Distance
the week that was
Education
Council
recognises
SOL degree
Finally, students of DU School of
Open Learning (SOL) have a reason to
rejoice as the Distance Education
Council has recognised the BA cukuk gks] rks mls mldh Hkk"kk vkSj
degree of SOL run by Delhi laLÑfr ls dkV nksA
University.
The information regarding the fj'rk gSA nksuksa ,d&nwljs ls
recognition has been conveyed to xqaFkh&cquh gksrh gSaA ;gh dkj.k gS
the Delhi High Court by the Counsel
for SOL during the hearing of a
petition filed by an SOL student. It
can be recalled that Deepak Kumar, xqyke cukrk gSA gkyk¡fd] fgUnh
had approached the court when the nqfu;k dh rhljh lcls T;knk
S t a f f S e l e c t i o n C o m m i s s i o n cksyh tkus okyh Hkk"kk gS] ysfdu
disqualified his recruitment as Tax gekjs ns'k esa vaxzsth esa ckr djuk
Assistant even after he cleared the vkSj vaxzsthnka fn[kuk fdlh balku
SSC test and interview because of his
SOL degree. He was asked to possess
the certificate of the degree from the
Distance Education Council.
The Council and the SOL held a fLFkfr nks;e ntsZ dh cuk nh xbZ
r i g o r o u s d i s c u s s i o n a m o n g gSA
themselves. Eventually, the Council
decided to give recognition to the
degree from the academic year 1995
to 2009. Consequently, the Delhi
High Court after disposing of the
petition has directed the SSC to Hkk"kk esa vius fglkc ls cnyko
consider Deepak's case within eight djrs gSa vkSj ;s Hkk"kkbZ cnyko
weeks. Mehnaz yksxksa dh ekufldrk ij vlj
100 days in office
On Aug 29 the UPA government
completed its 100 days in office
with a mixed bag of good work on
certain fronts while stumbling on
several issues.
Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh's second stint may be
bristling with plans to mitigate
poverty, disease and illiteracy, but
most Indians still remain
unimpressed. As the United
P r o g r e s s i v e A l l i a n c e ( U PA )
government completes 100 days in
office, the brunt is being felt across
India and across all sections of
s o c i e t y. T h e r e h a s b e e n
unprecedented rise in prices of
essential commodities like sugar,
pulses etc. Due to high prices it is
getting difficult for people to
sustain their family. It is because of
Editorial Supervisor: Prof. Ambrish Saxena
Student Editors: Ajeet, Pawan, Garima, Mamta, Dipika, Mehnaz, Ruchi, Upmanyu, Ritika
AlterEgo
fgUnh fnol dks ,dVd rkdrh fgUnh
jkgqy lkaÑR;k;u us fdlh
txg ij dgk Fkk fd vxj fdlh
dkSe dks mldh tM+ksa ls dkV nsuk
gks ] vxj fdlh eqYd dks xqyke
Hkk"kk vkSj laLÑfr dk vVwV
fd Hkk"kk vkSj laLÑfr ij gksus okyk
geyk balku dks ekufld :i ls
ds dn dks Å¡pk djrk gSA ;g
gkyr flQZ fgUnh dh ugha gS] cfYd
yxHkx lHkh Hkkjrh; Hkk"kkvksa dh
Hkk"kk] njvly] lekt ds lHkh
oxks± ds izfr rVLFk gksrh gS] ysfdu
lekt
rVLFk
ds lHkh oxZ Hkk"kk ds izfr
ugha gksrs gSaA lRrklhu oxZ
this situation that now people have
decided to buy less vegetables. So
now even simple dal-roti has
become a luxury.
The country is also facing the
swine flu pandemic. The
government's handling of swine flu
has also drawn flak. At the
international level, we can say that
India has become meek. There were
continued attacks on Indian
students in Australia and the
government was unable to do
anything.
