Articles by Aurobinda Mahapatra
We found 75 results.
While America Awakes…
Dr. Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
10 Aug 2020
Winston Langley, ‘While America Sleeps: Squandered Opportunities and Looming Threats to Societies’ (Lulu Press, 2020) – On the surface the book offers a dose of pessimism as Langley elaborates how the US missed several opportunities to address deep rooted violence, but a reading between the lines generates hope. It depends on which side of the spectrum you are standing.
→ read full articleCoronavirus and the World Order
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
23 Mar 2020
Coronavirus is posing a global health risk. The World Health Organization has declared it a pandemic. Beyond the health crisis, and the economic costs, the political implications of the pandemic are far-reaching. International relations experts are yet to explore fully its impact on the world order.
→ read full articleTwo-Nation Theory Re-examined–and a Few Reflections on India’s Citizenship (Amendment) Bill
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra, Ph.D. – TRANSCEND Media Service,
13 Jan 2020
30 Dec 2019 – The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill would revive the two-nation theory, which implied Hindus and Muslims are two different nations, hence they cannot stay together. The architects of this theory were Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Muhammad Iqbal, and on the basis of this theory British India was partitioned into India and Pakistan. Jinnah and Iqbal must be smiling in their graves as their TNT idea gets new adherents, and Gandhi must be turning in pain.
→ read full article
New Year 2020: A Prayer for Peace and Religious Harmony
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
6 Jan 2020
1 Jan 2020 – As I am thinking about the New Year, I am thinking about peace, about how to make the world a peaceful place to live and thrive. The passing year was not that peaceful. There were violent incidents all over the world. There were violent incidents within states, there was also violence based on the exclusionary approach to particular people.
→ read full articleKashmir after 370
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
16 Sep 2019
11 Sep 2019 – Early in August 2019, the Indian government repealed Article 370 of the Indian constitution, which provided special status to Jammu and Kashmir. The Article, a later incorporation to the Indian constitution, was titled temporary. In this article, I will focus on the implications of this decision at three levels: people within Jammu and Kashmir; the states of India and Pakistan; and the world in general and major powers in particular.
→ read full articleGandhi and Khashoggi: Soldiers of Peace
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
21 Jan 2019
21 Jan 2019 – On October 2 was born Mahatma Gandhi. On October 2 was also killed Jamal Khashoggi. There is one common element though 149 years separated both the events–Gandhi and Khashoggi fought injustice through peaceful means. They were harbingers of nonviolent social change but met a violent death.
→ read full articleTrump and Jong-un, USA-North Korea, War and Peace: A Gandhian Phase in International Politics
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra, Ph.D. – TRANSCEND Media Service,
20 Jun 2018
13 Jun 2018 – Mahatma Gandhi must be turning in his grave, smiling. It is the Gandhian spirit that worked a sort of miracle in Singapore! Gandhi rightly said, ‘there is no path to peace, peace is the path.’ It is only in peaceful environment that positive peace can be realized.
→ read full articleFlorida School Shooting and the Crisis of Humanity
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
26 Feb 2018
Can we rise to the occasion? Can we provide value based education to our future generations in our families, in our societies and most importantly, in a formal way, in our educational institutions? The collective and sustained efforts to make a real difference in the education system will ensure the survival and flourishing of the human civilization.
→ read full articleHappy New Year 2018!
Dr Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
8 Jan 2018
The New Year arrived and knocked at my door and asked me what I am thinking. It came to me as bright as sunlight and lightened my chamber. It looked straight into my eyes and asked what I am thinking. A single word came from my mouth:
→ read full articleMoralizing International Politics
Dr. Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
4 Dec 2017
This article makes an appeal to bridge the chasm between the practice of international politics and the universal moral principles. Violation of moral principles has emerged a norm than exception in international politics. States and global institutions have proved ineffective to checkmate violent conflicts and wanton killings as in Syria. It is not they are incapable or lack resources. The problem lies elsewhere. Ego is a major cause behind much of the hazards in international politics. The article problematizes ego and calls for a broader thinking in international politics.
