Indian Citizens Research Articles

THE PLIGHT OF BANGLADESHI UNDERTRIAL PRISONERS IN INDIA: A CRISIS OF JUSTICE

The largest group of foreign national inmates in India is Bangladeshi inmates. Bangladeshis made up 68.8% of the 5,168 foreign national prisoners housed at the end of 2018, according to data provided by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). It is important to consider the high number of prisoners from Bangladesh in India when considering their shared history, as well as the frequent movements and social interactions across their porous borders. Following India's partition in 1947 and again during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, there was a significant migration from Bangladesh to India. The Assam Accord was signed in 1985 as a result of the significant outcry over the flood of Bangladeshi migrants in Assam. In the 2005 case of Sarbananda Sonowal v. Union of India, the Supreme Court of India invalidated the Illegal Migrants (Determination of Tribunal) Act, 1983, which established the processes for identifying and removing illegal migrants from Assam. The court ruled that the Act violated Articles 14 and 355 of the Indian Constitution. The publication of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam on August 31, 2019, which excluded 1.9 million people as citizens of India, has brought the topic of detention and deportation of illegal migrants back into the public eye. This research paper is an attempt to examine the reasons behind the imprisonment of Bangladeshi undertrial prisoners in India particularly in some cases even if they have completed more than half of the sentences provided under the law for those offences and to find out some remedial measures for those who for some reason have came to India and thereafter, have never been able to return to their country of origin.

Abstract C133: The missing cancer and palliative care in displaced community in Northeast India

Abstract Introduction: Cancer is a chronic illness needing long treatment. This includes late toxicity management in case of cure and palliative care if cure is a distant possibility. Northeast part of India shares international border with Bangladesh and both sides had witnessed geopolitical uncertainty since India’s independence in 1947. Unrest and military rule in East Pakistan made the citizens to flee to India which continued even after the creation of the new country Bangladesh in 1971. However, the poor migrants are not eligible under the public health scheme due to lack of proof of citizenship. Methods: We have analyzed the public health scheme and issues of migrants in Northeast India after observing discontinuity in care. Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) is a national public health insurance scheme of the Government of India that aims to provide free access to health insurance coverage for low- income earners in the country. The scheme is applicable to Indian citizens. In 2019 Government of India passed the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) to provide Indian citizenship to the illegal migrants who entered India on or before 31st December 2014. However, the exercise to identify migrants as per the Act is a tedious process and not yet over.: Results: Until the exercise of granting citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act is done, the poor migrants who have no proof of citizenship cannot take benefit under AB PM-JAY scheme. Unfortunately, some internally displaced Indian citizens are lacking proof of citizenship and many of them are suffering from chronic illnesses and cancer, however neither afford to pay for treatment nor eligible to get free treatment under AB PM-JAY scheme. Conclusions: Northeast India migrant issue is a special situation where poor migrants from other country and some displaced poor Indians are not eligible to get cancer care under public health insurance scheme. The Citizenship Amendment Act provides a solution by granting citizenship. However, the tedious process is taking long time and no solution being offered in the interim period. Citation Format: Suryakanta Acharya. The missing cancer and palliative care in displaced community in Northeast India [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr C133.

Misinformation and Support for Vigilantism: An Experiment in India and Pakistan

Vigilante violence, often targeting religious and sectarian minorities and preceded by unsubstantiated rumors, has taken the lives of many citizens in India and Pakistan in recent years. Despite its horrific nature, such vigilantism receives popular support. Can reducing the credibility of rumors via corrections decrease support for vigilantism? To answer this question, we field simultaneous, in-person experiments in Punjab, Pakistan, and Uttar Pradesh, India, regions where anti-minority vigilantism has been preceded by misinformation. We find that correcting rumors reduces support for vigilantism and increases the desire to hold vigilantes accountable. This effect is not attenuated by prior distrust toward out-groups. By contrast, information about state and elite behavior does not always shape attitudes toward vigilantism. These findings provide evidence that support for vigilantism can be reduced through the dissemination of credible information, even in polarized settings.

