Historical and Civilisational Studies
‘Gītā for the Millennia’ by Swami Mitrananda

On 6th January 2022, Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) hosted ‘Gītā for the Millennia’; an online talk series based on Śrīmad Bhagavad Gītā by Swami Mitrananda, Chinmaya Mission. In his introductory remarks during the event, Dr. Ar....

Understanding Indian Heritage: Shedding the Colonial Past

The Indian subcontinent was largely colonised by the British Empire for almost two centuries and an official establishment for archaeology was introduced by Alexander Cunningham, a British army engineer. He was the founder of the Indian Archaeologica....

भारतवर्ष का विचार

एक ऐसे व्यक्ति के रूप में जिसको अपने भारतीय पासपोर्ट पर पाकिस्तान की यात्रा करना लगभग असंभव है, ....

Metaphors of Reverence: A Tale of Two Civilisational Gestures

Reverence to others comes out as what one has inherited and learned from their elders or ancestors. As Martin Heidegger puts it, “In giving thanks, the heart gives thought to what it has and what it is.”1 The praxis of revering would v....

A Different 9/11: How Vivekananda Won Americans’ Hearts and Minds?

On the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attack on the World Trade Centre in which thousands of Americans died, the American people were in grief. On the same day, the Taliban were in a celebratory mood in Kabul having ‘defeated’ the Americans ....

“The Hindus: An Alternative History” by Wendy Doniger: A Twisted Tale

Writing this review, makes me feel how David might have felt facing Goliath. How can one, a layman, have the gumption to take on a world renowned scholar, an accepted expert of her field? But then, perhaps like David, I know I am right, so here goe....

Shared Buddhist Heritage between India and Russia

Speakers from Russian side: Prof. Tatiana Shaumyan, Professor for Indian Studies, Institute of Oriental Studies, Scholar from Kalmykia Region, Telo Rinpoche (Honorary Representative of His Holiness for the Dalai Lama in Russia, Mong....

Fascist Distortion of History?

Anandabazar Patrika of Kolkata has been for a long time the most widely circulated newspaper in Bengali. It is also closely linked to the political currents of West Bengal or more accurately, to the political party in power in that state. It h....

International Yoga Day

Vivekananda International Foundation organized a panel discussion on June 21, 2021, to commemorate International Yoga Day. The eminent speakers in the panel were Swami Atmalokananda, President, Ramakrishna Society Vedanta Centre and Dr Arpita Mitra, ....

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