If we look at the positive
aspect, we can say that UPA-II has
tried to consolidate and expand the
inclusive growth agenda by passing
the Right to Education Act and
promising a national law for food
security. Even the economy grew at
Editorial Advisor: SD Tripathi
By Charu Chandra Pathak
Mkyrs gSaA vktdy ehfM;k esa ,d
vyx gh fdLe dh fgUnh lquus dks
feyrh gS] ftls lqurs gq, vglkl
gksrk gS fd vaxzsth 'kSyh esa cksys
tkus ij fgUnh fdruh ^lsDlh*
yxrh gSA
fgUnh fnol---14 flrEcj---
vk;kstu--- dk;ZØe--- Hkk"k.k--
-c/kkb;k¡ - -- feBkb;k¡ - --
rkfy;k¡ - -- dks d k&dks y k
fi;sxk, eSu\ vkSj fgUnh\
fgUnh dk D;k eryc\fgUnh
,d Hkk"kk gSA Hkkjr dh
jk"VªHkk"kk gS fgUnhA vkSj D;k
pkfg,\ Vsa'ku ugha ysus dk---
ykbQ esa ,s'k djus dk---
Hkk"kk ij gks jgk ;g prqfnZd
geyk gesa fdl dnj iksiyk cuk
jgk gS bls ;fn izR;{k ns[kuk gks] rks
dkWystks& fo'ofo|ky;ksa esa i<+us
okys ;qok oxZ ls fefy,A vkt dk
;q o k oxZ vius lekt&
lkfgR;&fopkj vkfn ls dVk
chekj] #X.k vkSj ^isIlh&dksd
As Congress led UPA completes hundred
days in office, the article assesses the
policies and outcomes
more than 8 percent annually during
the first tenure of UPA Government.
Now in the second innings the
targets groups of UPA government
includes women and dalits. The new
education law and 50 percent
reservation for women in local
bodies are the steps in this direction.
Even the Congress-led UPA
government can be termed as a hope
of a revival for the Indian stock
markets. The country has witnessed
an inflow of nearly Rs 23,700 crore
from overseas investors since the
beginning of the new term of Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh. An
analysis of the foreign institutional
investors (FIIs) activity shows that
since the day PM Manmohan Singh
took oath for a second term to lead
the United Progressive Alliance
Layout Supervisor:Pawan Koundal
September 8-14 2009
Page 6
dYpj* dk /otokgd
detksj&fNNyk dSfj;joknh gksrk
tk jgk gSA
Hkk"kk ij geyk] njvly] gekjs
fopkjksa vkSj laLÑfr ij geyk gSA
Le`fr] LoIu vkSj dYiuk dk ek/;e
flQZ viuh ekr`Hkk"kk gh gks ldrh
gSA blfy,] viuh Hkk"kk dh eqfDr
dk iz'u okLro esa vius LoIuksa vkSj
dYiukyksd dh eqfDr dk iz'u gSA
fgUnh fnol eukus ;k fgUnh
viukus dk ;g vFkZ ugha gS fd gesa
vU; Hkk"kk,¡ ugha lh[kuh pkfg,A
fgUnh lkfgR; vkSj Hkk"kk ds fodkl
esa vHkwriwoZ ;ksxnku nsus okys
egkiafMr jkgqy lkaÑR;k;u
NCchl Hkk"kkvksa ds /kqja/kj Kkrk FksA
viuh Hkk"kk ls tqM+us dk vFkZ gS
mlds izfr ghu Hkkouk dk ugha
gksuk] mls tkuuk] mlds lkfgR;
ls ifjfpr gksukA vkSj tSls gh ge
viuh Hkk"kk ls tqM+rs gSa] njvly
ge vius lekt ls tqM+us yxrs gSaA
viuh laLÑfr] vius lekt vkSj
viuh Hkk"kk vkSj mlds lkfgR; ls
esy&tksy c<+kuk gh fgUnh fnol
eukus dk lPpk rjhdk gks ldrk
gSA
government, FIIs have made a net
investment of Rs 23,688.8 crore in
the domestic stock markets. The
Union Budget 2009-10, presented by
Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee
sought to double the outlays for rural
development at a time of sluggish
growth, which is expected to be 6 per
cent this year.
The Prime Minister and the
Congress should grab this second
opportunity to make some lasting
changes in the country. It can be said
that getting a second term is a
measure of people's confidence that
they enjoy. So they must respect the
mandate and deliver for the
betterment of the people and the
society.
Ruchi Dua
the week that was
September 8-14 2009
insidestory
Special Coverage:
Northeast India
Page 3-4
Sino-Indian
Relation Page 3
Battleground
Tawang Page 5
Alter Ego:
fgUnh fnol dks ,dVd
rkdrh fgUnh Page 6
Changing
face of
DUSU
politics
The DUSU election witnessed a
fresh wave of change as an
independent candidate backed by
ABVP; Manoj Choudhary got elected as
the President of the Students' Union.
Manoj defeated his nearest rival,
Bajinder Singh of the All- India
Student's Federation by 11 votes. Both
t h e c a n d i d a t es a r e f r o m t h e
University's Department of Buddhist
Studies. Last time when an
independent candidate won the DUSU
president's post was way back in 1991.
This all happened due to Election
Commission’s implementation of
Lyndoh Committee guidelines. As a
result, seven candidates were
disqualified by the DU election officials
for flauting the guidelines.
