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Journal of Defence Studies • Summer 2008
National Governance and Internal
Security
N.N. Vohra*
There is always a crucial link between “National Governance” and
“Internal Security”. If Internal Security is not maintained Governance
cannot be delivered and there would be grave threats to the very unity
and integrity of the country. Likewise, Internal Security cannot be
safeguarded if Governance is delivered by an inefficient and corrupt
administration.
It is perhaps not necessary to define Governance. However, in the
simplest terms, governance relates to the effective management of
national affairs at all levels of functioning – guaranteeing the country’s
unity and integrity and securing the safety and overall welfare of its
people. For the attainment of these objectives it would be essential
that political, economic, executive and judicial authority is exercised
in a manner which ensures that the people are enabled to enjoy their
rights, discharge their obligations and resolve their disputes within the
parameters of the Constitution and the Rule of Law.
Our exhaustive Constitution provides the basis of the relationship
between the Union and the States and delineates the Legislative, Judicial
and Executive framework within which the Union and the States shall
discharge their respective responsibilities for delivering governance.
The Preamble to our Constitution provides the key to its philosophy: it
enshrines the sovereignty of the people and envisions a socialist, secular,
democratic republic based on justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.
The principles of governance of our country are excellently enunciated
in the chapter on Directive Principles of State Policy in the Constitution
of India. It has been laid down (Article 37) that the provisions contained
*N.N. Vohra is the Governor of Jammu & Kashmir and a former principal secretary to the Prime Minister.
This is the text of the Admiral R.D. Katari Memorial Lecture delivered on December 7, 2007.
Perspectives
