SCO AND INDIA

Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a mutual inter governmental security organization founded in 2001 by six nations-Russia,China,Tajikistan,Kazakhstan,Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.The organization is a successor of Shanghai Five formed in 1996 with five nations.Uzbekistan is the latest entrant.India, Pakistan,Iran and Mongolia have been granted Observer status .The Council of the Head of the States is the top decision making body which meets every year during the SCO Summit.
Central Asian security related issues are the major concerns of the organization.However SCO has shown keen interest for better economic and cultural cooperation among the member countries.According to many observers, it was formed to counterpoise the military activities of NATO in the region.This assumption was bolstered by caustic remarks made by some of the top officials of the organization against USA's failure in maintaining peace and prosperity in the region especially countries like Afghanistan.USA even applied for Observer status in 2005 but was denied.However,recent develolpments tell a different story.
The latest summit was held in Yakaterinburg,Russia in June 2009.The main agenda of discussion was the global financial crisis and it was agreed that the situation could be exploited by the organization for promoting better economic growth in the region.The leaders also expressed their concern over rising terrorism in the region and showed determination to wage an effective war on drugs in Afghanistan.Sustainable development was also one of the highlights of the summit.Prior to the conference a Special Conference on Afghanistan was held in Moscow to discuss issues like drug trafficking,taliban resurgence,restructuring the war torn nation etc.
In 2005 India, along with Pakistan and Iran, was granted the status of observer in the regional organization. SCO members have encouraged India to join as a full time member as they see a crucial strategic partner in India.Moreover, India's continuing success as world's largest democracy and her huge domestic market can be instrumental in projecting the role of SCO in the global stage.Moreover India's growing presence in the oil fields of the region is another issue behind her growing importance.India has maintained excellent relation with each of the member nations and a strong and influential foreign policy in the region and worlwide. Not only that, like SCO,India, too has shown great interest in rebuilding Afghanistan and bringing peace back.
However, few issues are stll needed to be sorted out before India can join the regional organization.Her military rivalry with Pakistan,her recent strategic tilt towards USA and growing cooperation between China and Pakistan are some of the thorns in the otherwise rosy picture.If amicable sulutions to such problems can be found,India can play a crucial role in the future developments of the organization.

NEW WORLD ORDER AND INDIA'S ROLE

Early thinkers believed that history would progress to a new world order through thesis,anti-thesis and synthesis.The twentieth century saw the emergence of a bipolar world with USA and USSR becoming the key players of it.Within few decades history witnessed the fall of USSR.USA then had the responsibility to establish a new democratic world order.It had the strength of emerging as the hub of a new Federal world.Unfortunately the great nation squandered the opportunity because of narrow selfish interests.Its government has failed to protect its own people from exploitation by transnational corporations. These corporations have created a centralized global system through marketing in which profit takes precedence over loyalty to nation as well as over concern for humanity.Many had high hopes on European Union.After all it was the first institutional expression of European cultural oneness and strong leadership would have turned that into a global socio-economic and cultural oneness.But it failed to go beyond Europe to promote the ideas of a democratic world order based on the principles of humanity,cooperation and universal brotherhood.
What USA and EU failed to achieve, their conceptual product Globalisation promises to achieve.It has opened Pandora's box for many upcoming nations- India and China leading the way.China holds over a trillion dollars in hard currency reserves, India's high-tech sector is growing by leaps and bounds, and both countries, already recognized nuclear powers, are developing blue-water navies. The National Intelligence Council, a U.S. government think tank, projects that by 2025, China and India will have the world's second- and fourth-largest economies, respectively. Such growth is opening the way for a multi polar era in world politics.
This tectonic shift will pose a challenge to the U.S.-dominated global institutions that have been in place since the 1940s. At the behest of Washington, these multilateral regimes have promoted trade liberalization, open capital markets, and nuclear nonproliferation, ensuring relative peace and prosperity for six decades -- and untold benefits for the United States. But unless rising powers such as China and India are incorporated into this framework, the future of these international regimes will be uncomfortably uncertain.
Before India can effectively play a global role it must do a lot more than achieve a 10% rate of growth. It must set its house in order.The government needs to prepare a vision document which might serve as a road map for policy in the coming decades. Only after such reform might India look beyond its borders as a global player. Only after a New Asian Order based on democratic federalism becomes a reality might India meaningfully turn its attention to UN reform, disarmament, or reform of world trade. The world now would ridicule the idea of India playing a leading role in shaping the New World Order. They would be mistaken. The world has entered an era in which brains can be more powerful than big bombs and big banks.
While lying in the gutter one can see the stars. One can dream of touching them. Achievement begins with a dream.And India certainly is proving that she has a dream-not of becoming a selfish global superpower like the US but to become an instrument to make the world a federal one and a much better place to live in.

