Vimarsha: “Decolonising the Indian Mind”
On 16 March 2013, VIF welcomed Prof. Kapil Kapoor, former Pro-Vice Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University and Editor in Chief of the Encyclopedia of Hinduism, as the guest speaker on its Vimarsha series of talks by eminent persons. Mr. Ajit Doval KC, Director VIF, stated that “Minds” will be the future tools of establishing control and therefore it is very important to understand how colonised the Indian mind today is.
Vimarsha: Security Implications of Contemporary Political Environment in India
Implication of the contemporary political environment in India on matters of national security is critically important, considering all the three factors of internal stability, rule of law and the larger geo-politics of the Indian Sub-continent. For a better understanding and assessment of the ground realities, Dr. Sudhir S. Bloeria, Vice Chancellor of the Central University of Jammu & Kashmir and Former Chief Secretary of Jammu & Kashmir, delivered a talk on 22 February 2013 in VIF’s monthly series of talks, Vimarsha.
Vimarsha: 'Swami Vivekananda on Women: Meeting the Contemporary Challenges'
With the gruesome Delhi gang-rape of last December shaking up the conscience of this very nation, also providing a strong stimulus for course correction measures, a talk on 'Swami Vivekananda on Women: Meeting the Contemporary Challenges' was organized by Vivekananda International Foundation on January 28, 2013, with Shri Dhanendra Kumar, former Secretary Culture, Govt. of India and former Executive Director World Bank as the chief speaker.
Vimarsha on “Transition in America and China: Implications for India”
On 27th November 2012, distinguished personalities assembled at the VIF auditorium to attend its monthly series of talks by eminent persons, Vimarsha. This month’s Vimarsha talk was given by Amb. Prabhat P Shukla, former Ambassador to Russia, who is also the Joint Director of the VIF. Ambassador Shukla made a presentation on “Transition in America and China: Implications for India”. The session began with a brief introduction from Mr. Ajit Doval, KC, Director of the VIF on the topic.
National Security: Challenges and Responses
The former Army Chief General (retd) VK Singh, addressed a distinguished gathering at the VIF’s monthly Vimarsha series of talks by eminent persons, held on 24 September, 2012. He enlightened the audience about the broad spectrum of security challenges currently facing India, through a stimulating yet incisive talk, captioned ‘National Security: Challenges and Responses’.
The Role of Diaspora in India’s Foreign Policy, National Security and Economic Development
The Vimarsha series of monthly talks was held on Jul 31, 2012, with Ambassador J.C. Sharma, S.M. IFS (retd), former Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs & former Member Secretary, High Level Committee on the India Diaspora, set up by the Government of India, delivering an insightful talk on the ‘Role of the Indian Diaspora in India’s Foreign Policy, National Security and Economic Development’.
Vimarsha: Scientific Dating of the Ancient Events from 2000 to 7000 B.C
Vimarsha - VIF’s monthly series of talks - was held on Jun 29, 2012. Ms Saroj Bala, Member - Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction, Ministry of Finance – Govt. of India & Director - Institute of Scientific Research on Vedas, gave an insightful talk on ‘Scientific Dating of Ancient Events from 2000 to 7000 BC.
Vimarsha: A Talk on ‘Functioning of Parliamentary Democracy in India’
The focus of VIF’s Vimarsha (a series in monthly talks on subjects of national importance with contemporary relevance) for the month of March 2012 was ‘Functioning of Parliamentary Democracy in India’, a subject which has agitated minds of a large section of the people in our country in recent times.
Vimarsha: India-Slowing Down an Under-Heated Economy
Ajit Doval, Director, VIF and Dr. Bibek Debroy, Eminent EconomistDr. Bibek Debroy, an eminent economist and member of VIF’s (Vivekananda International Foundation) Executive Council, delivered a perceptive talk, titled ‘India-Slowing Down an Under Heated Economy’ on December 30th, 2011 as part of the Foundation’s Vimarsha series of lectures. An august gathering, comprising former civil and military officials, scholars and diplomats attended.
Vimarsha - India 2021: Hazarding Guesses, Guessing Hazards
Shri Gopal Krishna Gandhi with VIF Director Ajit Doval, KCShri Gopal Krishna Gandhi, former Governor of West Bengal, and grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, presented his vision of India in 2021 to an enlightened audience at Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) on Nov 7, 2011. Crystal-gazing, Shri Gandhi portrayed a kaleidoscopic image of India in 2021 – young, impatient and angry despite a vibrant economy with projected economic growth hovering around eight percent. The growing resources crunch, especially those related to employment, food, water, housing et al could lead to further deepening of the present crisis, Shri Gandhi cautioned. He went on to add that generation of the deprived young and the enriched young would demand a leadership more representative of its age and status.