→ read full articlePursuing Stability and a Shared Development in Euro–Mediterranean Migrations
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra, PhD – TRANSCEND Media Service,
26 Jun 2017
The book makes deep inroads from a theoretical as well as a policymaking point of view. It brings forth many theoretical dimensions of the migration in the Euro-Mediterranean zone, and offers many nuanced perspectives. It aims to draw “a comprehensive study while using a multi-faceted analysis of the migration issue, taking into account the expertise, knowledge, background, and experiences of the authors.
→ read full articleConflict Management in Kashmir
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra, Ph.D. – TRANSCEND Media Service,
5 Jun 2017
5 Jun 2017 – The ongoing violence in Kashmir, unless addressed, may descend into a terrible chaos as experienced in the 1990s, during which Indian forces and Pakistan backed militants engaged in cycles of violence leading to killing of thousands of Kashmiris. Modi needs to engage the moderate separatists and encourage them to play active messengers of peace.
→ read full articleInternational Conference on Gandhian Perspectives on Contemporary Conflicts and Peace
Dr. Aurobinda Mahapatra | Gandhi Center for Non-Violence, Human Rights and World Peace – TRANSCEND Media Service,
14 Nov 2016
The Mahatma Gandhi Center for Non-Violence, Human Rights and World Peace at the Hindu University of America organized an international conference on Nov 3-4 2016, on the theme Gandhian perspectives on contemporary conflicts and peace. Speakers from Europe, Canada and India, besides the US, participated in the conference and focused on various aspects of Gandhian philosophy and its relevance for conflict resolution.
→ read full articleInternational Conference: Gandhian Perspectives on Contemporary Conflicts and Peace
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra, Ph.D. - Mahatma Gandhi Center for Nonviolence, Human Rights and World Peace,
8 Aug 2016
November 3-4, 2016 ~ Orlando [Florida] Campus of the Hindu University of America ~ The Conference aims at exploring Gandhian principles, their problem solving potentials, and relevance of Gandhi for addressing global problems such as inter-state and intra-state conflicts, international peace, religious extremism, degeneration of human values, social and religious discord and violation of human rights.
→ read full articleInternational Yoga Day: Some Reflections
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra, Ph.D. – TRANSCEND Media Service,
29 Jun 2015
Last year, the UN declared 21 June as International Yoga Day. The Yoga lovers all over the world rejoiced at the UN declaration. Let me briefly analyze what I understand by the term Yoga.
→ read full articleHindu Rashtra and Two-Nation Theory
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra, Ph.D. – TRANSCEND Media Service,
27 Apr 2015
A debate has recently gained momentum in India around the idea of Hindu Rashtra or Hindu nation-state… Hinduism is not dogmatic; it embraces pluralism. It believes in coexistence with other religions. Mahatma Gandhi was a proponent of this coexistence.
→ read full article2015, Conversion to Hinduism
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
5 Jan 2015
India currently has witnessed intense debates on religious conversion particularly after some people converted into Hinduism. I am against forceful conversion. I apply this principle to all religions. Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Jains, Jews, and people without religion, have all called India their home. This is the beauty of India.
→ read full articleIndian Laborers in the Gulf
Dr. Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
3 Nov 2014
I am puzzled at the Indian government’s apathy at the deplorable situation of Indian laborers in the Gulf. Why does not India take a note of this situation and raise the issue with the Gulf countries with which it has diplomatic relations?
→ read full articlePhilosophy of Life: Some Propositions
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra, Ph.D. – TRANSCEND Media Service,
22 Sep 2014
One needs to contribute to society in his own capability. A person who has no food needs to be busy to find means of subsistence. But a person who has no such worry should contribute to society.
→ read full articleAn Evaluation of Indian PM’s Independence Speech
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
18 Aug 2014
I listened to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech on India’s 68th Independence Day. Here I elaborate some of the points in the speech which I find inspiring for India’s growth.
→ read full articleKashmir Back in New Delhi’s Radar
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
14 Jul 2014
Modi is perhaps the first prime minister of India who visited the conflict-torn state even before completing two months in office. This is an indication of seriousness of the new government to prioritize Kashmir. Modi’s visit to Kashmir and emphasis on peace and prosperity in the region needs to be viewed in a new light.