The developmental facets of religious harmony in India

India is a multireligious society with religious harmony. India upholds the values of secularism as the basic feature of its Constitution. Respect for other religions and their beliefs is one of the main characteristics of Indian society and the core of religious harmony. The life of each and every Indian citizen is very much rooted in their religious beliefs and practices, with true trust and confidence in constitutional values. The recent development of religious fanatism or radicalism shakes the secularistic pillar of the nation and is a threat to religious harmony. A narrow-minded attitude toward other religions creates a feeling of insecurity and fear of survival among people. This can be considered a disturbing element of religious harmony and one of the major challenges India currently faces. Legislations related to religion can be seen as a small challenge in the developmental process of religious harmony. The judiciary holds an important place in securing and promoting this harmony. Interreligious dialog is a channel through which to ensure harmony in a pluralistic society. This paper analyzes the emergence of religious concord and its applicability to the current Indian context.

Politics of apoliticality and the Indian citizen in popular Hindi cinema

ABSTRACT Popular Hindi cinema in contemporary times has characteristic patterns of ideological positioning, that reflect the populist authoritarian regime and its political agenda of a monolithic Hindu identity with its corresponding political version of a nation built on Hindutva policies. Film genres like historicals have been ideal propaganda vehicles in building counternarratives to challenge the fragile secular structures that keep the heterogeneity of the nation in place. A sub-genre to be mentioned in this context is biopics which have emerged as a popular sub-genre of historicals in contemporary Indian cinema. They narrate tales of individuals who have led extraordinary lives or have shaped their lives to become role models for the young to learn and emulate. Biopics can be turned into narratives about nationalism with little effort and we see several films shaping discourses on nationalism and national identity. Using biopics released since 2010, I seek to explore the significance of this hero in biopics in a neoliberal nationalist paradigm. The films chosen are those that depict the lives of common people who have turned heroes, as in the case of films like Manjhi – The Mountain Man (2015), Super 30 (2019), and Pad Man (2018).

User-centred exploration of m-governance adoption: identifying and analysing determinants

PurposeThis study tries to examine the factors that influence the adoption of e-governance mobile applications among Indian citizens. In addition, this study aims to analyse the impact of these factors on the adoption process.Design/methodology/approachThe study used convenience sampling procedure to collect the data from 431 citizens of India. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling techniques were used to assess the validity of scale and test the hypotheses.FindingsThe finding reveals that the information quality (IQ), perceived usefulness, social influence and government appeal (GA) significantly and positively impacted the attitude of citizen towards the m-governance. In addition, perceived ease of use was not significantly and positively impacted the citizen towards the m-governance.Practical implicationsThis study aims to contribute to the existing literature on m-governance adoption in the developing nation. The study intends to provide insightful information on the factors influencing the adoption of m-governance. Also, this study seeks to make a scholarly contribution and provide practical insights for professionals in the industry and government departments.Originality/valueMobile applications transform the government operations and enhance the efficiency of government service delivery. Although there are numerous benefits of m-government application, but still the adoption rate of m-governance is steady. The study uses technology acceptance model along with incorporated two additional constructs, i.e. IQ and GA, to make model more comprehensive and robust to understand the m-governance adoption intention.

Road Accident Analysis and Classification Using Machine Learning Algorithms

Abstract: India is facing a severe public health crisis characterized by a significant number of road accidents resulting in fatalities and life-altering injuries. This study undertakes a detailed analysis of road accidents in India using multi-year accident data to unveil recurring patterns and identify high-risk demographics. The research meticulously examines the primary causes of these accidents, including driver behavior such as speeding, and inadequate road infrastructure such as poor lighting, signage, potholes, and vehicle malfunctions. Moreover, the paper proposes a comprehensive approach to prevent these tragedies. It suggests strategies for enhancing road design and maintenance, enforcing traffic regulations more rigorously, and conducting targeted public awareness campaigns to promote responsible driving practices. By highlighting the alarming increase in fatalities and the substantial socio-economic costs associated with these accidents, this research emphasizes the critical need for immediate and effective interventions to establish a safer road environment for all citizens in India.

