even for the best.

                However, to solve this difficult problem, gender equality is required. Again all the working people whether men or women should be parameterized on the basis of their potential, efficiency, confidence and hard work and according to their gender.

                Gender bias is the result of the mentality that is deeply rooted among the society that a woman is less in every aspect than a man. These kinds of stereotypes should be changed. Women are no less than men. They are the change- makers.

AKSHARA BHARGAVA

CHINA- A SUPERPOWER???

The United States leading the world since a considerable period is now at a brink. It is lagged by the upcoming superpower of world - China, as it has touched the skies economically. But only economy does not decide the growth alone of any nation. Gross Domestic Price, population, needs of citizens, hygiene, and living standards must be taken into account as well.

Moving ahead, Napoleon Bonaparte once predicted that China when in power will astound the earthlings and leave them stupendous as he said "Let China sleep, for when she wakes she will shake the world”.

Researches were done, articles, writings and books were published all on the significant rise of China and envisaging its dominance of the world but I take a rigid stance that it cannot superpower the entire world. Moreover research declared that China is not rising but only returning to the position it once held. China and U.S. has got a substantial difference in size of its population, employment rates, poverty, and investments. Though China has invested billions in oils and Natural gas agencies but it needs to complete its internal and external challenges as well. China has to dig an abyss and fill it with all the policies, political and social changes assiduously to make both the ends meet.

Completely in the motion of when things are raised about China's economy as economic growth rate has increased marvelously which has influences its profit ground in different continents. Asia eminently and spreading its air among Africa, South America and parts of Latin America. It is predicted that its economic growth is running with a very high pace and it will further expand in future. Proceeding on to its further achievements, China is prolifically shaking hands with Africa, Brazil and South America yet to become powerful nations though and as mentioned earlier due to its relations with the oil and gas rich countries, China has a secure future in terms of its energy needs which constitute as indispensable elements for any nation.

Nevertheless all these with attempts and investments, China cannot be considered in a list of superpowers. It needs to ponder on the alarming levels of population which has given way to the problem of gender imbalance due to the government's "one-child policy". China should be able to secure jobs for at least two-third of its population to maintain its economic growth. China's economy is at zenith today in terms of infrastructure, trade, internet usage and migration has marked its growth. It's GDP increased stupendously from 14 to 17% and surpassed USA GDP but China's per capita GDP is still less than US which is another thoughtful reason why it can’t be a superpower. Though International Monetary Fund had researched and concluded that it is the first economic superpower.

Another factor which should be taken into account is its fertility rate which is again low. When all of the factors are summed up together, China can not become a super power untill it fights its own domestic issues and it needs to rise not only economically but socially and politically as well.

Priyanka Chugh

 

NUCLEAR WEAPONS

It’s been 70 years since the US dropped two nuclear bombs on Japan. It was an unforgettable event which changed the course of history.  Recently, there has been a breakthrough in negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 group on Iran’s nuclear programme. This has reignited the debate on whether nations should be allowed to possess and make nuclear weapons and whether nuclear weapons should exist at all. Many critics of nuclear weapons say that it is high time that countries destroy their nuclear arsenal in order to ensure a more peaceful world. Countries like the United States, Britain, Russia, China etc possess huge stockpiles of advanced nuclear weapons capable of causing destruction which is 100 times more than that caused by the atomic bombs which were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Other countries want to emulate these countries and seek to develop nuclear weapons or increase the number of such weapons.

Some scholars, especially those who hail from countries which possess such weapons argue that possession of such weapons acts as a deterrent. This concept of deterrence was widely prevalent during the Cold War. Their basic argument is that if two rival powers possess nuclear weapons then the probability of either of them attacking the other first is reduced significantly due to the threat of nuclear bombs. Neither of the two countries would be willing to risk the destruction of their societies and thus the chances of a war taking place are reduced drastically. For example, after 1998 India and Pakistan both possess nuclear weapons.  Both countries are now afraid to attack the other country first and as such the chances of a full scale war between India and Pakistan has been lessened due to the fact that they possess nuclear weapons. There are many loopholes in this theory. Someone with a vested interest might deliberately try to set off a large scale nuclear war by firing a nuclear weapon or else someone might set it off accidently. A natural calamity could take place and trigger the nuclear weapon. There are many such doomsday possibilities. The other country may not realise that the weapon was fired accidently and might retaliate by destroying the other country entirely.