→ read full articleRise of Modi and Indian Politics
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra, Ph.D. – TRANSCEND Media Service,
26 May 2014
Modi will have a better tool in his hand to lift the nation from the morass of poverty and unemployment – two biggest internal challenges. With a strong determination, and by combining the visions of Patel, Shastri and Vajpayee, Modi will be able to trudge through difficult terrains while keeping his mission high. I wish Modi good luck!
→ read full articleTwo Cities, Shared History
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
12 May 2014
The book Tales of Two Cities is about the journey of two prominent South Asians – Kuldip Nayar from India and Asif Noorani from Pakistan. Theirs are not simply stories of travel but voyages – physical, emotional and spiritual – deeply embedded in the history of partition of the British India.
→ read full articleMultiethnic and Pluralistic States Have to Stay
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
21 Apr 2014
Development in Ukraine is a matter of concern as it has implications not only for Ukraine but also for other multiethnic and pluralistic states in the world. I am strongly in favor of multiethnic and pluralistic states.
→ read full articleGender, Conflict and Peace
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra, Ph.D. – TRANSCEND Media Service,
10 Mar 2014
We celebrate Women’s Day on March 8 every year. Have we really progressed on this front? Is there any real empowerment of women? As I work in areas of conflict transformation and peacebuilding, my focus on women in conflict situations and peacebuilding processes is natural.
→ read full articleDelhi Accord: BRICS for Fair Play
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
2 Dec 2013
Recently the competition authorities of the BRICS countries signed the Delhi Accord, in which the members expressed “resolve and commitment to exchange views on different aspects of competition policy.”
→ read full articleYoga for Peace
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
24 Jun 2013
Swami Vivekananda in his book Raja Yoga, first published in 1896, elaborated this Yoga. He argued that Yoga is scientific. Even an atheist by following its rules can sharpen his mind, increase his mental power, develop a healthy body and maintain composure in worst situations.
→ read full articleHealth Insurance for the Planet
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
20 May 2013
An individual has health insurance so that in case of illness or bodily injury he can have insurance benefits. I am inspired by the Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Christiana Figueres, who argued passionately at the University Massachusetts Boston that we must think about the health of our planet as we think about health of the individual.
→ read full articleBoston Marathon
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
29 Apr 2013
My views may not match with the views of the others including experts in the area, but I think as a conscientious individual I should express them.
→ read full articleIndia-China and the Spirit of Cooperation
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
25 Mar 2013
In one of his candid statements, the Chinese President, Xi Jinping on 19 March 2013 admitted that the border dispute between his country and its neighbour, India, is one of the most difficult problems the two countries confront. “However, as long as we keep up our friendly consultation, we can eventually arrive at a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable settlement”.
→ read full articleProspects of Peace in Syria
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
4 Mar 2013
The Berlin meeting of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and the newly appointed US Secretary of State John Kerry on 26 February 2013 appeared propitious for peace in Syria. The likely evolution of a common approach between Russia and the US will not only impact positively the course of the Syrian conflict, but will also have implications for many other international issues.
→ read full articleTAPI: A Step Closer to Realization
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
18 Feb 2013
On 7 February 2013, the Indian Cabinet approved the formation of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to study the feasibility and design parameters of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, originally mooted in 2006.
→ read full articleGandhi’s Death Anniversary: Reflections
Dr. Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
4 Feb 2013
On 30 January 65 years ago Mahatma Gandhi was shot while attending a prayer in New Delhi. Every day he used to attend prayers, which served two purposes: to pray to God for well being of mankind, and to meet visitors and interact with them.
→ read full articleWelcome 2013
Dr. Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
7 Jan 2013
The more we rise in consciousness, the more we see the world as a part of our family. The expansion of the individual consciousness is a certain remedy not only for the individual, but also for the society. When we say the world is our family and think and act in that spirit, most of the problems we confront and call insurmountable will wither away. One does not need to be a genius to understand this simple dictum of life.
