• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

RESEARCH JOURNAL Department of Political Science, The Assam Valley School Summer Semester, 2021-22, Volume 3 Volume 2 THIINK TANK THINK TANK Department of Political Science Summer Semester, 2021-22, Volume 3 Chief Patron: The Headmaster, The Assam Valley Political science is the study of politics and School power that ranges from rural panchayats to international delegations. It necessitates Teacher Editor: Mr. Thajeb Ali Hazarika comprehending political ideas, ideologies, Student Editor: Anushcka Joshi institutions, policies, processes, and Advisors: Mr. V.P. Rao, Ms. Ishita Malhotra behavior, as well as groups, government, diplomacy, law, strategy, and war. Political Science is evident everywhere, whether it be in the Israel-Palestine issue or the military coup in Myanmar. It is always a pleasure for me to edit the ‘Think Tank’ which aims to bring across the critical analysis of students on various concerning issues. They say that ‘Knowledge is power’, Mr. V. P. Rao Ms. Ishita Malhotra and in Think Tank, this knowledge is Contributors: Ojas Krish Venkatesh Ayapilla, Syed Irfan always open to perceptual interpretation. Hussain, Donovan Figg, Yashodhara Mahanta, Naviya Chamariya, Anushcka Joshi, Aryan Buragohain. Anushcka Joshi Concept, Design and Layout: Anushcka Joshi Student Editor Publisher: The Assam Valley School, P. O. Balipara, Assam-784101. Dedication They were, are and will continue to be The views expressed in the articles are the authors’ own the first and last line of defence for entire and do not necessarily reflect those of The Assam Valley humanity for life. With folded hands and School. bowed heads, this edition of the Think Tank acknowledges the selfless services of the frontline workers, the entire medical community in providing life, hope and succor to those afflicted by the pandemic. Risking their personal life, facing even brutal assault, succumbing while on the line of duty, the medics as selfless Karma Yogis have been at work all through. From warding off the pandemic to bolstering the sagging morale due to this crisis, the contribution and the role of the medical community deserves recognition and gratitude. At Think Tank, this is our benign offering. May all of you continue to heal the world. 2 QUILL STROKES A shot for life he Right to Life is a Fundamental and basic of vaccines. As attempts are made by the Union and Human Right. This is undoubtedly the the states to push for a vaccination overdrive, it is greatest crisis faced by humanity. With the apparent that it will be a frantic raise against time. proverbial silver bullet yet to In the quagmire of rules, procedures, Temerge to quell the hydra mutated headed negotiations floating corpses in India grab virus, hope lies in getting a shot at the arm. the momentary headlines. The apex court It is a relentless quest of resilience, pain has to step in and give a reality check on staking research, clinical trials, efficacy what needs to be done as the union awakes measurements that a ray of light seeps in from its stupor. As the Bhagvad Gita states through the broken shafts of gloom and “Having abandoned ego, force, arrogance, despair. The need to heal the world is now lust, anger and greed, one becomes worthy as the future beckons the direction to move ahead of being identified with the Supreme Being”. Human together with a spirit of solidarity. A reality check reveals beings cannot abdicate their base instincts and if this is the yawning gap between pious thinking and the stark the case, heavenly angels from above cannot be expected indifference of the day. Monopoly production, over to shower from their divine quiver arrows of love, hope production, under production, hoarding, pre- booking and happiness. Experience augments wisdom and it is exorbitant quantities, refusing emergency authorization, time for all to learn to do what is the need of the hour. decentralized distribution, central procurement are The alternative is the wishful thinking that this too some of the issues in the name of national pride and shall pass and tell then like staunch Epicureans, let us national interest threatening the very existence of all eat, and make merry in huge numbers for tomorrow mankind. Is this not time enough to mend the fences? we shall definitely die. So what if the virus does not Are we waiting for the Biblical deluge to understand that move, humans as transporters are only too happy to we are all not on the same boat? Resilience and hope are move it at their own peril in proven antidotes against hopelessness. Is there enough blissful ignorance. for everybody? Will there be enough for everybody? Will Malthus be validated? The way things are going even the most die-hard optimist will have a hard time hoping against hope. The North and the South exhibits Thajeb Ali Hazarika glaring disparities. The South need those vaccines at the earliest and