Mphil Thesis

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A study of youth unemployment and Labour force participation in Odisha
(Central University of Punjab, 2017) Pattayat, Shiba Shankar; Parida, Jajati Keshari
This study attempts to explore the recent trends and patterns of youth unemployment, sectoral employment patterns and the factors influencing youth labour force participation in Odisha. This study also attempts to project the size and composition of labour force and sectoral employments by 2019-2020 to know the size of demand-supply gap and hence to suggest appropriate policy measures. This study is based on both secondary and primary data. The major sources of secondary data are NSS (various rounds) and Census of India. NSS data is used to calculate various development statistics, whereas census population data is used to adjust the NSS estimates and obtain absolute figures. Moreover, a primary survey is conducted in Balasore district of Odisha to explore the employability pattern of ITI pass-outs. The major findings of the study suggest that youth unemployment is increasing over the last three decades in Odisha. It is high among the students who passed the secondary and above level of education. The unemployment rate among ITI pass-outs is also quite high. The unemployment rate among ITI pass-outs is higher than that of general education pass outs. The falling trend of agriculture employment due to mechanisation on one hand and non-availability of jobs in industry and service sectors on the other hand are responsible for high unemployment in Odisha. Within non-farm sector, the sub sectors like construction, labour intensive manufacturing (basic and fabricated metal, plastic products food and beverages, wood and paper products, and textile and apparel) and within service sector, subsectors like arts and entertainment, retail trade, transportation and storage, and education are deriving employment growth in recent years. vi Furthermore, this study finds that poverty and household income distress are playing an important role in the process of youth labour force participation in Odisha From the demand and supply projection of labour force, it can be concluded that the demand for labour would increase by (at most in the best possible scenario) by 4.5 lakhs per annum, whereas the supply of labour would likely to increase by 6.5 lakhs per annum. Hence, a gap of 2 lakhs per annum would be generated within labour market in Odisha. Therefore, in this context, it is suggested that the policy measure that focuses on growth of manufacturing sector along with development of social sector including education and health sectors would have greater potential for generating employment opportunities. And thereby it would help sustain the growth of jobs and the structural transformation process which started during 2004-05 in Odisha.
Selection for Salt Tolerance in Petunia Grandiflora
(Central University of Punjab, 2014) Najar, Raoof Ahmad; Saini, R.G.
Petunia grandiflora a native of South America is a popular and high value ornamental plant in the world. Soil salinity is the major abiotic stress in semi-arid Malwa region of Punjab, adversely affecting its productivity, survival and quality. In order to develop salt resistant varieties of P. grandiflora, an attempt was made to select salt tolerant seedlings from varieties Violet Blue, Giant California and Nana compecta by using ex-vitro and in-vitro methods. Seedlings were subjected to salt treatments of 100 mM, 200 mM, 300 mM, 400 mM, 500 mM and 600 mM for durations of 4 hr, 6 hr, 12 hr and 24 hours. Salt treatment reduced shoot length, leaf number and survival percentages and delayed days to 50% flowering. Variety Nana Compecta was identified as tolerant to salt and variety Giant California was most sensitive to soil salinity. In in-vitro method of gradual increase in NaCl concentration (0, 25, 50, 75 and 150 mM) from low to high level was found to be a better approach for selecting salt tolerant calli as compared to direct method in which direct transfer of calli to high salt concentrations (50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 mM) was found to be detrimental to callus survival and growth. Treatment of calli upto 50 mM salt concentrations was good for shoot regeneration in all the three varieties. Protocol was standardized for callus induction, direct shoot induction from leaves, shoot regeneration from callus and root induction from shoots. For callus induction, 2 mg/l 2, 4-D and 0.5 mg/l kinetin was optimum for variety Violet Blue and 1 mg/l both BAP and NAA was optimum for varieties Giant California and Nana Compecta. For direct shoot induction from leaves 2 mg/l BAP and 0.1 mg/l NAA were good for all the three varieties. For shoot regeneration from calli, 2 mg/l BAP in combination with 0.1 IAA for variety Violet Blue and 1 mg/l both BAP and NAA for varieties Giant California and Nana Compecta were ideal. For root induction, 0.5 mg/l NAA and 0.1 mg/l IBA were ideal for all the three varieties. Seeds from plants grown ex-vitro showing tolerance to salt were harvested and stored for further testing.