→ read full articleThe US Strategy in Asia
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
17 Dec 2012
Besides the New Silk Road idea, Indo-Pacific corridor too has been increasingly finding mention in policy circles in recent months. The corridor as explained by Blake will link South Asian countries including India and Bangladesh to further east through Myanmar and other Southeast Asian countries. The corridor will link South Asia to the Pacific through Southeast Asia.
→ read full articleAn Appeal to the Political Leaders of India
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
12 Nov 2012
Protests against corruption in India or other parts of the world are not new. History shows enough evidence of such kinds of protests from time to time. In case of India, there appears a mismatch between concept of public service and political power as a means to realize that goal.
→ read full articleA Significant Leap in Indo-Pak Relations
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
24 Sep 2012
Confidence building measures play a significant role towards addressing contentious issues between the nations. This well practiced rule of conduct among nations can be no less than accurate in the context of India and Pakistan, which have fought four wars since their independence.
→ read full articleCan Syria be a Zone of Peace?
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
6 Aug 2012
Instead of viewing the Syrian conflict as a national interest crucible, the time has come that it must be seen as an international challenge to be met by international players in a framework of cooperation. Towards this, making Syria a zone of peace may prove a clincher, with no side losing, but all sides gaining, and peace constituency getting stronger.
→ read full articleSpiritual Cooperation: A Possibility or Farfetched Dream?
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
11 Jun 2012
In international politics, relations of trade and commerce among nations are known, but spiritual cooperation?
→ read full articleArab League a Divided House
Dr. Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
9 Apr 2012
The old regional organizations Arab League (formed in 1945) has shown all weakness of a broken house with members failing to take coordinated position on any of the raging international issues. A simple juxtaposition of the Arab League summit with the BRICS summit, held on the same date, 29 March 2012, brings stark contrast how coordination in one part of the world is failing acutely, while the rise of BRICS in global arena is a foregone conclusion.
→ read full articleDelhi Bomb Blast and India’s Options
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
20 Feb 2012
The bomb blast in New Delhi on 13 February 2012 has certainly raised India’s stakes in highly contested debate on international terrorism. The combination of its domestic policy matrix, its approach to extremism and radicalism, and its external policies and posturing will put India in a tough place in crafting decisions which may be difficult but necessary.
→ read full articleComplexities of Post-Laden Politics in Pakistan and Implications
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
16 Jan 2012
The recent developments in Pakistan’s politics particularly the relations between the civilian government and military, in the background of troubled US-Pakistan relations exacerbated by the November killing of Pakistan soldiers by US drones and killing of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in May, will have far reaching implications not only for Pakistan, but also for Afghanistan, South Asia, and far beyond.
→ read full articleMy Dreams for 2012
Dr Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
2 Jan 2012
Coming to my nation, India, called the largest democracy in the world with thriving freedom and equality but in reality which is a nation, majority of which are stricken by poverty, poor health, poor education system, and poor governance. That one of the great Gandhians, Anna Hazare launched the movement for Lok Pal to make India corruption free is something which I dream to see successful in the New Year.
→ read full articleWhither Alliance of Civilizations?
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
19 Dec 2011
The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon during his speech at the UN Alliance of Civilizations forum on 11 December 2011 asserted the much cherished ideal of alliance among ‘civilizations’ so that enemies of humanity such as extremism and terrorism can be fought and won over and the world can live in an ideal of shared humanity. But the past decade provides sufficient proof to the contrary and to the dictum Might is Right, and the inverse relationship between high sounding ideals and chauvinistic national policies.
→ read full articleThe Commonwealth Summit and Human Rights Debate
Dr Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
7 Nov 2011
Safeguarding human rights is such a lofty ideal that nation-states with diverse socio-political and economic set ups proclaim that they respect this basic human value. As the term is contested, and as there are divergent interpretations as to what exactly constitute human rights, the debates about it have often pushed the nations towards contestation and conflicts of interests.
→ read full articleSufism Asserting Against Extremism
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
31 Oct 2011
One of the foremost challenges that multiethnic and pluralistic societies confront in 21st century is religious based extremism, which is resented by both state and non-state actors who believe in the values of peaceful coexistence of religions and other pluralistic values practiced by human society.
