Athena Academy of Geopolitics, Pune (India)

Athena Academy of Geopolitics was founded by Govind B. Kulkarni in 2014 with an objective to create a ‘Class’ of professionals in ‘Geopolitics’. 'Geographical interpretation of International Politics' is at the core of teachings in the Academy. Nation-state is the unit of study here.

Motives are

To analyze foreign policies of various nation-states
To study and analyze decision-making process in International Politics
To be capable to foresee pattern of International Politics
To create a platform for sharing ideas about Strategy

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Inauguration Ceremony

Athena Academy of Geopolitics was Inaugurated on 9 January 2015 by the auspicious hands of

Air Marshal Bhushan Gokhale

PVSM, AVSM, VM (Retd.)

Former Vice Chief of the Indian Air Force

The Academy was Honoured by the Presence on the Stage of :

Air Marshal A K Trikha

AVSM, VSM (Retd.)

Lt. General Dr. D B Shekatkar

PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd.)

Lt. General K T Parnaik

PVSM ,UYSM, YSM (Retd.)

Mr. Nitin A Gokhale

Senior Strategic Analyst

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The Academy Conducts

Certificate Courses
Workshops
Public Lectures
Seminars

Available Courses Headings

Classes

Student has to undergo "classroom training" to complete any Course. It is followed by compulsory assignments.
Mostly, teaching is Long Distance Live Online. Since 2018, Several students have successfully completed the courses by attending Live Online classes only.

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Faculty

The Founder of the Academy, Govind B. Kulkarni, only teaches all the above Courses.
Experts in the filed of Defence, Strategy, International Politics are also requested to provide their valuable guidance and knowledge to students.

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Admission Process

Admission to the course is open round the year. Admission is open for all.
Age and educational qualification is no bar.

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Award for Merit

Students can compete for excellence.
The topper in every batch is awarded with: "Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Prize".
Students are inspired to make contribution to various literary projects of the Academy. They are encouraged to actively participate in various seminars and discussions arranged by the Academy.

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In-House Publications

The Academy has its own Coursebook: "Basics of Geopolitics".
The Academy also publishes a magazine called as “Geopolitical Dispatch”.
The Academy has its own Print & Stationery division.

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Workshops

The Academy organised its first Free Public Workshop in Pune from 15 March to 19 March 2017. Experts in areas of Defence, Administration, Geopolitics, and Maritime Law addressed the participants.

Speakers were:

Air Marshal Bhushan Gokhale (Retd.)
Shri. Shrinivasrao Sohoni, IAS (Retd.)
Late Dr. Arun S. Dalvi, Professor, Defence Studies
Dr. Sachin V. Joshi, Archaeologist and Professor
Prof. Sanjeet Ruhal, International Law Expert
Mr. Govind B. Kulkarni, Ex-Lecturer, Defence Studies

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First Certification Ceremony

Mr. Amir Kasim Pathan, (B.E., M.Tech.), passed out as the first student of the Academy.

His “Certification Ceremony” was organised at the residence of the Founder on 13 July 2017.

Chief Guest for the function was Air Marshal Bhushan Gokhale (Retd.).

CMA Subhash Karmarkar welcomed the Chief Guest.

Late Dr. Arun S. Dalvi guided the audience on the occasion.

Mr. Sandip Patil welcomed Dr. Dalvi.

Dr. Sachin V. Joshi delivered lecture on “Geopolitical Importance of Forts”.

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First National Cadet Corps Special Batch

Three NCC Cadets Successfully completed Certificate Course in Geopolitics in 2020.

They were awarded certificates by the benevolent hands of Smt. Meera B Kulkarni in January 2020.

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So far, more than Thirty students have passed out from the Academy.

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About Govind Bhaskarrao Kulkarni

Govind B. Kulkarni founded "Athena Academy of Geopolitics" in 2014.
Earlier, he served as a full time Lecturer in the ‘Department of Defence & Strategic Studies’, University of Pune.
In 2023, he incorporated ADITHENEX EduCom Private Limited under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and now is occupying the position of the Director of the Company.
Some years ago, he was assigned as a Training Facilitator for Politicians at a National Level Training Programme at New Delhi. He also had an opportunity to interview some national level Indian politicians exclusively as a part of a biographies project assignment.

He has written four books:

A Handbook of Geopolitics
Nuclear North Korea
Geography of Military Logistics
Geostrategic Significance of the Indian Ocean

He is also

A PFI Certified trained ‘Paraglider Pilot’.
A Professional Aeromodeller.
A state level “Open Sea Competitive Swimmer” with a proven capacity of swimming minimum 3 kilometers nonstop.
A certified swimming coach.
He also took training in “Kalaripayattu”, the Indian Martial Art from Kerala.
He has also completed basic course in horseback riding.

Govind Kulkarni also writes articles for leading Newspapers, mostly on the Air Force.