ECO TOURISM IN INDIA

Eco tourism is the concept of promoting tourism with due consideration of the environment. It is a conceptual experience, enriching those who delve into researching and understanding the environment around them. It gives us insight into our impacts, as human beings and also a greater appreciation of our own natural habitats.Eco-tourism is consecrated for preserving and sustaining the diversity of the world's natural and cultural environments.The International Eco-tourism Society defines Eco-tourism as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people."
Responsible Eco tourism includes programs that minimize the negative aspects of conventional tourism on the environment, and enhance the cultural integrity of local people. Therefore, in addition to evaluating environmental and cultural factors, an integral part of Eco tourism is in the promotion of recycling, energy efficiency, water conservation, and creation of economic opportunities for the local communities.
Eco-tourism is considered the fastest growing market in the tourism industry, according to the World Tourism Organization with an annual growth rate of 5% worldwide and representing 6% of the world gross domestic product, 11.4% of all consumer spending - not a market to be taken lightly.
India is one the most famous tourism hubs of the world.The government in the recent past has taken many commendable steps to promote Eco tourism in India."Atithi Deva Bhavah", "Incredible India" are such campaigns to promote tourism in conformity with the laws of environment.
However,following practices will add value to India's quest for promoting ecological tourism

• Combating environmental problems in the tourist places
• Launching awareness campaigns to make the people aware of their role in Eco tourism.Celebrities may be asked to campaign for the same as we have recently seen Mr Aamir Khan doing such campaign
  
• Sanctity of culturally and historically important places must be maintained
• Encouraging more private sector participation in tourism
• Setting up more biosphere reserves, national parks, animal sanctuaries and zoos and strict implementation of various laws in the concerned field

With sincere effort of the government backed by popular support, India soon can become the most attractive tourist destination in the world.

LAST MINUTE SUGGESTION-ANCIENT INDIA-50 SELECTED QUESTIONS

1. Lingusur was the first neolithic site in India
2. Pallavaram was the first neolithic site in India
3. Man started the use of fire in mesolithic age
4. Shishunaga transferred the capital of Magadh to Vaishali but Kalashoka transferred it permanently to Patliputra
5. The doctrine of Trimurti can be found in Maitreyani upanishad
6. Sautramani was a soma drinking festival
7. "No one is above the Kshatriyas"- Vrihadryanka upanishad
8. Malavas started Vikram era in 57 AD
9. Pravarsena Vakataka wrote Setubandha and Vatsbhatti wrote the Mandasore inscription
10. Cylindrical granary was found in Kalibangan
11. Auranasthanikas were the officers in cahrge of the wool market during Gupta age
12. Alexander was injured by the Malavas in the battle of Aspasoi
13. In Ramayana Magadha was known as Vasumati
14. Earliest capital of Magadha was Kusugpura.Bimbisar made Rajgir the capital
15. Agnimitra a Shunga king was the hero of Malavikagnimitram
16. Ratnavamsin ceremony was a part of Rajasuya yajna
17. Nagarjuna was a contemporary of Gautamiputra satakarni
18. Ropar was the first fortified town in Ancient India
19. In Kalibangan and Rangpur Mother Goddess was not worshipped
20. Kartipura was the earlier name of Kashmir
21. Panini hailed from Gandhara,Parsvanath from Benaras,Aryabhatta from Ujjain and Asnaga from Peshwar
22. Sites of ash mound-Kupgal,Kodekal,Utnur,Pallavoy.Ash mounds refer to the remnants of the settlements of neolithic cattle keepers
23. Only Harappan site in Afghanistan-Shortugai
24. Smritis in chronological order Manu-Yajnavalkya-Brihaspati-Narada-Katyana-Vayu-Debala
25. Nanaghat inscription recorded by Gautamiputra satakarni's mother is the earliest evidence of land grant in India
26. The Indian deities referred to by Megasthenes as Dionysus and Heracles are Shiva and Krishna
27. Anticlidas sent Helodorous to King Bhagvata
28. Kharvela was the ruler of Cheta dynastri founded by Mahameghavahana
29. Mitakshara commentary on Yajnavalkya sutra was written by Vijnanesvara
30. Buddha delivered maximum number of sermons at Sravasti
31. Gatha Sattasai a collection of love lores by Hala of Satvahana dynasty
32. Upasampada in Buddhism refers to initial conversion
33. Anguttaranikaya talks about 16 mahajanapadas
34. The Kushanas assumed divine kingship and started installing the statues of the kings in temples.This is known as Devakula.In the coins of Kushana the word Boddo is found
    
