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Since our independence, the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir has been recognised as an independent state. Its flag, a different constitution, and the right to formulate laws for its permanent residents. The Government of India decided to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir on 5th August 2019. Article 370 was drafted in part XXI of the Indian Constitution, which stated that the Constituent Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir was empowered to recommend sections of the Indian Constitution that would apply to the state. The net effect of Article 370 was that the residents of Jammu and Kashmir lived with a different set of laws.
The Disadvantages of revocation of Article 370
Uncertainty
One of the foremost disadvantages of revocation of Article 370 was the instability it created in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. As we all know, the state was already embroiled in an unstable environment, and this abrogation made it all worse. The people feared the new laws, and shutting down the economy of Kashmir greatly impacted the stability.
Insecurity
The abrogation of Article 370 also instilled a fear of insecurity in the minds of the local people. As it allowed anyone from India to use the Kashmir land and resources as they wanted to use – there were no restrictions anymore.
Threat to Democracy
A lot of people believe that the abrogation of the special status was outright a political move to appease the Hindu population of the country and Kashmir. Laws made to please just one section of the society stands as the biggest danger to democracy.
International Criticism
India was in the international news for quite some time when this decision was made. It received a lot of flak from international societies and media as they targeted India for the inhuman treatment of the sovereignty of the land of Kashmir and its people.
The Advantages of Article 370
Unity
The biggest advantage that one could probably think of in this case would be the fact that the abrogation of Article 370 has united India as One. For a long time, Kashmir could not be integrated into India totally because of Article 370. Now we can call Kashmir an integral and united part of Independent India.
Development and Growth
For a long time, Kashmir has been an underdeveloped state. The youth mostly join Militant groups under the pressure of poverty and lack of opportunities in the valley. Now, anyone from India can use resources from the Kashmir soil. It is believed that this will lead to a lot of employment generation, development, and growth for the people and the state.
Curb Terrorism
Kashmir valley has always been a hub for terrorism until the abolition of Article 370. The central government is now in a better place to curb terrorism by proper use of central funds, central strategy, and manpower.
Restoration of Peace
Terrorism and lack of opportunity for the youth are the main reasons why Kashmir was always a place full of fear and crime. Abolition of Article 370 aims to stabilise the Kashmir environment and restore peace and development for the people.
One Nation One Constitution
It would be too weird if someone told you that an area that is an integral part of your country follows a different constitution. Abolition of Article 370 has paved the way for the Idea of the One Nation One Constitution and has united the country as a whole.
Effects of Abolishing Article 370
Immediate Impact
The immediate impact created by the abrogation of Article 370 was something unplanned and uncalled for. There was a sense of fear and unrest in the minds of the people of Kashmir. They were tense about the prospects of the Central Government as there was an impression in the back of their mind that by this move, the central government aimed to take away the identity and culture of the native Kashmiris.
Impact on Economy
Surprisingly, the economy of Kashmir has seen a fast decline after a few months of abolishing Article 370. Due to communication shutdown, curfews, and militant threats, Kashmir has lost more than $180 billion in revenue. Along with this, more than 90,000 people have lost their livelihood and jobs.
Impact on Education
Internet blockade rendered a lot of college and university students helpless. The students were unable to fill out online forms for universities and were not able to apply for further education. Internet access to the library had been revoked, which led to increased stress for students. Reports suggest the youths believed this had been done purposefully to keep them from moving ahead and growing. The internet was only available in public offices, and local youth had to wait in long queues to be able to access the internet, and sometimes even shell out money and waste precious time.
Conclusion
Though the abolition of Article 370 has been a historic move for India as a country, the immediate aftermath of the action was devastating. The disadvantages of Revocation of Article 370 included students not being able to access the internet in the 21st century, people without jobs and regular sources of income, tourism shut. The forever looming threat of terrorism has tinted the move as propaganda against the people of Kashmir and their culture. On the brighter side, all of these would only lead to growth and development for the people of Kashmir with more opportunities in the future, better livelihoods, and a country to call their own. The abolition of Article 370 surely opens a pathway to success for the youth of Kashmir. The authorities should keep a close watch on the happenings in and around Kashmir and attempt to eliminate all possible loopholes and obstacles to achieve a terrorism free, developed, and happy Kashmir.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ireland on September 23, 2015. It was the second time an Indian Prime Minister had visited Ireland. The first being Jawaharlal Nehru’s visit in 1956. Ireland is an island nation located in Northwestern Europe and surrounded by the North Atlantic Ocean.
The Prime Minister of Ireland, Enda Kenny, had hosted PM Modi during his visit. The PM was attended by other dignitaries such as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charles Flanagan, and Ireland’s Ambassador to India, Feilim McLaughlin. The main aim of the visit was to create stronger ties and improve trade and cultural relations. Described below is the impact of the PM’s Ireland visit.