Interestingly, it is after four years
that a male candidate has become the
president of DUSU. The lone candidate
from ABVP, Kriti Wadhera won the Vice-
President's post securing 6543 votes.
While Arshdeep Kaur of NSUI won
Secretary's post with 8032 votes.
Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha, student
wing of Samajwadi Party, was able to
make its place for the first time in DUSU
election with Anupriya Tyagi bagging
the post of joint secretary.
Pawan Kr. Singh
VOL 1 ISSUE 4 A weekly production by Journalism students of CMS
YSR:
Man and
His Legacy
YS Rajashekhara Reddy or he amalgamated erstwhile CM power in AP after a hiatus of
YSR, hugely popular in Andhra Chnadrababu Naidu's plans on almost a decade and was a
Pradesh, believed to be an able industrialization and promising politician.
administrator and common modernization with It appears that almost a
man's Chief Minister, died in a development of the agrarian vacuum has been created in the
chopper crash last week. He was sector. So, if his government state politics by YSR's sudden
a successful politician who had a passionately advocated death. Soon after his death, the
larger than life image while he information technology, it gave sentiment of the public and the
was alive and the image only due attention to agriculture. pa r t y m e m b e rs t h at was
grew after his tragic death. The Healthcare insurance, reflected in the form of massive
entire state of Andhra Jalayagnam- a massive project demand to annoint, Jagan
submerged in grief when the aimed at irrigating more than 10 Mohan Reddy, YSR's son as the
CM's death was announced; the million hectares of land, housing next CM. Although K Rosaiah has
outpouring of grief was not for the poor; such schemes were been appointed as the interim
unexpected.
However, soon the grief
personally launched by the CM.
It was his populist policies which
Andhra Pradesh CM, lobbying for
Jagan Mohan continues. In fact,
catapulted into mass hysteria.
The frenzied behaviour of the
connected him to his voters.
It is believed that YSR was
State Congress workers even
voiced their support for Jagan
masses and the mourning in the among those few politicians who Mohan at the condolence
state could be attributed to the
fact that YSR had almost attained
derived his authority directly
from the people of the state and
meeting.
As the legacy of YSR will
the stature of God for the
masses, especially the farmers.
not necessarily the Congress
party High Command in New
prevail, it will be interesting to
observe which way the
Hence, YSR's death was a Delhi. He was someone who succession game veers and will
personal loss and grief for many. could win the trust of the the Congress Central leadership
More than 400,000 people electorate on the merit of his honour the public and popular
gathered at the Idupulapaya own service and work. It was for sentiment or take a different
village to bid farewell to their no reason that the biggest search course. While electing YSR's
b e l o v ed C M . S o m e e v e n operation was initiated to successor, the interest of the
expressed that no political leader
could ever attain the stature or
recover the CM and the
prominent leadership of the
state and the people of Andhra
Pradesh should be the
equal the achievements of YSR. Congress party, including the determining yardstick instead of
YSR had emerged as the Prime Minister attended the any other emotions, sentiments
regional satrap and commanded funeral of YSR. He was the man or the policy of dynasty politics.
such power and appeal because who had brought the Congress to Dipika Dasgupta
YSR: AS CHIEF MINISTER
YSR was elected as the Chief
70 pending irrigation projects in entrepreneurship primarily
Minister of Andhra Pradesh by the
the state to improve irrigation targeted at rural women.
Legislature party of the Indian
faci lities, with a targeted 4) Indiramma illu: A program for
National Congress after the party
irrigation to 1.2 Crore acres of construction of houses for the
won 185 and 156 seats of the land. rural masses by charging a small
Legislative Assembly in the May
2) Rajiv Arogya Shree: A health amount while the government
2004 and May 2009 elections i n s u ra n c e a n d e m e rg e n c y pays the remaining amount.
respectively. He initiated a variety
services scheme for rural masses 5) Free power supply for farmers
of programs that influence thewhere the government pays the for 7 hours a day.
Economy of Andhra Pradesh and entire cost of any surgery up to Rs. 6) Rs 2/KG of rice scheme
for the benefit of the common 200,000 and does not require 7) Reimbursement of full college
people and farming community. people to pay any premium. fees for backward sections and
Prominent among them are: 3) Pavala Vaddi: A program that reservations for minorities.
provides loans to people at 3% per
1) JalaYagnam: A large-scale year so as to encourage them to
program to complete more than take up small scale businesses and Source: Government of Andhra Pradesh
international
Sino-Indian diplomatic relation
What is China trying to show with 21 incursions in July 2009 and 26 in August 2009 along
with recent ‘rock-writing’ on the Indian rocks?
The Chinese incursions into
Indian territory have increased
manifold in the past few years.