There are certain international treaties that act as mechanisms to ensure that countries do not acquire or develop nuclear weapons, the most prominent of which is the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The NPT was signed in 1968 and ratified in 1970. It recognises five nuclear weapon states US, UK, USSR (present day Russia), France and China. It debars other countries from acquiring or developing nuclear weapons and also stresses on complete nuclear disarmament by the five countries. It is widely regarded as a discriminatory treaty which aims to maintain the military power of these five countries. 190 countries are parties to this treaty. However India, Pakistan, Israel, North Korea and South Sudan are non signatory states. Out of these five countries only South Sudan doesn’t possess nuclear weapons. The NPT nuclear weapon states have failed in their goal of nuclear disarmament and in fact possess 22,000 nuclear warheads in their combined stockpile and have shown reluctance to reduce the number of such warheads. This treaty has done little to prevent countries from developing nuclear weapons.

In an ideal world, no nuclear weapons should be allowed to exist and nuclear disarmament would be most preferable. The world would certainly be better off without the presence of such destructive weapons. Practically however there is not even the remotest chance that the great powers would give up all their nuclear weapons so it would be more prudent for nations to concentrate on reducing nuclear weapon stockpiles instead of the utopian ideal of eliminating them completely.  This can be done by creating a fair and just international treaty preferably under the aegis of the United Nations instead of an openly discriminatory treaty such as the NPT. Severe sanctions should be imposed on countries which violate the terms of the treaty. In the short term, nuclear weapons are going to exist in our world and it is up to the nuclear weapon states to decide whether to enhance peace by reducing their warheads or contribute to conflicts and tensions by increasing the number of these weapons.

R. Prajapathy

THE BANGLADESH IMMIGRANT ISSUE IN ASSAM AND THE WAY FORWARD

Assam has been the home of various ethnicities like the Karbis, Dimasas, Kacharis, tea tribes, Bodos and many more. Of these, 60% belong to the Hindu community and the 30% to the Muslim community. The latter further comprises of Bengali Muslims and Assamese Muslims.

Bengali-speaking Muslims have entered Assam during various phases. First, the British had brought them into the state on the pretext of working in char areas and tea plantations. Second, many of them entered the state during the division of Bengal in 1905 and settled in various parts of Assam. Third, migration also took place during the partition of India. Fourth, the 1971 Bangladesh war saw large-scale immigration to India and brought about a humanitarian refugee crisis – about 10 lakh people had entered India at that time. While many of them returned, 1 lakh Bangladeshis stayed back in India. The immigration from the Bangladeshi side should have stopped thereafter but it (mostly in the case of Bengali-speaking Muslims) continues, even today, because of a porous India-Bangladesh border that is not completely fenced. The illegal immigrants mainly come into the country in search of work in the construction business and agriculture as sufficient employment opportunities are not available in Bangladesh but this has threatened other ethnic communities to the brink becoming a minority in their own state – especially the Assamese communites in Assam itself. Around 1.2 crore illegal Bangladeshi immigrants are believed to be present in the state, leading to fears that they are taking over their land and jobs.

The All Assam Students Union (AASU) carried out a six years long agitation on the issue of illegal immigration (1979-1985) and to protest against the entry of the names of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in the electoral roll. This resulted in the signing of the Assam Accord between the Rajeev Gandhi government and AASU, which paved the way for the setting up of a tribunal for identifying the foreigners (specified that an illegal Bangladeshi immigrant is one whose name or that of his/her ancestors is not on the electoral rolls up to 1971 or the National Registrar of Citizens (NRC) of 1951 or one who doesn’t have 12 type of documents such as permanent resident certificate, refugee registration certificate as such as on before the midnight of 24 March 1971) and deporting them. AASU also demanded for the updating of the National Registrar of Citizens based on the same criteria as mentioned above.