→ read full articlePeace Efforts in Afghanistan Jeopardized
Dr Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
26 Sep 2011
The killing of Barhanuddin Rabbani, an ethnic Tajik and leader of High Peace Council to broker peace in the conflict-torn country is certainly a setback to the ongoing peace process in Afghanistan.
→ read full articleAfghanistan: From a Battlefield to a Business-field
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
22 Aug 2011
Is it necessary that the interested players will have to wait till the violent atmosphere in the region is subsided completely and then think about business? Or is it possible to initiate commercial ventures in a violent atmosphere, which can only succeed with the cooperation of the national government as well as local warlords and also the Taliban?
→ read full articleTerror in the Maximum City
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
25 Jul 2011
Indian city Mumbai is famed as the ‘maximum city’ as it is in a sense represents maximum in everything. It represents all contradictions and paradoxes. A casual traveller to the city can find the wealthiest and the poorest co-existing side by side. The most beautiful and the most wretched co-exist in Mumbai. The city provides everything to everybody: daily work to a daily labourer, a job to educated, underworld facilities to mafia, tinsel town to socialites and sophisticated.
→ read full articleMumbai’s Woes and Their Implications
Aurobinda Mahapatra, Ph.D. – TRANSCEND Media Service,
18 Jul 2011
Mumbai is India’s most prosperous as well as most cosmopolitan city. The city’s local trains everyday carry about 7 million diverse people, and to this gigantic fare is everyday added 1200 families who reach city from different corners of India in search of better life.
→ read full articleMani Bhavan and Gandhi
Dr Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
30 May 2011
In Gandhi’s living room on the second floor, one can see from the glass the original Charkha (the spinning wheel, Gandhi’s symbol of self-dependence) he was using, his bed on the floor, his Kadam (wooden slipper), his book stand, and many other things. I imagined Gandhi while viewing that room. The room is still there, the great soul has departed, but his ideas still reverberate in the world. We all know how great leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela and many others were influenced by him. I remember reading somewhere how one of the great peace activists of our time Johan Galtung started crying at the news of the departure of the great soul.
→ read full articleCan Libya Be a Test Case?
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
18 Apr 2011
As the situation demands active diplomacy on parts of responsible powers of the globe, it also provides an opportunity to restore the august international body the United Nations its rightful position. Here lies the crucial barometer for the proponents as well as opponents of military intervention as to whether they can act together.
→ read full article‘Problem Children’ towards Radicalism
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
21 Feb 2011
One of the WikiLeaks revelations, published recently in The Daily Telegraph of London, brings into picture the worrisome scenario in which a section of the British youth visit to madrassas in Kashmir under Pakistan’s control, and end in the net of extremist and terrorist organizations like Al Qaeda.
→ read full articleWhy ‘Colour’ Revolutions are Multi-shaded
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
31 Jan 2011
Adding to the galaxy of ‘colour’ revolutions such as rose, tulip, orange, and many others is the recent jasmine revolution in Tunisia. The North African country suddenly gained worldwide attention in the second week of January as the ruler of country for the last 23 years fled to Saudi Arabia after massive protests. The perplexity of the matter revolved around the question how the immolation of a 26 year old could trigger such a massive unrest in Tunisia and consequently in the almost whole Arab world with protests in countries like Algeria, Syria, Yemen, Jordan are gaining shape.
→ read full articleTAPI Pipeline Prospects
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
20 Dec 2010
The leaders of four nations Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (TAPI) met in the second week of December 2010 in the capital of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat to sign two agreements called Inter Governmental Agreement (IGA) and Gas Pipeline Framework Agreement (GPFA) to foster the prospects of TAPI pipeline.
→ read full articleRealities of the Obama Visit
Dr. Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
22 Nov 2010
The Obama visit to India in this November attracted world wide attention, with analysts pouring appreciations or criticisms or both on the visit. The visit surrounded by grand phrases like ‘natural partners’ could enchant much of the Indian public, and particularly when during the speech at Indian parliament on 8 November 2010 Obama urged Pakistan to dismantle terrorist centers within its borders, supported India’s candidature for the permanent membership of the security council and dropped the Kashmir word in the speeches and deliberations, the symbolism in the bilateral relations could reach its apogee, though these pronouncements will remain mere words till their fruitful realization in ground reality.