Influence of Fertilizer industry wastewater on the germination behavior of barley (Hordeum vulgare) grains
(Central University of Punjab, 2012) Kaur, Jaskiran; K.N., Yogalaskshmi
Industries generate enormous amount of wastewater. Increased water crisis problems, coupled with stringent regulatory standards for wastewater disposal has necessitated the need for better wastewater treatment options. Most developing countries do not have sufficient funds to invest on technologies for treating wastewater. As agriculture demands more water, use of wastewater for irrigation would be the best option for treatment of wastewater. Using wastewater for irrigation purposes would solve the problem of water scarcity as well. In the present study, the effect of fertilizer industry wastewater on germination behaviour of Hordeum vulgare (PL-426) grains was examined. The wastewater was collected from National Fertilizer Limited, Bathinda, Punjab. The wastewater was acidic in nature and contained around 37.5% of total dissolved solids and 9.2% of total suspended solids. BOD and COD were more than that of permissible limits. The germination study was carried for a period of 6 days. For the germination study, the wastewater composition used were 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% wastewater concentrations diluted proportionately with distilled and designated as E0-E4, respectively. The growth of the grain was evaluated based on morphological and biochemical parameters. The effects were studied by comparing the growth at different wastewater concentration with that of control. Germination percentage, germination index, germination vigor index, root and shoot length, relative elongation ratio of shoot and root, fresh and dry weight, vi chlorophyll a and b, proteins and antioxidant enzymes such as peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity of grains showed significant decrease with increase in wastewater concentration beyond 50% indicating the inhibition of germination with increase in wastewater concentration. Parameters such as dry weight, chlorophyll a and b, superoxide dismutase and proteins showed higher value at 100% wastewater than control. The results concluded that the fertilizer industry wastewater can be used effectively for the cultivation of Hordeum vulgare and the maximum growth could be achieved only at 50% dilution.
Neoliberal Politics: A Study of Restructuring of the Indian State
(Central University of Punjab, 2018) Singh, Hushiar; Verma, Sudheer Singh
Neoliberal Politics refers to 'economic rationalism', which is based on the efficiency of market forces and characterised it by minimal government intervention. It emerged in contrast to the welfare state model, in which the state takes responsibility for protection and socio-economic well-being of its citizens. On the other side, the neoliberal politics claims that the well-being of human can be forwarded by liberating individual entrepreneurial freedoms and skills through private property rights, free market and free trade within the institutional framework. In post-independence era, Indian founding fathers constitute the developmental state structure for the welfare of the citizens. With the passage of time welfare state's institutional inefficiencies, government's unfinished distributive programmes, and slow economic progress induced the government towards neoliberal politics. Hence, in the wake of neoliberal politics in the 1980s, the Indian government has begun to transform the developmental path. Hereafter, the government has started to the institutional restructuring of the state and constituted new institutions for private entrepreneur lead development. As a result, the developmental state system has been restructured in order to free market system. With this background, the study has made an attempt to relook democratic socialist character of the Indian state and its journey from close to open market (1950 to 2014). After analysing the associated impacts on the democratic process and social welfare imperatives, the study concludes that the neoliberal politics has restructured the state institutions from the commanding control of the market system to the regulation based market system.
The Post-Cold War Global Politics: A Study of India's Role in Nonaligned Movement
(Central University of Punjab, 2018) Kumar, Manish; Verma, Sudheer Singh
The post-Second World War confrontational bipolarity enforced infant decolonised nations to adopt the policy of nonalignment to preserve their hard won sovereignty. India as pioneer nation introduced the notion of nonalignment and contributed to the development of Nonaligned Movement through prolonged collective deliberations with Asian and African countries for global peace and equitable global order. Using Nonaligned Movement's platform, India significantly gained her security, national development, and world order interests but loses some strategic interests during the war with China in 1962. However, being non-aligned, India has constructed enough capacity to cope further security challenges through building strategic alliances with suitable powers. India being a frequent participant country in periodical summits of Nonaligned Movement has committed to its principles and objectives. The end of the Cold War had posed several questions over its enduring existence in the global politics. The post-Cold War unipolarity has made Nonaligned Movement increasingly "responder" rather 'demander'. India's increased economic, military and political weight in global politics in the 21st century, realised New Delhi to calculate the potentials of Nonaligned Movement in accordance with its aspiration of great power status. In this context, by all reckoning, India is likely to be crediting the third world solidarity, nonetheless passionate for multialignment with major powers to gain its commensurate office in global governance.
