Praghna Centre for Research (Praghna) and Defence Research and Studies (DRaS) collaborated to formulate a research methodology and writing internship for students who are keen to acquire the knowledge and refine their skill at undertaking scientific research into social and strategic studies. 

The initiative of these two institutions culminated in the publication of eight research works (three research papers, one book review and four research articles). Encouraged by the enthusiasm and ability of young researchers, Praghna and DRaS have taken one more step in bringing out this Volume as the Anthology of Research by their Interns.

The content of the book can be accessed at the tab on the right side. 

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Praghna Centre for Research has been working with Think Tanks and Universities/Departments to inculcate scientific temper among students and researchers to undertake original research in social sciences.

Drawing from the experience of mentoring young scholars on research writing, a book is now being published containing practical insights as to how to commence, proceed with and conclude a research in social sciences.

This book titled “Research Writing: A Complete Guide” published by How Academics Publishers is now available online. Keeping in mind our objective of promoting scholarship among students/young researchers, paperback edition of the book is priced at INR 295/- It can be procured from Amazon at

https://amzn.eu/d/din4TQ3

Institutions and Departments/Libraries interested in procuring hardbound copies may get in touch with HowAcademics through the CONTACT US tab in the website given above.

1962 was a watershed moment in Sino-Indian Relations. Did China’s unilateral ceasefire and withdrawal result from its internal political compulsions? Is China using India to steady its political boat in internal turbulent weather? Did China agree to withdraw from Galwan merely due to India’s offensive posture? How did China go about building its aircraft carriers and how does it use artificial islands and villages to surreptitiously lay claim to sovereignty? How will the cashless trap that China is casting engulf the world? These and many such questions are critically looked at in the essays contained in this book. Stepping aside from the contemporary outlook and adopting a historical and methodical approach, the essays provide perspectives that are critical to understanding the Dragon, its compulsions, aspirations and outreach. Each essay relies on source material that render the analysis and argument substantial value, enabling a comprehensive appreciation of Chinese intent.

The book can be purchased at https://amzn.eu/d/aJUnuq2 

India has emerged as a confident and engaging partner in international arena, metamorphosing from the image of a reluctant power in the late 20th century, reflecting a realization by its polity of the potential and benefits of such engagements in India’s larger interests. While tons of literature delve on India’s relations with the west, far and near, scholarly studies relating to the Far East or Greater Central Asia, however remain limited.

This book attempts bridge this gap. Drawing on broad range of schools of thoughts and a number of different approaches, it presents the learned views of scholars applying a variety of methodological techniques.

While keeping Mongolia at the centre of interest, the scholarly approaches look at India’s Look East and Look North Policies, Mongolia’s relations with Russia, the Third Neighbour Dilemma, USA-Mongolia relations, and India-Tajik relations, including the play of soft power in international relations.

The book can be purchased at https://amzn.eu/d/e8Mls8s 

India remains integral in all the discourses on Asian Century. Eminent scholars have conceptualized and provided nuanced interpretations of India’s aspirations, threats, and options with regard to Pakistan, Afghanistan, Russia and China in South China Sea. Acknowledging these scholarly views but stepping beyond, a set of emerging scholars from India attempt to examine the concepts of nations, national identity and war, and multilateralism in this book. Extrapolating these concepts into current affairs, they then evaluate CPEC, India-Afghanistan-Pakistan, and China-Taiwan conundrum. They also critically look at the emerging challenge of private military contractors in international security and the potentially provocative Russia-India-China alliance using the Primakov Doctrine, taking de-dollarization as a case study.

The student-authors were mentored and guided in their research for their contributions during their internship with Praghna Centre for Research and Defence Research and Studies, as part of a research writing program spanning four months.    

The book can be purchased at https://amzn.eu/d/e5yuzKr 

Borders, borderlands and frontiers emerged as critical academic discourse yet again at the beginning of 21st century. In earlier times, they invited scholarly examination within the broader fields of political geography and political science. However, the effects of globalization and the manifestation of global politics appear to have prompted the formulation of theories and postulations on borders according to it the status as a field of knowledge by itself. International migration, the protests for gender and other rights, and the wheels of economics affecting all walks of life suggest that borders must be appraised from political, economic and social dimensions as a subject of inter or multidisciplinary inquiry.

South Asia perhaps invokes memories and contestations over borders quite unlike many other regions of the world. Colonial consequences, aspirations of nations and the footprints of global politics inside the region indeed merit an exclusive examination. Especially, India that is emerging as a major player in global arena, distressed with the fallouts of colonial occupation, needs a greater understanding from the multidimensional aspects that have now become part of the schools of thought on borders.

This book attempts to bridge the knowledge gap on understanding borders in Indian context by exploring four distinct dimensions: physical, maritime, socio-cultural and security. With scholarly and practitioner contributions, this book provides a comprehensive appreciation of all the four dimensions taken for evaluation.

The book can be purchased at https://amzn.eu/d/5RB3G7m 

Welsh journalist and explorer Henry Morton Stanley described Africa as the Dark Continent because of its mysterious interiors, native traditions that defied understanding by Western minds and mostly imagined savagery that explorers expected to encounter. This picture of Africa was despite hundreds of years of mapping and documenting of the continent by colonial powers that appropriated its land and resources for consumption in Europe. Western opinion on Africa has just graduated from these notions in contemporary times. Today, home to 54 countries, Africa presents a picture that only partially merits this labelling.

Aspiring to stand on par with the Western and Eastern world, Africa today is evolving. Even as an estimated 35 conflicts rage in various parts of Africa, reserving a judgment only based on colonial portrayal is neither apt nor a reflection of contemporary Africa. The beleaguered picture may signify the birth pangs of a continent keen to re-invent itself to emerge as a major player in the international arena. Mammo Muchie fervently believes that the only solution to all of Africa’s problems lies in Pan-Africanism, in a united continent. Will Africa be able to do so? How does Africa view itself and the world? Is governance in Africa transforming? Is its society grappling with issues with a prospective vision? Do African nations view aid as the essential ingredient for their growth? Do major international players help Africa turn leaves of progress for betterment? These are some of the important questions that this book attempts to answer through methodological and substantial research.

This book can be purchased on Amazon at: https://amzn.in/d/drlFPiH 

India has a rich strategic heritage that originate from its earliest scripture, the Vedas. The commentaries written by learned sages of yore reflect a deep understanding of kingship, need for strategies and tactics in war, responsible use of force on the enemy, concept of ‘dharma’ (righteousness) in military conduct, spy craft, forming of political and military alliances, and a host of other aspects that constitute the term strategy as it is understood today. Great Indian epics like the Ramayana, Mahabharata and innumerable scholarly literature like the Arthsastra and Tirukkural extensively discourse on kingship, governance, management of treasury, dispensation of justice, diplomacy, organization of the military, relationship with friendly and inimical nations and conduct of war. The principles and concepts contained in these treatises need to be explored in contemporary contexts in order to develop indigenous knowledge systems.

Six research papers presented in this book discover Ramadharma Doctrine, Kautilyan Realism and Indian Foreign Policy, Arthsastra and Hybrid Warfare, Mahabharata and the Theory of Just War, Project Udbhav and Modern Indian Military Pedagogy, Kautilya’s diplomacy and Indian Foreign Policy, and, Strategic Thought and Military Manoeuvres from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Arthsastra, through substantial research.

Praghna Centre for Research is happy to bring out this book to serve as a referral work and promote more substantial research in Indian Knowledge System. 

This book can be purchased on Amazon at: https://amzn.in/d/iTjZwFE