Dr Aashique Ahmed Iqbal
Dr Aashique Ahmed Iqbal is a historian of modern South Asia. He is the author of The Aeroplane and the Making of Modern India (Oxford University Press 2023), which studies India’s transformation from colony to sovereign republic through the prism of aviation.
Dr Aashique Ahmed Iqbal is a historian of modern South Asia. He is the author of The Aeroplane and the Making of Modern India (Oxford University Press 2023), which studies India’s transformation from colony to sovereign republic through the prism of aviation. He has also written articles on history for general audiences on a number of platforms including India Forum, EPW Engage, and Teacher Plus.
Aashique hails from the hill station of Ooty. He took his BA in History at Loyola College, Chennai. He received his MA and MPhil in Modern History at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi and also holds a DPhil in History from the University of Oxford. He has received multiple scholarships including the Felix scholarship, the Royal Historical Society Marshall Fellowship, and the Maulana Azad National Fellowship.
Air Marshal Anil Chopra, PVSM, AVSM, VM, VSM (Retd)
A fighter pilot, Qualified Flying Instructor, test pilot, and a pioneer of Mirage-2000 fleet, who has commanded a Mirage 2000 Squadron and the Flight Test Centre, Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
A fighter pilot, Qualified Flying Instructor, test pilot, and a pioneer of Mirage-2000 fleet, who has commanded a Mirage 2000 Squadron and the Flight Test Centre, Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) of the Indian Air Force (IAF). He has been the Team Leader of MiG 21 Bison Upgrade project in Russia for over four years. He has commanded operational air bases in both Western and Eastern sectors. He was head of IAF in J&K, and head of operational Inspections of the IAF. Retired as Air Officer in-charge Personnel. He has been a member of the Armed Forces Tribunal, Lucknow Bench, and member of the Executive Council of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). He is former Director General Centre for Air Power Studies. An Avid writer, who has more than 950 articles published in various magazines, newspapers, web portals, and books. He has authored or edited 9 books.
He is often invited for TV debates on both English and Hindi news channels as defence analyst. He is also on Seminar and university lecture circuit. Currently he is “Strategic Adviser Aerospace, with Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM).
Prof Amar Farooqui
Amar Farooqui was formerly Professor in the Department of History, University of Delhi. He taught history for many years at Hans Raj College, Delhi;
Amar Farooqui was formerly Professor in the Department of History, University of Delhi. He taught history for many years at Hans Raj College, Delhi; and has been Fellow, Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, New Delhi. His publications include Zafar and the Raj: Anglo-Mughal Delhi, c.1800-1850 (2013), and The Colonial Subjugation of India (2022)
Amarjit Singh Dulat
Amarjit Singh Dulat is a former head of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), India's external intelligence agency. After retirement, he was appointed adviser on Kashmir in the Prime Minister's Office
Amarjit Singh Dulat is a former head of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), India's external intelligence agency. After retirement, he was appointed adviser on Kashmir in the Prime Minister's Office and served there from January 2001 to May 2004. During this time, he accumulated a vast reservoir of goodwill with Kashmiris of all shades. As Jane's Intelligence Digest put it in 2001, ‘Well known for his social skills, Dulat preferred dialogue to clandestine maneouvres.' In his heyday, Dulat was referred to as ‘Mr Kashmir'.
Dulat was born in Sialkot, Punjab, in December 1940. After India's partition, his father Justice Shamsher Singh Dulat relocated his family to Delhi. After schooling in Delhi, Simla and Chandigarh, Dulat joined the Indian Police Service (IPS) in 1965, and then the Intelligence Bureau (IB) in 1969, where he served for almost thirty years. At the IB he headed the Kashmir Group during the turbulent 1990s till he joined and headed the R&AW.
He is the author of Kashmir: The Vajpayee Years (2015; co-authored with Aditya Sinha), The Spy Chronicles: R&AW, ISI and the Illusion of Peace (2018; co-authored with Lieutenant General Asad Durrani and Aditya Sinha) and A Life in the Shadows (2022).
Ambassador Navtej Singh Sarna, IFS (Retd)
A professional diplomat for nearly four decades, Sarna was India’s Ambassador to the United States, High Commissioner to the UK and Ambassador to Israel. He has also served as Secretary to the Government of India and as the Foreign Office Spokesperson.
A professional diplomat for nearly four decades, Sarna was India’s Ambassador to the United States, High Commissioner to the UK and Ambassador to Israel. He has also served as Secretary to the Government of India and as the Foreign Office Spokesperson. His earlier diplomatic assignments were in Moscow, Warsaw, Thimphu, Tehran, Geneva and Washington DC. Ambassador Sarna is an Advisory Member of the Board of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, Advisory Board member of the Kautilya School of Public Policy and an Independent Member of the National Broadcasting and Digital Standards Authority.
Ambassador Shyam Saran, IFS (Retd)
Amb Shyam Saran is a former Foreign Secretary of India and has served as Chairman of India’s National Security Advisory Board. In 2015 he was the Telstra Distinguished International Fellow at the Lowy Institute.