Ecocritical concerns in tracks by louise erdrich and the stone carvers by Jane Urquhart.
(Central University of Punjab, 2017) Kaur, Jaskaran; Kaur, Zameerpaal
Ecocriticism is a new approach to literature and an ecological criticism that examines the human representation of nature. Humans try to dominate the whole Earth and its inhabitants. The Ecocritical theory distributes the fundamental principle that human civilization is connected to the physical world and in return affected by it. Ecocriticism examines the critical apprehensions connected with nature such as deforestation, devastation of wildlife, overuse of natural resources, pollution regarding air, water, soil, and noise and rising level of sea water, etc. These issues are raised by scientists and environmentalists who focus on environmental issues and supremacy of man over non-human living and non-living substance. The comparative study of Tracks and The Stone Carvers reveal the ecocritical perspectives and suggest the preservation of nature and to live in peace with nature. These novels show their deep rooted social consciousness and ecological consciousness of their society. Natural environment has always remained a significant part of these texts and with the current increase environmental problems and issues, writers have exclusively paying attention on environmental problems.
Nuclearization in South Asia: The China Factor
(Central University of Punjab, 2013) Mir, Arif Mohmad; Singh, Bawa
Structural and Electronic Properties of Blue Phosphorene Nanoribbons
(Central University of Punjab, 2016) Ram Swaroop; Kumar, Ashok
Experimental discovery of graphene has opened up the door for the researcher in the field of 2D materials. After the successful synthesis of the graphene, new classes of the 2D material are emerging. Phosphorene, single layer of Phosphorous atoms, is one of those materials which was recently discovered in year 2014. In present study, we have focused on the Blue-Phosphorene nanoribbons which is one of the stable allotrope of phosphorene. Our DFT-based calculations suggest the electronic properties of blue phosphorene nanoribbons to have strong dependence on the edge structure. The passivation plays important role in the electronic properties of the Blue Phosphorene nanoribbons. In our work, we have also performed the calculations for mechanical strength, width and strain depended electronic properties of the Blue Phosphorene nanoribbons. It was found that the zigzag phosphorene nanoribbon (ZPNR) possess more mechanical strength than the armchair phosphorene nanoribbon (APNR). The electronic band gap is found to be inversely proportional to the width of the nanoribbons. On applying mechanical strain, the band gap the nanoribbon decreases and at specific high value of strain semiconductor to metallic transition occur. Our results may finds applications in Nanoelectronic devices based on the phosphorene based nanoribbons.
Development and characterization of genomic microsatellite markers in Melia azedarach
(Central University of Punjab, 2014) Thakur, Sapna; Bhardwaj, Pankaj
Melia azedarach is ecologically imperative species known for its innumerable biological benefits such as antiviral, anthelminthic, antibacterial, etc. In this study, we developed 43 genomic microsatellite markers from (AG)n enriched library and subsequently employed 23 of them for genetic diversity and population structure analysis of Melia azedarach growing in Indian Thar desert. Fourteen populations encompassing 95 genotypes were selected for analysis and we found a moderate level of diversity (Na = 3.211, Ho = 0.558, He = 0.549, P = 94.41%) in them. Gene diversity (h) among population pairs varied from 0.566 to 0.714 with very low overall genetic differentiation (F = 0.021). The highest value of ΔK estimated using STRUCTURE indicated 2 subpopulations (K=2) and admixed cluster occupied maximum area (75.79%) under Bar plot. Genetic distance based UPGMA dendrogram also identified 2 major clusters among 14 Melia azedarach populations. UNJ tree based on genetic dissimilarity clustered genotypes from different population together. No significant correlation between geographical and genetic distance was found in present study (Rxy = 0.261, P = 0.18). Allele frequency distribution under “mode-shift” indicator was normal L-shaped, suggesting populations under study are not experiencing any recent bottleneck. This study laid the foundation for more precise inference about the biogeography and management of M. azedarach in the Indian Thar Desert
Flow of Institutional Credit in Indian Agriculture: Growth and Performance.
