After months of huddles & quiet hustles; intense brainstorming; periods of great ecstasy and moments of intense despair—we are so delighted to announce our new start-up venture - @naav_ai NAAV AI that empowers languages with AI-Powered Content Transformation. Inspired by the Sanskrit, Pāli, and Hindi word Naav (meaning “boat”), we envision AI as a vessel — carrying content across linguistic shores, making knowledge more accessible, and connecting people through language. The spark was lit during one of the numerous endless conversations I have with my dear friend of several years and always a sounding board of sorts—Sandeep Singh Chauhan. Coming from a rich corporate experience of over 20 years and a sound technology background, Sandeep was the perfect person to ideate on a longstanding thought. Both of us felt an urgent need to democratize quality content, lifting it from the ‘English-only’ bubble into the multilingual heartbeat of India — with 22 official languages and countless dialects. Could the emergent AI technology help bridge this growing linguistic divide? Could it translate and transform content — text, audio, video — into the diverse languages of India without erasing the human voice and the cultural and linguistic nuances? Could it empower, not replace, creators? And thus, NAAV AI was co-founded by Sandeep and me in January 2025. In no time we had a third friend Sravan Kumar Aditya, a builder and enabler of several successful tech start-ups join hands with us. It was propitious to get early support for the company from friends @bhash (CEO of @Olacabs & @Krutrim) whose infectious energy makes every idea seem within reach and @ashajadeja (Silicon Valley based investor and philanthropist) who is always on the lookout to support every good idea. Our flagship product, TransLit, began its journey with @BluOneInk as our first publishing partner. Our team of brilliant developers, language experts, and professional translators are now translating books from English into 6 Indian languages: Hindi, Marathi, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.— faster, better, and with human creativity and intervention at the core. The AI simply assists them, it can never replace them! Every AI translation is meticulously reviewed and refined by these professionals who are part of the founding team, who report faster turnarounds and greater reach. But this is just the beginning. NAAV AI is setting sail for an exciting journey ahead— and we’re inviting you aboard ! Let’s bridge languages. Let’s build together. For more details please visit our website naavai.com/ and follow us on our social-media handles! FB: bit.ly/43Ho5kX Insta: bit.ly/4kTAbi8 Linkedin bit.ly/43NhHsC X: x.lingyaoai.com/naav_ai

📢 We’re hiring! FIHCR is looking for a Programme Manager, Marketing & Communications to lead our communication strategy, media engagement, and brand positioning. If you enjoy shaping narratives, building media relationships, curating impactful events, and translating scholarship into compelling stories, this role is for you. 👉 Apply now via the link or scan the QR code: forms.gle/jNrwTdk2GXKADXvJ7 @vikramsampath

📢 We’re hiring! Are you passionate about storytelling, design, and India’s civilisational journey? FIHCR is looking for an Associate Programme Manager, Marketing Communications & Design to craft compelling visuals, manage our digital platforms, and engage diverse audiences. If you are passionate about combining design, content creation, AV editing, and digital storytelling to make history and culture come alive, this role is for you. 👉 Apply now via the link or scan the QR code: forms.gle/jNrwTdk2GXKADXvJ7 @vikramsampath

An evening of history, ideas and conversation at the National Museum @NMnewdelhi , where Shri Sanjeev Sanyal @sanjeevsanyal , Sr. Adv. J. Sai Deepak @jsaideepak , Dr Vikram Sampath @vikramsampath and Nabaarun Barooah @BarooahNabaarun came together for the launch of Land of the Eastern Light: Assam Before the Ahoms, published by @HarperCollinsIN. Watch the full video :piped.video/EV0Zr0kKNVI?si=JVEo… Courtesy : @OnRecordIndia

Mountbatten's using violence against Subhas Bose's INA did not come in the way of his becoming free India's first Governor General. I hate to tell you the name of the person who first asked Mountbatten to take up this position.

The full video of the launch of my book “Land of the Eastern Light: Assam Before the Ahoms” by @sanjeevsanyal sir, @vikramsampath sir and @jsaideepak sir can be viewed here: piped.video/watch?v=EV0Zr0kK…

"Hinduism degenerated & ill-treated lower classes. Islam was opposite of Hinduism. It stood for equality, brotherhood & oneness of God. Bhakti movement emerged because of the arrival of Islam." -says NIOS Text Book on Indian Culture & Heritage Chapter 4, page 46-47 of NIOS Senior Secondary School Text Book for Indian Culture and Heritage compares Hinduism and Islam and outrightly ridicules Hinduism. It says that Hinduism degenerated when Islam arrived in India, Hinduism ill-treated lower classes. Islam was the opposite of what was in practise among Hindus. It talked of equality, brotherhood and oneness of God. There were no dogmas in Islam. On the other hand, it had a simple doctrine and a democratic organisation. The book demeans Hindu religious practices as superstitions. It is ironical that this is a part of the course titled- "Indian Culture and Heritage". We have just started analyzing only a few subjects. But what we have found is quite disgusting. The same following themes repeat across multiple subjects - Gender Studies, Sociology, Indian Culture and Heritage, History, Political Science etc- 1. Hinduism is bad, General Category particularly Brahmins and Thakurs are villains. 2. Islam, Christianity, Buddhism are great religions and these religions treat women better than Hinduism. 3. Arrival of Islam and Christianity was a God's gift to India as they have pulled India out of dark ages. & The books provide absolutely no references for these claims. Q is whether there are no audits or checks in the preparation of these text books? What is the recourse of the common Hindu when the government itself wages a war on our traditions and inject falsehood?

The book The Life and Times of Maharao Umed Singh II of Kota was launched on 13 September 2026 at the historic Umed Bhawan Palace Kotah. The occasion was graced by Vikram Sampath (@vikramsampath ) , eminent historian and author, as the Chief Guest.

