Aim and Objectives

The Centre which is a nonprofit, apolitical, non-government organisation, aims at undertaking research and analysis of subjects relating to national and international security and development through seminars, discussions, publications at periodic intervals. It also facilitates close interaction with the faculty members and research students in allied disciplines in the Universities/Institutions as also Armed Forces, R&D organisations and Defence Public Sectors Undertakings. It further aims at generating and promoting interest among the students, general public and youth in particular, in these topics, with a view to making them aware of multifarious concerns of national and international security.

Objectives :
  • a. To study and undertake research and analysis on matters relating to national and international strategy and promote discussions     and writing on the same for the benefit of its members and any other person/institution interested in these matters.

  • b. To print and publish, cause to be printed and published, books, periodicals, articles and theses, and any other publication and to    undertake production of or assist in the production of films, scripts etc. as may be considered necessary for the promotion of the     objectives of the Society.

  • c. To establish and manage alone or in co-operation with others, study centres, libraries or any such establishment and undertake     research primarily for the benefit of research scholars and other beneficiaries interested in the objectives of the Society.

  • d. To promote interest in national and international security.

  • e. To create amongst the public, interest in national and international studies.

  • f. To hold periodical conferences, seminars, meetings, lectures, exhibitions, discussions and film shows on matters of interest on national    and international security.

  • g. To create awareness amongst the public on security matters and to enlist co-operation from other institutions, organisations,      establishments, departments and other bodies for the promotion of the objectives of the Society.

  • h. To assist/provide studies/research inputs and carry out any special studies for the government, when required.

  • j. To do all such things and create infrastructure as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objectives.
In the initial period, it was decided that the Centre will conduct research in various aspects of national and international security. This research will encompass a wide spectrum and will be directed towards analysis and formulation of policy in the fields of energy studies (nuclear and non-nuclear), power generation, transportation and communications, human resource development and economic development, security environment, internal, regional and global.

The CASS intended to study not only the technical aspects but also the larger aspects of these sectors, which may appear to be non-strategic areas; as these were considered to be essential for sustaining a strategic doctrine. Judged from this stand-point, national security concerns encompass the entire gamut of policy options and doctrines of development, diplomacy and defence. The main aim of the Centre is to provide conceptual, intellectual, technical and strategic considerations which are necessary for formulation of national policies in the changing global, regional and national environment. Thus, India’s goal and interests need to be considered beyond the narrow confines of the South Asian Security. It is therefore essential that both strategic and non-strategic dimensions are researched and pursued vigorously to provide useful data, information and options to the policy-makers.

Current Activities

The Centre organises Seminars and group discussions almost every month. It also avails of the expertise of distinguished specialists visiting Pune at short notice, as opportunity speakers. It has plans to award Research Fellowships, commission monographs on micro issues, organise greater number of lectures and discussions in Universities, Colleges and for the general public, and expand its publication activities. Many of these plans / programmes have had to be deferred for want of adequate infra-structure (land, buildings, full fledged library, net-work set up with similar institutions etc.) and most importantly adequate funds. Major Seminars have been held by the Centre and its proceedings published and widely circulated. The Centre had organized SL Kirloskar Memorial Lectures and NK Firodia Memorial Lectures/Seminars as well as Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Lecture/Seminar since 2006. Air Marshal YV Malse Memorial Lecture/Seminar and Brigadier NB Grant Memorial Lecture were started annually since 2007. Professor SV Kogekar Memorial Lectur has also been held since 2008.

Apart from a number of Life Members the Centre has 15 Institution Members, covering most of the defence  related institutions in Pune and in the vicinity. The Centre also has three Honorary Life   Members namely Shri R.D. Pradhan, IAS (Retd), former Home Secretary and Governor, Arunachal Pradesh, Dr. Abhay Firodia, Chairman, Force Motors Ltd.  and Shri Atul C. Kirloskar, Chairman and Managing Director, Kirloskar Oil Engines Ltd.

History

Pune has traditionally been a Centre of learning and is to India what Oxford and Cambridge are to United Kingdom. Besides the numerous education and research bodies located in the city, it has become an important industrial and commercial centre, which draws upon the intellectual wealth of the city. The city is also home to a very large population of retired senior civil and service officers.

Perceiving the need for good research and analysis of subjects relating to national security and for promoting interest among the public, a few retired senior service and civil officials, academicians and industrialists formed the National Security Forum in collaboration with the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies of the University of Pune in the eighties. The brain storming sessions conducted by the Forum attracted many renowned experts, academicians and eminent persons not only from within the country but also from abroad. It was then decided to institutionalise the activities.

The initial meetings were carried out at the residence of Late Air Marshal YV Malse and on some occasions at the residence of Late Shri SL Kirloskar. Some of the photographs of those times are shown below and have been provided to the Centre courtesy Col (Dr) Anil Athale, a member of CASS, who also used to be present during those meetings.