(Central University of Punjab, 2015) Kaur, Pushpinder; Singla, Naresh
Institutional credit plays an important role in agricultural development as it enables the farmers to undertake new investments and/or use of modern agricultural technologies for enhancing agricultural production. The emphasis on the institutional credit is being placed since the beginning of planned development era in India. As a result, several institutional agencies such as cooperatives, regional rural banks (RRBs), scheduled commercial banks (SCBs) etc. are involved in disbursement of short and long term institutional credit. Besides, acceptance of Rural Credit Survey Committee Report (1954), nationalization of major commercial banks (1969 and 1980), establishment of RRBs (1975), establishment of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) (1982), the financial sector reforms (1991 onwards) etc. led to manifold increase in the flow of institutional credit in agriculture. Similarly, during post reform period, Special Agricultural Credit Plan (1994-95), initiating of Kisan Credit Cards (KCCs) (1998-99), and Doubling Agricultural Credit Plan within three years (2004) placed emphasis on increase flow of institutional credit. No doubt, these policy level changes have increased flow of institutional credit for agriculture, but many changes have also taken place among the various institutional sources in distribution of agricultural credit. It is also argued that large chunk of institutional credit has gone to those states, where green revolution took place and states have higher agricultural productivities than lower productivity states. The study is a step in this direction to examine the growth and pattern in flow of institutional credit in Indian agriculture by various agencies. The study is mainly based on various secondary data sources such as Handbook of Statistics of Indian Economy published by the Reserve Bank of India, Agricultural Statistics at a Glance, Economic Survey of India, etc. during 1980-81 to 2011-12. The structure of the sources of credit has witnessed a clear shift in favor of commercial banks. The share of investment credit in total credit has also declined, which may restrict the agricultural sector to realize its full potential. The study also points that institutional credit delivery to the agriculture sector still continues to be inadequate as about 30% of credit is financed by non-institutional agencies, which includes money lenders. SCBs are still hesitant to disburse agricultural credit to small and marginal farmers. There also exist large inter-state variations in distribution of agricultural credit per hectare and KCCs. Finally, the study concludes that efficiency in the credit delivery system in rural areas should be improved by revamping cooperative credit structure. Also, concerted efforts should also be made to increase the flow of indirect institutional credit for development of infrastructures such as irrigation, electricity, marketing, storage, extension services, etc which will go a long way in improving the productivity of the agricultural sector.
Construction and Treatment of Social Taboos in Contemporary Indian Cinema with Special Focus on Sexual Taboos
(Central University of Punjab, 2014) Sumeet; Saini, Alpana
Structural Changes and Pattern of Agricultural Development in Kerala
(Central University of Punjab, 2015) V.P. Sanitha; Singa, Naresh
Structural transformation is a process by which the relative importance of different sectors and activities of an economy changes over time. The Kerala economy is also undergoing the transformation from traditional backward agrarian economy to a modern service sector led economy. The significance of the present study lies in the fact that the whole process of structural transformation of the Kerala economy has not so far been addressed in a detailed and comprehensive manner in the earlier studies. No specific attempt has been made to relate the pattern of agricultural development with the structural transformations in the Kerala economy. In this study, an attempt has been made to examine the structural changes and growth performance and pattern of agricultural development in Kerala economy. The study mainly covers a period of 1980-81 to 2010-11. The study has found that the share of primary sector in GSDP has declined sharply, but the corresponding decline in employment share has not taken place. Moreover, the excess labour force has moved from primary sector to secondary sector, thus causing abundance in secondary sector and there was only a meager increase in share of income from secondary sector in GSDP. The share of income from services sector in GSDP has increased sharply, but it failed to register a sharp increase in employment. Thus, it follows that Kerala did not experience a sequential growth process (as propounded by structural change growth theories) as the service sector led growth did not provide employment matching with its income and the process of industrialization failed to take off as share of income from secondary sector did not commensurate with the level of employment in the sector. The changes in land use pattern in Kerala were unprecedented during the past decades in terms of deforestation, increase in area as current fallow, increase in area under non-agricultural land, decrease in both net area sown and gross cropped area resulting in decline in cropping intensity. Irrigation intensity of only 20 per cent points that about 80 per cent of the cropped area is rain-fed. Kerala witnessed shift in the copping pattern in favour of non-food crops at the expense of food crops as crops such as pulses, rice, tapioca, cashewnut, ginger were replaced by commercial cash crops like rubber and coconut. The declining cultivable area, predominance of tiny and fragmented holdings, decline in work force in terms of reduction in agricultural labour and cultivator has made farming more vulnerable. Finally, the study has suggested some policy suggestions such as training to labour moved to secondary sector, keeping a check on the area under food crops, bringing more area under assured irrigation, strict law enforcing mechanism to avoid unnecessary conversion of agricultural land to non-farming activities, creation of ‘Labour Banks’ to revive agricultural economy of the Kerala.