Program Manager Communications role at @fihcr_info too in addition to the Associate PM role below 👇

We are hiring at @fihcr_info for the roles below 👇 those interested and with requisite skill sets pls apply as per guidelines mentioned

Uncovering the Legacy of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar: Research, Governance & Heritage Devi Ahilyabai Holkar’s vision of governance and service to her patronage of temples, ghats, pilgrimage centres, textiles and heritage, reaches far beyond the boundaries of 18th-century Malwa. At Maheshwar, the work of uncovering this legacy continues through FIHCR’s in-depth research into her life and times in collaboration with the Directorate of Culture, Government of Madhya Pradesh @minculturemp - drawing upon archival records, letters in Modi, Sanskrit texts, and other primary sources to understand her world through evidence and scholarship. As Prince Yeshwant Rao Holkar, Dr Vikram Sampath and Ms Rasika Bhale @BhaleRasika reflect in these conversations, the endeavour is not simply to remember her, but to understand her legacy in its historical depth and preserve it for generations to come. The MoU signed this week by Prince Yeshwant Rao Holkar, Founder-Custodian, Holkar Cultural Center, and Dr Vikram Sampath @vikramsampath , Founder-Director, FIHCR was a step in the direction to research, preserving, and illuminating the enduring legacy of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar.

The state of "smart Bangalore" where a complaint like this gets recorded in the grievance list & marked as "closed" within minutes stating "work will start in very few day's" ! Well done Mr Mahantesh for ur lightning speed resolution @krishnabgowda @GBAChiefComm @TVMohandasPai

Dear @krishnabgowda @GBAChiefComm @GBA_office @bwssbchairman @ShobhaBJP @BABasavaraja The condition of North Bengaluru remains pathetic in comparison to rest of the city. This area—BDS Nagar in K Narayanapura, Hennur, which I visit often, has deteriorated from worse to worst in last 8-9 months with ZERO improvement noticed. Broken & dusty roads, garbage mounds, giant potholes, overflowing lanes among other woes. The recent rains have left the place in utter shambles. The citizens here (as in other places) deserve a better quality of life for the first world taxes they pay & get third world facilities. Krishna byre Gowda sir, lot of us Bangaloreans look up to your proactive leadership with immense hope. I sincerely request your office & GBA to help the residents of BDS Nagar find a quick n lasting solution to this & a modicum of urban living standards 🙏 We hope you will not disappoint them ! @TVMohandasPai @BPACofficial @nnarasimhan @Tejasvi_Surya @DKShivakumar @kiranshaw

A historic moment in Maheshwar, marking a new chapter in preserving and deepening our understanding of the extraordinary legacy of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar. Swipe through to view the highlights of the MoU signed between Prince Yeshwant Holkar, Founder-Custodian, Holkar Cultural Center, and Dr Vikram Sampath, FRHistS @vikramsampath, Founder-Director, FIHCR, for an extensive study of the life and leadership of Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar.

महेश्वर में ऐतिहासिक समझौता. लोकमाता देवी श्री अहिल्याबाई होलकर के जीवन और सुशासन पर हो रहा व्यापक शोध , होल्कर राजपरिवार और फाउंडेशन फॉर इंडियन हिस्टोरिकल एंड कल्चरल रिसर्च के बीच हुआ MoU। देखे पूरा समाचार खबर मध्यप्रदेश न्यूज चैनल पर। भगत पटेल तहसील संवाददाता - खबर मध्यप्रदेश piped.video/4IXwCGgusBA?si=MRSY… @vikramsampath

On the Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar project in Maheshwar local media piped.video/4IXwCGgusBA?si=MRSY…

A busy but very productive & interesting September for us at @fihcr_info ,. A glimpse in the monthly postcards 😊 @nsitharaman @nsitharamanoffc @bhash @foundation_ola

September at FIHCR saw new milestones, from the inaugural Annual History Prizes and graduation ceremony to new research, publications and conversations on India’s history. Read this edition of FIHCR Postcards for the month’s key moments. @vikramsampath

The Foundation for Indian Historical and Cultural Research (FIHCR) and the Holkar Cultural Center (HCC) signed an MoU at Ahilya Fort, Maheshwar, to research, preserve, and illuminate the enduring legacy of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar. The MoU was signed by Prince Yeshwant Holkar, Founder-Custodian, Holkar Cultural Center, and Dr Vikram Sampath @vikramsampath, renowned author, historian and Founder-Director, FIHCR. FIHCR is undertaking a comprehensive biographical study of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar in collaboration with the Directorate of Culture, Government of Madhya Pradesh @minculturemp, with the aim of developing a well-researched book on her life and leadership. The MoU with HCC will further strengthen this ongoing initiative, deepen historical understanding and public awareness of the legacy of Lokmata, and encourage greater engagement with the historical and cultural resources of the Holkar tradition.

Buddhism in Bharat In the conversation on @ANI_Podcast with @smitaprakash , Dr Vikram Sampath @vikramsampath speaks about FIHCR’s forthcoming three-volume research project on Buddhism in Bharat, undertaken in association with @nalanda_univ - a meticulous study of the rise, spread and decline of Buddhism in India. Drawing upon archaeology, Sanskrit, Pali, Prakrit and Tibetan sources, alongside inscriptions, literary traditions and historical evidence, the project brings together scholars across disciplines to examine this complex chapter of Bharat’s civilisational history. It also revisits long-standing myths and simplified narratives surrounding the interaction between Buddhist and other Indian philosophical traditions, placing them against the evidence of texts, debates, archaeology and historical context. Watch the full conversation here: piped.video/EevCzX_QC3k?si=r-Qv…