Talk on "India Japan Economic Relation"

Dr. Takahiro Sato ( Professor, Kobe University, Japan, Visiting Fellow, CAS) presented a seminar titled “India Japan Economic Relation” on 4th April 2012. He presented a comprehensive analysis of India Japan economic relationship since Japan opened up after the Edo era.

Dr. Sato divided his presentation to two parts. Pre and Post 1991 liberalisation. In the pre 1991 phase he subdivided the period to pre and post world war II phase. He started his presentation from the end of the Edo era, which resulted in the opening up of Japan to the world. Japan's import of cotton from India marked the starting of India Japan economic relation. He was of the opinion that Japanese cotton industries achieved International competitiveness by importing cotton from India, which in turn boosted the relationship. In 1941, during the second world war, the economic relationship ended with the British Indian government freezing the assets of Japanese in India.

But after the second world war, the economic relationship between both the countries re emerged. This time too, Japan started importing raw cotton from India. Then slowly the trade moved to steel sector. In 1991 India faced most serious economic crisis from external debt. Japan at this time supported India with credit. And after the liberalisation of India economy India Japan economic relations went to further heights.

Then he touched upon the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and Japan that was signed last year. He also pointed out Justice Pal's Judgement in Tokyo war crime tribunal and Nehru's vision which contributed to the relationship immensely.

Dr. Sato winded up his presentation by saying we share a special relationship, and wished for the success of CEPA.

The presentation was followed with a Q & A session.

Tokyo University Starts its Office at Bangalore

Tokyo University Vice President Prof. Tanaka Akihiko (R)
cuts the ribbon to open the University Office at Bangalore

Tokyo University opens up office at Bangalore

JNU Library has subscribed New Databases

JNU Library has subscribed following new databases, with effect from January 2012:

1. LexisNexis http://www.lexisnexis.com/en-us/home.page
2. Proquest ARL http://www.proquest.com/en-US/catalogs/databases/detail/pq_research_library.shtml
3. Proquest Thesis and Dissertations http://www.proquest.com/en-US/catalogs/databases/detail/pqdt.shtml
4. Literature online with MLA Bibliography http://www.proquest.com/en-US/catalogs/databases/detail/lit_online_mla.shtml
5. Indian Journals.com http://www.indianjournals.com/ijor.aspx

Dr. Geeta Kochhar on" Techno Youth: Changing the face of Chinese Media"

Dr. Geeta Kochhar, Assistant Professor, Centre for Chinese and South East Asian Studies, Language, Literature and Culture Studies, JNU, New Delhi, analyses the effects of tech-savvy youth on Chinese Media.
Full Article:-
Media in general is regarded as a medium of disseminating information. However, its role gradually evolved to generating public opinion that helps governments to understand the issues and problems of its citizens better. In this sense, media has become a mediator between the state and the society. For many countries, media also became a tool for the governments to propagate their policies and ruling Party ideologies. The nature and importance of media grew with the very many roles over the years. Chinese media is no exception to this phenomenon, but the tectonic shifts in Chinese media are worth examining.
In the years of Mao, media was a very strong tool to disseminate the Party policies and programmes to gather mass support. In fact, even after Deng Xiaoping came to power, and reforms in almost all sectors were introduced, media reforms did not transform the nature of reporting; while internet did bring in the change of visible reporting. Today, Chinese media is very active in playing its fullest role, but not just because of spreading globalization and the impact of market forces. A bigger force that is directing and shaping the way media works in present day context is the ‘techno youth’. The term ‘techno youth’ here refers to the younger generation of population ranging anywhere in the age group of 15 to 30 who are skilled in using new communication technologies.
According to official statistics, there were roughly 485 million netizens at the end of June 2011. A major portion of this population is composed of the younger population. With the increased penetration of market forces, advance technology is easily available in China. In particular, large cities of China cater to link with the outside world more closely. These are also the hub of educational institutions and vibrant digital social interactions. Over the years, many Chinese companies have mushroomed to cash on the potential demand of internet users to provide space similar to western social networking sites or search engines. Besides, information/news sharing that abides by the social conditions of China is multiplying in numbers. However, this created a challenge for the established news media to either advance with the times or perish.
The challenge was not just for competing with the expanding information industry, but with the demand this new industry places on the established notions of dissemination of information. With the broader use of internet through computers, ipads, mobile phones etc., young generation wants to be constantly connected and informed. Besides, the demand is also of their active involvement in almost all issues. The resultant revamping of media is visible with People’s Daily, Xinhua News, China Daily, Global Times, etc. all entering the digital information industry. These media giants not only disseminate information through digital mediums, but also provide space for open discussion and debate through various forums. The emphasis has also shifted from just national and international political ideological issues to greater domestic social issues. Thus, one finds a larger debate on issues ranging from inflation in the economy to Chunyun problems (Spring festival rush) or housing problem.

While the internet has changed the way people get connected, it has also changed the way media is required to deliver. Visual mediums of course have come to the center stage, but a larger emphasis is on two-way interaction. The opinions and comments of the readers/viewers becomes an integral part of all discussions and debates. In fact, on critical issues of public interest, Chinese political leaders have also directly connected to the masses through media forums. In addition, the demand of the techno youth to have multitude of opinions has opened the doors or incorporating diverse views on various subjects. Internet has changed the way we work, but the Chinese techno youth have redefined the role Chinese media will have to play in the long future.

Prof Kondapalli on 'India-China:Protracted talks, Contested Sovereignties'

Dr.Kondapalli, Professor in Chinese Studies in his article, on rediff.com deciphers the complexities of boundary talks, recently held in New Delhi. He asserts Dai's basic mission to Delhi was to discuss a "framework" for the resolution of the boundary dispute between the two countries. While Dai stated that both sides have "scaled much height" in working out such a framework, as he is stepping down this year as the State Councilor and the Special Representative on border talks, he has little to show to his own people on the subject, having engaged with four Indian counterparts since 2003...

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Happy New Year 2012!!!!!!

Dr. Acharya analyses the Origins and Implications of the Sino–Indian Agreements of 2003 and 2005

Dr. Alka Acharya, AssociateProfessor in Chinese Studies, in her article in China Report analyses the Origins and Implications of the Sino–Indian Agreements of 2003 and 2005. She argues that the Agreements of  2003 and 2005 were a fundamental departure from the earlier  approaches adopted by the two countries and a conscious attempt at charting a new way out of a tangled historical legacy riddled with contradictions and complexities. It seeks to examine the origins of underlay this vital ‘course correction’ by both sides and its hopefully far-reaching implications.....

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