Fiction:United Republic of South Asia

The United Republic of South Asia, shortened to the URSA, was a human interstellar republic, as well as a superpower, having control of 10,000 star systems in the Orion Spur of the Milky Way Galaxy. It comprised of India (the founding member), Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives. In short, it comprised of most South Asian nations. It was a representational democracy.

It was in the year 2085, when the then Prime Minister of India, Aabida Khan saw dreams of uniting all South Asian nations under a single government after similar tasks of uniting nations were being undertaken by the Alliance of the Mashriq and POTATO.

The URSA played an important role in World War III and the Human Colonial Wars. It's role in the Human Colonial Wars soon got the URSA the status of colonial superpower, and the URSA soon rivalled France.

Development of India
By the year 2010, India had become the fastest growing major economy among the major economies. But the country still had high levels of poverty, unemployment, corruption, crime, etc. Also, cities were not planned, which resulted in poor drainage systems and other facilities. Trash was thrown everywhere and water bodies were polluted. Villages had barely any facilities. Diseases were also common. Illiteracy was high. Some governments tried to bring about a change but were not very successful.

All this changed after the government led by Gurmeet Singh, who became Prime Minister in the year 2029, brought about new reforms to develop the nation. Villages were rebuilt, with new facilities, such as hospitals having the latest facilities, schools having many facilities (such as a playground, labs, etc.) and many other things. Education and healthcare were taken care of. Connectivity within these villages and between two or more villages was improved. The extra workforce in the agricultural sector (which more than half the population was dependant on then), was moved mainly to the industrial sector. A modified Land Reform Act was passed, which forced many people having a lot of land and property to donate a large portion of their land to the landless labourers and farmers. Through these reforms not many people now depended on the agricultural sector, farmers now had larger land holdings and got access to modern technical inputs and were taught of organic farming. Hence food production increased, all farmers soon got higher incomes and rural poverty was soon eradicated.

When it came to urban lifestyle, cities were rebuilt in a planned way, with tall skyscrapers, wide roads, good drainage systems, better public transport, wide footpaths, etc. All unemployed people and those working in the unorganised sector were given employment in the organised sector. All this lead to Gurmeet Singh's government winning a second term in 2034 and complete the remaining developmental projects.

In his second term, his government focused on cleaning up the water bodies and the cities and villages. Water treatment plants were set up, which took all wastes generated from industries and cleaned the water before leaving the clean water in the water bodies. Heavy penalties were introduced for littering or for throwing anything inside water bodies, for breaking rules, etc. Laws were made more strict to bring down crime and corruption. The military was also built up.

The army also carried out major operations against the terrorist groups prevalent in the country, with thousands of terrorists, including the leaders of these terrorist groups, either being killed or imprisoned, and their strongholds and hideouts were raided. The losses faced by these terror groups were so high that almost all of them were forced to disband. The last terror group in India was disbanded in the year 2050.

These action gave many results. Unemployment and poverty were eradicated. Crime and corruption reduced drastically. The standard of living of the people increased. All water bodies were clean. No litter could be found anywhere. Forest cover increased. Life expectancy of the people increased. Through advancements in technology and medicine, diseases were soon kept in check. Malnutrition was eradicated. The Indian economy boomed, growing at very high rates (growth of economy and GDP reached 50% per annum, a figure which no other country had ever reached).

India was not affected much by the fossil fuel crisis since it had largely converted to green energy. But its neighbors were affected.

India-Pakistan War of 2063
By 2060, however, terrorism was still not completely eradicated. There were terrorist groups based in Pakistan that were attempting to undermine the state of Jammu and Kashmir, wanting it to break away from India and join Pakistan. The Indian Army did eliminate many terrorists in the state. But they were always reinforced by people from the state who used to join these terror outfits and by those from Pakistan who used to infiltrate from across the border. Hence, India told Pakistan to crack down on the terror groups based in Pakistan and warned of serious consequences for failing to comply.

In 5 October 2063, when India felt Pakistan had not been up to the mark, it sent in its army to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) and destroyed numerous terrorist camps in a quick and surprising operation and got back to India before they were exposed. Hundreds of terrorists were killed while only five Indian soldiers lost their lives. Pakistan accused India of intruding upon their sovereignty and causing loss of life. Most of the world, however, praised India. This led to an increase in tensions. On 23 November 2063, India destroyed two Pakistani fighter jets which had crossed the border. Pakistan retaliated by destroying two forward Indian airbases. With this, war began.

(to be continued)

Formation of The United Republic of South Asia
In the year 2085, the then Prime Minister, Aabida Khan, hoped to unite the South Asian nations under one government. She was ready to use force, if needed, in order to achieve her goals. Hence, her government built up a large, modern and well-equipped military. The Indian armed forces soon became a power to be reckoned with. This, and the reforms brought about by Gurmeet Singh, resulted in India getting the status of an economic and military superpower. Aabida Khan first convinced Nepal and Bhutan to unite with India. This led to uprisings in both nations, which were suppressed. The two nations were soon made to believe that uniting with India would bring a solution to the problems they were facing. Hence, they united with India. The new nation was called the United Republic of South Asia (URSA). Maldives was the next to join, under the same belief as in the case of Nepal and Bhutan. After some hesitation, Sri Lanka joined the URSA, followed by Bangladesh, both nations believing that uniting with the URI would bring a solution to their problems. Soon these regions were also developed, and crime,corruption, terror, etc. brought down,bringing them in par with the rest of the URSA. Thus, the URSA elevated from a status of a developing nation to that of a developed nation, with poverty, unemployment and social evils completely eradicated.