35. Bahrut inscription talks about Buddha's meeting with Ajatshatru.In ancient arts Buddha is shown as empty throne
    
36. Tundiya and Akasiya in ancient age were two tax collecting officials
37. Senguttuvan was the real hero of Silpapadikaram
38. Ulakku or alakkus meant revenue measurement during Chola period
39. Kalanju was a type of gold coin
40. Perundevanar translated Mahabharata in Tamil
41. Mahabalipuram was known as Melange during the sangam age
42. In Periplus "Damrike" referred to Tamil land
43. There was no guild for the carpenters during post mauryan era
44. Coffin burial in Harappa and double burial in Lothal
45. Dani,Mahadevan,Guntur and Fairservice worked on Harappan script
46. Alumbi Vel was revenue accountant during Sangam age
47. Manimekhalai by Sittalai Sattanar deals with Buddhism whereas Jeevakachintamani by Thiruttkkadevar deals with Jainism
48. Bhagvata Purana is the first literary evidence of Vishti
49. Ramgrah inscription belonging to the Gupta age is the first litrary evidence of prostitution
50. The Sarnath image inscription of Kanishka talks about two military generals Vanshpara and Kharapallana.Rabataka iscription also belongs to Kanishka
    

GEOGRAPHY-GS-INDUSTRY

• Meerat Seth committee on handloom
• Tronica City( Ghaziabad)- Apparel park
• Coimbatore has the largest number of small scale textile mills and is known as Manchester of South India
• Subsidies on PDS kerosene and domestic LPG are borne by Consolidated Fund of India
• India's only mini refinery at Tatipaka,Andhra Pradesh
• India is the largest producer and consumer of sugar
• Indian Institute of Sugar Technology-Kanpur
• Newsprint mills-Nepanagar(MP),Shimoga(KNTK),Pugalore(TN)
• Abid Hussain committee-Small scale Industry
• Pearl fishing-Tuticorin
• Carpet-Mirzapur
• Peddapalli,satna,Dalmiapuram,Chennai, Porbandar and Katni-Cement
• Firozabad-glass
• Sindri-Fertilizer,cement
• Pimpri-Antibiotics
• BHEL Units- Bhopal,Tiruchirapalli,Haridwar,Hyderabad
• Hindustan Shipyard ,Vizag is the largest in India
• HMT Units are in Kamlesswary,Pinjore,Hyderabad,Ajmer,Srinagar
  

Vedic Age and Brahmanical religion

• Saraswati is identified with Ghagghar Hakra and it was the most sacred river and known as Naditarna
• Valkhilya hymns can be found in RigVeda
• Divodasa was the father of Sudas
• Agastya aryanised South India
• Language of Upanishads was classical Sanskrit
• Samitis were most important during the selection of the King
• Gopatha Brahmana was attached to Atharva Veda
• Sautramani was the festival of Soma Drinking
• Aranyakas highligjhted the mysticism prevailing during the Vedic age
• Atharva veda talks about Sati
• Indra, Agni,Varuna,Mitra and Nyasa were the Indo-Iranian gods
• Orgin of universe was in the 10th mandala of Rigveda
• Sulagava meant sacrifice
• Ratnavamsi ceremony was a part of Rajasuya yajna
• In maitryeani upanishad the doctrine of Trimurti discussed
• Dialogue between Nachiketa and Yama in Katha Upanishad
• Yajurveda was the manual of Adhvaryus who prepared fire altars and the ground of sacrifice
• Valkhilya hymns are in the 8th mandala of Rigveda
• Nirukta written by Yaksha is the oldest work on Rigveda
• Chandogya upanishad discusses three ashramas
• First literary evidence of Gotra is Atharvaveda
• Gayatri mantra in the 3rd mandala of Rigveda
• Purush Sukta andNasadiya hymns are in the 10th mandala of RigVeda
• Sankhya was the oldest among the various philosophical schools
• Upanishads in prose form-shatpatha and chandogya
• Aghoris were the successor of the kapalikas.They had two branches -Shuddha and malina
• Namma and Tirumalisay wre the most popular Alvar saint
• Kulashekhara was an Alvar saint
• Pashupata cult was most popular in Kashmir, Gujarat and Nepal
• Of all the Brahmanical offshoots, Shaivism was the earliest
• Agamanta, Aghori, kapalika,Verrasaiva, Suddha, Pashupat,Lingayat were all shaivite offshoots
• Satvata vidhi and pancharatra agama were cults of Bhagvatism
• Manu talked about 6 kinds of slaves
• The Mora inscription talks about Panchaveera.They were Samkarshana, Aniruddha, Pradyumna, Samba and Vasudeva
• Earliest refrence to Vyuha doctrine was Brahma sutra
• Shandilya propounded Pancharatra cult
• The text of the nyanaras was known as Tevaram whereas the text of the Alvaras was known as Prabhandha
• Thirunabhukkarasu was also known as Appar
  
• Gautamiputra satakarni was known as Ekabrahmana