The government of Bangladesh, however, refuses to recognise that any illegal immigration has taken place in the present era and refuses to take back its citizens who have been identified as illegal immigrants by the tribunal. The Government of Bangladesh wants an international agency to verify the illegal immigrants’ claims. Despite the UN Department of Economic And Social Affairs reporting that there are 3.2 million Bangladeshi residents in India and calling it "the single largest bilateral stock of international migrants", there has been no forward development of the issue. Further, there are 36 tribunals all over Assam that have identified 38,186 foreigners since 1985 but only 2448 have been deported so far. The Bangladesh home guards have at times cooperated with the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) in the deportation process but they only takes back their residents after verifying the residents’ address, which is a lengthy process because of which the BSF resorts to pushing back options through the border. Overall, no agreement has been reached between the two countries regarding the deportation of illegal immigrants. The Bangladeshi illegal immigrant issue has led to a lot of clashes between various ethnic communities and the Muslims in Assam over the years. A lot of blood has been flown ,the recent clash been in the Bodoland Territorial Areas between the Bodos and the Muslims which led to 5000 houses being burnt and 45000 families of 244  villages being displaced. It led to a serious humanitarian crisis and people especially the people from the non-Bodo community being displaced in large numbers and taking shelter in 278 relief camps.

The Tarun Gogoi-led Congress government, which has been in power in the state for the last 14 years, has done little on the issue and only set up the tribunal for deportation and identification of illegal immigrants following directions from the Supreme Court. The current BJP-led central government had promised, during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, that if it came into power it would deport the illegal Muslim immigrants but would make a provision for the Hindus from Bangladesh to be granted permanent citizenship status – a wholly biased opinion since the idea of granting citizenship to a person cannot be decided on the basis of his/her religious affinity. Moreover the All Assam United Democratic Front (AIUDF), which is mainly a Muslim dominated party with 18 assembly seats, the second largest in the Assam assembly, is of the opinion that the Bodos along with other communities are engaged in ethnic cleansing of the Muslim community of Assam, especially in the BTC areas due to which the government should take adequate measures for the protection of the Muslim community.

The government of Assam on the directions and supervision of the Supreme Court started the updating of the National Registrar of Citizens(NRC) in March this year. The process should be completed by October this year and the government will release the updated list by January. Though some anomalies have been detected in the process – certain tea tribes have been settled in Assam for a century but without official documents indicating property-ownership or even listing in the electoral rolls. The government is confident that once the NRC update is completed it will be able to identify the illegal immigrants and deport them, solving the problem of illegal immigrants once and for all.

The Bangladeshi immigrant problem has been plaguing Assam for far too long. The longer it lasts, the more will be its effects on the economy as well as the security situation. Moreover the Assamese community may find itself reduced to a minority, making clashes inevitable and negatively affecting the harmony of the society. The central government needs to complete border fencing and electrification as soon as possible and also needs to take up the issue of deportation of illegal immigrants with its Bangladeshi counterpart, pushing forward the signing of an agreement at the earliest. Cooperation by the state government in this matter is of utmost important.

Akshay Poudel

Independence Day'15: 68 years of loss and gain

After 200 years of bitter slavery, the Golden bird was freed on 15th August 1947.

The day is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm all over. Delhi, the national capital looks like a beautiful bride decorated in tricolor.

The country and the countrymen have seen great ups and downs both in the pre and post-independence period.

Where the post-independence period saw Indians treated as slaves in their own country, the initial years of post-independence period were still better; but just better not the best.

The people of India have seen a lot during these 68 years and it’s time to note them down, the mixed bag comprises of:

Loss

1) Unemployment, poverty, epidemics and economic depression became a part and parcel of life.

2) Little or no education for the poor

3) Natural disasters revealed the country weakness and lack of preparedness

4) Loss of great political leaders like Mahatma, Rajiv and Indira Gandhi due to assassination is a big blow to country even today.

5) Terror attacks like 26/11, the recent Gurdaspur incident and numerous others have given India helpless orphans and widows.

But after all these losses and many more, India has managed to survive and not only that but grow also.

Let’s boost up of our gains people!!

1) Constitution of India was the first and the strongest pillar of  independent India

2) The shudras or the Harijans got reservation in jobs, schools and colleges.

3) Introduction of the policy of L.P.G in 1991 put India on the World's Economic Map, and helped boost secondary and tertiary sectors along with the agro sector.

4) Not only on the Economic front but also in the Science and Astro sector, the country made its mark with Aryabhatt, Vayu,  Agni and Prithvi.

5) Swatch Bharat Mission, Make in India, Digital India projects have caught an International Eye and appreciation.

Concluding all we can say is "SaareJahan se Acha Hindustan hamara".

