BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

Yashodhra se Samvaad: A collection of Hindi Poems 
By Sangeeta Gupta (Prithvi, 2024)

Discussants: Dr. Alka Tyagi, Poet, Researcher and Translator; Prof. Rekha Sethi, Indraprastha College for Women; Dr. Suman Kesari, Hindi Poet & Writer; Prof. Harsh Bala Sharma, Indraprastha College for Women; Sanya Tyagi, Poet & Performer; Sangeeta Gupta, Artist, Poet, Film Maker & Author of the book

INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY 

Puspabhuti or Vardhana of Thanesar with special reference to excavation at Harsh ka Tila, Kurukhetra, Haryana

Speaker: Dr Devki Nandan Dimri, former Joint Director of Archaeological Survey of India, authored three books and several research articles and Participated in excavations at Banawali, Dholavira, Sringaverpur, Ramapuram, Hulas, Thanesar, and other ancient sites.

Chair: K. N. Shrivastava, Director, IIC

Moderator: Pratap Bhanu Singh Sengar, former Director (Monuments) Archaeological Survey of India

Situated in district Kurukshetra, Harsh ka Tila, one of the most important political power centres in North India. It is believed that Pushyabhuti was the founder of the kingdom hence called Pushyabhuti dynasty. Harsh ka Tila No. 1 was excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India for three field seasons from 1997 - 99. The site has revealed remains of successive cultural phases, starting from Kushan to late Mughal period without any gaps. The site has residential buildings, including a palace complex of post Gupta period, which was described by Banbhatta as Dhawal Gruha or white palace. Among the antiques noteworthy findings are the large number of terracotta tablets with other associated ritual objects from Rajput period.

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

Jahan Ara Begum 1614-1681: A Biographical Study
By Nausheen Jaffery and Shailaja Kathuria (Tulika Books, 2025)

Discussants: TBC
 

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

In Search of Self: Part 3. 
By Mridula Seth (Notion Press, 2026)

Discussants: Sanjula Sharma: Journalist, & Writer; Prof. Swati Pal, Principal, Janki Devi Memorial College, University of Delhi; Geeta Sahai, Co-founder of Heart & Soul Media Pvt Ltd and Founder President of Swayam Foundation; Dr Vinita Narula, Author, Poet and Academic, Ms. Deepa Shrivastava, Poet, Academic; Dr. Mridula Seth, Author of the book
 

Women in Station level Ranks of the Police Forces of India

Speakers: Nuzhat Khan, Former IPS Officer; Amod Kanth, Former IPS Officer, Founder, Prayas JAC; Rashmi Anand, Founder, Women of the Elements; worked with women in Tihar Jail; K. N. Shrivastava, Director IIC; Representative of the National Commission for Women (TBC)

The seminar proposes to examine the role, status and representation of women in the station level ranks of police forces in India. The focus will be on exploring the main factors responsible for the slow pace of increase of women’s representation in the police forces. It will present diverse perspectives to support future national-level research on increasing women’s participation in the police forces.

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

How Robots stole our jobs: struggles of Suzuki Workers in the Age of AI 
by Nandita Haksar (Aakar Books, 2026)

Discussants: Dr. Madhusudhan Raman, Department of Physics, Ashoka University will be in conversation with the Author

Iran War and the Global Economy

Chair: Amb. K.P. Fabian, Professor, Indian Society of International Law, New Delhi and Symbiosis University, Pune

Discussants: Amb. Dammu Ravi, Former Secretary (Economic Relations), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA); Prof Gulshan Dietl, Former Professor, School of International Studies, JNU, New Delhi

The war on Iran initiated by Israel and the United States on 28 February continues to have serious repercussions on the global economy, particularly in the areas of energy security, agriculture and fertiliser supply chains. The discussion will examine the wider geopolitical and economic consequences of the conflict, while addressing the urgent need for a negotiated settlement in the interest of global stability and humanity. The Global South, in particular, continues to bear a disproportionate share of the economic burden arising from the crisis.
 

India-Africa Partnership - The Way Forward

On the Eve of the 4th India Africa Forum Summit
 

Inaugural Address: N. N. Vohra, Life Trustee IIC

Keynote Address: Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary (ER) MEA

Moderator: Suhas Borker, Convener Working Group on Alternative Strategies & Editor, Citizens First TV (CFTV)

Speakers: Gurjit Singh, former Indian Ambassador to the African Union; H. E. Mohamed Malki, Dean African Diplomatic Corps; Ambassador Kingdom of Morocco; H. E. Anisa Kapfi Mbega, High Commissioner United Republic of Tanzania; Cedrick Charles Crowley, Deputy High Commissioner Republic of South Africa; Ruchita Beri, Senior Fellow, Vivekananda International Foundation & former President African Studies Association of India (ASA)

(Collaboration: Working Group on Alternative Strategies (WGRAS)

Book Discussion Group

The Quiet Correspondent: There’s a thin line between a journalist and a spy

by Shyam Bhatia (Juggernaut, 2026)

Moderator: Dr. Uttam Kumar Sinha, Senior Fellow MP IDSA

Discussants: Col. D.P.K Pillay, Research Fellow, MP IDSA; Vartika Shukla, Former Chairman and Managing Director Engineers India Limited; Shyam Bhatia, Author of the book

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

Kapila Jnanagarbha: Knowledge Unfolding Wisdom – Offerings in Memory of Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan
edited by Advaitavadini Kaul (Dev Publishers, 2026)

Discussants: N N Vohra, Former Governor of Jammu & Kashmir & Life Trustee, IIC; Shyam Saran, President, IIC; Prof Radhavallabha Tripathi, scholar of natyasastra & sahityasasrta, former, Vice Chancellor, Central Sanskrit University, Delhi; Prof. Bettina Sharda Bäumer, scholar of non-dualistic Kashmir saivism, Indian aesthetics & comparative mysticism; Prof. Shashi Prabha Kumar, scholar of classical Indian philosophy (Vaisesika) and Chairperson, Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla; Prof Aditya Malik, scholar of anthropology, history, religious studies and professor, Plaksha University; Dr. Advaitavadini Kaul, editor of the book