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The phenomenon of globalisation - involving large scale movement of ideas, capital, goods and people across the borders - is perceived as a threat to local and national cultures in many quarters. The perception is based on the belief that globalisation introduces a single word culture based on ' consumerism, mass media, Americana and English language. 'As a result, a new class of political claims and demands have emerged from individuals, communities and countries feeling that their local cultures are being swept away. So, managing the cultural diversity has emerged as one of the central challenges of our time. Many people apprehend that globalisation can lead to the abandonment of traditional values and practices and the dismantling of the economic basis on which the survival of indigenous cultures depend. Such a kind of threat perception has necessitated an alternative approach that respects and promotes diversity while keeping countries open to global flows of capital goods and people. It aims at promoting cultural freedom by expanding people’s choices in the ways people live and identify themselves. This paper is an attempt to examine the challenges posed by a globalised world on cultural front and how the policy of multiculturalism can be used to manage the cultural diversity. In this context attempts have also been made to examine the rich Canadian experience in managing the problems arising out of diverse cultural composition of their population and what lessons the world can draw from their experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Political--bureaucratic corruption has emerged as a big challenge in our country at a time when good governance has become a necessity for survival in a globalized world. In this context, the passage of the Lokpal Bill, 2013 is considered as a positive step which would be helpful in curbing the menace of corruption at the higher level It is, however; also felt that the Lokpal alone cannot check the menace effectively until and unless it is backed by some other legal-institutional and judicial reforms. This paper seeks to examine the nature and level of corruption in our country, root causes behind corruption, the pros and cons of the Lokpal act, 2013 and what other steps need to be taken to tackle the menace effectively at all levels. It is suggested that besides rectifying some of the fault lines in the Lokpal act 2013, the government should also make provisions for effective scrutiny of source of funding of political parties, neutral intervention of technology in government's dealing with the public, transparency in acquisition and disposal of national resource, enforcing the judicial accountability and so on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]