According to news agency reports
from Leh, Chinese patrols entered
26 times inside Indian territory
August this year and walked away
with petrol and kerosene meant
for Indian soldiers guarding the
border. Recently two Chinese
People's Liberation Army (PLA)
helicopters reportedly entered
into airspace in June and dropped
canned food. Every year there are
several intrusions by PLA into
Indian territory both in the
Northeast and the Ladakh region
because of the border dispute.
On the strategic front, China is
extending its influence over Sri
Lanka, Myanmar and Nepal. It has
also provided military resources to
Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar,
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
China is heavily spending to
take control over the natural
resources in Myanmar and
Pakistan. It has got the contract of
various projects in Pakistan
(Gavadar Port in Mkaran) and Sri
Lanka (a commercial port). It has
provided commercial, military and
diplomatic co-operation and
support to Sri Lanka. Apart from
this, it also helped Sri Lanka to
tackle the resistance emerging
from the West during the final
Sudanese Scribe wins against arbitrary laws
Associated with UN mission in Sudan, the Journalist comes out after being imprisoned for wearing indecent clothes in public
In what is being seen as a major
victory of the freedom of choice
and rights of an individual over
arbitrary rule of the state, Lubna
Hussein, a journalist associated
with the UN Mission in Sudan was
released from prison on
September 8.
The Sudanese Union of
Journalists has reportedly said that
Lubna Ahmed Hussein was
imprisoned for having refused to
pay a fine for wearing 'indecent'
trousers; and was freed after
spending a day in prison. The
President of the Union, Moheddine
Titawi has said, “She came out of
prison. We paid the fine of 500
pound (200 dollar).”
The courageous journalist had
decided to contest the diktat of the
l
the week that was the week that was
September 8-14 2009
Page 2
September 8-14 2009
Page 5 nationa
Battleground Tawang First quarter
growth rate
The disputed border area of Arunachal Pradesh is in the news due at 6.1percent
to numerous incursions by Chinese military personnel
assault on LTTE. China didn't allow The origin of this dispute can be take over some areas in the north. Standing tall in the north- China. I n d i a ' s e c o n o m i c g ro w t h
if China also recognizes the treaty.
Sri Lanka's crisis situation traced back as early as 1842 when (From A Collection of Treaties, eastern state of Arunachal Tawang remains a shelter for accelerated for the first time in six
Of late, both the nations have taken
becoming a UN agenda so that no Ladakh and Tibet signed a non- Engagements and Sanads relating to Pradesh is a beautiful Buddhist Monpa people who practice quarters to 6.1per cent in the first
various measures to secure their
untoward resolution is passed ag gression treaty. The Si kh India and Neighbouring Countries enclave called Tawang. It is a safe Tibetan Buddhism. Also, the sixth three months of the current financial
rights over this area. “The Chinese
against it. Confederacy of Punjab region compiled by C.U. Aitchison, the then abode for Tibetan monasteries Dalai Lama was born here. It year, signaling that the worst of the
army has a big deployment at the
China has strategically acquired annexed Ladakh into the state of Under-Secretary to the Government but also is a space for the Indian became an integral part of India global downturn may have passed for
border, in Bumla,” said Madan
an important shipping lane in the Jammu in 1834. In 1841, they of India in the Foreign Department) military force. Tawang remains the when Tibetan leaders signed a Asia's third-largest economy. The GDP
Singh, a junior commissioned
Indian Ocean which brings oil from invaded Tibet and Chinese forces Later on W.H. Johnson, a civil main point of conflict between treaty with British officials in 1914 growth rate of 6.1 per cent for the first
officer in the Indian Army. More
the Middle Asia. defeated the Sikh army and in turn servant with the Survey of India India and China regarding the establishing a border called quarter 2009-10 marginally exceeds
recently China tried hard to raise a
It also supported Myanmar entered Ladakh and besieged Leh. proposed the “Johnson Line” in 1865 question of its sovereignty. The McMahon Line. But the whole the estimate of 5.8-6 per cent.
stumbling block when India was
when the whole world criticised After being checked by the Sikh which was never presented to the roots of conflict go back to the situation became more critical India's economic growth can be
getting loan from ADB for water
the Junta government on the issue forces, the Chinese and the Sikhs Chinese. time when China claimed its when Dalai Lama announced attributed to government stimulus
projects in Arunachal Pradesh.
