Vivekananda International Foundation | Seeking Harmony in Diversity

The Study of Ancient India: Erroneous Perceptions and the Reality - A Talk by Dr. Dilip K Chakrabarti

In his talk, delivered at Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) on August 31, 2011, Dr. Dilip K Chakrabarti, Professor Emeritus of South Asian Archaeology, Cambridge University made out a strong case for presenting the history of ancient India in an unbiased manner. The talk, interspersed with powerful arguments, succinctly underscored the colonialist bias from which the study of ancient India suffers even today. It is rather unfortunate that historians in independent India, who have striven to put the records straight, have been labeled either as ‘Hindu revivalists’ or ‘communalists’.

September 08, 2011 Event Report

Role and Relevance of Saints and Religious Leaders in Constitutional Polity - A Talk by Dr. Bharat Gupt

During the VIF’s monthly discourse ‘Vimarsha’, which was held on July 29, 2011, Dr. Bharat Gupt, an eminent scholar of civilisational studies, deliberated upon the ‘Role and Relevance of Saints and Religious Leaders in Constitutional polity’ – a subject which lies at the center of current political debate in our country. Mr. Ajit Doval, Director VIF, presided over the session and also introduced the speaker to the audience.

August 02, 2011 Event Report

Maratha Rule 1674-1761: an Appraisal : A talk by Shri Shanti Prasad Agrawal

‘Vimarsha’, the monthly talk at Vivekananda International Foundation, was held on June 30, 2011, on the subject of Maratha Rule in India. Shri Shanti Prasad Agrawal, a scholar of history of Marathas and author of several books, gave an appraisal on one of the six golden epochs in India’s history i.e. the period from 1674-1761 during which Marathas were able to establish their writ over a vast extent of India.

July 06, 2011 Event Report

Globalisation and National Identities with Dr. Lokesh Chandra

Vimarsha of March 2011 saw eminent scholar of Buddhist and Cultural studies Dr. Lokesh Chandra speak on ‘Globalisation and National Identities’. While introducing the speaker, VIF Director Shri Ajit Doval observed that the selected topic was of great relevance to us – as a nation, as a civil society as well as a civilisation.

May 09, 2011 Event Report

India’s Role in Emerging Paradigm: A talk with Ma. P. Parameshwaranji, President of Vivekananda Kendra

Salient excerpts of the speech by Ma. P. Parameshwaranji, President of Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari at Vivekananda International Foundation, New Delhi on 25th October 2010. Paradigm is among those alien idioms which enter our discourse carrying certain baggages with them and limit and condition our thinking. They force us to restructure our thinking, mind set and traditional and inborn character. Being in regular contact with other cultures and nations, this is inevitable. Moreover, unlike in the past now changes are cataclysmic.

May 09, 2011 Event Report

The Ayodhya debate was unnecessary a talk by Shri. Koenraad Elst

The Ayodhya debate was unnecessary: Koenraad Elst The talk ‘Ayodhya Verdict : How the History will judge it?’ was delivered by Shri Koenraad Elst, the noted indologist and historian, at Vivekananda International Foundation on 14th December 2010 as part of its monthly talk series Vimarsha. The function was presided by Shri. K.N. Bhat, the eminent lawyer who represented the Ram Lala Virajman, (the deity at Ayodhya temple), in the Ayodhya title suit in Allahabad High court.

December 20, 2010 Event Report

Sarasvati: A Symbol of the Sacredness of the Indian Civilisation

Michel Danino, the well known author of the "Lost River: On the Trail of the Sarasvati" gave a fascinating presentation on the archeological and geological evidence regarding the existence of this once mighty river that was the life stream of the Indian Civilisation. It stands out as a unifying thread of connectivity in the ebb and flow of the unique civilisation of India. This talk was a part of the" Civilisational and Historical Studies" that are a core project of the VIF. The fascinating presentation left the audience enthralled.

May 01, 2010 Event Report

Arunachal has world’s largest Shivlingam

Alluding to a prophecy in the Shiv Puran, former Arunachal MP and Congress leader Kiren Rijuju on Saturday said that the world’s largest Shivlingam has been discovered in the state. “The discovery of more than 22 feet tall lingam was made a few years back in Ziro,” he said, hoping that it should become a major tourist destination. Rijuju and other speakers at the discussion “Arunachal: Land of Rising Sun” highlighted the state’s formidable cultural ties with the rest of India as they fielded a series of questions.

March 23, 2010 Event Report

4th Netaji Subhash Memorial Lecture

The fourth in the Annual Netaji Subhash Memorial lecture series on Netaji’s birth anniversary – January 23 was organized at FICCI on 23 Jan 2010 by Netaji Subhash Bose – INA Trust with active support from Vivekananda International Foundation, Rashtriya Jagriti Sansthan, Patriots Forum, and Institute for Conflict Management. The issue in focus was ‘India’s Strategic Challenges and its State of Preparedness to Defend Vital National Interests’.

February 12, 2010 Event Report