Prime Minister Social Security Schemes - An Investigation into the Well-being of Rural Households

Abstract: Background: In order to establish a universal social security system for Indian citizens, especially the rural, marginalized, and vulnerable groups, the Indian government launched three ambitious social security schemes related to the insurance and pension sectors on May 9, 2015. Objective: This article is an attempt to investigate the effectiveness of these three social security schemes — Atal Pension Yojna, PM Jeevan Jyoti Beema Yojna, and PM Suraksha Beema Yojna, in improving the well-being of the poor households from rural regions and the people from the unorganized section of the country. Methodology: This investigation is entirely based on secondary sources, particularly the research publications on the selected topic and the government documents, reports, policy announcements, and news sources. Findings: Focusing on the identified schemes and their respective benefits, the article critically investigated their achievements along with the various challenges faced in effectively executing these schemes. Conclusion: The researcher highlighted an urgent need for a multi-faceted approach involving policy adjustments, awareness campaigns, and targeted efforts to address the identified challenges in the effective execution of the identified social security schemes.

Perfectionism, Attachment Styles and Perceived Social Support in a Single Child

The purpose of the present study is to understand the relationship between perfectionism, attachment styles and perceived social support in a single child. The sample included 100 individuals, between the age of 18-30, Indian citizens, who fulfill the criteria of being an only or a single child. The sample was selected using Non-Probability sampling techniques like convenient, purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics (mean) and Pearson’s correlation analysis. The findings from this study suggest that there is an association between perfectionism, attachment styles and perceived social support. This association or correlation is such that perfectionism is negatively correlated with secure attachment style and positively correlated with all the three insecure attachment styles in an individual. Perceived social support is positively correlated with secure and dismissive attachment style whereas negatively correlated with fearful and preoccupied attachment style. Perfectionism and perceived social support are negatively correlated. Furthermore, the single child sample of the present study is found to have high perceived social support, a dominant fearful attachment style (although secure and preoccupied also have very close and similar values) and to not have high perfectionistic tendencies.

RIGHT TO PRIVACY IN THE DIGITAL AGE: ADDRESSING CHALLENGES IN THE ERA OF TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS

The term "digital age" refers to a grouping of various technological innovations such as virtual environments, digital services, intelligent applications, machine learning, knowledge-based systems, etc. that determine the particular features of the modern world, such as globalization, e-communications, information sharing, virtualization, etc. However, uncontrolled access to information and personal data kept in many global network nodes presents a chance for the technologies of the digital age to breach certain fundamental principles of information security and privacy. The rapid progress of technology has prompted both private and governmental organizations to gather personal data from individuals, often inadvertently left behind while browsing the internet. This collected information, obtained without explicit consent, is subsequently utilized to influence the behavior and decisions of citizens through persuasive technology. This practice infringes upon the liberty guaranteed to every Indian citizen by the Constitution.

Future Acceptance for Hydrogen Fuel Cell in Vehicle & its Outcome on Indian Context

Hydrogen fuel cell is the future in automobile industry which will help the Indian society to move one place to another place with peaceful and more conveniently as, fuel cell cars are powered by compressed hydrogen gas that feeds into an onboard fuel cell stack that doesn’t burn the gas, but instead transforms the fuel’s chemical energy into electrical energy. This electricity then powers the car’s electric motors. Tailpipe emissions are zero, and the only waste produced is pure water. The construction of the fuel cell is similar to a battery. Hydrogen enters the anode, where it comes in contact with a catalyst that promotes the separation of hydrogen atoms into an electron and proton. The electrons are gathered by the conductive current collector, which is connected to the car’s high-voltage circuitry, feeding the onboard battery and/or the motors that turn the wheels. As per the need of Indian citizens need vehicle for daily use and need more mileage in less cost. Hydrogen fuel is not polluting the environment so, its eco friendly mode of power supply for the vehicle. Moreover, hydrogen fuel cell will be more successful source of power to the vehicle as per the electric vehicle power. Hence, Hydrogen fuel cell is the future in Indian automobile industry. Key Words: Hydrogen Fuel Cell, Automobile Industry, Non-Polluting environment emission.

