INDO-US NUCLEAR DEAL: THE TECHNOLOGY DIMENSION

-- Raman Puri

One of the main objectives of the Nuclear Deal is to meet the nation's growing energy needs through accessing nuclear technology. However, there is very little public debate on the relative merits of the technologies available or on the strategies to be adopted for expanding our nuclear power generation capacity. In this context, the article makes out a strong case to press forward with Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) power generation plants and our three-stage fast breeder reactors programme. The Indo-US Nuclear Deal should be seen only as a means to obtain uranium in the short run. In the meanwhile, we should redouble our efforts to mine the vastly superior uranium deposits available in the country (Meghalaya and Andhra Pradesh). The technology shift in the nuclear power generation envisaged in the Deal is ill advised because it makes our country needlessly dependent on the US and others for both enriched uranium and reprocessing.

© 2007 IUP . All Rights Reserved.

MILITANCY IN KASHMIR AND INDO-PAK DIALOGUE

-- B. N. Mehrish

The article analyses the various factors responsible for militancy in the Kashmir Valley, its linkages with Kashmiriyat or Kashmiri nationalism, and the application of the principle of self-determination to the separatist groups' demand for independence and nationhood. The article highlights the findings of the Gallup-Outlook Poll on Kashmir in 2004. Pakistani people were asked: How do you see India—as a friend, rival or enemy? Is the US closer to India or Pakistan? Would you accept converting the Line of Control (LOC) into an international border as a solution to the Kashmir problem? Do you think the Kashmir problem can be resolved? Do you think India will ever part with Kashmir? Is India correct in blaming Pakistan for exporting terrorism to India?

The article also analyses terrorism and the psyche of Indian Muslims. It also discusses Indo-Pak dialogue and General Musharraf's proposals on the peace agenda. The peace initiatives taken by the former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh are highlighted. Centre-Hurriyat talks on Kashmir are discussed. The main focus of the article is the epistemic status of cultural identity. It closely examines the practical and theoretical questions concerning identity emerging from the current debates on cultural, religious and linguistic diversities, with special reference to the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

© 2007 IUP . All Rights Reserved.

A PERSPECTIVE ON PEACE IN KASHMIR

-- Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra

Involvement of people in the dispute resolution process is the most prominent feature of the India-Pakistan relations in recent years. The ongoing peace process is multidimensional involving multiple actors. Earlier the dialogue process was almost confined to the official level, whether it was between New Delhi-Islamabad, India-J&K or Pakistan-`Azad' Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan. But as the recent developments would indicate, especially after the opening of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route in April 2005, the major focus has gradually shifted to the people of the undivided Jammu and Kashmir. The opening of cross-border routes, the proposed e-mail-linking of passport offices in Srinagar-Muzaffarabad to ease travel, the increasing realisation of the need to fight disasters like earthquakes together, the prospects of other joint mechanisms—are all indicative of a government-backed people-centric process underway. The present article focuses on the ongoing peace process in Kashmir which involves not only India and Pakistan but also the people of both parts of Kashmir. Admitting the complexities involved in the whole exercise, the paper endeavours to portray the positive aspects of the peace process, which could possibly succeed in spite of hurdles. Most of the materials used in the paper are from author's field surveys in Jammu and Kashmir (in Poonch, Jammu, Srinagar, Kargil and Leh), and monitoring of the developments in the region from close quarters.

© 2007 IUP . All Rights Reserved.

WOMEN IN KASHMIR CONFLICT: VICTIMS, SURVIVORS, PEACE BUILDERS AND PERPETRATORS

-- Seema Shekhawat

Generally, women's experiences of armed conflict are multiple and may be classified as vulnerable victims, survivors, peace builders and perpetrators of conflict. In all these roles the effect is both negative as well as positive. Conflict may have grave implications for women while at the same time it may create new opportunities for them. The paper aims at exploring various experiences of women in Kashmir conflict. Women in Kashmir have been continuously the victims of physical/psychological, cultural as well as economic violence. Yet, they have also resisted, for instance, by refusing to veil. In another role, the women in Kashmir have been at the forefront of militancy during the initial period when there was a mass uprising against the Indian State. Since then women have also been active in supporting the militant movement. The setting up of the Association of the Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) in 1994 is an important initiative on the part of women towards bringing peace in Kashmir. However, in the peace processes initiated from time to time, the gender dimension is often ignored and remains invisible.

© 2007 IUP . All Rights Reserved.

LOCAL DEMOCRACY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY: THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM IN QUEENSLAND

-- Brian Dollery and Darren Dallinger

Australian local government has been subjected to vigorous reform by State Governments for more than a decade, with the most recent reform episode presently under way in Queensland under the Size, Shape and Sustainability programme. Reform has typically focused on enhancing the operational efficiency of local government, with scant consideration accorded to local democracy. Accordingly, this paper examines the role of community engagement in local government reform in Queensland, both as a means of retaining the vibrancy of local democracy and as a method of improving the efficacy of reform itself by drawing upon local knowledge through engagement with local communities.

© 2007 IUP . All Rights Reserved.

BOOK REVIEWS

Social Justice and Labour Jurisprudence: Justice V. R. Krishna Iyer's Contributions

-- by Sharath Babu and Rashmi Shetty Reviewed by S. A. Chari

The book under review contains excerpts of some Supreme Court judgements delivered by the former Justice V. R. Krishna Iyer, an eminent jurist and an erudite scholar. He was known for his penchant for the weaker sections of the society and gave labour jurisprudence nay industrial jurisprudence an orientation which tilted in favour of workers. His philosophy found its logical end in the famous Bangalore Water Supply case [(1978) 2 SCC 213] in which almost everything under the sun was brought within the fold of the definition of `industry' under the Industrial Disputes Act. Every court in the land from the Labour Court, Industrial Tribunal to the High Courts in the country sailed with the wind for nearly three decades.

© 2007 IUP holds the copyright for the review. All Rights Reserved.

Reflections On Free Market: Economy, Capital Markets, Banking, Forex Markets And Governance

-- by G. R. K. Murty Summarized by Dr. Tridib Chakraborti

The articles published in the book are drawn from a series of columns written by the author in the magazine Portfolio Organizer. The selected articles in the book are arranged under five heads: Economy, Capital Markets, Banking, Forex Markets and Governance. The book in general deals with a wide variety of issues, challenges, and opportunities that have confronted mankind for the last few years. The articles offer a sustained and scholarly analysis of significant developments of the day in the country and abroad over the last few years.

© 2007 IUP . All Rights Reserved.