Articles | Vivekananda International Foundation

Historical and Civilisational Studies

Foreign Universities in India: An Analysis on the Criticisms

Is the arrival of foreign universities to India really a negative development? Of course there could be reasons both for and against. But ultimately, it wouldn’t be as harmful or alarming as it is portrayed, especially if the challenges are convert....

May 19, 2023 Governance and Political Studies , Historical and Civilisational Studies , college education , UPA government , National Education Policy , university , Foreign Universities

Can the West Understand Indian Traditions Better?

Rohith Krishna Commentary

The Western descriptions of India in scholarship, early travelers, media, and movie depictions like Indiana Jones have mostly been problematic. Many of such descriptions stand today as ‘common sense’ even to many Indians, creating a blockade to a....

May 18, 2023 Historical and Civilisational Studies , Commentary , ancient India , Modernity , Post-colonialism , Orientalism , West , Decolonization , Ancient Greek

Revival of the Ancient Indian Martial Art of Kalaripayattu

Rohith Krishna Positive Bharat

Kalaripayattu or Kalari is popularly known as the ‘mother of martial arts’ for specific reasons. The term ‘Kalari’ refers to the martial art and the arena where it is taught and practiced, while ‘payattu’ means combat or practice. The tra....

May 10, 2023 Historical and Civilisational Studies , Self-reliance , health , Tradition , IKS , Positive Bharat , Indian Knowledge Systems , Martial Art , Kalari

Is Vasudhaiva Kuṭumbakam a Pacifist Notion? Discussing the Blind Application of the Phrase

Rohith Krishna Article

Introduction: A Brief Background of the Phrase and its Usage at International Forums

As India ascended the G20 presidency, the discussions on its theme, ‘Vasudhaiva Kuṭumbakam’, became widespread. The theme’s motto is ‘One Eart....

May 01, 2023 Historical and Civilisational Studies , Article , nationalism , G20 , Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam , Universalism

Vatican Repudiates the ‘Doctrine of Discovery’: A Close Reading of the Statement and its Mixed Responses

Rohith Krishna Article

Context: Vatican Disowns, but does not rescind, ‘Doctrine of Discovery’^[1]

During Pope Francis’ visit to Canada in 2022, he formally apologised to the country�....

April 18, 2023 International Relations and Diplomacy , Historical and Civilisational Studies , Article , UNHRC , Post-colonialism , Doctrine of Discovery , Indigenous Rights , Tribal Rights , Vatican , Pope

Buddhism and India’s Soft Power Diplomacy

Ankit Mohonto Article

India has always been aware of the need to avoid using military might as the cornerstone of its foreign policy since gaining independence. The values of peaceful coexistence have governed India since Jawaharlal Nehru's Panchsheel principles. Though I....

March 31, 2023 International Relations and Diplomacy , Historical and Civilisational Studies , Article , India , China , SCO , Buddhism , Soft Power , shinzo abe , Diplomacy , Nalanda

The Decline and Reclamation of the Discourse on Duties

Rohith Krishna Article

Introduction: The Conflict between Rights and Duties

Unlike the language of rights that have received great momentum in the contemporary world, the language of duty is seemingly less popular. The notion where rights are met through the f....

March 22, 2023 Historical and Civilisational Studies , Article , Human Rights , Mahatma Gandhi , Mahabharata , UDHR , Duties

Cultural Entrepreneurship for Shaping Brand India

Arunima Gupta

This Podcast features Arunima Gupta, Principal at Network of Indian Cultural Enterprises (NICEorg). NICEorg works towards strengthening cultural entrepreneurship in India by promoting and empowering cultural entrepreneurs through training, funding, n....

March 09, 2023 Historical and Civilisational Studies , G20 , Atmanirbhar Bharat , Podcast , Cultural Economy , Cultural Entrepreneurship , Softpower

How Ayurveda can Power the Development of a Global Health Culture

Dr. P Ram Manohar Article

The Global Burden of Disease Study reveals that people live longer but with more diseases. The global burden of disease is shifting from infectious diseases to non-communicable diseases; chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, can....

February 10, 2023 Historical and Civilisational Studies , Article , dharma , G20 , Ayurveda , SDGs , health , Nature , Environment , AYUSH , biodiversity

Gītā for the Millennia, Tenth Lecture

On 31 January 2023, Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) organised the tenth session of ‘Gītā for the Millennia’, an online talk series based on Śrīmad Bhagavad Gītā by Swāmī Mitrānanda of Chinmaya Mission. The Chapter 4 of the ‘....

February 06, 2023 Historical and Civilisational Studies , Interaction , Bhagavad Gita , Geeta , Chinmaya Mission , Swami Mitrananda

Introduction: A Brief Background of the Phrase and its Usage at International Forums

Context: Vatican Disowns, but does not rescind, ‘Doctrine of Discovery’[1]

Introduction: The Conflict between Rights and Duties

Context: Vatican Disowns, but does not rescind, ‘Doctrine of Discovery’^[1]