Seminar held on India’s security matrix

CHANDIGARH: The

department of Defence

& National Security Studies, Panjab University(PU) organized a Seminar on “India’s Security Matrix: Role Of Media at Golden Jubilee Hall. Lt Gen (Retd) K J Singh, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Chair Professor in the Department of Defence & National Security Studies was the chief guest and PU vice-chancellor Prof Arun Kumar Grover presided over the function.

Dr Jaskaran Singh Waraich, chairperson, department of Defence and National Security Studies welcomed the delegates present for this academic event while Prof. Rakesh Datta coordinated the proceedings of the seminar. The prominent panelists included Maj Gen (Retd) Amarjit Singh, Lt Gen (Retd) Deepinder Singh, Lt Gen (Retd) Jasbir Singh Lidder and Lt Gen (Retd) Iqbal Singh Singha. Maj Gen (Retd) Amarjit Singh highlighted the emerging new dimensions of national security wherein the growing role of non-state actors vis a vis state actors cannot be ignored. The non-state actors not only include the terrorist organizations/ groups but also the media, corporate sector etc have the potential to influence the defence and foreign policy of the state.

Lt Gen (Retd) K J Singh dwelled upon the responsible role media can play in order of sharing information of national concern. “The media should act as a watchdog in promoting the positive narratives through local vernaculars which are very well received and have a comparatively larger outreach,” added Lt Gen (Retd) K J Singh. Lt Gen (Retd) Deepinder Singh shared his experiences with media while he served as MA to Field Marshall SHFJ Manekshaw and as IPKF commander in

Sri Lanka

. He discussed the active and vigilant role media can play in the present scenario.

Lt Gen (Retd) J S Lidder, who had served in various capacities with United Nations, focused on the reach of the social media, its subsequent effect in International politics and it has emerged as the greatest mover of information and public opinion. Lt Gen (Retd) I S Singha while sharing his experience of service in armed forces and his dealings of information sharing of certain operations both inside and outside (under UN banner) India with the media. In his presiding remarks PU vice-chancellor Prof Arun Kumar Grover highlighted the growing significance of the think tanks in formulating various policies by the

Government of India

to counter the new emerging security challenges like cyber security and prospects for India to explore the resources in the

Arctic

region.