Amb Shyam Saran is a former Foreign Secretary of India and has served as Chairman of India’s National Security Advisory Board. In 2015 he was the Telstra Distinguished International Fellow at the Lowy Institute.
Saran is a career diplomat, having joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1970. He has served in several capitals of the world, including Beijing, Tokyo, and Geneva. He has been India’s Ambassador to Myanmar, Indonesia, and Nepal, and High Commissioner to Mauritius. In the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi, he headed the Economic Division and the Multilateral Economic Division and also headed the East Asia Division which handles relations with China and Japan. As a Joint Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office in 1991/92, he advised the Prime Minister on foreign policy, nuclear and defence-related issues.
After a career spanning 34 years in the Indian Foreign Service, he was appointed India’s Foreign Secretary in 2004 and held that position until his retirement from service in September 2006. Subsequent to his retirement, Saran was appointed Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Indo–US civil nuclear issues and later as Special Envoy and Chief Negotiator on Climate Change. During his last two assignments, Ambassador Saran served as the Prime Minister’s personal representative, or “Sherpa”, at the Gleneagles and St Petersburg G8+G5 summits, and was present at the Toyako and L’Aquila Summits as an advisor on Climate Change issues. He also attended the Pittsburg G20 summit as a member of the Indian delegation.
In 2011 Saran was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the President of India for his contribution to Civil Service. The Padma Bhushan is the third highest national award in the country. He holds a postgraduate degree in Economics. He speaks Hindi, English, and Chinese, and is conversant in French.
Ambassador TCA Raghavan, IFS (Retd)
T.C.A Raghavan retired from the Indian Foreign Service in December 2015 as Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan (2013-15). He had earlier served as Deputy High Commissioner in Pakistan (2003-2007) and High Commissioner to Singapore from 2009 to 2013.
T.C.A Raghavan retired from the Indian Foreign Service in December 2015 as Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan (2013-15). He had earlier served as Deputy High Commissioner in Pakistan (2003-2007) and High Commissioner to Singapore from 2009 to 2013.
During his last posting in New Delhi (2007-09) in the Ministry of External Affairs Dr Raghavan was Joint Secretary dealing with Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran. He has also served in Kuwait, the United Kingdom, and Bhutan. Posts earlier held in the Ministry of External Affairs include Director of the Office of the External Affairs Minister (2000-2003).
He was awarded a PhD by the Jawaharlal Nehru University in 1992 for his dissertation relating to the economic history of India.
His current interests are historical research, strategic analysis and the diplomatic and intellectual history of modern India. He writes, lectures and participates in discussions on issues relating to Indian and South Asian diplomatic history, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan and South East Asia.
He is the author of (i) Attendant Lords, Bairam Khan and Abdur Rahim- Courtiers and Poets in Mughal India, awarded the Mohammad Habib Memorial Prize by the Indian History Congress in December 2017. (ii) ‘The People Next Door- The Curious History of India’s relations with Pakistan’. (Harper Collins, 2017). His latest book is entitled "History Men: Jadunath Sarkar, G.S. Sardesai, Raghubir Sinh and their quest for India's Past" (2019).
He assumed charge as Director General, Indian Council of World Affairs on 24th July, 2018.
Ambreen Zaidi
Ambreen Zaidi, an esteemed Army wife, is a distinguished columnist and author. Her books, The Warrior Widows and Soldiering On- published in both English and Hindi, have garnered widespread acclaim.
Ambreen Zaidi, an esteemed Army wife, is a distinguished columnist and author. Her books, The Warrior Widows and Soldiering On- published in both English and Hindi, have garnered widespread acclaim. Notably, her work has received a letter of appreciation from the Honourable Defence Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, who has also mentored her in various projects. As a columnist, Ambreen writes with boldness and clarity, addressing critical issues in leading national and international publications. Her notable contributions include the weekly columns ‘Olive Green’ and ‘Our Heroes’ for Hindustan Times, which she penned for two and three years, respectively. Additionally, she has been writing the column ‘Barracks & Beyond’ for The Times of India for over five years. On 21st August 2023, Ambreen was honored by the Honourable President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, in recognition of her exemplary work. Committed to a noble cause, she is dedicated to supporting the families of soldiers who have been killed in action or disabled while serving the nation, ensuring they live with the utmost dignity and respect.
Air Vice Marshal Anil Golani (Retd)
A Qualified Flying Instructor and an Instrument Rating Instructor and Examiner, commissioned into the Fighter stream of the IAF in Dec 1982.
A Qualified Flying Instructor and an Instrument Rating Instructor and Examiner, commissioned into the Fighter stream of the IAF in Dec 1982. Fully Ops on the erstwhile Ajeet and Jaguar aircraft. Raised and commanded the first Harpy squadron of the Indian Air Force. He commanded an Air Defence Direction Centre and an operational base. One of the few to have served in senior ranks in both the Joint Services Commands of the country, Andaman & Nicobar Command as the Air Force Component Commander and Strategic Forces Command as the Chief Staff Officer (Air Vector).
