Assam Rifles, in collaboration with the United Service Institution of India (USI), New Delhi, organised the Annual Maj Bob Khathing Memorial Lecture at USI, New Delhi, on 21 August 2026.
The Memorial Lecture is organised annually to commemorate the distinguished contribution and enduring legacy of Major Bob Khathing, a legendary military leader and statesman whose life and service remained closely associated with the North East and the cause of national integration.
Lieutenant General Abhijit S Pendharkar, UYSM, AVSM, YSM, Director General Military Operations, graced the occasion as Chief Guest and delivered the Keynote Address wherein he emphasised that Maj Bob Khatings life study is a reminder that leadership in North East requires an understanding of both Security perspectives & Society and National Integration is strengthened by building trust around people.
During his opening remarks, Lieutenant General Vikas Lakhera, AVSM, SM, Director General Assam Rifles while setting the context for day’s deliberations, emphasised upon the impact that the social media narratives can create to destabilise the society and urged the youth to be more vigilant and aware about such malicious campaigns. Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh, SYSM, PVSM, AVSM, NM, PhD (Retd), DG USI delivered the Welcome Address celebrating the rich legacy of Maj Bob Khating to set the ball rolling.
The theme of this year’s Memorial Lecture was “Weaponisation of Social Media Platforms in the North East to Spread False Narrative against the Security Forces and Suggested Line of Efforts to Counter the Same.” The lecture was delivered by Mr Subir Bhaumik, distinguished journalist, author and commentator on the North East and its security and strategic affairs. Drawing upon his extensive experience and understanding of the region, Mr Bhaumik deliberated upon the evolving information environment in the North East and the increasing use of social media platforms for dissemination of false narratives and propaganda against the security forces.
The lecture examined how the weaponisation of social media could influence public perception, create distrust and adversely impact the credibility of Security Forces. It also focused on the emerging challenges posed by misinformation and coordinated narrative campaigns, while suggesting practical and effective lines of effort to counter the same.
The event brought together senior military officers, veterans, strategic affairs experts, academicians, media professionals and scholars, providing a platform for meaningful discussion and exchange of views on the evolving information environment and its implications for the North East. An interactive Question and Answer Session subsequently provided an opportunity for participants to engage with the speaker on the subject. The programme concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Major General I S Bhinder, Inspector General Assam Rifles (East).
The Annual Maj Bob Khathing Memorial Lecture continues to serve as an important platform for fostering informed discourse on contemporary issues concerning the North East, National Security and India’s strategic interests, while commemorating the remarkable legacy of Major Bob Khathing.
