THINK INDIA WORKSHOP

BRBRAITT JABALPUR | 12-13 JAN, 2017

The workshop started with the inauguration ceremony the chief guests for which were
Prof.Uday Kumar, Director MNIT Jaipur and Shri Nagraj Reddy, In-charge Think India. Shri
Ashish Chauhan was the chairperson of the inauguration session.

Shri Ashish Chauhan briefed the members about the idea behind the workshop and started off
his speech iterating the historical value of the venue for the workshop i.e Jabalpur. He then
moved on to evolution of Think India- as to how Think India became what it is today. It all
started with an idea and now Think India is an organisation having its members in almost every
primier institution of national repute. Further, he discussed in brief about Think Indias
internship programmes- Vidhi (Legal Internship Programme) ,Neeti (Public Policy Internship)
and Anubhooti (Social Internship Programme) and also introduced Deeksha, Academic
Internship Programme. He later finished his speech by discussing our future plans.

Prof. Uday Kumar, in his inaugural address welcomed the delegates. He quoted Swami
Vivekanand to instill motivation in the members to arise, awake and not stopping until the goal
is reached. He further discussed other inspirational stories to inspire and give motivational boost
to the members. He then moved on to talk about our rich cultural heritage. He gave the young
members an advice to not to follow the west blindly but to stick to our roots. He gave the
example of the invention of the airplanes, the inventors of it are widely publicised as Wright
Brothers but Rishi Bhardwaj in his work Vimana Shashtra had already discussed the concept.
He further discussed the contributions of ancient India in the field of science and mathematics.
He ended his speech by giving the slogan of Making India Great Again.

Shri Nagaraj Reddy, talked about the journey of Think India, as to how it started a decade back
with its objective as contribution to the country in whichever way possible. He talked about how
India transformed as a country, how the role of media changed with time, what were the
different issues that India faced, what are the issues that it is facing today and how we, as an
organisation can contribute towards solving them. On being asked about the Chinese threat of
war he stated that the leadership in 2017 is a lot bolder than the leadership in 1962.
He then moved on to the technological advancement that the country is experiencing through
government programmes like Digital India, Unnat Bharat etc.
In the end, he advised the members to focus on developing a stronger and a bigger network
through active participation so that the organisation successfully accomplishes its motive of
contributing to the Nations development.

Second Session (Rahul Chaudhary, Ganesh Turerao and Naresh Dixit)

Rahul Chaudhary- Idea behind Vidhi Internship-

Rahul Chaudhary threw light on the recent activities of Think India such as the write ups
on contemporary issues and also the lecture series by senior advocates of Supreme Court
which was conducted by Think India for its members. He also mentioned about the
research articles that were submitted by the internees. He stated that the main idea
behind the internship programmes run by Think India is to focus on generating first
generation lawyers and legal practitioners who can contribute their part to the nations
growth inter alia.
A suggestion was given by one of the members as to starting of a Law Journal by Think
India to which having an Editorial Board was added to by another member. The
suggestion has been taken for consideration.
Naresh Dixit: Naresh Dixit talked about Anubhooti- Social Internship Programme run
by Think India which is an opportunity to meet, interact and learn from the people and
organisations working at the grassroots level for bringing a positive change in our society
and Deeksha- Academic Internship Programme which would soon be started by Think
India which would give young minds a chance to work under top academicians, faculties
etc of the country and learn from them.

Third Session- Ideological Foundation (K.N Raghunandan Ji and Veer Vikrant

Singh )
The third session was on Ideological Foundation of Think India which was taken by K.N
Raghunandan Ji and moderator for the session was Shri Veer Vikrant Singh.
The session started with the release of the Anubhooti Poster by Raghunandan Ji.
K.N Raghunandan Ji welcomed everyone and started his speech by taking us 10 years
back when Shri ShriRavishankar Ji termed Think India as a national movement in 2007 in
Bangalore, in its first ever event. He mentioned at that time he had not thought of Think
India to become what it is today as those where the early days but with the passage of
time and hardwork and dedication of each and every member of the organisation, Think
India has come a long way. He then moved on to the question- What is Vidhyathi
Parishad?- He explained that ABVP is an ideological movement which started after the
Independance. He talked about the Three challenges that our country was facing after
independence- 1. Development 2. Which model of development is suitable for idea
(structural change) 3. National Reconstruction . ABVP took the responsibility for
National Reconstruction- Nehrus Speech Tryst with Destiny- He later talked about how
mostly western models are applied in India and how it has proved to be fatal for the
country because, India as a country is like none other and has its own traditions, rituals,
heritage etc and thus an Indian model of development- like the ancient times must be
applied rather than getting influenced by the western models. In this regard he made a
reference to Dharampaljis book on how the British rule influenced Indian thought
process and economics. He mentioned that Indias growth rate was 32-35% i.e. no.1 till
16th century i.e before the advent of the Britishers in the country, the status of women
was very high in those times and they were empowered in that era etc. And, that is why,
he reitereated, national reconstruction is needed in needed in our country. India is a
nation based on rich cultural values and not on the basis of any language or
administrative setup. We are a country based on cultural nationalism. He fininshed his
speech by laying emphasis on developing the value system of our countrymen through
religious education in the schools and universities which would create a sense of
belongingness in the countrymen and strengthen the feeling of Anekta mein Ekta-
which is our USP.
Questions were asked to Raghunandan Ji regarding the suggestions that have been sent
by the organisation for the New Education Policy to which he responded that emphasis
has been laid down on creation of an education system which equal weightage to
knowledge as well as values.