The other joint services appointments include Air Officer Commanding Maritime Air Operations in Mumbai and Chief Instructor, Air Force, at Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. Superannuated from service in Nov 2019.
An avid writer and author, he has written a number of articles on air power, national security, strategy and integration of the Armed Forces. He has Co-edited two books ‘Air Power and Emerging Technologies’; 2022 and ‘Indian Air Force in its Centennial Decade’; 2023. He took over as Additional Director General CAPS on 07 May 2021.
Ambassador Asoke Mukerji (Retd)
Ambassador Asoke Mukerji’s diplomatic career spans 37 years, from 1978-2015. As India’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United
Ambassador Asoke Mukerji’s diplomatic career spans 37 years, from 1978-2015. As India’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York (2013-2015) he oversaw India’s negotiations on Agenda 2030 on Sustainable Development, focusing on prioritising the use of technology for achieving the SDGs. He represented India in the intergovernmental negotiations that recommended a text-based outcome for UN Security Council Reforms in September 2015.
Ambassador Mukerji chaired a multi-stakeholder working group under India’s National Security Council Secretariat to recommend cyber norms for India (2017-2018). He has addressed audiences at seminars and conferences in India and abroad, including the Global Conferences on Cyber Space at London (2011) and New Delhi (2017). He lectures regularly on multilateral issues to Indian and foreign diplomats at India’s Foreign Service Institute.
Ambassador Mukerji has published articles and book chapters in Indian and foreign publications on India’s foreign policy, as well as several books. He obtained a BA (Honours) and MA degree from St Stephen’s College, University of Delhi. In July 2018, he was awarded a Doctor of Civil Law (honoris causa) degree by the University of East Anglia (UK) for his contributions to diplomacy.
Maj Gen BK Sharma, AVSM, SM & Bar (Retd)
Maj Gen BK Sharma was commissioned in the SIKH LIGHT Infantry Regiment in 1976 and superannuated in 2012. He is the Director General of USI.
Maj Gen BK Sharma was commissioned in the SIKH LIGHT Infantry Regiment in 1976 and superannuated in 2012. He is the Director General of USI. He has represented his country at the UN as Military Observer in Central America and has been India’s Defence Attaché in Central Asia. He specializes in Strategic Net Assessment methodology, Scenario Building and Strategic Gaming.
Cmde Gurnam Singh, NM (Retd)
Commodore Gurnam Singh was born in 1941 at Amritsar, Punjab. His father served in the British India Army during the Second World War (1939-45) and was part of the deployment against the Japanese Army on the north-east India front and in Burma (now Myanmar), till the surrender of the Japanese.
Commodore Gurnam Singh was born in 1941 at Amritsar, Punjab. His father served in the British India Army during the Second World War (1939-45) and was part of the deployment against the Japanese Army on the north-east India front and in Burma (now Myanmar), till the surrender of the Japanese.
Commodore Gurnam Singh served the Indian Navy for 37 years from 1958 to 1995. A Qualified marine and aircraft engineer, he has studied at Indian Navy’s Marine Engineering Training Establishment and at Naval College of Engineering, both at INS Shivaji, Lonavala, Pune; Naval Institute of Aviation Technology, Kochi (erstwhile Naval Air Technical School, Kochi) and at Air Force Technical College, Jalahalli, Bengaluru.
He has served on INS Sutlej, INS Jamuna and INS Vikrant at different times on operational marine engineering and air engineering appointments. He was awarded the Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry) during the 1971 Indo-Pak War, while serving onboard INS Vikrant as the Air Engineer Officer of the Sea Hawk jet fighter squadron, INAS 300.
Has authored eleven books on India between the 17th-20th centuries. He has written on India’s freedom struggle capturing milestones and analysing the course of history. His last book ‘Guardians of the Seas: Triumph of the Indian Navy and its Air Power in the 1971 War’ was co-authored with Rear Admiral SK Gupta MVC, NM and was published in December 2023 by Rupa Publications.
Col Ajay K Raina, SM (Retd)
Col Ajay Raina, SM (Retd) is the founder of the Military History Research Foundation, Raina has authored and edited 27 books, focusing on military history, including Hold at All Costs and The Gallant Nunnus.
Col Ajay Raina, SM (Retd) is the founder of the Military History Research Foundation, Raina has authored and edited 27 books, focusing on military history, including Hold at All Costs and The Gallant Nunnus.
Born in 1969 in Jammu, AJ attended school and college in Jammu. In 1987, he was adjudged the BEST NCC CADET (Senior Division) from the J&K Directorate during participation in the Republic Day Camp at New Delhi. He was awarded GOVERNOR’s MEDAL for the same.He was commissioned into 93 Field Regiment in December 1990 and had the privilege of commanding the same regiment from 2007 to 2009. He was awarded the Sena Medal (Gallantry) while serving in an RR (Rashtriya Rifles) battalion in Northern Kashmir in 2006.
