Solutions to Change

The liquor policy of the government of Kerala announced last week, takes into account the dramatic rise in consumption in the state. However, it smacks trouble for the years to come. Although much time has passed by for contemplating on the new Abkari policy it still appears that the state government has made a hasty decision to implement complete prohibition in Kerala over the next decade. As a prelude, bars will shut shop and the retail outlets owned by the government will be reduced in numbers. The decision is not without consideration of certain facts which researchers in the field have often pointed out. A major concern is the possible rise of illicit liquor production as well as smuggling of liquor from outside the state. According to recent media reports the state government is stepping up its vigil to address this concern by strengthening monitoring through its excise department. All appears fine until this point; but certain questions remain which will pose challenges t...

By  Padmini Gopal* India’s GDP of US$1.8 trillion [1] and an expected growth rate of 6.4per cent in the year 2015 [2] is a testament to India’s present status as a rising world power. Moreover, India’s present nuclear competence and clout, with almost 90-110 nuclear warheads [3] , makes India’s current status unequivocal. Despite that, India seems to be plagued with ‘interstate rivalries that resemble 19 th century Europe’ [4] along with a myriad of challenges that beset the 21 st century, such as terrorism, cyber security, climate change and maritime piracy. These challenges are only amplified by the uncertainty omnipresent in the international arena, with Pakistan reluctant to assure India of security from future terrorist strikes, China unwilling to let go of its claim over Arunachal Pradesh, and a Sinhalese led Sri Lanka refusing to give legitimacy to the wishes of the Tamils. So is India capable of living up to its title given the uncertain international arena it...