Aksai Chin: An Ancient Trade Route, An Economic Mine and A Potential Flashpoint
Unraveling Aksai Chin Conflict provides a thorough understanding of how the tensions between India and China have escalated over Aksai Chin.
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India
Protectionist UK Restricting Indian Students May Backfire
Limiting the number of students from India or changing rules pertaining to the graduate post-study work visa will make the United Kingdom a less attractive destination for higher education for Indian students. The UK needs to understand that Indian students contribute significantly to the UK economy, not just in the form of tuition fees, but also through their talent and skills.
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India-Pakistan: Scope Of Soft Diplomacy
Ties between India and Pakistan are complex. Dictated by geopolitical factors and domestic politics, it is tough for any third country to really bring about a dramatic change in the short run. In recent years, Gulf countries have been playing an important role in reducing tensions between India and Pakistan.
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Education Pollution: Substandard Schools, Decaying Higher Education, Mushrooming Coachings
There are nearly 1.2 lakh single-teacher schools in the country of which an overwhelming 89% are in rural areas. More than 30% of schools had no toilets and over 60% had no playground. The selection of the top positions of the institution has emerged as a great challenge. A research scholar who gets a UGC fellowship does not want to complete his Ph.D. work in time but tries to extend it since after his/her Ph.D. if he/she gets an appointment in a private institution, he /she will get less salary. The conditions of teachers in self-finance institutions are very pathetic. Mushrooming of coaching centres and dummy schools across all cities has misled students into believing that they can perform better in entrance exams if they go for coaching at such centres and by skipping classes in regular schools.
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Decoding the Objectives of FM Wang Yi’s Visit to India
The visit to India of Wang Yi, China’s foreign minister and State Councillor, which was kept secret until he arrived in New Delhi following visits to Pakistan and Afghanistan, had multiple objectives. China appeared to have attempted to advance its agenda in this region in light of the larger objective in the South China Sea, after assessing the geopolitical changes resulting from the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Unfortunately for Wang, Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Minister Jaishankar made it abundantly clear to him that normal relations between the two countries are impossible until the border situation improves. Wang, as is customary in Chinese diplomacy, used subtly disguised concepts to argue that normalization of relations between the two countries should take precedence and that the border issue should be placed in an appropriate position—that is, given no weight.
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Russia-Ukraine Crisis: The Impact on India
The ongoing Ukraine Crisis has transported India back to the Cold War era when it was expected to choose a side. However, given India’s growing stature in international affairs and its dynamics with the two countries, maintaining the same strategic autonomy as last time will be nearly impossible. While a Russia-China-India axis in the present scenario is next to impossible, jumping on the Washington wagon has its own set of ill consequences for India vis-à-vis Moscow. It is in India’s best interests for the Ukraine crisis to be de-escalated as soon as possible.
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Deuba’s Foreign Policy Amid Fluidity: Continuity or Change?
Deuba’s Foreign Policy is being watched by its neighbours as it will decide the fate of its international relations across borders. On the Nepali side, new Prime Minister Deuba has an opportunity to reach out to India and establish an honest line of communication to discuss all outstanding issues and find common grounds. Will his fifth-inning into the corridors of Singh Durbar be different or similar to his predecessors?
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The Great Indian Economy: Ravaged by COVID-19, Ruined by Petroleum Prices and Policies:
The economy has suffered immensely due to the price rise in essential oil and fuel. The economic slowdown put the economy under downward pressure leading to cutting down on the consumption of essential commodities. The policy needs to be more resilient to curb the ravages of unprecedented events. Let us see how the fluctuating petroleum prices are impacting the economy.
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Disaster Management in School Learning: A Safe and Cheap Option
The disasters happening around the world, especially in India, make it imperative to question ourselves on the importance of disaster management for the preparation of future generations of the country in having better and safer livelihoods. So, how can we incorporate disaster management for preparing people in schools?
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End of Oli Era: A New Start for Indo-Nepal Relations
For the second time in five months, the Supreme Court of Nepal reversed President Bidya Devi Bhandari’s decision to dissolve the House of Representatives (HoR) of Nepal. This time, it further ordered President Bhandari to appoint Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba as the Prime Minister by July 13, 2021. The ensuing end of the KP Sharma Oli era is likely to provide a renewed impetus to the relations between India and Nepal.
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Is Course Correction Needed in the Election Engine of BJP? – Part 2
This is a two-part primer. Part 2 covers the main takeaways for BJP from the 2021 Vidhan Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal. This part elaborates on the positives of the election outcome for BJP; along with analysing how BJP could’ve improved its performance in these states by critiquing its key decisions related to candidature, manifesto promises and strategies.
BJP’s religious politics worked best in West Bengal; hardly worked in Tamil Nadu while it never worked in Kerala.
With 2024 LS elections not far away, if BJP doesn’t take efforts to break-free from its stereotype of being a Right-Wing nationalist party trying to homogenize India under Hinduism using Hindutva, as openly advocated by senior party leaders like Dr Subramanian Swamy, there is a significant chance for an All-India Mahagathbandhan to steal the incumbency from NDA!
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How was BJP Juggernaut Halted in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal – Part 1
The 2021 Vidhan Sabha elections of five states – namely Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Assam, and Puducherry happened in the Summer of 2021 while the country was grappling with the Coronavirus Pandemic. While the NDA alliance has formed the government in Puducherry and Assam, its defeat in the other three states is the most discussed topic. At this juncture, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been facing a severe backlash from many Indians as the party failed to contain the spread of the virus, which led to the devastating second wave.
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Unravelling India’s Gender Slide
India’s fall in the world ranking based on the gender parity index warrants sincere introspection to strategize for achieving gender parity. We have already lost much of the ‘India 2020’ dream envisioned by Former President Kalam to petty politics and jingoism. Let’s not lose this golden phase of 37-year demographic dividend into which India entered three years ago!