He is passionate for adventure activities. In 2009, Raina and his family set a Limca Book record for an unsupported motorcycle ride across 11 Ladakh passes. He holds an MSc in Weapon Technology and an MBA in Finance.
Dr Kajari Kamal
Dr Kajari Kamal is an Associate Professor at Takshashila Institution, Bangalore. She has designed the course curriculum and teaches Kautilya’s Arthashastra through webinars and contact workshops. Her research focuses on the concept of ‘strategic culture’ in the Indian context.
Dr Kajari Kamal is an Associate Professor at Takshashila Institution, Bangalore. She has designed the course curriculum and teaches Kautilya’s Arthashastra through webinars and contact workshops. Her research focuses on the concept of ‘strategic culture’ in the Indian context.
She is a graduate in History from Lady Sri Ram College (1995-1998) and a post graduate in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University (1998-2000). She has received her doctoral degree from University of Hyderabad. Her PhD thesis titled, “Kautilya’s Arthashastra
and Indian Strategic Culture: A Comparative Study of Two Phases of India’s Foreign Policy, 1947-1964 and 1998-2014”, reflects the convergence of her interest in ancient Indian historical text and contemporary strategic studies. Her dissertation assesses the salience of Kautilyan ideas to better understand India’s foreign policy.
Dr. Kamal is a regular guest speaker at premier defence institutions like the National Defence College (New Delhi), Naval War College (Goa), Defence Services Staff College (Wellington) and College of Defence Management (Secunderabad). She is a resource person for the Institute
of Constitutional and Parliamentary Studies. She also writes regularly for several online platforms like The Wire, The Print, Observer Research Foundation, MP-IDSA, USI and the Chanakya Forum. Her book on Kautilya’s Arthashastra and India’s contemporary statecraft was published globally in August 2022 by Routledge.
Dr Sanjaya Baru
Dr Sanjaya Baru has been editor of India’s major financial newspapers and was Media Advisor to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2004-08. He served as Director for Geo-economics and Strategy.
Dr Sanjaya Baru has been editor of India’s major financial newspapers and was Media Advisor to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2004-08. He served as Director for Geo-economics and Strategy, International Institute of Strategic Studies (2011-16), and has lectured at National Defence College, Indian School of Public Policy, University of Hyderabad and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Singapore. He was member of India’s National Security Advisory Board in 1999-2001 and is Founder-Trustee, Forum for National Security Studies, India. He was a member of the India-ASEAN Eminent Persons Group, 2010. His publications include The Strategic Consequences of India’s Economic Rise (2006); India and the World: Essays on Geo-economics and Foreign Policy (2016); India’s Power Elite: Caste, Class and a Cultural Revolution, (Penguin Viking, 2021). He is a Distinguished Fellow, at USI.
Hemant Singh Katoch
Hemant Singh Katoch is an independent scholar and consultant based in New Delhi. His research has focused on the battles of Imphal and Kohima of 1944.
Hemant Singh Katoch is an independent scholar and consultant based in New Delhi. His research has focused on the battles of Imphal and Kohima of 1944 and he has pioneered battlefield tours around them (Battle of Imphal Tours). He is the author of three books, including Imphal 1944: The Japanese invasion of India (Osprey), The Battlefields of Imphal (Routledge) and, most recently, Imphal-Kohima 1944 (HarperCollins).
Maj Gen Ian Cardozo, AVSM, SM (Retd)
Major General Ian Cardozo was born in Mumbai and studied at St. Xavier’s School and College. He joined the Joint Services Wing at Clement Town, Dehradun in July 1954, which
Major General Ian Cardozo was born in Mumbai and studied at St. Xavier’s School and College. He joined the Joint Services Wing at Clement Town, Dehradun in July 1954, which transferred to Khadakvasla, Pune in January 1955 and became the National Defence Academy. Here he was the first cadet to win both the gold medal for being the best all round cadet and the silver medal for being first in order of merit.
He was commissioned at the Indian Military Academy into the 1st Battalion the 5th Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) where he received his basic grounding as a young officer. He thereafter took part in the Sino-Indian war of 1962, the Indo-Pak war of 1965 and the Indo-Pak war of 1971. Wounded in the battle of Sylhet in Bangladesh, he overcame the disability of losing a leg and became the first disabled officer of the Indian Army to be approved for command of an infantry battalion and brigade. Thereafter, he commanded an Infantry Division and retired from this appointment as Chief of Staff of a Corps in the North East.
On retirement he worked in the area of Disability with an NGO and as Vice President of the War Wounded Foundation before being picked up by the Government of India and appointed as the Chairman of the Rehabilitation Council of India where he worked for nine years.
