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Globalisation, Federalism and
Decentralisation Implications for India
by Guljit K. Arora Bookwell,
N. Delhi. Pages: xv + 248. Price: Rs. 525.
 Globalisation has
wrought certain seemingly irreversible changes in the lifestyle
and mindset of some sections of the society. Captive markets are
giving way to intensely competitive ones. Product quality and
price must be worked out to woo consumers.
Apart from
economic implications, globalisation has politico-administrative
connotations too. Therefore, the author has linked the process
of globalisation with federalism and decentralisation in the
Indian context. He feels that the entire gamut of Centre-State
equations needs to be studied in order to evolve a comprehensive
national response to the challenges and opportunities thrown up
by globalisation. The author attempts to explain and simplify
the complex issues relating to globalisation, decentralisation
and federalism, and brings out their economic and federal
ramifications for the developing countries like India. However,
the question that needs to be repeatedly asked is whether our
politico-bureaucratic combine has the necessary will and
wherewithal to meet the threats posed and avail of the scope
offered by globalisation. Useful for students of political
economy.
***
Environmental
Biotechnology
by Geetha Bali, Ramamurthi
Rallapalli, SB Sullia, Aziz Shiralipour & Satish Kastury.
APH, N. Delhi. Pages: xviii +
386. Price: Rs. 895.
 In order to save
our environment from further degradation it is imperative that
"clean" technologies are used. This may help resolve
the development / pollution dilemma. Pesticides, plastics, dyes,
petroleum and other toxins have played havoc with air, water and
earth. Yet these have been essential concomitants to industrial
and agricultural progress. However, now an urgent need is being
felt for non-polluting alternative models of development. This
is where biotechnology comes in.
Biotechnology is a
multi-disciplinary concept that comprises microbiology,
molecular biology, genetics, chemistry, immunology,
environmental science etc. The authors point out that it
involves essentially the use of microbes, animal and plant cells
or enzymes to synthesise, break down or transform materials. It
is different from the "traditional" biotechnology
which involves conventional techniques that are being used since
centuries to produce beer, wine etc. Modern biotechnology relies
on DNA and cell fusion technologies, in addition to the
traditional biotechnological concepts and techniques. Its
applications are wide ranging, from waste-treatment to pest
control. A good buy for the environmentally conscious.
***
Behind
Psychology: Searching for the Roots
by V.K. Singhal Manas
Publications, N. Delhi. Pages: 133. Price: Rs. 295.
 Man never tires of
asking the oft-repeated question, "what is life?" The
answers range from the matter-of-fact biological to the weighty
philosophical; from the tediously commonplace to the zany
nonconformist. Some see life as a straight smooth linear
progression, while others look upon it as a web of karmic
circles, and still others dub it an illusion. You'll come across
people who take life so seriously that they forget to live,
while others live it up sans apprehension.
The agitated ones
prefer to battle against what they perceive as life's
injustices, while the tranquil ones accept destiny's fruits—be
they sweet or sour. One may be full of regrets over misdeeds
performed or opportunities lost, always fearful of the divine
wrath, while the other has no such qualms and thumbs his nose at
the wrathful Almighty.
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THE
Saraswati River, said to have disappeared 2,000 years ago,
continues to fascinate geologists, historians and mythologists
alike. Sceptics consider it a figment of imagination. Valdiya
belongs to the school of thought that says that the river
actually existed in the tract comprising parts of Rajasthan,
Haryana and Punjab. He bases his arguments on the long
validated thesis that human settlements were invariably
established on riverbanks in the ancient times. He points out
that the riverless land between the Aravalli Range and the
Sindhu (Indus) river, at present extremely deficient in
rainfall, was densely dotted with the settlements of the Stone
Age and the Harappan civilisations.