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Where are Topsy Turvy Farmer Protests Heading?
Topsy turvy farmer protests need to be handled intelligently, else other farmer miseries could catalyze the movement.
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Upholding Civil Liberties in the 21st Century India
Any dent on the stated objectives of the preamble of the Indian constitution directing to secure justice, liberty, equality to all citizens and promote fraternity to maintain unity and integrity of the nation may damage the democratic values irreversibly.
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A New Withdrawal Playbook: US-Afghanistan and Implications for India
India has a great concern over the increasing political instability in Kabul.The US troop withdrawal has turned a new page into the Afghanistan Saga.
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Rolling the Dice of Democracy through Protests
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the year 2020 has ironically been full of large-scale protests all across the world, including India. This includes the CAA-NRC protests in India, the ongoing farm act protests in India, the Black Lives Matter Movement in the USA and the ongoing Pro-Democracy Thai Protests of 2020, to name a few. This article analyses the impact of protests and public demonstrations on the democratic environment of any country in the light of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India’s recent verdict on protests in public spaces.
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Implications of Migration from Rural Areas
With the improving education qualifications in the young population, they tend to move towards urban centres for more valuable occupations. This leaves behind unskilled labour in rural areas having limited knowledge of new technologies. With increasing amenities in urban areas escalating the industrial sector, the pressure is building upon rural areas. Migrants are enticed to leave the villages to fulfil the needs of urban people and industries.
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The Art of Ruling through Animosity – Humanity or Nationalism?
The need of the hour is to fight the global pandemic through solidarity and cooperation with each other and putting
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A Spine-Chilling Moment for India: Will Hathras become an eye-opener?
The brutality of the Hathras rape was mind-boggling. The questions that beg asking are these: Could the behaviour of the police have been the same if the girl belonged to an upper class and caste? Would the media have maintained a dogged silence for 2 weeks if this had happened in a metropolis? And would those in power remain silent if the incident had happened in a state ruled by the Opposition?
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World Tourism Day 2020: Implications of COVID-19 on Indian Tourism Sector
In view of COVID, the Indian tourism sector needs to redefine, refocus, and change the game plan for going forward.
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Abraham Accord and its Geopolitical Significance
Abraham Accord has great importance in the geopolitics of current times as it opens up strategic, economic and political opportunities to Israel, Arab States, and other allies.
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Save Foresters, Save Forests: The Forgotten Service That Keeps India Alive
Protecting our green cover is one of the basic ways to mitigate the issue of climate change. Thus, forests and foresters need to be the focus of our attention now.
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Indian Farmers and Agri Sector Bills: Let us Tour the Issue
Agri sector bills aim to increase competitiveness in agri supply chain and freedom of choice to sell their produce to Indian farmers. But, will there be a level playing field for farmers?
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India joins Hypersonic Club: A Step towards Atmanirbharta in ‘Next-Gen’ Delivery Systems
A Step Towards Atmanirbharta in Next-Gen Delivery Systems: India’s test of the “next-gen” weapon systems is to secure its position and defend itself from any threat especially when the major powers have re-engaged in a nuclear arms race through improved delivery systems.
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Indian Ocean and South China Sea: Jugular Vein as Gordian Knot
At a time when China’s protracted pre-meditated military moves along India’s northern boundary are drawing the nation’s attention, it is important that India doesn’t lose sight of its surrounding seas and maritime environment.
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Indian and Australian Federalism during Pandemic
Even though the pandemic is taking its toll on federal structure of most countries, as can be seen in the case of India and Australia in this article, if there is one good thing that comes out of the COVID-19 pandemic for both countries, it is the push to re-evaluate what federalism means in the 21st century.
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The tyranny of an independent nation
The tyranny of an independent nation may continue, just the treatment may change, as we have yet not lost our chains!
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The Iran–China 25-years Deal: Where does it leave India?
The most challenging factor for India would be that if China manages to establish a base at Chabahar, then New Delhi would have to bid adieu to the key element of its grand Indo-Pacific strategy.
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Media and the Ram Temple Bhoomi-Pujan
The response and coverage by media in the case of Ram Mandir Janmabhoomi Pujan shows a stark difference in their approach from that of the Kashmir issue.
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India-Nepal Relations: A Way Forward for Strong Relations
India and Nepal have a profound relationship, but the relationship is characterized by ebb and flow. In recent times, this bond has felt shocks in the form of border disputes and both the states cannot afford this shock to continue long.
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Post-Corona Recovery through Employment Generation in Forestry
Linking employment generation schemes in the corona era to meeting our forestry targets could prove to be a game-changer for the nation’s poor in these trying times as well as provide a lifeline to our beleaguered forests.
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Does High Cost of Electioneering Foster Corruption?
The largest democracy of the world is a successfully functional democracy. But, there also exist certain instances where unethical practices woo the voters. It seems that the high cost of electioneering fosters corruption. The money should not play any role in influencing the voters. A nationwide debate to have major reforms in the electoral process is inevitable.
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Democracy 2020: Are new ‘gods’ in the making?
Democracy 2020: Are new Gods in the making ?
The growing numbers of “devotees” instead of “supporters”, is not healthy for a democracy as vibrant and diverse as India where every voice should be respected
Dual Degree Education System in India
“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” – Malcolm X
In today’s era, all HEIs have a pressing need to deliver outcomes, which in most cases, is employment. Most employers are sure that undergraduate education delivered by the Universities / Colleges does not produce the type of workers that the industry requires. Getting students to meaningful employment is one of the paramount goals of higher education. Dual degree education in India evolved to cater to the present requirements….