This special issue of Policy Watch honors the late former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh with a personal memoriam tribute. It presents one article on each of five important themes.
The first article addresses Constitutional Values and Democratic Institutions, focusing on the word “Secular” in the Constitution’s Preamble, added in 1976. The article revisits Constituent Assembly debates, highlighting three distinct views on secularism. The Supreme Court recently upheld the inclusion of “Secular” against legal challenges, affirming the balance between freedom of conscience and religious practice without political safeguards for minorities.
The second article explores Governance and Development through a study on the Bodoland Territorial Administration District (BTAD) in Assam. Researchers from North East Hill University use statistical analysis to show a positive correlation between governance quality and development, especially in the BTAD capital, Kokrajhar, compared to more remote areas, pointing to the role of administration effectiveness.
The third article focuses on Growth with Employment, featuring excerpts from a report by RGICS researchers on youth unemployment in Ladakh. This follows the “climate fast” and padayatra led by activist Sonam Wangchuk demanding attention to Ladakh’s development challenges. A pilot project to promote eco-friendly tourism is planned.
The fourth article, on Environment, Natural Resources and Sustainability, reviews the 18th India State of Forests Report (2023). While India’s forest cover has surpassed 25% of its geographical area for the first time, concerns remain about areas with no forest cover, overreliance on planted trees, degradation of dense natural forests, and rapid Himalayan forest decline.
The final article completes a three-part series by Prof. Somnath Ghosh on India’s Place in the World, analyzing relations with Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bhutan, and Nepal. He proposes a “Panchmukhi” strategy emphasizing overcoming sectarian politics, fostering statesmanship, avoiding inflammatory rhetoric, managing the dominant China factor, and actively reviving SAARC to strengthen regional cooperation.
Policy Watch: Special Issue – December 2024
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