Singular Masas and Measure-Multiplicity Invariant

In this paper we study relations between the \emph{left-right-measure} and properties of singular masas. Part of the analysis is mainly concerned with masas for which the \emph{left-right-measure} is the class of product measure. We provide examples of Tauer masas in the hyperfinite $\rm{II}_{1}$ factor whose \emph{left-right-measure} is the class of Lebesgue measure. We show that for each subset $S\subseteq \mathbb{N}$, there exist uncountably many pairwise non conjugate singular masas in the free group factors with \emph{Puk\'{a}nszky invariant} $S\cup\{\infty\}$.Comment: 24 pages, to appear in Houston. J. Mat

Comparing China and India's disputed borderland regions:Xinjiang, Tibet, Kashmir and the Indian Northeast

The paper tries to make an assessment of the borderland regions of China and India with a focus on Xinjiang, Tibet, Kashmir and the Indian Northeast. The paper looks at the conflict in India and China's periphery, how these conflicts have evolved with time and how they have changed their character with the passage of time, from the 1950s until the present day. After looking at some background, the paper primarily focusses on three key issues which impact on all four of the conflicts: the rise of ethnic nationalism, the impact of external forces on the conflict and the human rights situation. After making an assessment of the political situation, the paper looks at the areas of similarity and differences between the four regions. Methodologically, a bottom-up approach was taken and in-depth unstructured interviews were carried out with people from the conflict zones that the paper considers

Insurgency in the Indian Northeast:Student Voices from Kolkata

The article looks at the different facets of the on-going conflict in the Indian Northeast. After some background information, the article looks at the current political situation. There is a special focus on the voices of students. In the Indian Northeast, students have been actively involved in the insurgency and protest movements. Thus, the primary data for the purposes of this article was collected from students of Northeastern origin in the city of Kolkata. Although Kolkata is not in north-eastern India, it is seen as the gateway to the Indian Northeast and the nearest large city in the region, where people of Northeastern descent often come for their education and employment. The article also argues that out of all the Northeastern states, Manipur is currently the most troubled one. Finally, at the end of the article methods of peace building have been suggested as the way forward

Ayub Khan’s basic democracy and political continuity in contemporary Pakistan

The paper looks at the concept of political ‘hybridity’ within the broader framework of Pakistan’s domestic politics. Whilst analysing Pakistan’s domestic politics, most analysts tend to view the country’s political system as authoritarian and label it as a military dictatorship. Whilst this has been true for most of Pakistan’s history since it came into existence in 1947, it is also equally important to look at the role played by the more democratic elements of Pakistani society in politics, and the interactions that have taken place between the more democratic forces on the one hand, and the more authoritarian elements on the other. This paper moves away from traditional ways of viewing Pakistan’s domestic politics and focuses more on the grey areas, instead of viewing the country in black or white terms. In doing so, the paper has a strong focus on Ayub Khan’s concept of Basic Democracy