Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, delivered the 10th Dr. L. M. Singhvi Memorial Lecture organised by JGU on the theme ‘India's Soft Power’.
The Dr. L.M. Singhvi Memorial Lecture is an annual lecture series organised by Jindal Global Law School (JGLS) in memory of Dr. L.M. Singhvi, a multifaceted personality and jurist par excellence, who made invaluable contributions to society as a statesman, diplomat, writer, and lawyer. The memorial lecture was held under the aegis of Singhvi Endowment, an endowment instituted by Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, son of late Dr. L.M. Singhvi, and Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India & Member of Parliament, at JGLS in memory of his father.
In the memorial lecture, describing India's soft power. Dr. Tharoor observed that "Soft power projects multi-alignment which is a web of interconnected networks where influence is dispersed and collaboration is key. Multi-alignment allows India to navigate this networked world with agility and purpose, engaging in multiple coalitions and platforms that serve different objectives which, in turn, is a reflection of the crucial role India is able to play across the world and that advances universal principles."
Dr. Tharoor explained the concept of soft power, "Soft power accounts for the influence that a country wields beyond its military or hard power. It rests primarily on three resources: its culture in places where it's attractive to others, its political values when it lives up to them at home and abroad, and its foreign policies when they are seen as legitimate and have moral authority. Soft power is what people think about a country as soon as they hear its name. A hard power is what they feel when they confront a country. Hard power is exercised. Some power is evoked. In today's world, soft power has become a key tool to geopolitical strategy embraced across the globe".
Focusing on India's soft power, Dr. Tharoor observed, "As influence shifts increasingly from military and economic might to cultural and intellectual leadership, India's soft power stands as a vital asset. We embody the true ideas and a vision of India that transcends borders. India's multicultural, multi-ethnic, multi-party, pluralistic civilisation and democracy have emerged as an attraction to many, especially our parliamentary institutions and procedures, conducting free and fair elections and our ability to involve the non-governmental sector and civil society in the quest for inclusive growth."
"When millions around the world roll out yoga mats on International Yoga Day, it bears a tradition that embodies the balance between ancient wisdom and modern wellness. In doing so, we embrace a cultural gift from India. When India's leadership promoted yoga globally, getting the UN to nearly unanimously recognise International Yoga Day, it became a quiet, powerful testament to India's role in fostering balance and harmony worldwide."
Dr. Abhishek Singhvi, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha and Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India reflected on the memory of his illustrious father and said, "He [Dr. L.M. Singhvi] was a renaissance person, multi-coloured and multi-faceted. The true meaning of a Renaissance person is a master of many subjects. His diplomacy in the UK touched great heights as was his glorious career in law, which he readily gave up when he took up the role of the High Commissioner. He also conceptualised the Law Day, now celebrated as Constitution Day. He was behind the entire diaspora movement based on his comprehensive report on Pravasi Bhartiya. He coined both the words Lokpal and Lokayukta in the 1960s and strived ceaselessly for decades to operationalise them in our body politic. He wrote the report which led to the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments in Panchayati Raj and a revolution in local self-government. As a Member of Parliament, he believed in and practiced cross-party large-heartedness and magnanimity and shunned the narrow walls of divisiveness and distrust."
In his welcome address Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar Founding Vice Chancellor, JGU, "We are here to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. LM Singhvi, and I would like to describe him as India's VIBGYOR Man and that essentially captures the many facets of his personality. His contributions span across many areas of public life and he remains one of India's leading public intellectuals as well. I also want to thank, Dr. Abhishek Singhvi, for his philanthropic act of establishing this endowment in memory of his father, Dr. L.M. Singhvi, which for us is an opportunity to celebrate the legacy of one of India's leading jurists."