Reddish Flower

First Shot

BRIC nations

In economics, BRIC (typically rendered as "the BRICs" or "the BRIC countries" or known as the "Big Four") is a grouping acronym that refers to the related countries of Brazil, Russia, India, and China.

The acronym was coined by Jim O'Neill in a 2001 paper entitle "The World Needs Better Economic BRICs" .The acronym has come into widespread use as a symbol of the shift in global economic power away from the developed G7 economies toward the developing world.

According to a paper published in 2005, Mexico and South Korea are the only other countries comparable to the BRICs, but their economies were excluded initially because they were considered already more developed. Goldman Sachs argued that, since they are developing rapidly, by 2050 the combined economies of the BRICs could eclipse the combined economies of the current richest countries of the world. The four countries, combined, currently account for more than a quarter of the world's land area and more than 40% of the world's population.

The BRIC's Thesis

Goldman Sachs argues that the economic potential of Brazil, Russia, India, and China is such that they could become among the four most dominant economies by the year 2050. The thesis was proposed by Jim O'Neill, global economist at Goldman Sachs. These countries encompass over 25% of the world's land coverage and 40% of the world's population and hold a combined GDP (PPP) of 15.435 trillion dollars. On almost every scale, they would be the largest entity on the global stage. These four countries are among the biggest and fastest growing emerging markets.

However, it is not the intent of Goldman Sachs to argue that these four countries are a political alliance (such as the European Union) or any formal trading association, like ASEAN. Nevertheless, they have taken steps to increase their political cooperation, mainly as a way of influencing the United States position on major trade accords, or, through the implicit threat of political cooperation, as a way of extracting political concessions from the United States, such as the proposed nuclear cooperation with India.

(2003) Dreaming with BRICs: The Path to 2050

Here's what Goldman Sachs had to say in its original report (defended in the paper Dreaming with BRICs: The Path to 2050) "Dreaming with BRICS: The Path to 2050," published in 2003:

·         China's economy will surpass Germany in the next few years, Japan by 2015, and the United States by 2041.

·         India's growth rate will be the highest—not China's -- and it will overtake Japan (today the world's second-largest economy) by 2032.

·         BRICs’ currencies could appreciate by 300% over the next 50 years, providing a big tailwind for investors in BRIC assets.

·         Taken together, the BRICs could be larger than the United States and the developed economies of Europe within 40 years.

Secularism is Under threat?

Well i wrote this one when i was in class 10th for a debate competition and got 2nd prize also :P.

Secularism is Under threat?

The preamble to the constitution of India declares to be a Sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic, republic and secures to all its citizens Justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. Article 25 to 28 is a group of provisions ensuring equality of religion. By the statement that India is a secular state, we eventually undertake that all the religions are treated equally in our nation. Secularism provides freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion.

India is a land of many religions. There is no harm in having so many religions. But to think of the interest of one's religious community first and the nation afterwards will definitely shatter the country's unity and integrity.

History provides evidence that whenever anybody has tried to provoke religious sentiments of one's community against the other, there had been direct clash between them, resulting in death of thousands of innocent people. Although we say that our country is a secular state, still incidence had been there which puts a question mark on India's secularism. In 1947, we all know the emergence of Pakistan and India as two separate countries were accompanied by Hindu- Muslim riots killing people of both the communities.

In 1984, again as an aftermath of Mrs. Indira Gandhi's assassination, thousands of Sikhs were brutally killed. Further who can forget the Babri Masjid demolition on 6th Dec. 1992, which brought about such grave provocation of religious sentiments that there were dead bodies everywhere.

It was always advisable to forget the past, but although we don't go into history, the occurrence of the Godhra kand in the beginning of the year 2003 is a shame for every citizen of modern India.All such incidence which i have just talked about are the result of malicious ambitions of politicians who deliberately make religion an issue in politics.

The Britishers had ruled India applying 'Divide and Rule' policy for about 200 years. Now a days our politicians are almost doing the same. In order to win the elections, sometimes Ram Temple at  ayodhya is made the issue or sometimes the Kashmir is brought into the picture. in our country politicians are playing games by provoking religious sentiments, than why can't our neighboring countries do the same. Threat to our secularism is both from inside and outside India.

It is an universal truth that a single stick breaks easily as compared to a pile of sticks. A lesson should be learned from previous  incidents of communal riots, before it is too late. It is our duty to give our children a safe, united and peaceful country to live.

Thank you.