→ read full articleIndia’s Commonwealth Ordeal
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
27 Sep 2010
Apart from Kashmir, which keeps India in international light in recent days is its preparation for the Commonwealth games in Delhi to be commenced from 3 to 14 October 2010. The event, the first ever in India and perhaps the first showcase of India’s emerging prowess in the evolving world, will likely involve 8,500 athletes from 71 countries competing in 17 events.
→ read full articleRegional Economic Cooperation as a Key to Solve Afghanistan Problem
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
30 Aug 2010
‘Economics is the key to overcoming all problems,’ observed the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov while articulating the main content of quadrilateral meet of Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan at the Russian Black Sea resort Sochi on 18 August 2010.
→ read full articleStatist India-Pakistan Dialogue
Dr Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
26 Jul 2010
India-Pakistan dialogue at foreign ministers level in Islamabad can be justly called statist as it added nothing substantial to bilateral relations except meetings and press conferences bordering acrimony. Anyone who viewed the joint press conference of the ministers on 16 July 2010 could conclude nothing but precisely this: the post-Mumbai terror attack relations are surviving on a vague optimism that relations will get better in due course. Despite this optimism expressed opulently by the political leaders of both the countries, the fact remain unless some substance is added to the relations, South Asia will further plunge into another bout of crisis. In international politics diplomacy and dialogue are good things to salvage bad relations, but these can not sustain long in a vacuum.
→ read full articleThe Istanbul CICA Summit
Dr. Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
21 Jun 2010
Whether CICA can be termed ‘OSCE of Asia’ it is not much difficult to answer. Also whether there is a need for a comparison between the two is an altogether different issue of concern. However, at the present stage, CICA members need to work in tandem towards playing an active role in the Eurasian space towards building peace and stability. Issues like ‘extremism, terrorism, drug trafficking, the threat of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and maritime piracy’ will likely goad CICA members to play a collective role in tackling these issues of common concern.
→ read full articleWhy the Times Square Incident Should Be a Turning Point
Dr Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
24 May 2010
The fact remains that terrorism is such a menace it can not be contained single handedly by a single country. In fact the nature of terrorism is so complicated and so wide and embedded; it will be difficult to tackle the menace by amending national laws or by punishing few terrorists. A global coalition, with a genuine global agenda, is the imperative of the hour if the world is to become terror-free, stable and peaceful.
→ read full articleThe BRIC Summit
Dr. Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
26 Apr 2010
BRIC, in spite of its weakness or differences among members, no doubt will play a significant role in international politics. The coming of the countries together is no mean achievement, and on various issues like Iran, United Nations, Bretton Woods structures, climate change, etc. the grouping has already been vociferous. The clout of BRIC as a significant multilateral body is bound to be reckoned with.
→ read full articleA NEW DIMENSION TO DEMILITARIZATION IN KASHMIR
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra – TRANSCEND Media Service,
5 Apr 2010
In the last week of March 2010 a new dimension hitherto unknown to demilitarization debate in Kashmir came to picture. One of the premier Indian TV channels, NDTV, showed in its news the popular protests in Khurhma village in northern Kashmir against the shifting of the camp of Rashtriya Rifles, a part of paramilitary force […]
→ read full articleST. PATRICK’S DAY AT BELFAST
Aurobinda Mahapatra, Ph.D.,
18 Mar 2010
This morning I went to the City Hall at the centre of the Belfast city to watch the march of processions to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. This day is celebrated on 17 March of every year. St. Patrick is revered by Christians throughout the world as a great Saint who could uphold the values of […]
→ read full articleMAPPING CONFLICT AND PEACE IN EURASIA, EDITED VOLUME
Dr. Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra, member of the TRANSCEND Network,
17 Mar 2010
The Eurasian Conflicts in international politics are known for their embedded nature transcending beyond a mono-factor for analysis. Owing to diversity and fragility many states have not matured towards coherent status of nation building; rather it appears the agenda has remained unfinished due to disturbed ethnic aspirations, fragile borders, inherent complications and power interventions. These […]
→ read full articleSAUDI ARABIA AS INTERLOCUTOR IN SOUTH ASIA?
