Brain boxes: That's what they were called in the Second World War as a slang for skull. Then slowly this phrase metamorphosed into what we know today as think tanks. So what are these think tanks? What is the relevance of these exclusive bodies in our political and governmental system? Let's find out.
A think tank basically is an organization, corporation or a group which carries out intensive researches in critical fields of national and international significance, such as, economy, military advice, business policies, strategical protocols etc. these can also be termed as policy institutes which integrate thinkers and scholars to find and analyze solutions and draft out the strategies for an issue.
It's very difficult to uncover the mystery of the emergence of the first think tank. According to some, the Brookings institution founded in the us in 1916 is the major candidate in the race to come first, but there are some who believe that the Fabian society in Britain founded in 1884 for the gradual social change is the first one to be founded. So there's a perpetual tug of war and it still remains a huge dilemma. But the formal employment of this term was brought to force by the US during the wartime when they used to refer to rooms in which strategists discussed war planning as think tanks. The first recorded use of the phrase to refer to modern think tanks was in 1959, and by the 1960s the term was commonly used to describe RAND and other groups assisting the armed forces. In recent times, the phrase "think tank" has become applied to a wide range of institutions, and there are no precise definitions of the term. Marketing or public relations organizations, especially of an international character, sometimes refer to themselves as think tanks, for example.
The Indian think tank scenario is a recent one ranging from economic studies to defence analysis and policy constructions. There are eight primary think tanks in India spread over the three main metropolitans of Bombay, Delhi and Chennai. The functions of
These think tanks are described below
The Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER)- New Delhi
ICRIER, established in August, 1981, has successfully completed its 25 years, as an autonomous, policy oriented, not-for-profit research institute. It has achieved an autonomy by establishing an endowment fund, income from which meets all its administration expenses. ICRIER's offices are located in the prime institutional complex of Indian Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The prime focus of all its work is to support India's interface with the global economy. ICRIER conducts thematic research on its six thrust areas that are:
- Trade, Openness, Restructuring and Competitiveness
- WTO Related Issues
- Regional and Bilateral Issues
- Financial Liberalization and Integration
- Macroeconomic Management in an Open Economy
- Strategic Aspects of India's External Relations
The Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) - New Delhi
The Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) was established as a registered society in New Delhi on November 11 1965. It is considered to be the premier strategic and security studies Think Tank in India. Over the years the Institute has enlarged its focus of research from Defence Studies to cover issues of National and International Security. The Institute is funded by the Indian Ministry of Defence, but functions autonomously. Apart from research, the Institute also provides training programmes to civilian and military officers of the Government of India. The Indian Parliament's Standing Committee on Defence frequently utilises the expertise of the Institute.
Strategic Foresight Group - Mumbai-
Strategic Foresight Group is a think tank engaged in anticipating and influencing the future in uncertain times. It produces scenarios, creates policy concepts and facilitates political processes. It advises governments and business leaders and informs the public on future trends as well as discontinuities.
Since its inception in 2002,
- Strategic Foresight Group has worked closely with important institutions around the world
- It has advised governments in Asia, Europe, and North America
- It has deposed before committees of the House of Commons and the Indian Parliament
National foundation for India- New Delhi
The National Foundation for India (NFI) is an autonomous, professionally managed trust that works for the disadvantaged communities to help them improve their own lives.
Think tanks are a great tool for the assistance of the government and are somewhat reliable as well but they are also considered as vehicles of corporate propaganda. But whatever people might call them, they are running strong and will continue o do so in the future aswell.