Jai Hind

FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS?

The tangents of wealth and power in the global corporate structure tends to unravel its latent tendencies for underhanded exploitation and 'unfree' freedoms which tip the scales in favour of a few elite holding the sceptres of brute force and influence.

Free trade agreements are one among the multitudes of selective discriminatory strategies that lobby for trade promotion between partner nations, they are supposed to facilitate seamless exchange of services, information and physical goods by the removal of two barriers: a) Tariffs and b) Import quotas, in a manner that benefits the partner countries that hold contrasting customs and regulations while trading with non member countries. These negotiations impact not just trade in the widely accepted genres but also the finer tunings of intellectual properties, investor rights, government procurement, competition policy and more importantly the common workforce which becomes the bearer of unfair burdens placed by a handful of greedy traders, this being especially true in case of powerful economies entering an FTA pact with an economically vulnerable nation, paving a slippery slope for the mighty to impose its unregulated will upon the weaker section to its own advantage. 

Agreements such as NAFTA (The Northern American Free Trade Agreement) have often been critiqued for one sidedness and are plagued with protests for the way they disregard equitable concessions to favour the United States alone, under the NAAFTA regime of extreme protectionism of the American economic interests, any American organization with a scope of furthering its monetary ambit in a fellow NAAFTA nation, shall under the FTA pact, enjoy the same privileges accorded to the partner nations homegrown companies, the vice versa doesn't apply, for example if an American company decides to take its operations to Mexico (a NAAFTA nation) it reserves every right and privilege accorded to a natural Mexico based company but when a Mexican company wants to enter US soil, it won't enjoy the rights which a US company has, rather it can be sued and removed much like the unregistered Mexican immigrants. To top that are the plethora of unfair trade practices such as the flooding of less developed economies with highly subsidized US food grains, burying local market produce which simply cannot compete at such low prices, indirectly accelerating the immigration fever in search of better livelihoods. 

The awnings of exploitation are witnessed in the fine print of these policies, negotiations of NAAFTA include dubious provisions catering solely to ‘intellectual property rights’ a complicated word for patents in the fields of research, pharmacy, defense or any such potential monetary mine. The enactment of such provisions facilitates the powerful sections of corporate arena to engage without restraint in exorbitant extraction of profits in lieu of intellectual patents.

Despite the deceptive gloss which adorns the oval offices of our policy makers foreign trade negotiations are no cakewalk, it took seven years for Australia to sign a pact with Japan on free trade in 2015, the global community still awaits an end to the long standing negotiations of a Pacific Rim trade deal which involves 12 nations, compounding nearly 40% of the world’s economy. These negotiations are admittedly long and arduous tasks, notoriously hard for even the best policy makers to disentangle and sometimes stretch out for decades before reaching a cohesive agreement.

However the thick shroud of secrecy which blind-sides the general populace only to be rudely awoken by 'leaks' from alternate media sources adds yet another incriminating factor for such agreements. The chronicle of such trade talks since the advent of modern diplomacy reveals careful veiling of crucial details regarding the policies formulated by a select few designers keeping their own interests at heart of the deal while simultaneously excluding the general public who is many a times vehemently opposed but are merely expected to follow like sheep through the laid out norms. It is no surprise then that protests, rallies and disagreements often emerge when the finer points highlighting the unfair terms become public knowledge, on 17th August 2015 about 800 people attended a rally in Gladstone to push for changes to the China Free Trade Agreement. Ros McLennan (Queensland Council of Unions general secretary) said that this trade deal risked local jobs and livelihoods as it reduced restrictions on imported foreign labour, the federal Coalition having negotiated the free trade agreement in secret last year simply cannot expect Australian workers to accede to its negative impacts. 

Such agreements are often marketed as being the gospel beneficiaries of the average citizens as they claim to improve market competition and protect local markets and industries leading to prosperity and wealth for the economy. In theory, increased competition means more products on the shelves and lower prices in a spirit of honest, fair and free trade, however these agreements are often merely paying lip service to benefit foreign policy and not economic prosperity where the smaller economies end up making disproportionately large concessions that harm them in the long run.

