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The Aral Sea Crisis in Central Asia:
Environment, Human Security and Gender Concerns
--K B Usha
Aral Sea crisis in Central Asia is one of the most catastrophic but anthropogenic environmental, economic and human disasters. The crisis developed due to the desiccation of Aral Sea, triggering ecological disaster as the water acquired high level of hazardous chemicals, pesticides and microbial contaminants. The depletion of water and related environmental damage affects the whole region’s sustainable development, human wellbeing, security and survival. This paper argues that the human insecurities have disproportionate impact on women owing to the persistence of patriarchal exploitative social order and structural inequality inherent in the Central Asian societies. The loss of egalitarian approach towards women’s issues in the Soviet era, the revival of traditional gender stereotypes, economic deprivation, limited access to decision-making process and inadequate attention paid to gender issues in the neoliberal development priorities of states in the region make women further vulnerable. Hence, exploring the complexities of environment, human security and gender concerns are relevant. © 2016IUP. All Rights Reserved.
The Image of Indonesia in the World:
An Interreligious Perspective
--Syahrin Harahap
This paper presents the image of Indonesia in the world post-Soeharto from an interreligious perspective. The paper classifies the image of Indonesia into three categories. First, an image which views interreligious relationship as more harmonious, open, and fair, due to implementation of legal reforms, such as the Law on House of Worship, in which non-Muslim houses of worship have increased by more than 300%, and the fact that SBY and several regional governments have been given ‘peace’ awards by foreign institutions. Second, an image of Indonesian society as secular, liberal and western-oriented, due to its religious openness which exceed other Muslim societies in Southeast Asia and the world. Third, an image where Indonesia is the place where various religious tensions or conflicts occur between different religious communities, religious schools of thoughts, as well as the place for the existence of religious fanaticism, and the involvement of religious community members in terroristic acts. The paper suggests that there is a need to improve the Indonesian image in the world, especially from an interreligious perspective, by taking several actions, such as providing a fairer service to religious communities through ‘remoderation’, informing the world of positive interreligious relationships in Indonesia, and broadening the horizon of communities and societies in Indonesia through globalization studies. © 2016IUP. All Rights Reserved.
Sociopolitical Status of Minority Communities
of Bangladesh: A Policy Analysis
--Rohidas Mundhe
The majority and minority identity has always been used for political discourse or political interests. A newly emerged nation like Bangladesh has faced problems of national identity and nationalism due to different political interpretations and devices for political discourse. Due to continuous institutional discrimination, politically and economically, marginalization of minorities has led to confrontational politics and problems of separatism in the country. Bangladesh itself is the product of continuous deprivation. The problems and issues of security of minorities are not confined to only Hindu, Buddhist or Christian minorities in Bangladesh, but it has become a national problem and poses a threat to nation building. The moderate Muslims, academicians and different segments of civil society are also under the threat of extremists. It has posed a threat not only to territorial integrity and national sovereignty but also to peace and stability of South Asian region. The continuous migration from Bangladesh has great impact on Indo-Bangladesh relations. It has put economic, political, social and security burden on India. This paper focuses on the sociopolitical status of minority communities of Bangladesh. © 2016IUP. All Rights Reserved.
Agricultural Inputs and Outputs Trade
in South Asia
--Ram Kumar Jha
Agricultural input and output trade is a powerful engine for agricultural growth. It helps in optimizing farmer’s performance and deals with the changing social, environmental and economic conditions. Trade in agricultural inputs arises relatively because of the geographical disparity in the manufacturing of agricultural inputs. This paper discusses the agricultural input-output trade in South Asia. Economic growth of South Asia has been averaging at 6% per year over the last two decades. This study shows that the proportion of the gross domestic product derived from agriculture declined throughout the study period in all the South Asian countries. Also, the employment in agriculture declined from 59.2% in 2000-02 to 47.1% in 2010-12. The availability of better quality inputs would help in increasing the cereals yield across all the South Asian countries. A little improvement is seen in the exportimport of fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides and agricultural machineries during the study period. At the same time, an increasing trend has also been seen in the cereals yield. The agricultural outputs trade enables South Asian countries to manage the balance among food deficit and surplus countries along with balancing the prices of outputs. A policy suggestion would be to establish the most favored nation regulations among South Asian countries to initiate trade exchanges for agricultural inputs other than seeds like fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides and agricultural machinery. © 2016IUP. All Rights Reserved.
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