1) ASEAN-India Summit :-

News:- ASEAN-India Summit is underway in Malaysia .

ASEAN :-

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations  is a political and economic organization of ten Southeast Asian countries. It was formed on 8 August 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Since then, membership has expanded to include Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), and Vietnam. Its aims include accelerating economic growth, social progress, and sociocultural evolution among its members, protection of regional peace and stability, and opportunities for member countries to resolve differences peacefully.

The ASEAN Way:-

The ‘Asean Way’ refers to a methodology or approach to solving issues that respects the cultural norms of Southeast Asia. Masilamani and Peterson summarise it as: “…a working process or style that is informal and personal. Policymakers constantly utilise compromise, consensus, and consultation in the informal decision-making process…it above all prioritizes a consensus-based, non-conflict  way of addressing problems. Quiet diplomacy allows ASEAN leaders to communicate without bringing the discussions into the public view. Members avoid embarrassment that may lead to further conflict.”

India’s Perspective : –

• ASEAN forum has been a success management tool for conflict of the region. Diversity and Dispute management is the pillar of strength of this region.
• It is vital for India’s ACT EAST policy  to embolden economic, cultural and political ties.This region sends a huge no. of Buddhist pilgrimage to India.
• India has troubled west , and it can’t afford a troubled east, hence ASEAN engagement is vital . It also helps in countering cross-border insurgency ,terrorism and smuggling.
• This forum provides platform for amicable solution to South China Sea disputes.
• This region particularly important for strengthening India’s naval presence and act as a geopolitical strength in case of a conflict.

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2) Blue Revolution Scheme: Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries:-

• Blue Revolution: Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries
• Focused approach of this nature shall lead to ushering in Blue Revolution through an integrated development and management of fisheries and aquaculture sector and would ensure sustained acceleration and intensification of fish production beyond the projected annual growth rate.
• Fisheries are an important sector. Fisheries supports livelihood of almost 1.5 million peoples in our country. India is one of the leading producers of fish in the world, occupying the second position globally in terms of production.The contribution of Indian fish to the food basket of the world has been substantial.
• The export from fisheries earnings of Rs. 33,441 crore in 2014-15 (US$ 5.51 billion), equaled about 18% of the export earnings from the agriculture sector.
• India is the second largest producer (42. 10 lakh tonnes) of fish from aquaculture which contributes about 6.3 per cent to global aquaculture production. Keeping the recent developments and trends in fish production in view, and the previous Plan periods, it is expected that a growth rate of about 8.0 per cent can be achieved in the inland sector. The future demand for fish and fishery products has to be mostly sourced from aquaculture and culture based capture fisheries in reservoirs.
• India has over 8000 Km. of coastal line and nearly 2 million Sq Km of EEZ and half a million Sq Km. of Continental Shelf. From these marine resources, India has an estimated fisheries potential of 4.11 million tons. Similarly, 3.0 million hectares of reservoirs, 2.5 million hectares of ponds and tanks, 1.25 million hectares of brackish water area, cold water resources of hilly states and all other inland fishery resources offer a production potential of about 15 million tons. Against this potential, the production from inland sector was 6.58 million tonnes during 2014-15. In this context, optimum utilization of resources becomes pivotal to achieve the targeted production.
• While the required financial support is being provided to the farmers, fishermen and entrepreneurs connected with the fisheries sector through various ongoing programs namely, Centrally Sponsored Schemes, National Fisheries Development Board, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana etc. still, enhancement of productivity and production are the key challenges in achieving the targeted production
• The Blue Revolution, encompassing multi-dimensional activities, focuses mainly on increasing production from aquaculture and fisheries resources, both inland and marine. The vast fishery resources offer immense opportunities to enhance fish production through aquaculture-system diversification, species diversification, proper management, introduction of new and advanced technologies in both marine and inland sector, adoption of scientific practices and application of suitable fish health management strategies etc.

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3)First Passenger Carrying Train Between Silchar – Guwahati Through The Newly Constructed Broad Gauge Section Lumbding –Silchar in Assam –

• The 210km Lumding-Silchar GC project was sanctioned in the year 1996-97 at an initial cost of Rs.648 crores. Declared as a National Project in 2004, the project connects the Barak Valley of Assam by broad gauge track fulfilling a longstanding demand of the people of this area
• Connection of Silchar by BG railway line would not only benefit the people of Barak Valley, but would lead to opening of new vistas in connection to the hitherto isolated states of Tripura, Mizoram and Manipur

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4) Raman Effect :-

• Raman Research Institute, set up by C.V. Raman, who passed away 45 years ago, remains testimony to his love for science .
• At the start of the Nazi persecution of Jews in Europe, many people, including eminent Jewish scientists, were dislodged from their homes and were seeking a country to adopt. Herein, C.V. Raman saw an opportunity to attract the best of community towards Indian Institute of Science — a fledgling institute where the Nobel laureate had just been made the first Indian director in 1933. Quantum physicist Max Born was brought to India by Raman.
• With discontent brewing after the appointment of Raman, the Irving committee, which was set up to look into the functioning of the institute, found the scientist had “not done enough” to reduce the expenditures of the institute — a reference to the intensive gardening on IISc. campus and the appointment of Born. The report saw Raman leave IISc., while, Born left for England — a beautiful, heartfelt send-off letter from his “admirers and students” of the IISc. was recently found by the RRI Trust. The quantum physicist eventually won the Nobel Prize in the U.K

• Timeline: Raman’s Life
  

  November 7, 1888: Born in present-day Tiruchirapalli district of Tamil Nadu

  March 16, 1928: For a programme at Central College in Bangalore, C.V. Raman was invited as the chief guest. He announces the phenomenon discovered by him, the Raman Effect.