of Aung San Suu Kyi urging them signed a treaty in September 1842, In 1913-14, Henry Mac Mahon, territorial rights over Tibet. Since recently that Tawang is part of measures which helped spur demand,
However the issue remains
not to interfere in the internal which stipulated no transgressions British diplomat, proposed the Mac then, it believes that Tawang India. However interestingly, China but a poor monsoon threatens to
unsolved despite 13 rounds of
matters of the country. or interference in the other Mohan Line but the Britishers had historically had been a part of does not recognize the treaty as crimp growth later in the year driving
bilateral negotiations between the
Recently, Pentagon released country's frontiers. In 1846 the some reservations about it so they T ibet, so now it must be yet. the prices higher. Weakness in private
two nations since 2005. A patch of
annual report 2009 which warned British defeated the Sikhs and the did not put the Mac Mahon Line on considered as a territory of China The exiled Prime Minister of consumption combined with looming
land has soured the relations
against the increasing military transfer of the sovereignty over their maps until 1937. Further, the only. The Chinese army even laid the T ibetan government, inflation complicates the Reserve Bank
between two towering nations,
power of China. The report says Ladakh took place. British appointed two Boundary its hands on Tawang briefly in 1962 Samdhong Rinpoche said that “we of India's exit from its expansionary
perhaps turning it into a matter of
that, apart from spending heavily The British ceded to Maharaja Commissions in 1846 and 1847 and during the Indo- China War recognize it because we agreed to monetary policy. Many experts feel
mere power play affecting the
in military power, China is also Gulab Singh the lands they had thus sought China's acceptence. They also making Tawang region a sort of it.” He further said that it would be that India still ranks among the most
peaceful life of innocent Monpa
progressing very fast in acquiring acquired in the territories of offered the Aksai Chin to China in the proxy battleground for India and a victory for the Indian government people.attractive investment destinations in
Ritika Handoo
the latest weapons. A warning has Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh "for Macartney-MacDonald note of the world. But a week trend in global
been given in the report that China the sum of seventy-five lakhs of March 14, 1899. However, the British markets could impact absolute
is developing new techniques for
nuclear, space and cyber warfare.
rupees". He "acknowledged the
supremacy of the British
government". Article 4 of the
once again changed their stand on
the boundary issue (particularly on
Tawang and Arunachal Pradesh)
Modi Courting Trouble returns, though India may outperform
most markets in relative terms.
Going by the stock markets,
Historical Facts agreement said: "The limits of the during the World War II in the wake of sellers are targeting shares from the
territories of Maharaja Gulab Singh threat from the Japanese troops. After Godhara riots and Shohrabuddin’s fake encounter metal and IT sectors, while reality
The border dispute between
shall not be at any time changed This created more confusion for shares are gaining hopes that the
India and China is very old. The cases, Modi’s trouble in not settling down as Magistrate demand of property would pick up
without concurrence of the British the future and neither China nor
crucial questions in this context
government." All map-making was India exactly knew what they actually SP Tamang’s report states Ishrat’s encounter was with the advent of the festive season.
are: What is the boundary that
to be done thereafter by the British had inherited on their Independence. However, the investors are still nervous
India inherited on its
Independence in 1947? And what
alone and they went about it And this is the reason why both the fake as well about which way the stock market
obsessed by the fear of Russia nations are not recognising each
was China's boundary, on the
appearing on the frontier. The other's claims on the Line of Actual Producing another setback Minister. Those accused, dead bodies to show the killing would turn. The key to sustained
establishment of the People's growth must lie in the revival of
British even encouraged China to Control. Mamta to Modi government in Gujarat include Mr. Vanzara's then as an encounter. The weapons
Republic of China in 1949? agriculture and manufacturing.
one more fake encounter case deputy in the Crime Branch, NK and explosives found with the
Neha Sabbharwal
has surfaced. According to an Amin, the then Ahmedabad victims were also planted by the
Ahmedabad metropolitan Po l i c e C o m m i s s i o n e r K R police for the same purpose. Stop construction,
magistrate, SP Tamang, June Kaushik, the then chief of the The police claimed that the
government after she was H u s s e i n , s h e q u i t t h e court of law led to huge public 2004 killing of Ishrat Jahan and Crime Branch PP Pandey, and four had links with Laskar-e- SC to Mayawati
sentenced to 40 lashes as a orga n i s at i o n ( U n i ted N at i o n s outcry and protests globally. In the three others is also a case of another alleged encounter Taiyeba. However no evidence The Supreme Court asked the
punishment for for wearing trousers Organisation) and went ahead with wake of current precarious political 'fake encounter'. specialist Tarun Barot. Mr. NK to prove this is found according Mayawati Government to stop further
in public and having violated the t h e t r i a l . S h e h a d b o l d l y and economic situations in Sudan, it The then 'encounter Amin is also one of the accused to the Tamang's report. constructions of Dalit leaders'
accepted Islamic dress code for commented, “I can tell you, as far as I is inexplicable how the government specialist' of Gujarat police in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh's These encounters in memorials in and around Uttar
women. know as a Muslim, the Article 152 has time to enforce such arbitrary Pradesh. The Court said that building
D.G. Vanzara is one of the killing. Gujarat and the state
During a raid on a café on July 3, (under which Hussein has been law. of such statues involved public money
accused in the case among Tamang's report states that government's defensive
Hussein was c h a rged ) i s i n In fact, Human rights and political and it means misuse of taxpayers'
among 13 Lubna Ahmed Hussein contradiction of groups in Sudan as well as across the others. They are already in jail the police 'kidnapped' the attitude points out to a greater
money.