He has taken up writing as a hobby and his books ‘Param Vir’, ‘The Sinking of INS Khukri’, ‘The Bravest of the Brave – the Indian VCs of World War I’, ‘The Indian Army in World War I 1914-18’ and ‘Lieutenant General Bilimoria – His Life and Times’ have been widely acclaimed.
Julian Farrance
Julian Farrance is a career employee of the National Army Museum, working there since 2000. Initially in the education team, he spent three years in the
Julian Farrance is a career employee of the National Army Museum, working there since 2000. Initially in the education team, he spent three years in the comms team and has worked as the lead for the Museum’s liaison with the UK’s Regimental and Corps Museums for the last eleven years (with additional responsibility for International partnerships) In this role Julian provides direct support, training, advice and networking administration for the UK’s one hundred and forty five museums.
Lt Gen (Dr) Rakesh Sharma, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd)
Lt Gen (Dr) Rakesh Sharma was commissioned in Gorkha Rifles in 1977, and had a career spanning forty years in the Army.
Lt Gen (Dr) Rakesh Sharma was commissioned in Gorkha Rifles in 1977, and had a career spanning forty years in the Army. He has had extensive operational experience in Jammu and Kashmir, North East and on the Western Borders. The officer had trained the Botswana Army for three years in Africa, and attended the National War College at Abuja, Nigeria.
He was Research Fellow at Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses and has done PhD in Defence Studies. General Rakesh Sharma commanded the Fire and Fury Corps in Ladakh responsible for Kargil, Siachin Glacier and Eastern Ladakh – facing both Pakistan and China.
The General was the Adjutant General of the Indian Army responsible for the Human Resource Management and superannuated in 2017.He is currently DISTINGUISHED FELLOW with Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) and Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS) and on the EXECUTIVE COUNCIL of Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) and of Global Counter Terrorism Council (GCTC).
Lt Gen Asit Mistry, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM (Retd)
Lt Gen Asit Mistry (Retd) was commissioned in 12 MARATHA LIGHT INFANTRY in June 1982 which he later commanded. He also had the honour to be the Colonel of MARATHA LI.
Lt Gen Asit Mistry (Retd) was commissioned in 12 MARATHA LIGHT INFANTRY in June 1982 which he later commanded. He also had the honour to be the Colonel of MARATHA LI.
A graduate of Defence Services Staff College and Higher Command Course, Gen Mistry has a Master’s Degree in Defence Studies from Madras University and M Phil from DAVV, Indore.
He has varied command and staff experience. He commanded an Infantry Battalion in Siachen Glacier, a Mountain Brigade in Upper Assam and Counter Insurgency Force in North Kashmir.
As General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, he had the distinction of leading three Republic Day Parades. His last assignment in Service was as the Commandant, National Defence Academy (NDA) wherein he oversaw training of over 2000 cadets through the COVID pandemic.
General Mistry has a rich experience of United Nations Peacekeeping. He has been a United Nations Military Observer in Liberia in 1996-97 and the Deputy Force Commander in South Sudan from December 2011 to March 2014.
Post retirement, he was the Director of School of Internal Security, Defence & Strategic Studies (SISDSS) at the Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) from Nov 21 to Aug 23.
He is married to Mrs Mira Mistry and their only son, Maj Shrey Mistry following the father’s footsteps, has joined 12th MARATHA LI.
Lt Gen Vinod G Khandare, PVSM, AVSM, SM (Retd)
Lt Gen Vinod Khandare was Military Advisor in the National Security Council Secretariat under the Prime Minister’s Office (2018-2021). He was Director General, Defense Intelligence Agency and Deputy Chief, Integrated Defence Staff for Intelligence (2015-2018).
Lt Gen Vinod Khandare was Military Advisor in the National Security Council Secretariat under the Prime Minister’s Office (2018-2021). He was Director General, Defense Intelligence Agency and Deputy Chief, Integrated Defence Staff for Intelligence (2015-2018). Lt Gen Khandare served in the Indian Army for nearly four decades. Serving in Infantry, he excelled in challenging terrain, sectors, operational roles in Siachen, Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim and North East region. For his exemplary service and commitment, Lt Gen Khandare has been awarded the Sena Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal.
He is an expert on Conventional Operations, Sub Conventional Counter Terrorism Operations, Information Warfare, Conflict Prevention and Peace Keeping Operations. Lt. Gen Khandare has first-hand experience in Strategic, Operational and Tactical Intelligence generation, fusion, analysis and dissemination. He is a keen analyst of International World Order, Comprehensive National Security, Defence and Governance Sector. Presently, he is serving as the Principal Advisor to the Ministry of Defence since 2022.
