There’s strength as well as vulnerability in social media: Lt Gen Vinod Khandare

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Jan 21, 2024: Lt Gen Vinod Khandare, principal adviser to the Ministry of Defence, highlighted the dual nature of social media, emphasizing its strength and vulnerability. Speaking at a session on ’Why Bharat Matters: Narratives of New Global Order’ during the Mangaluru Lit Fest organized by the Bharat Foundation, Lt Gen Khandare stressed the importance of choices in navigating the social media landscape.

Expanding on his point, he drew a parallel with Chanakya’s analogy, stating that each citizen is like a cell in a human body. A strong cell contributes to a strong country, while a cancerous one can lead to disintegration. Lt Gen Khandare advocated for drawing inspiration from India’s ancient wisdom and emphasized the significance of robust cyber defense and information strength in safeguarding the nation from external threats.

Highlighting India’s role in multilateral engagements like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and G20, Lt Gen Khandare emphasized India’s stance driven by national interest rather than politics. Addressing concerns about China’s influence, he underscored the distinctions in rules and ideals between India and China, emphasizing India’s more open approach to neighboring countries.

In another session titled ’Creativity, Womanhood, and Uniform,’ Capt Sajita Nair addressed the lack of awareness about joining the Army, emphasizing the need for more information on the importance of military service. Lt Col Ankita Srivastava pointed out the misconceptions about the Indian Army and clarified that it is a way of life, not just a profession. Major Rama Sharma shared her personal experience, noting the changing perspective on joining the Army, expressing a desire for her four-year-old daughter to grow up and join the Air Force.