Promoting Effective Refugee Protection in India: Balancing National Interests and International Obligations

This paper explores the situation of refugees in India, particularly Sri Lankan and Rohingya refugees who are seeking asylum in India and face the issue of statelessness due to the lack of a concrete refugee law in India. The Foreigners Act 1946 of India defines foreigners as individuals who are not Indian citizens and requires non-citizens to possess government-issued documentation. Failure to possess such documents exposes individuals to penalties outlined in section 14 of the Act, including potential imprisonment and fines. The Act also grants the government the authority to detain and deport foreign nationals residing unlawfully in India. Furthermore, the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 (“CAA”) addresses the plight of religious minorities, excluding Sri Lankan, Rohingya and other refugees, as it only applies to refugees from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. The CAA allows eligible Hindu refugees who entered India before December 31, 2014, to obtain Indian citizenship. The absence of a concrete refugee law in India, coupled with concerns over the potential impact of the CAA on India’s secular constitutional fabric, has raised international apprehension. It is important to note that India is not a party to the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, 1951, and its 1967 protocol, limiting its refugee protection obligations. By analysing relevant legal sources, judicial decisions and international standards, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the legal complexities surrounding refugee protection in India and the implications of the CAA within the context of India's international obligations. Keywords: Refugee; International Law; India; Secularism; Domestic Law.

Practices on Aarogya Setu: Mapping Citizen Interaction with the Contact-Tracing App in the Time of COVID-19

The usage of contact-tracing applications has been synonymous with ensuring one's health security and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. These contact-tracing apps have been scripted differently by each country, within design choices of centralized vs. decentralized architecture, closed vs. open-source protocol and collecting location vs. proximity data features. The distinct script of contact-tracing apps caters to the contextual background of each country with a presupposition about on-ground and consistent usage of the app. The article explores the ways in which citizens in India negotiate the usage of the Aarogya Setu digital contact-tracing app. It reveals citizens' on-ground practices of adopting or evading the app usage, besides reflecting on the broader institutional shortcomings that shape the scepticism towards technological solutionism in critical health exigencies. Three such practices are identified and thematically presented as resistance by early deletion, resistance by selective adoption and constrained adoption. The findings steer concerns regarding user-friendly designs and revisiting governance structures before deploying any technological solutionism by the state. Here, the paper attempts to reverse the gaze and explore how citizens'(in)effective adoption of the Aarogya Setu app not only responds but also challenges the norm of digital contact-tracing solutionism.

Interdependency of Culture and Nature in Tamba Kaiten: An Eco-Critical Study

Tamba Kaiten is a set of documentation on different folk traditions of the Tamang community which includes various ecological aspects, from folklore to rituals. Human activities which include diverse traditions and customs are associated with the natural world, especially indigenous ones. Being one of the most prominent yet disadvantaged ethnicities in Nepal, Santabir Lama (Pakhrin) has attempted to document the vanishing rites and traditions of the community despite being an Indian citizen but a Tamang nation by identity. The theoretical framework of eco-criticism plays an important role in establishing the relationship and interaction between human culture and ecology in different literature. Thus, Tamba Kaiten, which is an important set of songs by Tamba, the ethnic hero of the Tamang community who preserves history via songs, is better studied from an eco-critic perspective. Songs are the major medium of communication and preservation of culture along with entertainment functions. Tamba preserves and interprets the different phenomena on this Earth and the nature and interactions of Tamang and other communities or vice-versa with the means of songs. Therefore, songs have the potential to stand as literature in the folk domain. The story of the origin of the Earth and the Tamang community and its rites and rituals has an interdependent relationship with nature. Human activities are based on the natural world and their interactions with different agencies there; without human culture, nature wouldn't have any meaning at all. Thus, it creates a need to study an ethnic folk tradition and literature to observe human culture's interdependency on the environment.

Will ‘AI for All’ become a reality for 1.4 billion citizens in India this year?

Will ‘AI for All’ become a reality for 1.4 billion citizens in India this year?

