VIVEKANANDA INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION 3, San Martin Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi Ph: 011 24121764, 24106698 [email protected]

Dear Sir/Madam,

As you are aware, the India is passing through its toughest times, when graft and massive illicit wealth are shaking the pillars of its very existence. This, in turn, is pulling back the nation from its aspirations of growth, development and prosperity.

At the same time, these issues have created tremendous angst among the people which have manifested in the form of determination to contain the menace through civil actions. Despite all such efforts, we are far behind, even smaller nations in the crusade against illicit money, corruption and bad governance.

In this backdrop, we felt that it is our responsibility to initiate a relentless campaign for transparent governance, accountability and firm actions against lack of probity. As a part of this exercise, we are pleased to inform you that an International Seminar on “Transparency and Accountability in Governance – International Experience in the Indian Context” is being organised at Vivekananda International Foundation on April 1 & 2, 2011.

This event to be inaugurated by Justice M N Venkatchelliah, former Chief Justice of India, will be attended by a cross section of experts, activists, decision makers and scholars from both inside and outside the country. Towering personalities of Indian polity, judiciary & academia including Dr Subramanian Swamy, K N Govindacharya, Ram Jethmalani, N Gopalaswamy, S Gurumurthy and Justice J S Verma will be delivering their keynote addresses. Eminent experts like Dr.Arun Kumar, Ajit Doval, M D Nalapat, Prof. R Vaidyanathan, Joginder Singh, Nurial Molina, Bhure Lal, Dr.Jayaprakash Narayan, Ram Bahadur Rai, Arvind Kejriwal, TSR Subrahmaniam, Prashant Bhushan, Roland Lomme, David Spencer, B R Lall, Satish Chandra, and many other luminaries will present their papers and take part in the brain storming.

Some of the important topics to be covered in the two day seminar are: ‘Corruption, National Security and Existential threat’, ‘Illicit Funds - Origin, Movement and Parking’, ‘Recovering Stolen Assets: Learning from World Experience’ and ‘Governance, Transparency and Role of Media’. The event will also include interactive sessions in which the delegates will be offered an opportunity to express their ideas and views. Moreover, this shall be an opportunity to learn from experts of other nations who have championed for the cause of probity and good governance. Baba Ramdev ji will deliver valedictory address in the concluding session on the evening of 2 nd April.

Considering your interest and the contribution you have made in dealing with the issues, we take this opportunity to request you to attend this important event and strengthen this initiative. Hope this seminar will enhance your understanding of the complex issues and will make us redouble our initiatives to increase transparency and integrity in our polity.

With regards Mukul Kanitkar Secretary, Vivekananda International Foundation