To study the effects of insulin and metformin on pc-3 cell line
(Central University of Punjab, 2016) Singh, Pushpendra; Bast, Felix
Dietary habits, genetic factors, hormonal factors and environmental factors are the independent risk factors for prostate cancer as well as diabetes. Androgen is the primary growth factor for the prostate cancer initiation and progression, however, non androgen peptide growth factor like insulin and insulin growth factor also involved in the prostate cancer as well as diabetes. Insulin and insulin growth factor are peptide that regulates metabolism, growth, cellular proliferation and apoptosis. The anti-diabetic drug metformin is rapidly emerging as a potential anti-cancer agent that improves insulin homeostasis and decreased growth and cellular proliferation of the prostate cancer cell line. Thus it is necessary to understand the growth promoting role of insulin on prostate cancer cell line and the possible influences of metformin on the proliferation of prostate cancer cell line in the presence and absence of insulin has been studied.
Diasporic Spaces: A Comparative Study of Selected Diasporic Fiction
(Central University of Punjab, 2014) Shah, Samees Ahmed; Singh, Amandeep
This study is an attempt to do the comparative analysis of three novels by three Indian English women writers, The Namesake, Jasmine and Born Confused by Jhumpa Lahiri, Bharati Mukherjee and Tanuja Desai Hidier respectively. Starting with diaspora, its phases and its types, it focuses on the making of diasporic spaces amid diaspora. It also shows the characters' struggle to make their home and space in a foreign land. Every character is shown as having his/her own perception of home, space and world of belonging. All three novels are an important part of Modern Diasporic Indian English Literature. Study of 'diaspora space' shows how individual identity is shaped and where differences are created, and it also shows how identities are formulated and constructed by physical, mental and social attitudes. Individual identities and his/her relation with homeland have undergone considerable change in recent decades. It has lost its fixity and migrants are in a process of becoming global citizens. The study of the three novels taken up for comparison suggests that all the characters try their best to penetrate their roots deep into the American soil, but everyone is not fully successful in doing so. All diasporic people struggle to create a separate space in host country but everyone struggles in his/her own way. Analysing diaspora space and other identity issues relating to diaspora helps in understanding of how and where identity is shaped and differences are made and remade.
Politics and ethnic conflict in Bhutan: A nepalese perspective.
