Vivekananda International Foundation

Origins and history

The Vivekananda International Foundation describes itself as an "independent, non-partisan institution that promotes quality research and in-depth studies." The Foundation was established in December 2009, at a site in New Delhi's Chanakyapuri allotted by the P. V. Narasimha Rao government in 1993. Ajit Doval, who retired as the director of the Intelligence Bureau in 2005, became its founder Director. The Foundation made news in 2011–2012 when it was said to be instrumental in bringing together Anna Hazare, Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi, along with Baba Ramdev, to form the 'Team Anna'.

In 2014, its director Ajit Doval was appointed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi as India's National Security Advisor. The Prime Minister's Principal Secretary Nripendra Misra and the Additional Principal Secretary P. K. Mishra were also recruited from the Foundation's staff. The Prime Minister Modi is said to have been following the Foundation for some time and is impressed with its work.

The Foundation states that it has no formal organisational links with the RSS or the Bharatiya Janata Party. However, commentators have found Hindu nationalist ideas in several of its publications. The news magazine Tehelka has claimed that the Foundation supplied the intellectual inputs for the Narendra Modi campaign, defended him against charges in the Ishrat Jahan case, and spearheaded the Anna Hazare anti-corruption movement to undercut the United Progressive Alliance government.

Output

The Foundation's primary output ranges from short articles and reports published online to monographs and occasional papers and a quarterly journal called National Security. In addition, the Foundation also holds regular seminars and a monthly discourse on contemporary subjects titled Vimarsh. The think tank has also worked with other think tanks on joint reports. A monthly magazine Vivek is brought out too.

VIF Key members

VIF is currently headed by former Deputy NSA of India Arvind Gupta. S. Gurumurthy is the chairman, and former Deputy NSA and former head of National Security Council, Satish Chandra is the vice-chairman of the think tank.

Many retired officers from Defence Forces/ Bureaucracy form the think resource. The members regularly meet to discuss upon subject, ranging from prevailing political, strategical and other administrative issues with an aim of resource development and promote nationalism.

References

References

1. (2 August 2014). "The Brains Behind Modi Sarkar". Tehelka.
2. [http://www.business-standard.com/article/specials/in-the-right-place-114060601203_1.html In the right place], ''Business Standard'', 7 June 2014.
3. [http://www.firstpost.com/politics/from-vivekananda-to-pmo-stars-meet-modis-favourite-think-tank-1574369.html From Vivekananda to PMO stars: Meet Modi's favourite think tank], Firstpost, 17 June 2014.
4. [http://www.afternoondc.in/editorial/pmo-borrows-officers-from-vif/article_111623 PMO borrows officers from VIF] {{Webarchive. link. (5 January 2022 , Afternoon Despatch & Courier, 4 June 2014.)
5. "Online Book store {{!}} Journal Writing & Publishing Services - Prints Publications".
6. (1 April 2012). "Bar criminals from contesting polls: Sangma". Deccan Herald.
7. "Vimarsh at VIF". Vivekananda International Foundation.
8. "'Towards a stable Afghanistan: The Way Forward". Royal United Services Foundation.
9. "VivekMonthly magazine of the VIF". Vivekananda International Foundation.
10. India, V. I. F.. (3 October 2017). "VIF is happy to announce the appointment of Dr Arvind Gupta @lbscidsa as Director, @vifindia".
11. Gupta, Arvind. (3 October 2017). "Today began new innings as Director VIF. VIF aims to look at issues from an Indian, nationalist view point. Thank you for good wishes.".
12. (2022-07-14). "Gupta, Arvind".
13. "Dr-Arvind-Gupta-of-VIF-on-India-Central-Asia-Relations-- bwhr".
14. "Vivekananda International Foundation {{!}} Seeking Harmony in Diversity".
15. "Old boys' foundation scores again in Delhi". The Telegraph.
16. (29 July 2014). "Six more from RSS think-tank to join govt". Free Press Journal.
17. "Dr Bibek Debroy, Dean, Centre for Economic Studies".
18. "Not RSS, join VIF and wait to be welcomed aboard PM Modi's privileged squad".
19. (25 September 2017). "Modi revives Economic Advisory Council". The Hindu.
20. "Can Debroy's Dual Role as NITI Aayog Member and PM's Economic Adviser Lead to Confusion?". News18.
21. "Dr V K Saraswat, Dean, Centre for Technological and Scientific Studies, VIF".
22. (10 June 2014). "P.K Mishra appointed Additional Principal Secretary to Modi". The Indian Express.
23. (23 September 2017). "Former deputy NSA Arvind Gupta to head Vivekananda Intl Foundation". hindustantimes.com/.
24. "The Brains Behind Modi Sarkar {{!}} Brijesh Singh {{!}} Tehelka – Investigations, Latest News, Politics, Analysis, Blogs, Culture, Photos, Videos, Podcasts".
25. "Air Marshal SG Inamdar, PVSM, VSM (Executive Council, VIF)".
26. "Advisory Board".
27. (2017-01-04). "Amb Satish Chandra, Vice Chairman, VIF".
28. (2017-07-27). "Tilak Devasher, Consultant, VIF".
29. (2001-01-05). "Battle over intelligence".
30. (2017-01-04). "Lt General R K Sawhney, PVSM, AVSM, Centre Head & Senior Fellow, National Security and Strategic Studies & Internal Security Studies, VIF".