In the end it is a question of who reaps the lion's share from these convoluted policies. It seems to be the designers of the policies themselves. In situations where tariffs are already low and changing them is essentially a moot process the resultant policies metastasise to anti-free trade deals. They offer protection to the already wealthy and elite business conglomerates to make exorbitant profits at the cost of the common citizens. These powerful parts of the corporate system are the only ones who favour the making of such agreements, which would be better termed as  dis-agreements considering the majority of common people opposing from both ends. There is a stark need for reform in the policy making process which as it stands now gives corporations sweeping protections in their to bids to amplify profits, no matter what the human costs and unjust provisions that are the legal armour to profiteering predators who can sue a nation if it stands in way of its plans, even if that nation's domestic or environmental interests are compromised along the way. 

The irony is that the agreements do create substantial progress in money making albeit for a select few, derailing true development and clogging equitable trickling down of the earned wealth to benefit society at large. The world astounds at the broken bridge between the haves and the have nots, with barely a thought to acknowledge the rusty foundations. The flaws in the framework of these policies creates millionaires at the same rate it deepens the ridges of poverty excluding a strata of humanity from the cycle of wealth, adding yet another mile to the growing chasms between deep pockets and deprived peasants.

The people must be informed and engaged to check the indiscriminate hands eyeing their lands capabilities.

Madeeha Saman

INDIA-REPUBLIC OF KOREA RELATIONS

At a Glance:
India	South Korea (ROK)
Population: 1282 Million	Population: 49 Million
GDP (PPP): 7.27 Trillion USD	GDP (PPP): 1.781 Trillion USD
Per Capita GDP: 5,827 USD	Per Capita GDP: 35,400 USD
Education Expenditure: 3.9% of GDP	Education Expenditure: 4.9% of GDP

 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
● Earliest ties date back to 48AD, when an Indian princess came to the Korean Peninsula and married King Kim Suro. A Buddhist monk from Korea visited India from 723-729 AD; throughout, Buddhism has been an important link between the two countries
● India played a significant role in the independence of Korea. Mr. K P S Menon (from India) was the chairperson of the UN Temporary Commission on Korea (UNTCOK) designated to hold elections in Korea in 1948
● During the Korean War (1950-1953), India provided medical assistance by way of the deployment of the 60th Parachute Field Ambulance Platoon, instead of deploying its armed forces as part of the UN Command
● Consular relations with ROK were established in 1962 and were upgraded to Ambassador-level in 1973
● After ROK’s move towards democracy in 1987, India and ROK found resonance in the open economic policies of both countries

STRATEGIC TIES
● Initial steps included the establishment of the “Long-Term Cooperative Partnership for Peace and Prosperity”, signed in 2004
● Bilateral ties were raised to the level of a Strategic Partnership during the visit of President Lee Myung-bak as Chief Guest of India’s Republic Day celebrations in 2010.
● The 8th India-ROK Joint Commission (established in 1996) meeting was held in Seoul on 28th and 29th December, 2014 to explore and further work upon a “stronger strategic relationship” (source No.269)
● Special Strategic Partnership decided during Modi’s visit to ROK set out numerous goals
○ Annual summit meetings, and Joint Commissions by the Foreign Ministers
○ Significant investments in defence cooperation such as partnerships between defence education institutions, greater cooperation between naval shipyards, and cooperation in UN Peacekeeping
○ Aim to enhance cooperation in shipbuilding, steel, and electronics manufacturing in both countries
○ India will host a Festival of Korea in 2016, and a Festival of India will be held in Korea in 2015

POLITICAL TIES
● Most recent high-level visit from ROK to India was President Park Geun-Hye’s in March 2015. The outcome of this visit was increased cooperation on defence, South Korea’s creation of a 1 billion USD Economic Development Cooperation Fund and a 9 billion USD in export credits to India
● Most recent high-level visit from India to ROK was by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2015. The outcome of this visit resulted in 7 points of agreement: Agreement on a plan to reduce double taxation and tax evasion; Agreement on cooperation in audio-visual production; MOU for cooperation between the National Security Council Secretariat (India) and Office of National Security (Korea); MOU on cooperation in the electric power development and new energy industries; MOU on cooperation in youth matters and gender equality; Framework of cooperation between the transport ministries of each country; MOU on cooperation in maritime transport and logistics
● MOUs have also been signed in areas including cooperation in space for peaceful uses, joint applied research and development programmes in science and technology, and mutual recognition of each other’s certifying authorities
● South Korea’s strained relationship with Japan hurt the G-4 (India, Japan, Germany and Brazil) bid for permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council
● ROK’s “hands-off” policy in matters of India’s dealing with terrorism emanating from territory under Pakistan’s control is another area that requires more efforts