  1930: Wins the Nobel Prize for his discovery; first from Asia to win the prize for sciences

  1933: Becomes the director of the Indian Institute of Science. During his term, he undertakes extensive planting on the campus and attempts to bring in fleeing Jewish scientists from Nazi Germany.

  1934: Founds the Indian Academy of Sciences (now on C.V. Raman Road). Starts to raise funds for what is now the Raman Research Institute.

  1938: Irving committee reviews and removes C.V. Raman as IISc. director owing to his “inability to contain expenditure” on gardening and on a German scientist.

  1943: Forms manufacturing companies, to fund the RRI

  1948: On retirement from IISc., he forms the RRI. He remains its director till his death.

  November 21, 1970: Dies in Bengaluru. His body is cremated in front of the Raman Research Institute main building.

Achievements:-

• During a voyage to Europe in 1921, Raman noticed the blue colour of glaciers and the Mediterranean sea. He was motivated to discover the reason for the blue colour. Raman carried out experiments regarding the scattering of light by water and transparent blocks of ice which explained the phenomenon.
• Raman also worked on the acoustics of musical instruments. He worked out the theory of transverse vibration of bowed strings, on the basis of superposition velocities. He was also the first to investigate the harmonic nature of the sound of the Indian drums such as the tabla and the mridangam.
• Raman’s work on acoustics was an important prelude, both experimentally and conceptually, to his later work on optics and quantum mechanics. He also investigated the propagation of sound in whispering galleries

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5)UN approves resolution urging action against IS:-

• UNSC members vote on a French-sponsored counter terrorism resolution aimed at Islamic extremist on Friday at United Nations headquarters. The Security Council unanimously approved the resolution, calling on all nations to redouble and coordinate action to prevent further attacks by Islamic State terrorists and other extremist groups.
• The measure is the 14th terrorism-related resolution adopted yesterday by the UN’s most powerful body since 1999.
• This does not constitute an authorisation for military action, however, because the resolution is not drafted under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter which is the only way the United Nations can give a green light to the use of force.

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6)Gujral Doctrine and India’s Neighbourhood:-

News:- Recently few editorials came that claim India-Nepal relationship deteriorated and most of the editorials tried to base their assessment on Gujral Doctrine.In this context , it is necessary to Understand the strength and weaknesses of Gujral Doctrine.

• The Gujral Doctrine is considered to have made a substantial change in the manner in which India’s bilateral relations were conducted with its immediate neighbours, especially the smaller ones. The latter too welcomed the doctrine and had a positive attitude towards the principles it spelt out
• The Gujral Doctrine is a set of five principles to guide the conduct of foreign relations with India’s immediate neighbours as spelt out by I.K. Gujral, first as India’s foreign minister and later as the prime minister. Among other factors, these five principles arise from the belief that India’s stature and strength cannot be divorced from the quality of its relations with its neighbours.
• It, thus, recognises the supreme importance of friendly, cordial relations with neighbours.
• These principles are:-
  • Neighbours like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, India does not ask for reciprocity, but gives and accommodates what it can in good faith and trust
  • No South Asian country should allow its territory to be used against the interest of another country of the region
  • No country should interfere in the internal affairs of another
  • All  South Asian countries must respect each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty
  • Settle all disputes through peaceful bilateral negotiation

According to Gujral , these five principles, scrupulously adhered to, would achieve a fundamental recasting of South Asia’s regional relationships, including the difficult relationship between India and Pakistan. Further, the implementation of these principles would generate a climate of close and mutually benign cooperation in the region, where the weight and size of India is regarded positively and as an asset by these countries.

Analysis and Criticism of the Doctrine:-

• An important question that arises is whether it is easy to implement these principles. It is evident that these principles not only reflect India’s attitude towards its neighbours, but also express the attitude which India would like its neighbours to adopt in conducting relations with India in particular and the countries of South Asia in general.
• Thus, it is a package as a whole whereby India has stated in one go what it will do on its part and similarly what it expects its neighbours to do. Those who agree, will have to adhere, fully and completely, to all the principles and not in parts, to one of the principles in isolation or in exception to the others.
• In this sense, it is implied that, to a great extent, the principles of the Gujral Doctrine can be successful only in a specific environment whereby the neighbours too perceive them as being beneficial to their country and the region as a whole. What follows from this, which is unstated, is that beyond a particular point whereby the neighbours do not adhere to these principles, India in its national interest may also not be able to adhere to them.
• Surely, India cannot continue to stick to its principle of non-reciprocity if any of the neighbouring countries believe either in internationalising bilateral issues or supporting elements inimical to India’s interests. Further, these principles are open to different interpretations as each country views them.
• The principle that all the disputes be settled through peaceful bilateral negotiations is a known stand which India has held for long. On the other hand, India’s neighbours have on many occasions internationalised bilateral disputes. The principle that none should interfere in the internal affairs of the others becomes difficult to define because the South Asian region has many similarities in terms of culture, language and other factors.

• Over the years, particularly after a series of terrorist attacks, the Gujral Doctrine came to be criticised particularly IK Gujral’s decision to dismantle India’s military ability to launch covert strikes against terrorust groups. 

Conclusion:- It is true that this doctrine has all ingredients of Humanistic principles and largely drawn from India’s civilizational value of non-interference and pursuit of peace .This is a perfect doctrine in a perfect world – but to the dismay , the world is far from perfect and this decade has seen the most inhuman acts ever inflicted on mankind.Hence , given the geopolitical unrest around the world and threats of terrorism , India  could not purse a doctrine in its entirety when its immediate neighbourhood are engaged in the activities inimical to the interest of India.This doctrine is a peace-time doctrine and should be pursed with the peace-loving nations , not otherwise.