GYANKOSH

It is believed that Indian foreign policy got its existence only after 1947 a product of Independence from British rule. Also it is assumed that Bharat/India never had its sovereign foreign policy before independence. Although during colonial rule, Bharat had its foreign relations, especially after World War 1, But in the real sense, it was controlled and managed by the British government only, so it was not sovereign foreign policy. Was it the continuation of the British India foreign policy after Independence? Did Indian foreign policy have any existence before British rule came to Bharat? Is it a product of Colonial Independence or Ancient Indian legacy? To find out this, we must revisit Indian history from the ancient period to contemporary times. The very first instance of Indian Civilization’s relations with the outside world was during the Indus valley civilization (3300 BCE to 1300 BCE) . They had trade relations with several countries, including Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Per

CAG OF INDIA office  Appropriate use of Public funds is a crucial aspect of democracy. If not effectively used, it can undermine the integrity of political processes and institutions and jeopardise the quality of democracy. Indian Constitution framers also knew this vital issue; therefore, they established an independent Constitutional body Under Article 148 of the Indian Constitution, i.e. the Office of the Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG). The words 'comptroller' and 'auditor general' alone indicate authority, power, and responsibility. When the phrase 'of India' is added, one can imagine the scale, the scope and the importance of this organisation. The CAG is responsible for ensuring the accountability and transparency of the public finances and safeguarding the public interest. In constituent assembly debates, DR. B. R. Ambedkar said that CAG Will be the most important functionary in the Indian Constitution, even more important than Judiciary. CAG tak

Recently, the Central Government has started using the Bharat name in various places, which has sparked the Bharat Vs India Debate again, as this debate has existed since the making of our Constitution. The debate about the same happened during the constitutional assembly debates. We have individuals who view this move of govt as a commendable step towards decolonization, a reclamation of our pre-colonial identity, and an assertion of our roots. They see it as an opportunity to embrace our indigenous heritage. However, there are those who remain sceptical. Opposing this use of bharat name, particularly from the opposition bloc I.N.D.I.A, they suspect political motives behind this decision. They speculate that it is influenced because of their  alliance's name and political interests. It's crucial to understand that India's legal framework recognizes both names. Article 1 of our Constitution explicitly acknowledges our nation as " India, that is Bharat ." This me

  An Overview of the Status of Women in India By Neera Desai and Maithreyi Krishnaraj Summary INTRODUCTION: The Article provides a historical context for understanding the position of women in contemporary Indian society. It emphasises the importance of considering various historical, political, cultural, and economic factors that have shaped the society over its 3,000-year history. The study aims to give a general overview rather than a detailed periodization. However, it acknowledges the difficulties of such an analysis due to the existence of significant regional, urban-rural, class, religious, ethnic, and caste variations in women's status. The Article highlights the challenge of constructing a monolithic picture of women's position at different stages of development due to these variations. Additionally, the lack of authentic sources and the elitist nature of historical documents pose difficulties in understanding the role of women. Some women historians and Sanskrit schol

  Caste in Indian Politics: Rajni Kothari (Summary and Notes) Introduction: - The prevailing dichotomy between tradition and modernity affects ideological thinking and social science theorising concerning society and polity. - Society is often perceived as 'traditional,' while polity is considered 'modern' and 'developmental.' - However, this approach is flawed, especially in the context of democratic politics, as political and developmental institutions are interconnected with society. Modernisation and Democratic Politics: - Modernisation is not a shift from traditional to modern, but rather a transformation of existing structures and ideas. - A democratic society requires a conversation between old and new elements, a fusion of ideas, and flexibility from both modern and traditional perspectives. - Dysfunctional elements may need to be subdued by determined leadership, but decisions are pragmatic and developmental, not a priori. Institutional Changes and Stab