Muslims form the largest minority in India, making up for approximately 13% of the total population of India. However, Muslims are also victim to the stereotypes which the Bollywood film industry...Show moreMuslims form the largest minority in India, making up for approximately 13% of the total population of India. However, Muslims are also victim to the stereotypes which the Bollywood film industry reproduces. Cinema is a form of mass media, which can play a large role in the formation of someone’s opinion. With the increase of electronic mass media, and the availability of internet worldwide, the influence of cinema is greater than ever. Cinema has proven to be one of the most influential instruments in popular culture for shaping current trends. Due to its large influence on both culture and mind-set, cinema also serves as a mean for politicians to affect the values of the civilization. Taking into account the growing influence of cinema on both ‘public opinion’ and politics, the stereotyping of Muslims could have a negative influence on the public image of Muslims worldwide. This thesis will address the following hypothesis: The representation of Muslims in popular Bollywood cinema conforms to stereotypes and constructs their identity in a negative manner.Show less
Climate change is a controversial concept. While in the US the debate is ongoing to whether it is caused by humans, in India anthropogenic climate change is largely endorsed. Here, the dispute...Show moreClimate change is a controversial concept. While in the US the debate is ongoing to whether it is caused by humans, in India anthropogenic climate change is largely endorsed. Here, the dispute concerns the question of responsibility; they are engaged in a debate dealing with the issue of historical versus current emissions, and the concept of equity and climate justice. Media coverage of climate change in India has changed largely over the years. Firstly dominated by the concept of carbon colonialism and a nationalist discourse, it gradually shifted towards a co-benefits approach and green growth narrative. Whereas in the early 2000’s media coverage was largely framed along a risk-responsibility and North-South divide, with the Copenhagen summit in 2009 the narrative had become more nuanced and India’s growing emissions were no longer ignored. During the negotiations in Paris, both the risk-responsibility as well as the North-South divide could be observed again and much attention was given to India’s vulnerability to climate change.Show less
This thesis aims at analysing the foreign policy paradigm shift that happened in India in the post-liberalisation period, by focusing on the transformation of the non-alignment strategy towards a...Show moreThis thesis aims at analysing the foreign policy paradigm shift that happened in India in the post-liberalisation period, by focusing on the transformation of the non-alignment strategy towards a multi-alignment strategy in order for India to preserve and further its economic interests, but also its maritime and energy security through various strategic partnerships and joint military action with the example of the Look East/Act East Policy, or the Indo-US nuclear deal.Show less
This thesis gives an overview of programs used by the Government of India, from independence until today, to improve conditions in the country's slums and critically analyzes the contents of India...Show moreThis thesis gives an overview of programs used by the Government of India, from independence until today, to improve conditions in the country's slums and critically analyzes the contents of India's current urban poverty alleviation and slum improvement program, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Housing for All). The aim of this analysis not only is to determine how well India's slum improvement policies help to improve the conditions in slums, but specifically how well these policies address the determinants of health in slums. The thesis argues that although in theory slum improvement programs can have a positive influence on determinants of health and well-being, in India, implementation of programs has been fraught with challenges and it is unlikely this will change anytime soon. A lack of political will seems to be one major reason for the absence of large-scale improvements in living conditions in India's slums.Show less
the aim of this thesis is to present an alternative historical account of the politics of development in the Northeast which, based on postcolonial theory, analyses the evolution of the discourse...Show morethe aim of this thesis is to present an alternative historical account of the politics of development in the Northeast which, based on postcolonial theory, analyses the evolution of the discourse of development in the region, to pinpoint how it has changed over time to cater to the needs and objectives of the central government in specific historico-political contexts.Show less
The author looks at the way humanitarianism evolved during the Cold War/decolonization period, namely the merging of humanitarian relief and political activism. The case study used for this thesis...Show moreThe author looks at the way humanitarianism evolved during the Cold War/decolonization period, namely the merging of humanitarian relief and political activism. The case study used for this thesis is Operation Omega, a radical NGO active during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.Show less