the North need to reciprocate. Funding for research and scaling up production is vital for any semblance of benefit for all to be effective. Is the State loosening enough the strings of its funding purse? Top health experts are vouching the fact that vaccination has to happen very quickly. Acclaimed health expert, Dr.Anthony Fauci, has been advocating the same. In India, as per available government data till May 2021, the private sector could utilize only 17 percent of its allotted quota 3 OJAS KRISH VENKATESH CLASS 11 HUMANITIES FEATURED II The Future of the University: GEORGE FLOYD [A case which shook the world and highlighted brutality of the law- enforcers, Ojas delves deep into the case and its impact on the society in USA.] he whole world knows the story by now. agreed to pay the hefty sum of 27 Million US Dollars A black American, suspected for using to George Floyd’s family. However, while this whole counterfeit bills, supposedly murdered by case seems an apathetic white Police Officer. George relatively simple, it actually is the culmination of TFloyd was the victim, and his name will send ripples a decades-long debate and conflict between police flowing through the ocean that is human existence. officers and black men, even white men in some cases. George Floyd’s death was like the tipping point; the The exact date when this saga originated is May 25, straw that broke the camel’s already fractured back. This 2020, when police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on case might seem small; but was the stone that caused George Floyd’s neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds, the tsunami. cuttingof his airways, and ultimately leading to his untimely death. There were other officers standing by, Days after news of his death and after the autopsy preventing people from interfering in this medieval way report got out, the streets of the USA were literally of punishment, namely J. Alexander Keung, Thomas on fire. People of all ethnicities, mainly black people Lane and Tou Thao. Officer Chauvin did not stop (African-Americans) for obvious reasons, took to kneeling on the suspect’s neck until paramedics arrived, the streets in violent fashion. Cars were brunt, stores which many suspect is the most horrendous aspect of looted, statues of oppressive white males demolished or George Floyd’s death. Even after the man uttered those vandalized, and a general call for racial equality in one famous words- “I can’t breathe” and many variations of of the most controversial countries to ever exist. These that repeatedly, even after expressing concern protesters had a battle cry, similar to India’s for his life, Officer Chauvin showed apathy ‘do or die’- ‘Black lives matter.’ This simple and no remorse. yet meaningful slogan became the rally of these young people as they left their homes, The autopsy report ruled it a homicide, and braving the virus and protesting against the further trials led to all four officers oppression and racial discrimination. who were on the scene being dismissed and a wrongful death lawsuit settled The above paragraphs just highlight the outside court. The State of Minneapolis events in a brief manner, but let’s take a closer 4 look at what happened, and try to dissect it. arisen, not only from internet trolls, but from whole government parties themselves. A further look into After the memorial was placed outside Cup Foods American political science will tell you a simple story; (the store from which George Floyd bought cigarettes whatever The Democrats do, say, support or believe in, with counterfeit money) it was common knowledge the Republicans will have countering ideologies, and that a storm was brewing in the hearts of young vice versa. Americans. Mere days after demonstrators held down an intersection near the store, stating to not leave until The George Floyd case is no exception, as Democratic their demands of ant-racism and property tax laws were President Joe Biden went to his family members met, the protests spread like wildfire. Not just in the and consoled them during his funeral proceedings. USA, but throughout the world. Republican Candidate Winnie Headstrong went so far as to say the whole ordeal was ‘deep-faked’- a new You see, racism is one of the few defining aspects of technology normally used in the internet for memes human history, alongside with religion, violence and and jokes. However, there have been more sinister uses politics. It is a very sensitive topic, and has its roots of this technology, but it is common knowledge that centered in oppressed countries like those in Africa, or the case is very much real. A lot of people from the Asia. Those African Americans or African-Englishmen Republican party have supported this claim, stating or any dark-skinned individual living abroad, all have that the real George Floyd died in 2016 due to drug relations who were slaves.

Load more

  27

Copy Link