Pakistan and Afghanistan had united to form the Union of Afghanistan in the year 2110. However, Aabida Khan abandoned all plans to annexe it.

World War III and Human Colonial Wars
By the beginning of the 22nd Century, the URSA had colonised Jupiter's moon Callisto; Saturn's moon Rhea; and had established four mining outposts in the asteroid belt, leaving it just behind POTATO in the space race.

At the mid-22nd Century (by 2145), World War III broke out. In the beginning, the URSA was having a tough time in the war, with a part of its northern territories (former Bhutan) being taken away by the newly formed East Asian Coalition (EAC), and with the URSA fighting Iran in the west. However, the URSA soon recovered. It recaptured Bhutan (making it an integral part of the URSA again), then defeated the Iranian forces (upon which Iran was conquered by the Alliance of the Mashriq), and defeated the EAC, with which it took away from them the territories which China had taken from India in the 1962 Indo-China War. By the time the war was over, the URSA had also colonised Jupiter's moons Lysithea and Autonoe; Saturn's moons Enceladus, Tethys and Dione; and two each of Uranus' and Neptune's Moons.

By the year 2250, the URSA had established colonies in Epsilon Indi, Beta Hydri and Vega. The URSA prepared an expedition to colonise the planet Persephonie, and Ross 128, but after learning that France and Roreinia had colonised Persephonie and were competing for control over it (bringing about a series of events culminating in the Battle of Persephonie), the expedition to the planet was abandoned. The expedition was instead sent to Barnard's Star, while Ross 128 was successfully colonised by the other expedition. Soon, a few more star systems, including Epsilon Eridani, Sirius and Procyon were colonised. The rich natural resources of these star systems helped the URSA economy grow very rapidly, and Ross 128 became a major starship and weapon manufacturing centre where starships and weapons having cutting-edge technology were built. At this time, the URSA navy had two super carriers, many carriers and destroyers as well as many frigates and corvettes.

By the end of the Human Colonial Wars, the URSA had the largest colonial empire.

In the year 2270, the human nations met at Brussels to divide the territories. Some nations lost territories but were given new ones. As for the URSA, however, it didn't have to give up any of its territories, but it didn't get any new territories either (the URSA didn't want to give up its territories), but it still had the largest colonial empire.

After Human Colonial Wars
By the time humans had made contact with extra-terrestrials after the Human Colonial Wars, the URSA had expanded rapidly in the Orion Spur, colonising many star systems. Some of these became centres for manufacturing starships and weapons (usually these were located in clusters). In the beginning of the 23rd Century, the URSA experienced a major population explosion. The population of the URSA increased from around 20 billion in 2300 to 60 billion in 2350, mainly because of increased life expectancy and a sudden growth in birth rates (higher standards of living, along with surplus food, made parents have more children), along with other reasons.

However, job opportunities didn't grow at that rate. Hence, in some time, unemployment and poverty increased. However, by 2360, unemployment and poverty were once again eradicated, while the problem of educating the large number of children was taken care of. Health of the people was also taken care of. One advantage of this was that the URSA now had a very young population (average age of a URSA citizen was 25). Also, average life expectancy reached 120. This led to a large supply of a young and healthy workforce, and the URSA economy saw very high growth rates, higher than ever, even touching 100% sometimes. All this also led to a larger and more advanced military. Also, this led to a more rapid expansion. Another result was the rise of the URSA as a superpower. But another war was coming towards the URSA.

Orion Spur Pirate Wars
(coming soon)

Society
The United Republic of South Asia had a variety of cultures. It was the most diverse among the human nations.

Before the URSA was formed, India was developed and poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, etc. were removed. But as other nations joined it to form the URSA, these problems came into being again (because these problems still existed in these countries). However, once they joined the URSA, they too got rid of problems such as poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, etc., and soon the whole of the URSA reached the status of developed.

By the time the URSA was reformed into the Second Indian Republic, poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, etc. were no more and corruption and crime were at its lowest. Such problems would still be non-existent under the Second Indian Republic.

Political Parties
India was a multi-party system. But by the time the URSA was formed, the two largest political parties, the Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party integrated all other political parties into them, making the URSA a two party system.

The Indian National Congress renamed itself the URSA Congress while the Bharatiya Janata Party renamed itself the People's Political Party. The two parties contested elections for the Centre, State and System governments. One of the parties would get a majority in the government formed, whether at the Centre, Sector or System levels, one of the reasons being the number of seats in the government was always an odd number.

Independent candidates could also contest elections, although their chances of winning was far less as compared to that of a candidate belonging to one of the two political parties.

