The Right to Education
The original Article 45 of the Constitution, which forms a part of the Directive Principles of State Policy, read, “The State shall endeavour to provide within a period of ten years from the commencement of this Constitution for free and compulsory education for all children until they complete the age of fourteen years”.
But Deterrence Means Possession with Political Will
Five months after India’s successful test launch of the 3,500 km range Agni-IV ballistic missile, the well over 5000 kms range Agni-V was successfully test fired at 08:07 hours on 19 April 2012 from the Wheeler’s Island , Odisha.
Why A Siachen Agreement Should Be A Non Starter
Following Zardari’s recent visit to India a reciprocal visit to Pakistan by Dr Manmohan Singh in the next few months is a strong probability. In order to make the visit a “success” a clutch of agreements would need to be signed of which the one on Siachen is likely to be the centerpiece.
India-Pakistan Relations: A Misplaced Euphoria
It is ironical that at a time when Pakistan’s standing in the international community is down in the dumps its relationship with India is on the mend. While the rationale for the former is clear there is no such simple explanation for the latter.
A Response Deficient both in Strategy and Tactics
Naxalites, Maoists, Left Wing extremists call them what you will, (for convenience I shall call them Naxalite) have virtually taken over about 160 districts of India. That covers more than a quarter of the whole country.
Parliament @ 60 – A Balance Sheet
As the two Houses of Parliament celebrate their Sixtieth Birthday on May 13 (they came into being on May 13, 1952), parliamentarians are in a celebratory mood and are preparing for a special sitting on that day, despite it being a Sunday.
Civil Military Relations - Need for a Right Traction
For Tweedledum said Tweedledee had spoiled his nice new rattle.
Just then flew down a monstrous crow as black as a tar-barrel!
Which frightened both the heroes so they quite forgot their quarrel.
No Ground to Vacate Siachen
Peace with Pakistan is a desirable goal, but peace should be equally desired by both sides and both should contribute to it in equal measure. The burden of making peace should not fall on India while Pakistan retains the freedom to disrupt it at will.
China’s Footprints in Sri Lanka and India’s Concerns
China’s footprints in Sri Lanka go beyond the so called “String of Pearls” framework. Being a “time-tested friend” of Sri Lanka, China is one of the major players in the island in many fields. The diplomatic engagement goes to 1950s though intensity of it has picked up tremendously in the recent years.