Maj Gen AJS Sandhu, VSM (Retd)
Major General AJS Sandhu, VSM (Retd), did his schooling from The Lawrence School, Sanawar. He was commissioned into the Army in June 1967,
Major General AJS Sandhu, VSM (Retd), did his schooling from The Lawrence School, Sanawar. He was commissioned into the Army in June 1967, becoming the third generation of a martial family. In an illustrious career spanning over 37 years he has held varied assignments including overseas service. He served in the Punjab sector in the 1971 Inda-Pakistan War, and in the operationally vital regions of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, during the critical periods of the Siachen Conflict and Operation Vijay (Kargil conflict). Major General Sandhu is a Master of Philosophy in Defence and Strategic Studies from the University of Madras, and has done the Post Graduate Diploma Course in International Human Rights Law from the Indian Society of International Law, New Delhi. His book titled 'BATTLEGROUND CHHAMB: The Indo- Pakistan War of 1971' was published in January 2017 and re-printed the same year. It vividly recounts what was perhaps the toughest and most intensely fought battle of the 1971 War. The General is a recipient of the Vishisht Seva Medal as well as the Chief of Army Staff and Northern Army Commander's Commendations. Prior to his retirement on 31 August 2004, he was Additional Director General Artillery at the Army HQ, New Delhi.
Maj Gen Arjun Muthanna (Retd)
MAJ GEN VINAY BHATNAGAR AVSM VSM was commissioned into the 5 Gurkha Rifles ( FF) in December 1972 and Retired in March 2009.
Major General Arjun Muthanna is currently the Director for HR and Training of Trident Automobiles in Bangalore. He is the Managing Trustee of Kodagu Educational & Social Service Trust (KESST) which works with the youth of his home district, Kodagu, in Karnataka.
He is an alumnus of Sainik School, Bijapur and Government College, Mangalore. He joined Indian Military Academy, Dehradun as an NCC entry candidate; and was commissioned in The Garhwal Rifles in 1978. He has served motsly in mountain and CI/CT areas of Manipur, Jammu, Ladakh, Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh and in Jaffna as part of the IPKF. He was GSO 1 (Operations & Training) of the Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT) in Bhutan and Director MT 16 in Army HQ dealing for foreign training and cooperation.
He set up the Karnataka State Police's Centre for Counter-Terrorism (CCT) and its counter-terror response force, GARUDA FORCE in 2010-11 while on deputation.
His publications include
1. “Enabling Military-To-Military Cooperation as a Foreign Policy Tool – Options for India” – Research report while Senior Research Fellow (MEA Chair) at United Services Institution of India, New Delhi, in 2004-05
2. Compiling and editing of personal accounts of IPKF veterans (in 2022)
*How the Wind Blew: Operation Pawan
*Valiant Were Their Deeds: Operation Pawan
*IPKF-Undying Be Their Memories – Operation Pawan
*The Bravehearts of IPKF: Op Pawan
*For the Honour of India - IPKF (Op Pawan)
3. ‘Kodavas…Passion for Uniform’, a compilation of the history of the military tradition of Kodavas (Coorgs) and biographies of senior Kodava officers and gallantry awardees. (2023)
4. Humour the Services Way – a compilation of humorous anecdotes in the military. (2024)
Maj Gen Vinay Bhatnagar, AVSM, VSM (Retd)
MAJ GEN VINAY BHATNAGAR AVSM VSM was commissioned into the 5 Gurkha Rifles (FF) in December 1972 and Retired in March 2009.
MAJ GEN VINAY BHATNAGAR AVSM VSM was commissioned into the 5 Gurkha Rifles (FF) in December 1972 and Retired in March 2009.
During his 37 years of Service he served in Counter Insurgency Areas in the North East, Assam, Punjab and J&K. He also Served extensively in the Western Sector.
He is a Graduate of DSSC, CDM and NDC. He has held Staff Appointments in General, Logistics and Adjutant Branches.
As ADG (SD) was incharge of Training and Deployment of Indian Peace Keeping Forces.
Post Retirement he served in the Hospitality and Real Estate Business, as also in Tourism in the Andaman Islands.
He was Trained in Israel in Homeland Security.
Presently involved in the USI Contact Classes for DSSC aspirants, and in Battlefield Tourism.
Mandira Nayar
Mandira Nayar is a journalist with two decades of reporting experience. She writes on books, foreign affairs, culture and history. She is currently the deputy
Mandira Nayar is a journalist with two decades of reporting experience. She writes on books, foreign affairs, culture and history. She is currently the deputy bureau chief at The Week. She has worked with The Hindu and The Telegraph and is Charles Wallace scholar.