A statistical analysis on the opinion of Indian citizens about opportunities and challenges of digital India mission

A statistical analysis on the opinion of Indian citizens about opportunities and challenges of digital India mission

A Study on Goods and Services Tax (GST)

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a type of indirect tax that has replaced various other indirect taxes in many countries, including India. It is designed to simplify the tax structure and make it more transparent. Instead of multiple taxes at different stages of production and distribution, GST consolidates them into a single tax at the point of consumption Goods and Services Tax is an indirect tax to support and enhance the economic growth of the country. Most of the Developed countries have implemented Goods and Services Tax Bill (GST). However, in India, GST was established in 1999. A committee was set up to design the model of GST. But GST was re-launched on 1 July 2017 by the Indian government. There was a big hue and cry for its implementation. The GST replaced all the multiple taxes which were taken by state and central government. That is why it is said One Nation One Tax which means there is no need to pay any other tax in all over the country. The study systematically reviews the impact of GST in India. The study provides the bibliometric visualization and sentiment analysis of Goods and Services Tax (GST). It was found that the government’s motive of GST was to bring all the citizens of the nation under the tax and to prevent the flow of black money. But it was observed that lots of Indian citizens’ sentiments were in a dilemma. So it is recommended to revisit the structure and keep a scope of continuous improvement Key Words: GST, Goods and Services Tax (GST), Tax, Goods and Services Tax Bill, Sentiment Analysis

The Problems and Prospects of Senior Citizens of India

The primary focus of this article is on the problems and prospects of senior citizens in India. The term senior citizens refers to individuals who are above 60 years of age and below 80, with population above 80 years being referred as super senior citizens. It is noted that the number of senior citizens has increased significantly in India and is expected to rise further in the upcoming years. Hence, investigating the problems and prospects of the lives of senior citizens is highly important for ensuring stability and dignity to their ageing process. This article has considered gathering relevant statistical quantitative data from secondary sources such as previous studies, peer-reviewed journals, various state, central government reports and international institution reports, newspaper articles and others. The gathered secondary quantitative data has been analysed with the help of thematic analysis for elaborating the objective information in relation to the objectives this study intends to explore. The results show that the overall life quality and condition of living of the senior citizens of India is considerably good except for the population living in poverty. Various government welfare schemes and programs assist senior citizens and help improve the quality of life and living standards.

Between Appeal to Citizenship and Biopolitical Fracture: Islamophobia and the New Politics of Muslim Citizenship in India

This article aims to analyze the Islamophobic politics at the heart of citizenship denial in the context of India’s CAA-NRC legislation in December 2019 by the Indian Parliament under the leadership of the BJP. The politics of citizenship denial in India thus emerges in appearance as a legal tussle between the Muslim minority citizenship rights and Hindu nationalism in India. However, the biopolitical fracture of the Indian nation-state makes the legal ideal of citizenship further complicated for Muslim minority citizens in India. Tracing the logic of the paradoxical position of Muslim citizenship discourse in India by following its contradictory existence in law, state, and nationalism, this article reveals the limitations of appeal to citizenship, and the necessity need for the question questioning of the biopolitical fracture, wherein the distinction between citizen and non-citizen translates into those with rights and without rights. This article further proposes that rather than sticking to the idealism of citizenship, a critical analysis of Islamophobia and its political correlates must attend to the negative position of the Muslim subject in with respect to the biopolitical fracture at the core of Indian nationalism and the modern nation-state.

Unity in Diversity: Navigating the Path towards UCC in India

Adopting a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for all Indian citizens has once again gained prominence in national political discourse. On the surface, the idea of enforcing a uniform code in matters of marriage, property inheritance, and guardianship of children appears entirely consistent with the ideals of equality and India's constitutional philosophy. However, its implementation is fraught with many challenges. This paper aims to highlight the complexities surrounding the proposed implementation of the UCC in India. If successful, it will be a transformative legal initiative that will replace varied personal laws based on religious tenets with a unified legal system. This paper employs doctrinal research methodology and analytical and critical legal research tools. Through doctrinal analysis, the paper uncovers the multiple implications of adopting UCC, ranging from balancing constitutional ideals of equality to preserving the socio-cultural diversity of the Indian populace. The findings indicate that although the adoption of UCC could raise serious concerns about cultural homogenization and the violation of religious freedoms, particularly concerning India's religious minorities, it also offers potential benefits in terms of national integration, gender equality, and the simplification of the legal framework. In order to reconcile these competing interests, the paper concludes with the observation that implementing the UCC in India would require a sensitive and inclusive approach that respects the country's religious and cultural diversity while striving toward the constitutional promise of equality and justice for all citizens