Vivekananda International Foundation | Seeking Harmony in Diversity

Human Shield: Army’s Young Leaders are Confronted with Unusual Situations Daily in Kashmir

The incident at Budgam must be seen in the correct context. Using a hostage as a human shield is neither part of the army’s SOP, nor is it ever likely to be encouraged or repeated. But, have armchair strategists and promoters of human rights (for...

April 26, 2017 Budgam, election, Jammu and Kashmir, Kashmir, Kashmir Valley, Major Beetul Gogoi, rescue, stone pelting, Media Studies

Treason in the Garb of Free Speech Unacceptable

Rajesh Singh

The controversy which has erupted at Ramjas College of Delhi University, will take some time to settle down. The narrative has been divided between ‘freedom of speech’ and ‘nationalism’. One had seen a similar incident exploding in Jawaharlal Nehru...

March 7, 2017 Delhi University, Free speech, Policies & Perspectives, Ramjas College, Sedition, Media Studies

Image Challenge for The Indian Armed Forces: Take It by the Horns

Lt General S A Hasnain, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM (Bar), VSM (Bar) (Retd.), Distinguished Fellow, VIF

At the outset, I must warn my readers that this is going to be more about the problem than the solution; that is because the problem itself needs a detailed definition before a solution can even be considered. The Indian Armed Forces and mainly the...

March 14, 2016 Indian Armed Forces, Pakistan, Media Studies

President’s Visit to Further Boost India-Vietnam Ties

Maj Gen (Retd.) P K Chakravorty

Introduction India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj recently completed a visit to Vietnam from 24 August to 26 August 2014. During the visit, she interacted with the top leaders of the country and candidly stated that our ‘Look East Policy...

September 10, 2014 Media Studies

Vaidik - Saeed Meeting: A Case of Self-Appointed Diplomats, Self-Serving Charlatans

Sushant Sareen

The meeting between internationally designated terrorist chieftain Hafiz Saeed and an Indian journalist (?) and political operator, Dr VP Vaidik, in Lahore has caused a veritable storm in not just political circles but also the media. Normally, no...

July 16, 2014 Pakistan, Media Studies, Governance and Political Studies, Neighbourhood Studies

Attack on Hamid Mir: Pak Media Caught in Pincer of Military, Militants & Market

Sushant Sareen

The attack on one of the best known Pakistani journalists, Hamid Mir, has only reaffirmed Pakistan's reputation as one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists. Mir, who took six bullets, barely survived the well planned ambush...

April 24, 2014 Pakistan, Media Studies, Neighbourhood Studies

Cross Media Ownership - A Threat to Vibrant Democracy

Shivaji Sarkar

India has been debating the issue of cross-media ownership for the last over 60 years.However, it is only now that it is being raised by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) at the behest of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for...

August 22, 2013 Media Studies

Social Media: Freedom Yes, License No

K G Suresh

The recent expose about Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot allegedly buying ‘Likes’ for his official Facebook page in Istanbul, the ‘Twitter’ war between the ruling Congress and the main Opposition BJP and an outrageous tweet by Congress leader...

July 25, 2013 Media Studies

Strategic Communication Planning -Critical for Governance, Security

Prof. B K Kuthiala

A recent television commercial apparently meant to popularize Chinese noodles, in fact, establishes the superiority of products made in China. Over the years, Indian people have formulated a perception that products made in China may be considerably...

July 10, 2013 Media Studies

State Funded Political Ad Campaigns or PSYWAR?

K G Suresh

The U.S. Department of Defense defines psychological warfare (PSYWAR) as. "The planned use of propaganda and other psychological actions having the primary purpose of influencing the opinions, emotions, attitudes, and behavior of hostile foreign...

June 24, 2013 Media Studies, Governance and Political Studies