Impact on trade and commerce
India and Ireland have strong bilateral trade and business relations. Before the PM’s visit, trades with Ireland were valued at €650 million in business in 2014. This included exports worth €248m and imports worth €402 million.
The indigenous exports increased from €32 million in 2012 to €55 million in 2014. In 2019, the total bilateral trade was around €1.2 billion. The exports and the imports have also increased to €636 million and €480 million respectively. Currently, the total trade between India and Ireland is valued at €4.2 billion. This resulted from improved bilateral ties between the two nations, owing to Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Ireland.
Indian Companies in Ireland
Many Indian companies carry out trade and commerce in Ireland. They provide services to Irish markets and consumers across various industries. Pharmaceutical giants such as Reliance Genemedix and Amneal Pharmaceuticals operate in Ireland. Major IT companies such as Wipro, Infosys, TCS, and HCL also have a strong presence in the country. The trade relations were bolstered after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ireland.
Other companies like Crompton Greaves, Deepak Fasteners, Jain irrigation systems, and Shapoorji Pallonji provide consumer goods and services. Likewise, many Irish companies conduct their business in the Indian market. These companies include pharmaceutical and nutrition players like ICON and Glanbia, IT firms like Globoforce and other companies like Keventer, CRH Taxback Group, and Connolly Red Mills.
Impact on Education
Ireland has been a coveted destination for higher education for Indian students. Over 5000 Indian students have enrolled for higher studies in various institutions in Ireland. The students are admitted to engineering, technology, medicine and management colleges. More than 30 research agreements have been signed between the two nations that allow institutes in both countries to collaborate.
Many reputed institutes like Trinity College, Dublin, and Thapar University, Patiala, have signed MOUs for engineering and science disciplines programmes. Thus, Ireland is an essential collaborator in graduate and doctoral research. This collaboration is also considered an impact of the PM’s Ireland visit.
Indian Community in Ireland
Ireland is diplomatically significant for India also due to the large number of Indian citizens residing there. The Indian origin population is approximately 45,000 people, of whom 18,500 are Non-Resident Indians (NRI), and others are Persons of Indian Origin (PIO). The majority of the residents are working professionals employed in engineering, healthcare and management positions.
It has helped in establishing many policies for the Indian origin population. Two such policies in practice are wearing hijab as a part of the police uniform and the non-requirement of obtaining an additional work permit for the spouse or the partner of Critical Skill Employment Permit holders.
Cultural Impact
As a result of a large population of Indian origin citizens in Ireland and the relationship between the two nations, Ireland promotes Indian culture in various forms. One such example is the celebration of Diwali in Ireland since 2008. The event is organised every year in collaboration with Irish and Indian committees.
Further, an annual contemporary film festival is also a part of the celebration of Indian culture. The promotion of such events indicates the importance of cultural exchange between the two nations. The Irish communities also take a keen interest in conventional practices such as cultivating and consuming Indian herbs and spices. This connects the agricultural practices between the two nations. The cultural ties between the countries were strong, and Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Ireland helped strengthen them further.
Another significant practice is the celebration of International Yoga Day in Ireland. The Irish communities have accepted Yoga as a form of a healthy lifestyle. The practice is similar to the Indian tradition.
Tourism
India attracts around 44,000 Irish tourists every year. Indian tourists too visit Ireland in similar numbers. This was facilitated by the introduction of the common British-Irish visa scheme. This scheme allows the tourists to visit the U.K. and Ireland under one visa, rather than applying for two separate visas. It is valid for short stays. India also extended its Electronic Tourist Visa facility to Ireland to digitally facilitate visa approval and generation. The impact of the PM’s Ireland visit was such that it has also helped establish the tourism sector in both countries.
Conclusion
The diplomatic ties between Ireland and India have been impacted positively after Prime Minister Modi visited Ireland in 2015. It was an essential step toward strengthening the bilateral relationship between these two nations. India and Ireland have been important to each other since the 1900s.
In 2010 and 2017, two honorary consulates were established in Chennai and Kolkata. Later in 2019, a formal and fully functional consulate general in Mumbai. Ireland and India have also shown their allegiance to fighting terrorism after the Pulwama attack. India has also hosted several Irish dignitaries on various occasions. These visits were directed toward engagement in business, education, health and tourism.
Further, many agreements were signed to provide opportunities for employment to people of both countries. Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Ireland helped revive relatively stagnant relations between these two nations. Several cultural and historically similar instances bind these two nations. From Yeats and Tagore to cricket and Diwali, the cultural semblance between these two nations has helped create a strong tie between them.