Dr Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra,
7 Mar 2010
Mediating in conflicts in South Asia particularly between India and Pakistan since the inception of bilateral animosities has become a prize catch in international politics since long. In the list of players as mediator the name that has emerged recently is that of Saudi Arabia. Indian Prime Minster visited Saudi Arabia on 27 February 2010 […]
→ read full articleCYBER POLITICS: A NEW DYNAMIC IN INTER-STATE RELATIONS
Dr Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra, Mumbai,
29 Jan 2010
The famous scientist Albert Einstein, while deeply perturbed by the use of nuclear weapons during the second world war, had lamented that though he could not predict the kind of weapons to be used in any probable third world war, he was sure the fourth world war, if the humanity survives after the third one, […]
→ read full articleTAKING STOCK OF INTERNATIONAL POLITICS 2009
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra, Ph.D.,
9 Jan 2010
The year 2009 will be remembered as one of the most difficult years in the annals of international politics. Though the actions and reactions of national and international players in this year is yet to be assessed fully, nonetheless the year long forays in international politics have not evoked much hope in the world. However, […]
→ read full articleWHY DO WE CELEBRATE NEW YEAR?
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra, PhD – Univ. of Mumbai,
29 Dec 2009
Why do we celebrate New Year? When the year approaches its end we start preparing ourselves for celebrations to bid farewell to passing year and to welcome New Year. We do it in our own ways but anyhow we do it. My point is besides the customary repetition of pomp every year in welcoming New […]
→ read full articleTERROR TRAIL FROM MUMBAI TO CHICAGO TO BRESCIA
Dr Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra, Mumbai,
4 Dec 2009
The riddle called the Mumbai terror attack still remains unsolved with new threads coming to picture. The terror strike in Mumbai last year that killed 174 people including children and women still reverberates in the memory of the people of Mumbai and reminds the ghastly designs of the terrorists whose networks spread all over the […]
→ read full articleINDIA, CHINA AND PAKISTAN: UNEASY EQUATIONS
Aurobinda Mahapatra,
9 Oct 2009
Some of the recent developments bring to the fore the uneasy nature of regional dynamics in the Indian subcontinent with the powers India, China and Pakistan playing their national cards vigorously. Pakistan-China agreement to develop hydroelectric project at Bunji in the Kashmir currently under the control of Pakistan, India’s objection to Pakistan’s granting of autonomous […]
→ read full articleWHAT DEATH OF BAITULLAH MEHSUD MEANS FOR TERRORISM
Aurobinda Mahapatra,
28 Aug 2009
The death of Baitullah Mehsud, the leader of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on 5 August 2009 in the southern Waziristan has brought to the fore significant achievements of anti-terror operations in Pakistan. The incident brings respite to the victims of the Taliban though it would be premature to say the death has ended Taliban in the […]
→ read full articleCAN NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT PLAY A MEANINGFUL ROLE?
Aurobinda Mahapatra,
29 Jul 2009
Can non-aligned movement (NAM), as a movement emerged during heydays of the cold war, play a role in a changed post-cold war world? Probably, the 15th summit at the Egyptian Red Sea resort Sharm el Sheikh on 15th and 16th of July 2009 would guide the scholar to seek a plausible answer as to the […]
→ read full articleWHITHER PEACE IN THE INDIAN SUBCONTINENT?
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra,
6 Jul 2009
The prospects of peace in the Indian subcontinent post-26/11 appear bleak. The meeting of the top leaders of India and Pakistan at the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg on 16 June 2009 did not bring any respite to the peace seekers in the subcontinent as the pronouncements […]
→ read full articleUGLY FACE OF TERROR
Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra,
31 May 2009
The first decade of the 21st century has witnessed horrendous incidents of terror. While its beginning witnessed the attack on the twin trade towers in New York, towards its end another horrible attack occurred in the Indian commercial centre Mumbai. The attack further reinforced that terrorism has no religion, terrorists are not humans, and […]
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