(Central University of Punjab, 2017) Singh, Balinder; Singh, Bawa
Driglam-Nam-Za, Gross National Happiness Bhutan is one of the most contemporary additions to the world's democracies. For over a century the nation had been run by kings of the Wangchuck dynasty. But, in 2001, a fundamental change was announced by the fourth king. Bhutanese society is multi-ethnic, being composed of several distinct communities whose differences rest on ethnicity, profession, social structure, beliefs, and values. The people consist of so-called indigenous groups as well as immigrants from neighbouring countries, namely Nepal, India, Myanmar (Burma) and Tibet (China). The Bhutanese people (Ngalong) have been imposing their own culture as the core value of the nation and also dominate the socioeconomic and political elite and decision-making institutions of the country. The King's family belongs to this ethnic group. Lhotshampa, an ethnic group of Nepalese origin, had been migrated to Bhutan since the 19th century. These people have been practising the Hinduism. This ethnic group has been facing discrimination from Bhutan's ruling class for decades. The ethnic crisis has been constitutionalized given the adoption of discriminatory policies such as one nation one people policy, one language policy, Citizenship Act (1985), assimilation of the culture, depriving of socio-economic opportunities for Lhotshampa ethnic group. The policy promoted the ruling class's language and religion Lamaistic Buddhism favouring the Ngalong Drukpa ethnic group over the ethnic group in question. As a result, the tension has risen between the native and ethnic groups led to a Bhutanese ethnic crisis. It left indelible imprints on the Bhutan-Nepal relations. Later on, these two countries engaged in diplomatic engagements to sort out the ethnic crisis. Now the current status of the Lhotshampa refugee has been sorted out. However, a small number of refugees are still a bone of contention between both the countries.
Pakistan and Russia Relationship: Changing Dynamics in the Post-Cold War Era
(Central University of Punjab, 2016) Singh, Besakh; Verma, Sudheer Singh
It would be an important relationship for Pakistan to become a regional partner of Russia, which is a major regional player in the South Asia. During the Cold War and the Post-Cold War era, Pakistan and the Russian Federation (erstwhile the Soviet Union) relationship fluctuated time to time. Pakistan and Russia relationship have been remained over shadow on India and United State of relationship. Both countries' relationship has positive effects on the regional and global political environment. These positive effects are in the geopolitics, economic, security, and trade. It is evident that in the post 9/11 attack, Pakistan emerged as a 'frontline state' in the 'war on terror'. Generally, nation-states follow strategies to gain economic and security related interests out of available opportunities in the world politics. It has been seen as progress in international relations when Pakistan and Russian relations recently moving towards trust zone in the Post-Cold War era. In Inspite of the limitations, the relationship has strong prospects in the Post-Cold War era. Thus, Pakistan has to keep maintain its diplomatic focus on the mutual interests through keeping friendly relations with the Russian Federation. The both countries' relations would help in easing the Political environment in the South Asia.
Cantomentisation and transformation in south asia: a study of colonial military of punjab/firozpur
(Central University of Punjab, 2013) Singh, Bhupinder; Varghese, V.J.
Military history in general is seen as an under-researched area, though military remained important to every country from time immemorial and countries and kingdoms maintained military for protection and security as well as for satisfying their imperial designs. It is well known that military has played a major role in the making of the British Empire in South Asia/ Indian Subcontinent in which Punjab played a strategic and pivotal role. The British Indian army was heavily concentrated in Punjab with a robust of network of military cantonments, apart from converting it as one of the most important army recruitment grounds. Punjab was thus turned into a 'garrison state'. The present dissertation is an attempt to map the military landscape of Punjab under colonialism and how it impacted the geography and socio- economic life of the region. From the 1830's a series of cantonments were established in the province- Firozpur, Lahore, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Peshawar, Ambala, Kanpur, Bathinda, Rawalpindi etc. which were vital in sustaining colonialism in India and maintaining the colonial dominance over the sub-continent. The cantonments transformed the life and geography of the respective locations/areas where they were established in the terms of demography and amenities. The attempt here is to make preliminary exploration into the details of the making Punjab a garrison state with these networks of cantonments and the changes they brought to the region. The study also makes a specific exploration into the history Firozpur cantonment.