Dr Manvi Seth
Dr Manvi Seth is currently Dean, NMI and Professor and Head in the Department of Museology, National Museum Institute. Since August 2002
Dr Manvi Seth is currently Dean, NMI and Professor and Head in the Department of Museology, National Museum Institute. Since August 2002 she has been teaching in the Department of Museology. Prior to this, she worked as the Curator, Decorative Arts, Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum, City Palace, Jaipur from 2000-2002. She has been awarded two prestigious grants jointly with Dr. Sandra Dudley, School of Museum Studies, University of Leicester, from the British Academy and UGC-UKIERI. Prof. Seth has curated the Community Museum in Gya, Ladakh which was inaugurated in March 2022. She has also curated many exhibitions. Amongst the various exhibitions she has curated, the prominent ones are – ‘Re(ad)dress: Return of Treasures’, an exhibition on repatriated antiquities to India organized as part of the G20 Summit under India’s Presidency from 22 February to 28 February 2023, and ‘First Frames –In the Footsteps of Early Explorers’. Prof. Seth is the recipient of the prestigious Nehru Trust UK Visiting Fellowship. She has been awarded the “Best Professor’ award by the Dewang Mehta National Education Awards. She has successfully completed the Leadership Training Programme organised by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India in collaboration with the British Museum. Prof. Seth is the Chair of, Intangible Cultural Heritage Working Group, CIDOC.
Meghna Girish
After schooling across the country as an army officer’s daughter, Meghna did B Pharm from Govt College of Pharmacy in Bangalore. Marriage to a Fighter
After schooling across the country as an army officer’s daughter, Meghna did B Pharm from Govt College of Pharmacy in Bangalore. Marriage to a Fighter Pilot (Wg Cdr Girish Kumar), the birth of twins Akshay and Neha and life as an Air Force Officer's wife notwithstanding, she continued her education doing her Masters in Pharmacy with Distinction from Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS-Pilani). She took up teaching for 13 years in Pharmacy Colleges and went on to complete a Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Law from National Law School (NLSIU) Bangalore. Meghna then made a career shift from academia to the NGO Sector, working with ActionAid India both at the state and national level for 8 years. Later, she continued working as a freelance Development Consultant.
Meghna, as mother of a Braveheart who led his Quick Reaction Team to save lives of families trapped in a terror attack in Nagrota and made the supreme sacrifice for the nation, is also the Co-Founder of Major Akshay Girish Memorial Trust which works to strengthen patriotism and service to the nation.
Her blog called ‘finding new meaning’ is widely read in many countries. With over 60k followers on twitter, she is considered a social influencer.
She has led two nationwide collaborative research studies related to soldiers. The research for advocacy through data analysis makes recommendations to address gaps and challenges in access to entitlements and benefits for families of soldiers killed in action, war wounded soldiers and disabled cadets.
Recent Awards:
Inspired India Foundation Award for Social Service in 2021
USI-War Wounded Foundation Chair of Excellence Award 2021-23
Mmhonlumo Kikon
A National Spokesperson for the BJP, Kikon was previously the Prabhari for Mizoram. His latest book, His Majesty’s Headhunters, is published by Penguin Random House. He is currently an India Technology Policy Fellow at the Pacific Forum and resides in Dimapur, Nagaland.
A National Spokesperson for the BJP, Kikon was previously the Prabhari for Mizoram. His latest book, His Majesty’s Headhunters, is published by Penguin Random House. He is currently an India Technology Policy Fellow at the Pacific Forum and resides in Dimapur, Nagaland.
Mmhonlumo Kikon is a poet and author with three poetry books and one history book. He earned his Bachelors and Masters in English Literature from the University of Delhi and is an ASPEN Fellow.
Politically, he served two terms as the Member of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly for the Bhandari Constituency (2013-2023) and was Minister of Geology & Mining, as well as Advisor on IT, Communication, New & Renewable Energy, and Science & Technology. He also held roles as Parliamentary Secretary for Labour, Employment, and Skill Development.
Prof Amar Farooqui
Amar Farooqui is former Professor of History, University of Delhi. He taught history for many years at Hans Raj College, Delhi; and has been Fellow, Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, New Delhi.
Amar Farooqui is former Professor of History, University of Delhi. He taught history for many years at Hans Raj College, Delhi; and has been Fellow, Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, New Delhi. His publications include Zafar and the Raj: Anglo-Mughal Delhi, c.1800-1850 (2013), and The Colonial Subjugation of India (2022).
Air Marshal (Dr) Rajeev Sachdeva, AVSM (Retd)
Air Marshal (Dr) Rajeev Sachdeva, AVSM (Retd), served as Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff and officiated as Additional Secretary (Air) at DMA, MoD.
Air Marshal (Dr) Rajeev Sachdeva, AVSM (Retd), served as Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff and officiated as Additional Secretary (Air) at DMA, MoD. He is a Distinguished Fellow at i2p2M and Certified Management Instructor by AIMA. Other joint appointments were Co-Chair DIATF with US for development of niche capabilities; Officiated as Chairman of DCMG and steered the projects for NFS & DCN.
Rajinder Singh Bhatia
Rajinder Singh Bhatia is an Army Veteran and a prominent Defence Industry leader in India with over 50 years of experience. He is currently the President of SIDM and member of CII National Council.
Rajinder Singh Bhatia is an Army Veteran and a prominent Defence Industry leader in India with over 50 years of experience.
He is currently the President of SIDM and member of CII National Council.
He is the Chairman of Kalyani Strategic System Limited (Defence Business Subsidiary of Bharat Forge Limited) at Kalyani Group. He is also the Chairman of Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited, KRAS (A joint venture between Rafael and KSSL).
