Articles | Vivekananda International Foundation

Human Rights and the Uses of History: Expanded Second Edition | Author-Samuel Moyn, Verso; Reprint edition, 2017, 208 pp, London: ISBN-13:978-1781689004, Price-₹ 940 (paperback)

Rohith Krishna

When the history of human rights is written, there is a general tendency in scholarship to teleologically derive the concept from antiquity to the enlightenment period and its matured form today (for instance, Lynn Hunt, 2007). In such a framework of....

July 04, 2023 Historical and Civilisational Studies , Book Reviews , Cold War , Human Rights , Indian culture , Last Utopia

Ice Stupas: Sonam Wangchuk’s Remarkable Blend of Ingenuity and Sustainability

Aarushi Gupta Positive Bharat

In the enchanting region of Ladakh, nestled amidst the majestic Himalayas, the Ice Stupas have become an awe-inspiring symbol of innovation and sustainability. These towering ice structures, inspired by traditional Buddhist stupas, are the brainchild....

June 29, 2023 Historical and Civilisational Studies , Water conservation , Ladakh , Sustainability , Positive Bharat , Sonam Wangchuk , Ice Stupa

Shalom Ooty: Empowering Women and Preserving Toda heritage

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Associate Fellow, VIF Positive Bharat

The Toda tribe is an indigenous community that lives in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu. They are one of the regions smallest and most unique tribal groupings. The Toda have a distinct culture, language, and social structure that distinguishes them f....

June 26, 2023 Historical and Civilisational Studies , Positive Bharat , Toda tribe , Shalomooty , Tribal Embroidery , Art and craft , Preservation , heritage and culture

C20 Nasmai Conclave: Exhibiting Arunachal Pradesh’s Cultural Diversity

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Associate Fellow, VIF Article

Introduction

This year India holds the chairmanship of G20. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which translates as “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” is the theme of India’s G20 presidency and has a profound relationship with LiFE (Lifestyle....

June 23, 2023 Historical and Civilisational Studies , Article , G20 , Vivekananda Kendra , Arunachal Pradesh , Diversity , C20 , Namsai Conclave , Pema Khandu , Mutual Respect , Inclusion

Ayurveda, Mental Health & Happiness Index

Dr. P Ram Manohar

The world is discussing mental health perhaps more than ever. It has intensified, especially in the post-pandemic era. At the same time, the post-pandemic world has also generated curiosity and revival of traditional medicinal practices around the wo....

June 01, 2023 Historical and Civilisational Studies , India , Ayurveda , Mental Health , Podcast , Traditional Medicine

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

Introduction

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

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

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