Government
The United Republic of South Asia was a representational democracy, where the people run the government through their elected representatives. The URSA had a central government, which was at the highest level. The empire was divided into sectors (similar to states/provinces on Earth), which was a group of star systems, each having its own government. The sector government was at the second highest level. At the lowest level was the system government, with every star system having its own government.

For elections to the central government, the empire would be divided into units called central constituencies. The residents in a constituency would elect their representative for that constituency. Each constituency would have a roughly equal population. There were about 753 constituencies in the URSA (which meant there were 753 elected representatives at the centre).

For election to the sector governments, the sector would be divided into assembly constituencies, in which the voters of each constituency would vote for their representative for the sector government. Again, each assembly constituency had a roughly equal population. The assembly constituencies did not necessarily have the same borders as the central constituencies. The number of representatives in the government of each sector varied, with there being between 251-301 representatives in each sector government (number of seats is always an odd number).

A similar system was followed for electing the system government. The system governments had between 101-149 representatives (number of seats is always an odd number).

All 'citizens' of the URSA, women and men, who were 18 years of age or above could vote for the central, sector and system governments. All residents of the URSA, bar a few immigrants who had just recently come to the URSA in search of a better lifestyle (some of them seen as illegal by a few), were 'citizens' of the republic. The few who couldn't get citizenship got it after the formation of the Second Indian Republic.

Central Level
Prime Minister: The Prime Minister is the head of the government. He/she has a great amount of powers. The Prime Minister chairs meetings of the cabinet. Whenever differences of opinion arises between the cabinet ministers, the Prime Minister gives the final decision. Also, he/she advices the President on who to appoint for the different ministries. If the Prime Minister resigns, the government has to step down and elections are held for the formation of the central government (it is possible for the same political party to win). The leader of the ruling political party at the centre often becomes Prime Minister, although he/she also has to be elected to the legislature. It is possible for a person to become a cabinet minister for more than one term. It is possible for a person to become the Prime Minister for more than one term.

President: The President is the Head of State. He/she also has powers but not to the extent as the Prime Minister. The President invites the party having the majority to form the government. He/she appoints the cabinet ministers at the advice of the Prime Minister. If a sector government declares emergency, the President becomes the sole ruler of that sector until the emergency is lifted. It is possible for a person to become the President for more than one term.

Cabinet Ministry: The Cabinet Ministry are comprised of those ministers who fill certain posts such as Minister for Defence, Minister for Transport, etc. They are appointed by the President by the advice of the Prime Minister. If a cabinet minister resigns, then the Prime Minister need not resign and the government can still exist. However, if the Prime Minister resigns, all cabinet ministers must resign, after which the government has to step down, triggering an election. It is possible for a person to become a cabinet minister for more than one term.

Sector Level
Chief Minister: The Chief Minister is the head of the government ruling a particular sector. He/she has similar powers as that of the Prime Minister, but at the sector level.

Governor: The Governor plays a similar role as the President, but at the sector level. He/she has similar powers as that of the Prime Minister, but at the sector level.

Sector Cabinet: The Sector Cabinet plays a similar role as that of the Cabinet Ministry, but at the sector level.

System Level
The System Government is headed by a Head Minister.

Military
The URSA had a large, advanced and well equipped military.

By the time it had established its first colonies in space,it had built its first fighters, bombers and corvettes. These were quite fast and carried some of the best weaponry developed by humanity then. They helped secure the URSA's position in the Sol System. Carriers were soon built to transport fighters and bombers from one place to another.

Frigates were developed a few years before World War III. They had greater firepower and more powerful shields than corvettes, fighters and bombers, but were a little slower in speed.

By the time World War III had started, the URSA had built its first destroyer, which no other human nation had. These ships were bigger than and had more firepower and more powerful shields than frigates, but also slower than frigates. They helped secure the URSA's colonies during the Human Colonial Wars. The first super carrier was built at the beginning of the Human Colonial Wars. They had the most powerful shields and the greatest firepower among the URSA's starships at the time, and also carried prototype weapons that were deadlier than nukes. The URSA continued to be the only human nation with destroyers until the Human Colonial Wars ended, after which other nations also built either cruisers or destroyers.

During the Orion Spur Pirate Wars, the URSA built its first battle cruiser, which was more advanced than the destroyer. These battle cruisers, along with the other ships, were used to great effect against the pirates, and later the Harvesters.

Fighters and bombers continued to be among the most effective ships in the Orion Spur Pirate Wars and the Harvester War. They, along with the other ships, were always made more advanced with the development of more advanced technology.

All ships were fitted with some of the most advanced weapons, shields and other equipments developed by the URSA, and the ships themselves were made more advanced. Hence, the URSA ships had speed, good manoeuvrability, advanced and powerful shielding and deadly firepower, all in one. Reverse-engineered technology from precursor races contributed to the advanced ships, but the largest contributions were made by the government, scientists, engineers, technocrats, etc., and the technology they developed. The citizens also played a major role by organising money, pumping more money into the URSA's starship building industries.

Dreadnoughts and interdictors came into existence after the formation of the Second Indian Republic.

(to be continued)