Workshop for Political Science Advocates to promote legislative think-tanks in South India
Mangaluru: In an effort to empower students and graduates in the field of social sciences, the Centre for Future of Democracy (CFD) in Hyderabad has launched the "Political Science Advocates (PSAs)" program, focusing on "Legislative Think-Tanks."
A group of five young individuals from Mangalore and Shimoga, including Siraj P, Sahil Khader, Akinesh, Vineeth, and Mohd Azahar, were selected for a four-day training camp in Cyberabad, Telangana.
Mission Head Shaun D’Souza highlighted that the workshop, led by King’s College London alumnus Stephen Anurag, AKC, was not confined to the classroom but offered an in-depth exploration of public policy, public finance, community policing, and state legislation. The initiative aims to cultivate inspirational leadership extending beyond conventional boundaries and create a national network of talented political advocates.
Stephen Anurag emphasized that the policy and economy of the state depend on the quality of polity and democratic essence of the constituents. The workshop provided participants with an intensive learning environment, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the societal system and demonstrating how political activists can navigate the complex field of social impact.
Program Coordinator Junaid Jushiddi noted that the workshop instilled positivity among participants, challenging the notion that career prospects in political science are limited. The significance of social science fields, including public administration, public policy, and geopolitics, in advancing poll management and social engineering was highlighted.
The workshop underscored the importance of youth participation in local governance and grassroots politics. Sujata Rao, IAS, former Secretary to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, emphasized the need for practical poll intellect as a catalyst for constructive social change. The participants also visited the Public Safety-Integrated Operations Centre at the Cyberabad Police Commissionerate to learn about the government's initiatives in combating cybercrimes.
Looking ahead, the Political Science Advocates program plans to expand its network for promoting legislative think-tanks at the gram panchayat and ward levels across Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana over the next five years. The program will focus on field learning modules such as constitutional rights, cybersecurity clubs, mental health well-being, menstrual hygiene camps, paralegal clubs, and social entrepreneurship among students and youth. An online volunteer recruitment drive will be launched to extend the mission to Chikkamagaluru, Dakshin Kannada, and Mysore regions as a pilot phase.
Social entrepreneurs, poll intelligence teams, and policy practitioners facilitated the four-day workshop held from November 28 to December 2, 2023.
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Cong takes swipe at PM over India not being part of US-led 'Pax Silica' grouping
New Delh (PTI) The Congress on Saturday said it is perhaps not very surprising that India is not part of a US-led strategic initiative to build a secure silicon supply chain, given the "sharp downturn" in the Trump-Modi ties, and asserted that it would have been to "our advantage if we had been part of this group".
Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the news of India not being part of the group comes after the PM had enthusiastically posted on social media about a telephone call with his "once-upon-a-time good friend and a recipient of many hugs in Ahmedabad, Houston, and Washington DC".
In a lengthy post on X, Ramesh said, "According to some news reports, the US has excluded India from a nine-nation initiative it has launched to reduce Chinese control on high-tech supply chains. The agreement is called Pax Silica, clearly as a counter to Pax Sinica. The nations included (for the moment at least) are the US, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia."
"Given the sharp downturn in the Trump-Modi ties since May 10th, 2025, it is perhaps not very surprising that India has not been included. Undoubtedly, it would have been to our advantage if we had been part of this group."
"This news comes a day after the PM had enthusiastically posted on his telephone call with his once-upon-a-time good friend and a recipient of many hugs in Ahmedabad, Houston, and Washington DC," the Congress leader asserted.
The new US-led strategic initiative, rooted in deep cooperation with trusted allies, has been launched to build a secure and innovation-driven silicon supply chain.
According to the US State Department, the initiative called 'Pax Silica' aims to reduce coercive dependencies, protect the materials and capabilities foundational to artificial intelligence (AI), and ensure aligned nations can develop and deploy transformative technologies at scale.
The initiative includes Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia. With the exception of India, all other QUAD countries -- Japan, Australia and the US -- are part of the new initiative.
New Delhi will host the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 on February 19-20, focusing on the principles of 'People, Planet, and Progress'. The summit, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the France AI Action Summit, will be the first-ever global AI summit hosted in the Global South.
Prime Minister Modi and US President Trump on Thursday discussed ways to sustain momentum in the bilateral economic partnership in a phone conversation amid signs of the two sides inching closer to firming up a much-awaited trade deal.
The phone call between the two leaders came on a day Indian and American negotiators concluded two-day talks on the proposed bilateral trade agreement that is expected to provide relief to India from the Trump administration's whopping 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods.
In a social media post, Modi had described the conversation as "warm and engaging".
"We reviewed the progress in our bilateral relations and discussed regional and international developments. India and the US will continue to work together for global peace, stability and prosperity," Modi had said without making any reference to trade ties.