Obama's asia pivot policy : Implications for south asia
(Central University of Punjab, 2014) Ramzan, Hilal; Kaushiki, Nishtha
One of the hallmarks of US President Barrack Obama's foreign policy is the 'pivot to Asia'. This policy is aimed at rebalancing US defence policies towards Asia. The Obama administration has rearticulated its policy away from the Middle East toward the Asia-Pacific. The focus of this research is on the strategic aspect of the policy. Under this rebalancing strategy, Washington, aims to increase its naval presence from the current 50/50 split between Atlantic and Asia-pacific to 40/60 respectively by 2020. Further, the geographical scope of the Asia-Pacific has been defined as 'stretching from the Indian subcontinent to the western shores of the America's, the region spans two oceans, the Pacific and the Indian oceans that are increasingly linked by shipping and strategy. As India has been termed as a 'linchpin' of this policy; it is going to be more affected. This research is a humble attempt to analyze the consequences of the Pivot on South Asian countries, with special focus on India. The first section of the dissertation discusses the rise of China and US's relative decline in order to explain the background of the pivot. It then moves on to discuss the changing geopolitical shifts in the Asian balance of power. This part sets to explain how the US and Chinese competing interests have changed the security architecture of Asia and how South Asian countries, particularly India is going to deal with it. Finally, the study would attempt to recommend some measures that India could adopt and benefit from the geopolitical opportunity from the emerging competition between US and China.
Democratic transformation in south asia: Emerging trends
(Central University of Punjab, 2014) Gulam, Mudasir; Singh, Bawa
The South Asian region has experienced authoritarian and autocratic rule since its inception. India is the only country in South Asia to become a successful democratic country after independence. Sri Lanka has also adopted the similar model with presidential type of government. While the other countries of the region like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan have experienced ups and downs in their political systems. Pakistan after attaining its independence witnessed a rapid erosion of hopes to move the new nation to a democracy. The general elections held on 11 May, 2013 in Pakistan brought the first transition between civilian governments in a country which clearly shows the transformation of democracy in the country. Bangladesh came into existence in 1971 and since then many pro- democracy movements were observed in the country. These movements led to the multi- party democracy since 1991 till late 2006. It is evident that after 2009 the country has moved towards marginal political stability in its political affairs. Nepal, a kingdom, had monarchy which kept on flip-flopping between absolute and constitutional monarchy and vice-versa for many years. Democratic regimes proved to be short lived and unstable. The Nepalese movement in 2007 created a history in the country and moved ahead towards the consolidation of the democracy and General Election 2008 was the first step towards democratic transition. This way the Constitutional Republic was adopted in Nepal with the v collapse of monarchy rule. Bhutan has transitioned from an absolute monarchy to a multi-party democracy. The growth of Bhutanese democracy has been marked since 1950s. The first democratic elections in Bhutan began in 2007, and all levels of government had been democratically elected by 2011. All this explains the transformation from an absolute monarchy to democracy in the Kingdom of Bhutan. It is now clear that the South Asian region has experienced a democratic resurgence in the recent past. All the South Asian countries now have a democratic system but this transition to democracy is still fragile and susceptible.
The new great game in central asia : India's interests and challenges
(Central University of Punjab, 2014) Thokar, Parvaiz Ahmad; Singh, Bawa
The Great Game which divided Persia into a Russian-controlled northern zone, a nominally independent central zone, and a British-controlled southern zone, officially ended with the Anglo-Russian Convention of 1907. After the end of Cold War, Central Asia became the central point of attention by the world powers, US, Russia and China, EU etc and many other regional players. Possessing divergent interests, the competition among external powers in the region is popularly termed as the New Great Game. Central Asian governments are working to use renewed external involvement to their sovereign advantage, extract economic benefits and political support where possible. India considers the region as geo-strategically and economically vital to fulfill its various interests like energy, trade and investment, security etc and both the regions own multifaceted historical ties. Apart from economic and other commercial interests, India also considers the region vital for the security and stability of Afghanistan. At present Middle East region accomplishes the required energy imports of India but in recent times, the region turned more unstable. Hence Indian policymakers started thinking about an alternative source and identified Central Asia as the best option. Therefore, economic diplomacy remains India's basic policy thrust towards the region and needs no clash but a compatibility of interests with the new states. v India has to face many challenges to get connected with Central Asia like the New Great Game, lack of proper road link, religious extremism and terrorism, drug trafficking, small arms proliferation and the most challenging one that is NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2014. India has to take lead to overcome the significant influence made by several regional powers and to make its own position extremely strong in the region. Hence this study will make an assessment about diverse interests that India possesses and various challenges due to role of external major powers in the region and also India's strategy to protect its interests in energy rich Central Asia.

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