women who had was imprisoned for having I s l a m i c S h e r i a world had stated that the ruling was i n co n n e c t i o n w i t h t h e teenage girl Israt Jahan and problem of the state and its According to a bench of judges of the
been arrested for law.” against the Constitution drafted in Sohrabuddin Sheikh's killing three others from Mumbai on government. It is about the Supreme Court, “We may ask the
wearing trousers
refused to pay a fine for Hussein had 2005 after a peace deal ended two (which the government June 12th and brought them to communal and hate politics that government as to how such a colossal
in public. While w e a r i n g ' i n d e c e n t ' b e e n a r r e s t e d decades of war. confessed before the Supreme Gujarat where they were killed is being tendered in the state expenditure can be incurred. It cannot
t e n o f t h e trousers after she had Due to her upright protest, the Court was a case of fake in police custody on June 14th. since the last decade especially be arbitrary because it involves
arrested women refused to pay the Amnesty International has also encounter.) The police earlier claimed that after the riots of 2002. This is taxpayers' money.”
were flogged on September 8 and fine imposed on her by a court in asked the Sudanese government to It is to be noted that the UP
According to the report the i n t h e n ex t m o r n i n g a n evident by the fact (as in the
charged 250 Sudanese pounds as Khartoum. She could have faced a repeal these strict laws. Such dissent Government has been on a statue
'encounters' were done to encounter took place in the Tamang's report) that these
fine, Hussein and two others month in jail for going against the from the society might go a long way construction spree of several Dalit
decided to undergo trial in a court of Sudanese law. in the annulment of arbitrary laws pursue personal interest and to outskirts of Ahemdabad. The 'encounters' were carried out to
leaders including CM of UP, Mayawati,
law. Her imprisonment and the and betterment of the society. get promotions and earn report also alleges that the please Mr. Modi. spending Rs. 2500 crore from the state
Though UN offered to stand by unreasonable judgement by the Dipika Dasgupta appreciation from the Chief accused shot bullets into the Upmanyu Trivedi exchequer. Mehnaz
the week that was
September 8-14 2009
Page 3
Militancy and Economy
The Northeast has always
been a cause of concern for
independent India. From a few of
the radical militant groups in the
late 1980s to as many as 50-80 at
present, the situation is worsening
day by day. While these bigger
organisations plan 'big' attacks,
the smaller ones keep 'playing'
every now and then. These
grenade attacks, blowing up
tracks, killing police and military
personnel, frequent bandhs etc.
e ve r yd ay h ave fo rc ed t h e
government to classify these
groups as terrorists.
If one looks at the bandhs
only, which stops all kinds of
economic transactions along with
other movement, a project
report** reveals that 73 bandhs
were called by these organisations
(as well as political parties)
between June 1997 and May 1998
in Assam only. These bandhs range
from 12 to 48 hours (most common
is 12 hours bandh called 36 times)
and cost as much as Rs. 447.9
million per day. The total loss
during the mentioned period was
Rs. 12.55 billion.
Another errant in the region
is the cases of kidnapping,
extortion and killings of
businessmen for whom it has been
a default phenomenon. They have
to give 'tax' or contributions to
different militant groups for their
survival and 'protection'. If one is
to believe the locals, even the state
government and other PSU
employees have to pay this ransom
or protection money. One of the
reputed weekly magazine*** have
reported about the tea industry
funding militant organisations.
These incidents work as deterrent
for future investors. Even the
specia l
assurance from government is not
enough for them to invest. If Tatas
could not operate without giving
'protection' money, how come
others will!
The central and state
governments have been giving
several tax subsidies and incentives
NorthEastIndia
yet the 'insurgency tax' is the India's Northeast, also known as
biggest disincentive to investment. the seven sisters, includes the States
This problem is affecting the law of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam,
and order, social fabric as well as Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram,
economic aspirations of individuals Nagaland and Tripura. They cover
and investors. It is not a single about 8 per cent of the geographical
problem but father of many area and approximately 4 per cent of
siblings. the total population of the country.
