Srinagar, Oct 18:  Governor NN Vohra Tuesday urged academics, scholars and policy makers to consider what requires to be done to further the cause of globalization to address its fundamentals like free flow of energy between different countries.
 Addressing the inaugural session of a four-day conference “Globalization and Eurasia” at the University of Kashmir, Vohra said “it is time to address the impediments in the way of globalisation” and address the “foundations of globalisation like free flow of energy and natural resources” among countries.
 The international level conference, which is being attended by academics and scholars from India and abroad, is being organized by Centre of Central Asian Studies (CCAS).
 Vohra, who inaugurated the conference, said the state of Jammu and Kashmir has been adversely affected over the years by various events. “So it is time for our academics and scholars to consider what needs to be done to further the cause of globalisation in the region,” he said.
 Vohra referred to ancient Silk Route which connected Jammu and Kashmir with Central Asian countries via Gurez. “Look at the situation today. There is a great deal of history and culture that we have left behind. So there are issues that could be looked into to make some of the concepts of globalisation turn into realities. For this, we need to shoulder together to bring about lasting peace and calm around,” he said.
 In his keynote address, Ambassador to Kazakhstan Rajiv Sikri said globalisation is a buzzword of the 21st century “because it has redefined the contours of international politics over the years.”
 “Globalization rests on two developments: the power of technology that has shrunk and flattened the world and made it more integrated but vulnerable, and also the end of Cold War where watertight borders have become permeable,” Sikri said, addressing a gathering of academics and scholars at Gandhi Bhawan of the university.
 He said globalization had a huge impact on Eurasia. “Earlier Eurasia was a remote and far-flung place. But now it has diversified a lot in terms of road connectivity, energy flows and railway links,” he said.
 He called for rebuilding the stepping stones between South Asia and Eurasia. “Jammu and Kashmir can be reconnected to Eurasia,” he said.
 The KU Vice-Chancellor Prof Talat Ahmad welcomed the guests from India and abroad. “The globalization vis-à-vis Eurasia is an important subject that has been taken up for discussion by the CCAS. The globalization has its own advantages but it is not devoid of problems. So I am hopeful that the theme of the conference and its contours would be discussed threadbare during the technical sessions of the conference,” he said, hoping that in the end of the conference, “we have some important suggestions and recommendations” on the theme.
 The Conference Coordinator and Director (Area Studies Programme) at the CCAS, Prof Mushtaq A Kaw, underscored the objective of the event. “This conference would address a number of questions, beginning with why, despite the globalization, the volume of India and Central Asian trade is not adequate and why energy share is not much,” he said. “It would also address how globalization can help reconcile conflicting ideologies in the vast Eurasian region and how it can soothe the minds of restive groups therein. It will also look into how Eurasian countries can have a plan to scale down ecological degradation in the region.”
 The CCAS Director, Prof GR Jan, gave a background about the activities undertaken by the Centre in the past many years. He said the endeavor to hold international level conferences has been a regular feature of the CCAS.
 Former CCAS Director, Prof Mir, presented the vote of thanks. The CCAS annual journal and conference proceedings of four years were released during the Conference by His Excellency, Governor NN Vohra.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 18 Oct 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:00:00 IST