Subject: You are to pick only one of the topics below:
1. The Telengana Movement: currently there are efforts to create the new state of Telengana out of the existing state of Andhra Pradesh. Given that Andhra Pradesh was the first state to be formed after the linguistic reorganization of India, based on the idea that language was the most effective basis of administration and governance, how does one make sense of the desire to create another Telugu-speaking state? Why has this issue come alive in the recent past? What are the political, economic, and social benefits of statehood? You are to present the opposing/conflicting viewpoints and perspectives of both sides of the issue – those who are agitating for a new state of Telengana and those who are opposed to that idea. Do not pick a position. What are the lessons to be learned – about nationalism, identity, democratic politics, federalism – from this particular case? What do we learn about India through this specific case?
2. Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh: these three states were created out of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh respectively. Pick one of the three states and detail the process and history that led to the formation of the new state. Some of the main questions to ponder: why was it deemed necessary to create this new state? What perceived need did the new state meet? What are the political, economic, and social benefits of statehood? What has changed [politically, socially, economically] in these regions as a result of statehood? What are the lessons to be learned – about nationalism, identity, democratic politics, federalism – from this particular case? What do we learn about India through this specific case?