Annual Report 2007 - Observer Research Foundation

(left to right)
● A workshop on Knowledge
Management System for ORF
faculty.
● Mr. Strobe Talbott, President of
the Brookings Institution, US,
releases the book “Mumbai
Vision” in Mumbai. (L) Ms. Annu
Tandon.
● Dr. Anupam Khanna (World Bank)
conducts workshop on ‘Building
Scenarios’.
● Mr. Baljit Kapur launches the new
ORF website.
● A moment from Kavya Sandhya.
RESOURCES &
INSTITUTIONAL
INFORMATION
RESOURCES &
INSTITUTIONAL
INFORMATION
overall national context.
The Chennai Chapter is also in the process of undertaking further studies on issues of varied
interest and dimensions pertaining to peninsular India, in terms of internal socio-political dynamics,
international trade and strategic security, impacting on national perspective and policy-planning.
Providing a platform to regional inputs for policy-making at the national-level, ORF-Chennai
organised a total number of 69 Interactions during the year, taking the overall total to 258,
since inception. The discussants at the Interactions included diplomatic dignitaries, policy-planners and
academics from India and abroad. The topics of discussions reflected the expanding focus of the
Chennai Chapter.
The book, Mumbai
Vision 2015, was the
result of a unique
project whose
starting point was
the belief that
Mumbai need not
be a Shanghai or
a London
ORF MUMBAI CHAPTER
2006 was a busy year for the Mumbai Chapter. It saw the Brookings Institution
President Mr. Strobe Talbott releasing Mumbai Vision 2015: Agenda for Urban
Renewal. The book, published by Macmillan, was the result of a unique project
whose starting point was the belief that Mumbai need not be a Shanghai or a
London. Our philosophy looked at Mumbai as having a singularly vibrant culture
with enough expertise to suggest ways to resolve knotty issues.
The project conceived and implemented by ORF Senior Fellow Dr. R. Swaminathan
brought together academicians, urban experts, politicians and concerned
city dwellers together on one platform to debate and suggest concrete
policy recommendations that are specific to the overall context of the city. The
book has been well received in the media and government circles, with several
recommendations being noted down by the task forces constituted by the Government
of Maharashtra.
The year was also special for the chapter with another of its project, Gujarat
2010, being accepted for publication by Academic Foundation. It is ex-
50 Observer Research Foundation ◆ Annual Report 2007