Can Human Rights be Universal Rights?     POINTS TO DEVELOP 1.Certain rights are basic to human beings. UN declaration of Human Rights-how it came about and what it promises. 3. On the  conventions reinforcing the UN Declaration of Human Rights. 4.The UN as monitor of human rights violations.  5.Human rights in the context of terrorism and ethnic violence; India scene. North-South divide perceptible in the matter of human rights. Do human rights...

Human Rights   POINTS TO DEVELOP 1. Growing global emphasis on human rights. concept of human rights means different things to different people but the Western viewpoint is gaining dominance. political ramifications-the issue is becoming a North-South/East-West divide; the North/West emphasis on civil rights versus the South/East emphasis on economic and social rights. Credibility of all sides questionable as viewpoints are guided by self-interest of ulterior motives. 5.India’s view and status...

United Nations-Role and Future   POINTS TO DEVELOP 1. UN was born more than 60 years ago. UN role in conflict resolution and socio-economic intervention, and its aim is to save the worlds form war. Some of its successful actions, and some of its failures. Most of its failures arose in trying to enforce peace in conflicts within nations. Causes. Many of its successes are on the socio-economic front. Impact of...

India’s Defence Needs in a Technological Scenario   POINTS TO DEVELOP 1. Technological advancements have revolutionized means of warfare. 2.Though milestones have been achieved in missile and nuclear technologies, some basic areas of warfare need to be developed. Needs in the new nuclear scenario. Use of information technology for strategic advantages. Counter – measure for protection against chemical and biological warfare need to be developed. Defence R&D should be strengthened.  ...

An Apolitical Defence Force   POINTS TO DEVELOP 1. Defiance personnel have as many political rights as a civilian citizen, but the defence force as a whole should be apolitical. In the past, political and military authorities were vested in one person; today, the two powers stand separated. Being apolitical does not mean lack of political awareness but refraining form direct involvement in political affairs. In the pre-independence era, the British...

Women should have reserved seats in Parliament   POINTS TO DEVELOP 1. Representation by women in Parliament is low by world standards. Circumstances do not favour women getting into Parliament on their own, unaided. 3.Why should women be present in Parliament?  4.Empowerment through natural evolution is to be preferred, but that is a slow process. Reservation for a limited period is needed.   A Democratic republic based on equality and liberty...

Is India reedy for a uniform civil code?   POINTS TO DEVELOP 1. Constitutional provision is a directive, not a compulsion. Is the tie ripe for such a code? Pros and cons. Opposition mainly from conservatives and vested interests. 5.A step- by – step approach is necessary, with each community’s code being gradually reformed.  Article  44 of the Indian Constitution states that “the State shall endeavor to secure for the citizens...

The right and Wrongs of Conversion   POINT TO DEVELOP 1. Meaning of conversion in the theological sense of the term. Historical perspective and well-known instances of conversions. The concept dates back to Vedic times. In earlier times, conflict over conversion took the form of debate and discussions, which ultimately reformed the orthodox religion. Hinduism is a classic example. Violent clashes were rare. Religious against Islam arose only when conversions the...