The region is known for its linguistic,
**North Eastern Development Finance cultural, religious, ethnic and
Corporation, A Project Report on Bandhs in
physiographical diversity.
Assam. Guwahati: NEDF, 1999.
***For details about allegations of Many legal and administrative
Tata Tea funding ULFA militants see cover decisions taken between 1874 and
stories of India Today, New Delhi, October 20, 1935 gave the areas in the Northeast
1997 and Business India, New Delhi, October
20, 1997.
their distinct identity. Initially, the
Ajeet Bharti British administration treated this
region as 'Non-Regulated Areas', then
declared it to be a 'Backward Tract'

Militant groups of Northeast and further categorized it as

'Excluded Areas' and 'Partially
Excluded Areas'.
States Militant organisations (year Objective
of formation)
ULFA : United Liberation Front of Asom To establish a sovereign state of Assam
Power:
Assam (April 1979)
NDFB: National Democratic Front of
Bodoland (1989)
through an armed struggle.
Aims to set up an autonomous region
Bodoland
Status
Manipur
PLA: Peoples Liberation Army(1978)
UNLF: United National Liberation Front
(1964)
Liberating Manipur from India
An independent socialist state of
Manipur
and
PREPAK: People's Revolutionary Party of A separate and independent homeland
Kangleipak
NSCN-IM: The National Socialist Council of To establish a Greater Nagaland Need
Nagaland Isak-Muivah (1980)
Nagaland NSCN-K: The National Socialist Council of Greater Nagaland
The power infrastructure is one of
the biggest problems of the Northeast.
NagalandKhaplang (1988) Every study conducted have marked
ANVC: Achik National Volunteer Council Formation of an Achik Land in the Garo the power infrastructure as a serious
(1995) Hills problem. The S.P. Shukla Commission
Meghalaya HNLC: The Hynniewtrep National Liberation Aims to free the state from Garo (1997), set up to assess the
Council (1992) domination infrastructural gaps in the Northeast,
NLFT: National Liberation Front of Tripura stated the infrastructural
Tripura (March 1989) requirements needed for the region
ATFF: All Tripura Tiger Force (1990) Expulsion of all Bengali speaking are to the tune of Rs. 936 billion. More
immigrants than Rs. 600 billion is needed for the
Mizoram HPC(D): Hmar People's Convention-
Democracy (1995)
To create an independent Hmar State powaer sector alone.
All the States in the region except
BNLF: Bru National Liberation Front (1997 ) To protect the rights and dignity of the Meghalaya face a shortage of power. A
Reangs region with many natural reservoirs
Apart from the above mentioned organisations, there are several other smaller groups as well. In Manipur and huge hydro-electric potential
alone there are as many as 32 active militant groups. The Indian Home ministry has taken a tough stance against estimated to be around 30-40000 MW
these and termed various radical organisations as terrorist outfits. Some of the active and operating terrorist remains ironically dark. Arunachal
groups in the Northeast are: Pradesh claims that it alone has a
National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM), Naga National Council-Federal potential of about 30,000 MW, of
(NNCF), National Council of Nagaland-Khaplang. United Liberation Front of Asom, People's which only 25 MW has been harnessed
Liberation Army, Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), Zomi Revolutionary Front so far!

Special
New roads in Arunachal:
politics of routes in India
Coming out of the post 1962
m e n t a l i t y, f i n a l l y, I n d i a n
government has chalked out a
massive transport network for
Arunachal Pradesh. In 2006, the
UPA government proposed to
build seven new strategic roads in
the region. It is indeed a welcome
and practical move. They have
come a long way since then.
This policy reflects the
confidence of the government
which reversed its earlier policy of
not having any road in that area
because it could be used by China
in case of future hostilities. These
transport facilities will not only
help India solve the
developmental issues in the area
but also connect it to the rest parts
for smooth economic
transactions.
This policy makes a great
economic sense as well. The
transport network is one of the
essential points for developmental
purposes. The diplomatic and
Economics of Northeast
The present economic policy
framework for the Northeast
region is based on its political
economy and a cultural approach,
adjusted with a regional planning
model.
Centre as well as state
government have taken various
steps to protect tribal interests.
Policies of minimal interference
with the cultural traditions and
customs of the tribal people are
being followed and additional
political and administrative
mechanisms have been provided
for the region. Under the Sixth
Schedule of the Constitution, the
concept of Autonomous District
Councils has been applied which
looks after the social, economic
and minor criminal and civil
matters of the tribal people.