Under him, Kalyani Group has been at the forefront of Atma Nirbhar effort In the Country while forging partnerships with major defence and Aerospace OEMs of the world and is today in the forefront of Defence & Aerospace Landscape in the country.
He has been a key member of the Strategic Policy initiatives and policy taskforce as part of government sponsored bodies for Defence & Aerospace
He has featured in ’50 Manufacturing Innovative Leaders’ and also awarded ‘Best CEO of the Year’ for ‘Excellence and Leadership in Innovation’ at Golden Star Awards in Oct 2021.
Sqn Ldr Rana Chhina, MBE (Retd)
Squadron Leader Rana TS Chhina served in the Indian Air Force as a helicopter pilot. He is currently Director of the United Service Institution of India (USI)
Squadron Leader Rana TS Chhina served in the Indian Air Force as a helicopter pilot. He is currently Director of the United Service Institution of India (USI) Centre for Military History and Conflict Studies (CMHCS). The author of a number of books, he was Vice President of the Indian Military Historical Society (2004-2020), and a member of the Government of India’s Archival Advisory Board. He is a member of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC)
Independent Advisory Panel and is actively engaged in promoting the preservation of India’s rich tangible and intangible military heritage. A recipient of the Macgregor Medal for best military reconnaissance, he was appointed an Honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2016 and an Officer of the Belgian Order of Leopold in 2018.
Shekhar Gupta
Shekhar Gupta is Founder and Editor-in-Chief of ThePrint, an exciting news media start-up. He is a prolific columnist, with the highly influential column National Interest.
Shekhar Gupta is Founder and Editor-in-Chief of ThePrint, an exciting news media start-up. He is a prolific columnist, with the highly influential column National Interest, which is translated into several languages, including Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, Gujarati and Marathi. He is a senior prime-time anchor at NDTV.
Over the past two decades, National Interest has been regarded as the sharpest, most perceptive analysis of current events as they unfold. These columns were recently collected in the bestselling book, ‘Anticipating India’. Currently, National Interest appears in Business Standard every Saturday.
Shekhar hosts Off the Cuff – an offering from ThePrint – which sees him in conversation with an eminent guest every month. Off the Cuff is telecast on NDTV 24X7 and NDTV Prime at the end of each month. He also hosts “Walk the Talk” on NDTV 24×7 every week. A collection of his news-making interviews will be published soon. He does a second weekly show in Hindi, “Chalte Chalte”, telecast on NDTV India.
During a 38-year career, Shekhar has reported on key Indian and international events, including the Nellie massacre in Assam, Operation Blue Star, the student uprising in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the first Gulf War from Baghdad, the first “jihad” in Afghanistan, and the many twists and turns in the troubled 1983-1993 decade in Sri Lanka’s Tamil North.
In June 2014, Shekhar concluded a 19-year stint at the Indian Express and the Express Group of publications. As Editor-in-Chief, he led the country’s largest network of award-winning journalists.
Sqn Ldr Pushp K Vaid, VrC (Retd)
Sqn Ldr Pushp K Vaid, VrC, completed his schooling in Delhi and joined the NDA in January 1959. He was commissioned as an IAF helicopter pilot in January 1963 and flew Mi-4 helicopters across North India for 11 years.
Sqn Ldr Pushp K Vaid, VrC, completed his schooling in Delhi and joined the NDA in January 1959. He was commissioned as an IAF helicopter pilot in January 1963 and flew Mi-4 helicopters across North India for 11 years.
During the 1971 Bangladesh war, he served as the Flight Commander of the 110 Helicopter Unit in Kumbhigram, attached to IV Corps, and was awarded the Vir Chakra. He authored Mi-4s at War, which details the war's events and is available on Amazon.
After leaving the IAF in 1974, Vaid moved to Scotland and joined British Airways helicopters. On November 6, 1986, he survived a Chinook crash in the North Sea, in which 45 out of 47 passengers perished. Following a brief recovery, he continued flying for another 20 years until his retirement in 2007.
Vaid is now involved in golf, charity work, and cooking large-scale Indian meals for fundraising. He has cooked for over 700 people at once. He is married and has a son working in underwater operations in Doha and a daughter who is a captain with EasyJet.
Suhasini Haidar
Suhasini Haidar is the Diplomatic Editor of The Hindu, covering Indian diplomacy, international developments and conflicts, and contributing columns regularly.
Suhasini Haidar is the Diplomatic Editor of The Hindu, covering Indian diplomacy, international developments and conflicts, and contributing columns regularly. She hosts the weekly online show "WorldView with Suhasini Haidar". Over the span of her career of nearly 30 years, Suhasini has worked with CNN International (1995-2005), CNN-IBN (2005-2014), until her present role at The Hindu newspaper (2014- ).
She has contributed to a number of books on South Asia, diplomacy with the US and Japan as well as the Global South.
