This book is a compilation of 30 pioneering papers on issues connected with India`s nation`s defence. These papers are a part of the vast repository of VIF publications over the past decade of its functioning as a strategic think tank with the purpose of addressing the complex commitments on defence that the State has been confronted with. The titles have been selected to cover a wide range of aspects of national defence and military administration, thus depicting a panorama of India`s military security challenges. More importantly, as the reader would find, even the dated papers remain relevant to this day in charting the evolution of India`s strategic concerns in a tumultuous security environment that we find ourselves.

Conceptualising the foundations of national defence and organising a conformingly robust military structure is a humungous task of extremely complexities. Even nations who possess pristine strategic vision and deep rooted military culture find it practically impossible to home on to the right equation between their political goals, military power and optimal resource allocation. The reason lies in the fact that no matter what mock drills one puts up, outcome of military campaigns often remain uncertain and unpredictable, and independent of the forces fielded to secure victory. There can be no right formulae, no right examples and no practice round to hone one`s concepts and practices before the final, bloody and destructive showdown. Irreversibility of war further makes it a nightmare for military planners to guarantee success. At the best they can apply their professional insight to anticipate adverse situations, notionally replicate these and then harness tactical acumen to find possibly the most effective courses of actions to deal with the circumstances.

The 75th Year of Independence is a milestone in India’s march towards a sovereign dispensation characterised by freedom, peace, and prosperity. In that endeavour, the preservation of territorial sanctity, economic sovereignty and political relevance in a competitive intra- and inter-regional dispensation are major challenges. India’s geographic situation between two compulsively revisionist, aggressive and militarist neighbours adds to the rigours of such challenges. Wisdom states that as a rising India proceeds to secure her aspirations of peace and prosperity, it would be mandatory to sustain the journey with the possession of robust and military prowess.

Vimarsh: Dialogues and Voices on National Concerns, is a compilation of selected analytical papers on 15 of some of the most complex issues with which the nation has to grapple with on its way to progress. The analyses have been articulated by eminent subject experts who explain their insights through the VIMASH Series of awareness that are organised regularly at the Vivekananda International Foundation, New Delhi (VIF). A topical exposition of this nature brings out the finer nuances of national level challenges which need to be addressed with due alacrity and perseverance in order that Bharatvarsha may harness her full potentials as a developing nation of global significance.

Gautam Banerjee's curiosity about Singapore was piqued after he came across an article about the city-state in 1968, and as luck would have it, his family moved there in 1971. Although he subsequently spent time studying overseas, qualifying as a chartered accountant and working in one of the major global financial centres, Gautam was still determined to return to Singapore. In a vibrant, multicultural society which prides itself on meritocracy, he found home.Co-authored with his former colleague and close confidant, Chan Khei Hong, Gautam recalls noteworthy anecdotes from his early years in Mumbai, his time of discovery in England and his fulfilling four decades in Singapore. He reflects on the obstacles he faced as a minority, but also the myriad opportunities he had been presented, remembering the various individuals who had reached out to help him integrate into the Singapore community.By sharing his journey from a humble immigrant to serving as a former Nominated Member of Parliament, Gautam hopes to inspire and motivate others to constantly reinvent themselves, to be resilient and optimistic while always looking for opportunities to give back to the community.

This book is a compilation of 30 pioneering papers on issues connected with India`s nation`s defence. These papers are a part of the vast repository of VIF publications over the past decade of its functioning as a strategic think tank with the purpose of addressing the complex commitments on defence that the State has been confronted with. The titles have been selected to cover a wide range of aspects of national defence and military administration, thus depicting a panorama of India`s military security challenges. More importantly, as the reader would find, even the dated papers remain relevant to this day in charting the evolution of India`s strategic concerns in a tumultuous security environment that we find ourselves.

Conceptualising the foundations of national defence and organising a conformingly robust military structure is a humungous task of extremely complexities. Even nations who possess pristine strategic vision and deep rooted military culture find it practically impossible to home on to the right equation between their political goals, military power and optimal resource allocation. The reason lies in the fact that no matter what mock drills one puts up, outcome of military campaigns often remain uncertain and unpredictable, and independent of the forces fielded to secure victory. There can be no right formulae, no right examples and no practice round to hone one`s concepts and practices before the final, bloody and destructive showdown. Irreversibility of war further makes it a nightmare for military planners to guarantee success. At the best they can apply their professional insight to anticipate adverse situations, notionally replicate these and then harness tactical acumen to find possibly the most effective courses of actions to deal with the circumstances.

The 75th Year of Independence is a milestone in India’s march towards a sovereign dispensation characterised by freedom, peace, and prosperity. In that endeavour, the preservation of territorial sanctity, economic sovereignty and political relevance in a competitive intra- and inter-regional dispensation are major challenges. India’s geographic situation between two compulsively revisionist, aggressive and militarist neighbours adds to the rigours of such challenges. Wisdom states that as a rising India proceeds to secure her aspirations of peace and prosperity, it would be mandatory to sustain the journey with the possession of robust and military prowess.

Vimarsh: Dialogues and Voices on National Concerns, is a compilation of selected analytical papers on 15 of some of the most complex issues with which the nation has to grapple with on its way to progress. The analyses have been articulated by eminent subject experts who explain their insights through the VIMASH Series of awareness that are organised regularly at the Vivekananda International Foundation, New Delhi (VIF). A topical exposition of this nature brings out the finer nuances of national level challenges which need to be addressed with due alacrity and perseverance in order that Bharatvarsha may harness her full potentials as a developing nation of global significance.

Gautam Banerjee's curiosity about Singapore was piqued after he came across an article about the city-state in 1968, and as luck would have it, his family moved there in 1971. Although he subsequently spent time studying overseas, qualifying as a chartered accountant and working in one of the major global financial centres, Gautam was still determined to return to Singapore. In a vibrant, multicultural society which prides itself on meritocracy, he found home.Co-authored with his former colleague and close confidant, Chan Khei Hong, Gautam recalls noteworthy anecdotes from his early years in Mumbai, his time of discovery in England and his fulfilling four decades in Singapore. He reflects on the obstacles he faced as a minority, but also the myriad opportunities he had been presented, remembering the various individuals who had reached out to help him integrate into the Singapore community.By sharing his journey from a humble immigrant to serving as a former Nominated Member of Parliament, Gautam hopes to inspire and motivate others to constantly reinvent themselves, to be resilient and optimistic while always looking for opportunities to give back to the community.