Special Correspondent
Pune: The nature of warfare has evolved, and every citizen must now play the role of a warrior, prioritizing national interests above all, urged Lt. Gen. Vinod Khandare, Principal Advisor to the Ministry of Defence.
He was speaking at a lecture on Comprehensive National Security organized by the Ajinkya D.Y. Patil University. Citing the example of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s army, Lt. Gen. Khandare said, “Shivaji Maharaj’s forces consisted of farmers, not a standing army. They balanced farming with military training, and every village had its own training grounds. When the time came, these citizens would voluntarily join the army, which is how Shivaji Maharaj defeated the mighty Mughal forces.”
Highlighting the changing nature of warfare, he warned that misinformation and disinformation could be used to manipulate public perception. “With smartphones in every hand, false information can spread rapidly. It is every citizen’s responsibility to prevent this. Instead of blindly forwarding messages that may be against national interests, people should question their source and intent,” he stressed.
Expressing concern over the neglect of ancient Indian strategic wisdom, he remarked, “While the world studies Kautilya’s Arthashastra, we often overlook its relevance. The principles of Saam, Daam, Bhed, and Dand should be remembered. Shivaji Maharaj mastered these strategies and had skilled spies like Bahirji Naik, which enabled him to execute operations like the plundering of Surat and his daring escape from Agra.”
The event began with an introduction by Dr. Sunny Thomas, Dean of the Law and Liberal Arts Department at Ajinkya D.Y. Patil University. University Registrar Dr. Sudhakar Shinde felicitated Lt. Gen. Vinod Khandare. The session was moderated by Prof. Kedar Kulkarni, while Prof. Kedar Naik delivered the vote of thanks.
