Reflections of an Unconventional Mind is an intellectual tapestry interweaving history, philosophy, and contemporary discourse, focusing on challenging entrenched narratives. It addresses contentious yet pertinent topics such as the Aryan Invasion Theory, Cancel Culture, and Wokeism while providing a vision for a Viksit Bharat rooted in truth, inclusivity, and innovation. What makes this book unique is its synthesis of traditional Bhartiya thought with contemporary challenges, offering profound insights on a wide range of issues, including women empowerment, Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), and India’s evolving global role. Blending critical analysis with reflective commentary fosters an engaging dialogue on the essence of Indian identity and the journey toward a harmonious and progressive future. This work is a critique and a call to rethink, rebuild, and rediscover, inspiring readers to question conventional perspectives and contribute to a brighter, more inclusive world.
Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit
Professor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit is a distinguished academic and administrator currently serving as the Vice-Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. She completed her education at Presidency College, Chennai, before earning her MPhil and PhD in International Politics from Jawaharlal Nehru University. Fluent in six languages, Prof. Pandit began her teaching career at Goa University (1988), followed by her long stint at Savitribai Phule Pune University as a professor. Her major works include Parliament and Foreign Policy in India (1990) and Restructuring Environmental Governance in Asia-Ethics and Policy (2003). She has co-authored and edited multiple volumes, including Transformation of India’s Foreign Policy: Shaping the Global Order as a Responsible Power (2024). Prof. Pandit is the recipient of multiple honours and is actively involved in cultural and social initiatives, encouraging societal progress through community engagement.
Contents
Preface
History/Bharatiya Narratives
1. Aryan Invasion Theory and Dravidian Distortions
2. ‘Integral Humanism’ for Contemporary Bharat
3. How Science Exposes the Left ‘Distorians’
4. Wokeism and the Preferential Manipulation of Identity
5. Imagined Histories in Independent India
6. Doublethink, Doublespeak and Dystopia
7. Universal vs Unique Values, Multiculturalism vs Monoculturalism
8. Woke Chokehold on Debate, Discussion is Growing
9. Cancel Culture and Public Space in India
Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS)
10. Higher Education Agenda for New Government
11. Classical Indian Buddhism and Indian Knowledge Systems
12. Inclusive and Expansive: A Bharatiya Narrative for Climate Change
13. Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) Report 2024: A Political Hatchet Job in the Name of Research
14. Diversity: Jawaharlal Nehru University’s (JNU’s) Experience of Fighting Stereotypes
15. Viksit Bharat@2047: A Clarion Call for Institutes and Students
16. JNU will Seek the World: Not its Validation
17. Challenges to Higher Education in Amrit Kaal
18. Transform Higher Education by Seizing the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Moment
19. National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) Deletions: There is No Conspiracy
20. The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) Textbook debate is Unnecessary
21. Tech-Driven Education in India: Bridging the Gap
Nari Shakti (Women)
22. Women Empowerment: Less Remembered Legacy of Dr Ambedkar
23. Draupadi: Feminist of Bharat
24. Women’s Issues are not a Matter of Politics
25. Celebrating the Bharatiya Narrative on Feminism
26. HT G20 Agenda: Nari Shakti to be a Driver of Change in India
27. Mann ki Baat: A Bullhorn for Women’s Empowerment
28. Towards an India Where Women Lead
Social Issues
29. A New Dawn in the Northeast
30. Transformed Kashmir is a Tribute to Dr SP Mukherjee
31. The Shadow of Violence: Confronting Issues in Manipur and Beyond
32. Science and spirituality in Indian Knowledge Systems: Learning from Swami Vivekananda and Ranganathananda
33. Civilisational Connection of Ayodhya’s Ram Temple
34. Perception Warfare Subverting Democracies and Societies
35. India’s Rich Democratic Legacy: From Uttaramerur to Anubhava Mandapa
Foreign Policy
36. Kachchatheevu and the Debate on Geo-economics and Maritime Security
37. A New Kind of Terrorism: Savvier, Yet Deadlier
38. Sudan’s Human Rights Crisis and an Exercise in Global Hypocrisy
39. Terrorism as Business and Some NGOs as Fronts
40. Silence of the Liberals on Pakistan’s Expulsion of the Afghans
41. Terrorism as a Banality of Radical Evil
42. Terrorism as an Instrument of Foreign Policy
43. Trudeau’s Domestic Politics Masquerades as Foreign Policy
44. G20 Summit Showed Civilisational Unity of Bharat
45. International NGOs Interfere, Set Agendas Globally
Icons
46. Strategic Genius: Shivaji’s Contributions to Indian Defence
47. Ahilyabai Holkar: Reformer, Cultural Patron and a Leader
48. Savarkar, Unsung Hero, Nationalist and Intellectual
49. Relevance of Lok Nayak J.P. Narayan and Sampoorna Kranti Today
50. How the Nehruvian State Tried to Cancel Ambedkar
51. Omission of Indian National Army (INA) and Netaji: A Tale of Political Expediency Over Historical Legacy
52. Henry Kissinger: Academic and Diplomat
53. 350th Year of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s Coronation
Index
Political Science
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