Session 4: Campus Work (Ashish Chauhan)

Session 4 was taken by Shri Ashish Chauhan, who talked about how to icrease
campus work and how to keep the organisation active in the campuses. He gave the
example of Swami Vivekananda ji who laid emphaisi on implementing the idea rather
than just discussing and deliberating on it.
Swami Vivekananda laid emphasis on implementing the idea rather than just discussing
it- Informal discussions within the campus- Spic makey- Vivekananda Study circles-
NCC- ABVPs Students for Development focuses on 5 Js- Group for Rural Activities-
Swadeshi Science Movement evolved and became Vigyan Bharti- Prastuta- Campus
penetration in TISS through the use of secularism

DAY 2
First Session (Sunil Ambekar Ji and Naresh Dixit)
Felicitation
Question by Naresh Dixit: How do deal with election related controversies in campus
with reference to NIT Warangals students election
Answer: Campus specific matter. Each campus election must be dealt according to the
situations and conditions prevailing in that particular campus. Though our stand remains
the same: Jai Bharat. JNU issue gave birth to Kanhaiya Kumar. So, one individual must
not be targeted instead the whole ideology must be targeted. The crisis must not be dealt
emotionally.

Question: What about those campuses in which elections are not conducted? How to
increase our penetration there?
Answer: The spirit can still be instilled in the students and a real concern can be
generated in the minds of the students. Each institution must be dealt according to the
situations prevailing there. Internship programmes and regular discussions can also be
used as a tool for the purpose of increasing our reach. One thing is for sure, if the
programmes that youre proposing to be conducting the University are good, no
University would have a problem with that.

Question: How to rope in students who are Modi supporters but do not want to work
for the organisation?
Answer: This could be a problem peculiar to your particular institution. A model can be
developed keeping such students and their psychology in mind.

Question: Indo-China War of 1962 is seen as a strategic and policy failure of Nehru as
China was ready for negotiations but India kept on progressing into their territory. Were
again following the same strategy today
How can we abolish Chinese products when we dont have the alternatives?
What about the Tibet-India relations after Dalai Lama?
Answer: A lot of myths have been created by the media. India has not entered Chinese
territory. Also, the 1962 wars reason was Chinas aggressive policies only. Nehru thought
gave the slogan of Hindi-Chinibhai-bhai but was more inclined towards Russia and to
some extent was guided by Russia. But self-criticism would further weaker our position.
A lot has to do with the oppressive policies of the Chinese Communist Party. And this
must not be dealt with isolation of one event as there is a chain of events ranging from
supporting Pakistan to stopping Brahmaputra water etc.
Regarding the Chinese products, there wont be any issue even if we abolish Chinese
products. We have man power, skilled human resources etc.
India-Tibet relations has a long history and its our responsibility to protect Tibet.

Question: How can the linking of rivers programme be executed well?

Answer: As of now, no major decision has been taken by the Central Government as
there is a difference of opinions amongst the experts but regional linking of rivers in a
State is getting done. For ex- Narmada in Madhya Pradesh.
Question: How can institutes like IITs and IIMs help in making Make in India a
success?
Answer: It has much to do with self-motivation and willingness to do something for the
country. The spirit must be generated in the countrymen which would be beneficial for
us in the long run.
Question: Jharkhand became the 7thBJP state where anti conversion law has been passed.
Is there a need to pass Anti Conversion Law at the Central level?
2nd question: What about the review of the reservation policy?
Answer: The religion report which is published every year must be analysed and then
steps must be taken appropriately. Every census shows stats which indicate there is a
decline in the number of followers of one particular religion and increase in the other.
We cannot turn a blind eye towards it. Time has come to take strong decisions and
actions. We must not get provoked and react. We must analyse and respond.
Question: What are the suggestions that we have given for the National Education
Policy?
Answer: The policy must be inclusive of all. Everyones ability is different. I wont use
the term more or less as it gives a negative impact, rather everyones ability is different.
Hence, all of that must be taken into consideration.
Secondly, suggestions regarding Skill India etc have also bhi given.
Further, Bharat kobharatkisiksha has also been given emphasis from our size. Every
fellow countrymen must have knowledge about its glorious past. ABVPs Academic
committee is working on new suggestions.
Question: What about the hike in the fees of Higher Education? How is ABVP working
on it?
Answer: ABVP is working on it as to how regulations can be made.
Question: What about the cut in the funds given to the IITs?
Answer: Its for the IITs to take a stand on it. A petition can be given to the NitiAayog.
Proactive measures must be taken.

Question: The educational policies and rules are being made keeping the big schools in
mind. Why are the small schools in the villages ignored?
Answer: This is a problematic issues. Concerns are being raised by all the stratas of the
country. A solution would be devised soon.
Questions: In many Universities various foreign languages are given as an optional to be
studied by the students. Why cant an option of Sanskrit which is our own language be
given to the students?
Answer: A suggestion to this regard has been given to the National Education Policy.
Question: Why are the left thinking students opposing the Nationalism ideas? Also, why
is there a sudden increase in the number of leftists in the campuses? In many a cases, the
institutions support such leftist Faculties and Students?
Answer