It is implemented mainly
through the Planning Commission
and the Northeast Council. Despite
huge financial investments, this
has failed to produce desired
results. Further, this is an
inappropriate structure to deal
with the challenges created by the
p r o c e s s o f
liberalization/globalization of the
political interests will be looked
after. Inter-state trade will get a
boost. It will also open gates for the
interested investors.
The routes will influence the
economic activity and improve the
productivity India has always been
occupied in various cross border
terrorism. The area of north east
has always been facing militancy
problems. Whereas China has been
busy making strategic routes for
cross-border economic ties with
Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives and
Sri Lanka into India's backyard.
China has always been trying
to expand its influence in the South
Asian markets. Access to raw
materials, commodities, natural
resources and export of Chinese
goods have been the prime motif
of Beijing. This expanded influence
may limit India's power in the area.
Gaining access to the South
Asian region has always played a
crucial role in political and
economic development, cultural
economy. A new policy framework
for the region will have to be based
on the market approach (although
certain political and cultural factors
cannot be ignored altogether).
If the correct policies are
pursued, the region will be able to
improve its economy. Under a new
e c o n o m i c s t ra t e g y, p r i v a t e
investment should be viewed as the
critical component. But, first of all,
the region has to become investor-
friendly. To encourage private
investment, policy makers have to
focus on infrastructure (both hard
and soft), land and labor policies
and substantial improvements in
the law and order situation.
S e c o n d l y, t h e g e o g ra p h i c a l
proximity of the region to the
dynamic Southeast Asian
economies can be utilized if bold
policies are initiated both by the
Centre as well as by the State
governments. These policies can
include:
* converting unauthorized
trade activities into authorized
trade, both at the policy level and at
the ground level.
* declaring certain areas of the
Northeast Region as Free Trade
the week that was
connectivity and military affairs of
the region. The two facets of state
policy- security and development
are also dependent on these
multidimensional routes. A road is a
geographical as well as political
instrument for interaction. The
gains from these types of routes are
multidimensional as it can have
both- strategic as well as
developmental consequences.
The need now is to shift the
focus from treating China as hostile
to upgrading Northeast region’s
infrastructure and creating ability to
i n f l u e n c e t h e t ra n s - b o r d e r
economics. China is going to be one
of the biggest problem in coming
decades. Seeing China as a trade
partner instead of a potential rival is
the intelligent idea. These roads and
airstrips in Arunachal Pradesh are
some of the milestones that India
had to construct on the road to a
long journey.
Ajeet Bharti
Areas officially; and an aggressive
strategy for creating a growth
quadrangle involving India's
Northeast, Myanmar, south west
China, northern Thailand and
Bangladesh.
* Removal of Restricted Area
Permit and Inner Line Regulations
would also help in the integration of
the Northeast with the Indian and
global economy. With Myanmar
becoming a member of the
Association of South East Asian
Nations (ASEAN), a common market
of 500 million consumers is at the
doorstep of the Northeast.
* Assam is the key to the
development of the Northeast;
within Assam, priority should be
given to modernize its agriculture.
Given the rich natural resource base
there is considerable scope for
increasing agricultural growth. This
could be done by improving the
cropping intensity, extending dry
season farming through irrigation
and diversifying into other areas like
horticulture, fisheries, and dairy
production.
*** Excerpts taken from article
originally published on www.satp.org.
September 8-14 2009
Page 4
NorthEastIndia
Education
in
Manipur
Manipur is one of the leading
educational hubs in north-east India.
With some top schools, colleges,
central university, medical Institute,
technical Institutes and the like, the
people of Manipur are getting more
educated. Manipur University, DM
College, Regional Institute of Medical
S c i e n c e s , M a n i p u r Te c h n i c a l
University, and Little Flowers High
School are some of the top educational
set-ups in Manipur.
Manipur comes under the states
of high literacy rate; its literacy rate is
at 65 per cent. However, education
gets disturbed at times due to
insurgency. Due to frequent bandhs
and other problems whether by the
militants or political parties students
suffer as the syllabi are not covered on
time.
Insurgency is not only the
hindrance in education but also the
youngsters of the region want the
correct kind of exposure for making a
better career.
It is because of the above
mentioned problem that students
come out of the state for their further
studies. Young students, after
completing their 12th grade, go to
various parts of the nation in search of
good education. Unemployment, and
the fear of it, has led to a huge
dissatisfaction among students. Their
sole argument of migrating is the job
insecurity.
Government has been giving
scholarships and grants in various ways
to attract students. HRD ministry has
announced to establish some premier
institutes including an IIM and medical
colleges in the Northeast region. These
efforts are welcome but at the same
time government must take steps to
revive the school education mainly in
the tribal areas and minorities.
Mehnaz