International Journal of Political Science

 Human rights discourse is predominantly derived from the liberal philosophy. Most of the human rights declarations have been formulated incorporating the philosophical tenets of thinkers like Locke, Rousseau, Montesquieu amongst others. But all liberal conceptscannot be applied to non-western societies because they are not compatible with their different social and cultural backgrounds. Hence, scholars whether communitarians or feminists from both western and non-western worlds have challenged the liberal notion of human rights on multifarious grounds. Further, how Universal Declaration of human rights, which is derived from liberal philosophy, can be called universal when most of the third world countries were not free when it was formulated.There is no doubt that liberal notion of rights has played a very significant role in the evolution of modern human rights discourse, securing individual against multitudinous tyrannies of state and society. But non-western societies have not developed as per the parameters of liberal traditions and have different social and cultural constructs to secure human dignity. Many issues like concept of individual, priority of rights over duties, male-centrism, absence of community and cultural rights have been contentious,that have characterized the human rights debate.In order to develop a truly universal human rights, there is need to incorporate non-liberal conception of rights along with the liberal traditions. But caution has to be exercised while selecting the useful and relevant and eschewing the repugnant elements of any culture.

 There has been a growing Policy engagement with the rights regime witnessed by the formulation of rights –based laws as policy instruments. The Right to Information Act 2005, the Forests Rights Act 2009, the Right to Education Act 2009, the Food Security Act and The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act are the examples of the shift from a policy based on the perception of development as a welfare activity of the government to a policy that recognizes basic development needs as the rights of the citizens. In this paper  an attempt has been made to discuss the nature of rights based public policies in the overall context of Right of children for free and compulsory education and the policy issues and concerns in implementation  of the landmark policy in the country. The study concludes that despite limitations in its implementation, the Right to Education Act which came about as the result of a long struggle by people’s movements remain a remarkable achievement. As a new law enshrining the rights of all children to free and compulsory education sell further lift enrolment, bringing closer the government’s goal of universal elementary education, which comprises eight years of schooling. While concerns regarding privatization and quality of education, high dropout rates and law attendance in schools remain, the Right to Education Act offers a first step towards an educational system in India that offers access, equity, equality and inclusion of all children.

 The current crisis in Nepal has political, cultural social and emotional dimensions too. But India should have responded with pre-cautions. It should be prepared to show more sympathy, concern and kindness towards a nation like Nepal. Nobody denies India’s contribution to the overall economic, social and trade developments of Nepal. Along with India’s assistants on several areas, it should also be prepared to understand the mindsets of Nepali people. If Government of India fails to ensure the warmthness and intimacy of the Nepali common man, whatever economic contribution extended to the land lock country may not be acknowledged by them with an open mind. The Indian foreign policy operators should take urgent and timebound efforts to normalize Indo-Nepal relations for the sake of both the parties.

 Ecologies talks about whole existence. The Christian ethics the continuity and its maintenance can only become possible through the humanity as a whole even towards non-living elements. The ecologism cares about hard eco-centrism; the anthropocentrism on the other hand also talks about the ethical action standards but from human needs fulfilment point of view. The ecologism is a moral movement to care for biotic and a-biotic presence. The crisis of green political theory which tries to abridge the balance between both the angles ultimately finds its final rescue in holism.– Ecologism – the real abode of variegated life and beyond it.

 India is a multi ethnic country with a federal polity. There are 29 States which are again multi ethnic in nature. The State of West Bengal is predominantly ethnic ‘Bengali’ however its famous Darjeeling hill station is populated by ethnic Nepalese. As a result the ethnic Bengalis effectively control the political, economic and social fabric of the State of West Bengal. This has caused lot resentment amongst the ethnic Nepalese, resulting in a very violent agitation in the early eighties, led by the G.N.L.F. The Nepalese demanded a separate State of Gorkhaland consisting of the Darjeeling hills. This would have resulted in bifurcation of the State of West Bengal which was vehemently opposed by the Government and the ethnic Bengali population of the State of West Bengal. After a lot of negotiations involving the Government of India, the Government of the State of West  Bengal and the Gorkha National Liberation Front (G.N.L.F.), a tripartite agreement was signed in 1985 and the Gorkha Hill Development Council (G.H.D.C.) was created. The G.H.D.C, an elective body, satisfied the urge of autonomy and self determination amongst the ethnic Nepalese of Darjeeling hills. It also satisfied the stand of the Government of West Bengal of non-bifurcation of their State. Since its inception in 1985 the G.H.D.C. has ensured peace in the Darjeeling hills of the State of West Bengal. Elections for the D.G.H.C. have been held periodically and its powers have increased with time due to repeated negotiations between the G.H.D.C. and the Governments of West Bengal and the Government of India. However, the hopes of development of the area have not become a reality due to non-performance of hill council. And movement for a separate state of Gorkhaland was revived. The government now offered GTA with more autonomy to the Gorkhas but things have not improved on the ground for the common Gorkhas. In a way the DGHC and GTA has been a victim of the same disease that affects the whole of Indian polity and administration i.e. autocratic and corrupt politicians and officials who are more interested in self-aggrandizement than welfare of the masses that they profess to represent and serve. 

 India and Africa, the two sister continents share historical and cultural ties.  Their common colonial experience, common struggle against subjugation initiated by Gandhi and their common aspirations to realize their destinies provided an ideological framework to forge  their multidimensional partnership during  cold war  period. In the post-cold war globalized world, this partnership is faced with new challenges and opportunities. India needs a proactive involvement to address these challenges to consolidate this partnership.