Digital BABA

Madhuchanda, sitting with her father who is playing
the Sitar at a concert in Shizuoka, Japan.

On a personal note I would like to share one information about me. Though I am into academics, I come from a cultural background. My father is a musician Sitar Artist, who is based in Paris. My mother is a vocalist . I have learnt music from my parents. To my mind, cultural exchanges and intercommunications can make significant contributions in the process of building a better Asia.

I am a Bengali. I am presently a researcher at the Netaji Research Bureau of Kolkata. I have done Ph.D in International Relations from Jadavpur University under the Ryoichi Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund Research Programme. I did my Masters level studies from the Depart. of International Relations of Jadavpur University. I did my graduation from St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata, which happens to be one of the best colleges in India. My research interest includes studying Asia Pacific security, foreign policy studies as well as area studies with a focus on East Asia, Southeast Asia and South Asia.

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BABA Personal Statement:
Having majored in the post graduation level in International Relations with specialisation in Southeast Asia, I have developed a keen interest to look into the Asian integration processes and the development issues facing Asia today. I have a Ph.D in the evolving relationship between India and Japan including the possibilities of closer integration between them.
I believe that Asian integration, by increasing the interdependence of Asian countries and mutual cooperation, will contribute to peace, stability and shared prosperity. I wish to write a paper on the prospects for developmental cooperation in the areas like environmental conservation and human security by using my long experience as a researcher in Indo-Japanese relations and Asian affairs.

The central premise of my proposal is that shared prosperity, common security and human security in Asia can only come through human capacity building and empowerment, gender equality, promotion of democracy , ensuring ecological balance, food security, equity and social cohesion. The idea of human security represents a focus on human survival, well being, and freedom – ideas that can be realized only through intense cooperation efforts by all major Asian countries at various levels of existence. Participating in the seminar will provide me with a unique opportunity to interact with leaders from various parts of Asia and help me learn how cooperative solutions to the problems and issues pertaining to shared prosperity, common security, ecological balance and human security can emerge out of dialogue amidst socio-cultural, economic and strategic differences.

BABA Leadership Statement:
My notion of leadership is community and coordination oriented and not focused on the exercise of authority. I believe that true leaders epitomize the general sense of the community – who are highly sensitive of the needs of their community and lead not through exercise of authority but through coordination and management of processes.

My experiences with leadership pertains to my interactions with leaders from different fields of life. In this context my experience of interacting with the Nobel Laureate for peace Ms. Jody Williams in Japan deserve special mention which was a great learning experience. In another occasion I was selected to represent my university at the South Asia Youth Forum, held in Tokyo, Hiroshima, Osaka and Kyoto, organized by Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At the Forum I made a paper presentation on Regional Security in South Asia and I had opportunities to interact with some eminent social activists of South Asian countries.

Apart from such experiences I have been keenly interested in social activities. I have been one of the organisors in forming the social activist group of JU-SYLFF fellows and organized voluntary service to leprosy patients. Besides I have participated in adult education programme and several community level efforts.

I believe that values of leadership need to be promoted, particularly the values of strong ethics, fellow feeling and sensitivity to the needs of the community which could lead to the realization of the goals of shared prosperity, human security and ecological balance in Asia.