ECONOMIC TIES
● Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) (signed on August 7, 2009 and operationalised on January 1, 2010)
● During the first two years of CEPA, trade increased by around 60% but has since dropped from a high of 20.57 billion USD to 17.56 billion USD in 2013
● Up until October 2014 bilateral trade was approximately 11.38 billion USD
● Major Indian exports include mineral fuels/oil distillates (mainly naphtha), cereals, iron and steel. Major Korean exports include automobile parts, telecommunication equipment, hot rolled iron products, and petroleum refined products, base lubricating oils and nuclear reactors, inter alia.
● India’s bilateral trade deficit with South Korea was 5.2 billion USD in 2013. In this period, India imported 11.38 billion USD worth of goods and services and exported only 6.18 billion USD worth of goods and services.
● ROK’s investment in India is estimated at over 3 billion USD and Indian investment in ROK has already surpassed 2 billion USD. Major investments by Korean companies in India have come from Samsung, LG, Hyundai, and POSCO mainly in the area of manufacturing and mining.
● The world’s fourth largest steel-maker, POSCO, proposes to invest 12 billion USD in an integrated steel plant in Orissa. There have been delays, but the pace of implementation has now picked up with environmental clearance being accorded in January 2014. Separately, POSCO has completed construction of its first steel mill in Maharashtra.
● Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to South Korea in May, 2015 yielded a 10 billion USD investment from South Korea in India’s infrastructure development.

DEFENCE TIES
● Military cooperation began with the deployment of the 60th parachute field ambulance to Korea during the Korean War
● Memorandum of Understanding in 2005 on Cooperation in Defense, Industry and Logistics
● Indian Defence Minister AK Anthony’s visit to ROK in September 2010 led to the signing of an MoU on Defence Cooperation as well as one between Defence Research and Development Organisation (India) and Defence Acquisition Programme Administration (ROK); the most recent meeting between DRDO (India) and DAPA (ROK) was held in March 2015 in Seoul
● Naval ships of each country make regular calls at each other ports most recently in November 2014;
● Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit in May 2015 further enhanced defense cooperation with an MOU being signed between National Security Council Secretariat of India and the Office of National Security of South Korea.

SOCIO-CULTURAL TIES
● A cultural cooperation agreement was signed in August 1974
● India established an Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) in Seoul in 2011 and Korea established a Korean Cultural Centre (KCC) in New Delhi in 2012. Cultural exchanges have been ongoing along with film festivals and movie festivals
● During the recent visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ROK in 2015, an Agreement on Cooperation in Audio-Visual Co-production was signed under the provisions of India-ROK CEPA. It is aimed at enabling opportunities for collaboration between Indian and Korean film industries
● Randindranath Tagore’s 150th birthday was celebrated in 2011-12 in collaboration with the Tagore Society of Korea and Korean Foundation
● Three Indian universities, Madras University, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Delhi University, have opened Korean studies and language departments. Various other Indian universities offer courses in Korean Language. Two Korean universities, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies and Busan University of Foreign Studies, maintain Indian Studies departments. Various other Universities in Korea offer degree courses in Indian Philosophy, Yoga and Ayurveda. Further, several MOUs have been signed between universities in both countries
● Annual exchange of youth delegations between India and RoK is in place. The nodal Ministries on the two sides are: Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, India and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, RoK
● Both governments offer scholarships and fellowships to meritorious students. India extends ICCR scholarships for various programmes and disciplines, as well as Ayush scholarships in the field of alternative medicine. ROK extends scholarships for courses in Korean Language and Literature at Masters and PhD levels at select universities
● Indian Community in RoK is estimated at 10,500, which includes businessmen, IT professionals, scientists, research fellows, students and workers. Korean expatriates in India are estimated at 10,000.
● An agreement on visa simplification was signed on 25 March 2012 during the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to ROK. In order to boost people-to-people relations and travel between the two countries, India extended visa-on-arrival (VoA) facility for Korean tourists from April 15, 2014

Andrew Inglis & Shivendra Mehndiratta