Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Strategy: Pune Hosts Defence Literature Festival ‘Kalam & Kavach’
Pune, 3rd February 2024: Pentagon Press in collaboration with the Southern Command, successfully hosted the groundbreaking Defence Literature Festival, “Kalam & Kavach,” at the RSAMI Institute on 03 February 2024. Esteemed Chief Guest Gen Anil Chauhan, the CDS, inaugurated the event, marking a significant milestone in blending India’s rich cultural heritage with contemporary national security strategies.
As India navigates the evolving landscape of national security, it draws inspiration from its ancient scriptures. The event, highlighted how ancient wisdom from texts like the Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita is relevant to today’s strategic needs. Gen Anil Chauhan emphasized the timeless relevance of Dharma from Indian scriptures, underscoring its principles of duty, righteousness, and moral balance. Lt Gen AK Singh, Army Commander Southern Command, stressed adapting these ancient strategies to counter modern threats and challenges.
The festival also celebrated the launch of four significant books, covering diverse themes from global geopolitics to the role of AI in national security. These included “Russia, Gaza, Taiwan… A World at War” by Ajay Singh, and “A I and National Security” by Col Amit Sinha and Vijay Khare, among others.
Reflecting on the 25th anniversary of the Kargil War, Mr Rajan Arya, CEO of Pentagon Press, highlighted the company’s commitment to raising awareness about national security complexities.
A key session, ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat – Powering India’s Defence Sector,’ featured prominent industry leaders like Shri Baba Kalyani, emphasizing the collaborative effort needed for realizing true self-reliance in defence.
The festival, a pioneer in Pune, brought together experts discussing a range of topics from global conflicts to the role of heritage in security. It stands as a beacon for future events that aim to merge history, culture, defence, and security into a single narrative.
