The Vivekananda International Foundation organized a discussion with a delegation led by Lt Gen RS Grewal, Director General Medical Services (DGMS), Army, on ‘Remedial Measures to counter possible spread of Coronavirus' on 06 March 2020. Air Commodore VK Sashindran also joined the delegation. The meeting also saw participation of representatives from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The presentations by the DGMS and ensuing discussions highlighted many concerns regarding the coronavirus or COVID-19 epidemic (now declared pandemic by World Health Organization).

Over the past decade, the VIF has charted an academically independent path of research and analyses. The Foundation has thus been disseminating a vast stream of analyses of key developments and decision dilemmas concerning the nation to its wide circle of associates and readers.

… pollution of water bodies is not only a function of higher human load but also on account of technology dependence and lack of awareness amongst the masses about the ill effects of pollution … but the most important factor is the indifference of the society about preserva-tion and conservation of the water bodies … . there is a need to look at the threat on river life more realistically, more comprehensively, and above all, with an eye on future to help the country to save itself for the disaster looming large ….

… It is time the Indian Armed Forces ceased preparing for the last war and concentrated on working towards undertaking military operations under modern conditions …operational priorities and actions cannot be left to the choice of individual Service Chiefs or decided by voting where speed of operations is vital to pre-empt enemy actions to gain the initiative … the CDS will have to be involved in the operations with authority over the Service Chiefs to be able to provide realistic and unencumbered professional advice to the Government.