Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 13 Feb: Governor Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh (Retd), inaugurated the “Bharat Himalayan International Strategic Forum (BHISHM)” at the Lok Bhavan, here, today.
On this occasion, the Governor also unveiled the logo and website of BHISHM. BHISHM is a strategic think tank that will bring together the intellectual resources located in Dehradun and establish Uttarakhand as a leading centre of strategic thought in the country.
The founding team of the forum is led by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, along with Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar Singh (Retd), Member of the National Security Advisory Board. They have brought together rich knowledge and extensive experience from diverse fields onto one platform.
Other prominent members of BHISHM include Colonel (Dr) Girija Shankar Mungli (Retd), Sanjeev Chopra, IAS (Retd), Prof Durgesh Pant, Prof Diwan Singh Rawat, Prof Surekha Dangwal, Nitin Gokhale, and Rajan Arya.
Speaking at the launch of the think tank, the Governor said the establishment of BHISHM in Dehradun is a matter of pride for Uttarakhand and the entire nation. He expressed confidence that the forum will emerge as an influential think tank in the field of national security and strategic thought.
The Governor noted that Uttarakhand’s geographical location places special responsibility on the state, as it shares two international borders. The land of the Himalayas has always inspired national security, courage, and a sense of duty. In this context, BHISHM will serve as a platform for serious and inclusive discourse on issues related to national interest, national security, and strategic policymaking.
He appreciated the efforts of Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar Singh (Retd) in advancing this initiative and expressed gratitude to Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan for his guidance and support, stating that their contributions were instrumental in bringing the concept to fruition.
The Governor further said that several prestigious institutions of the Government of India are functioning in Uttarakhand, playing a vital role in nation-building, administrative leadership, and strengthening military traditions. BHISHM will integrate the intellectual capacity and experience of these institutions and work collectively towards national security.
On the occasion of the launch, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan delivered a lecture on the topic “Frontiers, Borders and LAC: The Middle Sector.” He highlighted the growing importance of the Himalayan borders in the middle sector and the government’s special emphasis on infrastructure development.
The CDS stated that the sacred origins of the Ganga and Yamuna, along with divine pilgrimage sites such as Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, as well as the region’s tradition of spiritual practice and deep philosophical thought, have bestowed unique dignity upon Uttarakhand. It is not merely a geographical region but a living center of consciousness, culture, and civilisation. In this context, Uttarakhand is an ideal location for a strategic think tank like BHISHM. Any institution of thought established in the lap of the Himalayas can naturally develop a strategic vision that is sensitive to geographical realities, system-coordinated, and long-term in perspective.
He added that on issues such as climate change, water security, border management, military modernisation, and disaster management, a Himalayan perspective can offer a comprehensive and balanced approach. Ideas originating here can have nationwide impact, just as the continuous flow of the Ganga emerges from the mountains to give life and direction to the entire country.
Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar Singh (Retd) provided details about the objectives of BHISHM. He stated that the forum will offer strategic advice to the Government of India on matters related to the Himalayan region and will coordinate with academic and other institutions located in and around Dehradun. Earlier, the GOC-in-C of Central Command (Lucknow), Lieutenant General Anindya Sengupta, delivered the inaugural address. Following the opening remarks, Sanjeev Chopra shared his views. The event was attended by distinguished guests, thinkers, intellectuals, and serving and retired military officers from various fields.
