India Foundation, in collaboration with the India Habitat Centre, organised a book discussion on the book ‘Bharat Rising: Dharma, Democracy, Diplomacy’, by Shree Utpal Kumar, Author and Journalist, on 29 April 2026 at Gulmohar Hall, India Habitat Centre. The discussants included Prof Makarand R. Paranjape, Author and Commentator; Shrimati Sandhya Jain, Senior Journalist; Shri Prafulla Ketkar, Editor, Organiser Weekly. The session was moderated by Ms Rami Niranjan Desai, Distinguished Fellow, India Foundation.
The event was attended by senior Indian and foreign diplomats, academics, scholars, students and policy practitioners. The panel discussed how the book provides a perspective on the path being undertaken by India today in terms of the interconnection between civilisational ideals, democratic resilience, and the evolution of a foreign policy framework. India’s historical standing as a global centre in economy and philosophy, having accounted for one-third of the world’s wealth since the first century until the advent of the British Raj, implies that its current resurgence is a return to its rightful destiny rather than a modern phenomenon.
A key focus of the discussion was the prospect of Bharat becoming one of the most influential global powers through its demographic potential and revival of indigenous intellectual traditions. The panel further noted that this project heralds the birth of a “Dharmic Democracy,” where attempts are made to merge the principles of contemporary governance with the ancient wisdom of civilisations. The session concluded with a consensus that Bharat Rising: Dharma, Democracy, Diplomacy restores the pride of India and underscores the importance of recognising the nation’s ancient heroes, a prerequisite for a strong foreign policy stance.
