Session I: Rethinking the River

Panel discussion moderated by Shiv Visvanathan

In Conversation

Nandini Oza, writer and activist; Ambika Vishwanath, water security specialist; and Shalini Singh, journalist and co-founder PARI

At 18:20

Session II: River/Water as Metaphor

Panel discussion moderated by Kishalay Bhattacharjee

In Conversation

Sumana Roy, poet and author; Anjali Capila, author and educator; and Ritu Priya, political geographer

The river has been the greatest source of imagination as language, as metaphor. It literally carries our civilization. From the theory of the city to the idea of the state, from the sense of the sacred to the very idea of metaphor, rivers have under written the ideas of civilization. This series is an attempt to challenge the mainstream imagination around rivers showing the multiplicity of visions, myths and realities they offer. In this sense the Ganges, the Indus, the Brahmaputra and the Hoogly nearly become tributaries of the Indian imagination. This is not geography but geography of the imagination.

(Collaboration: New Imaginations, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat)
 

Piano recital by Marouan Benabdallah, well – known pianist from Morocco

The artist will present a programme of works by Chopin, Liszt, Respighi and others

(Collaboration: Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco)
 

An exhibition of bronze sculptures developed by eminent artist, Ms Jill Watson from Edinburgh

Preview on Monday, 27 February 2023 at 18:30 

(Collaboration: Aga Khan Trust for Culture)

Speaker: Prof. Osmund Bopearachchi, Emeritus Director of Research, French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS-ENS Paris), former Adjunct Professor of Central and South Asian Art, Archaeology and Numismatics, University of California, Berkeley and former Visiting Professor and Member, Doctoral School of the Paris-Sorbonne University

Chair: Shri Shyam Saran, President, IIC

IIC DIAMOND JUBILEE: SCIENCE FILMS

Two films by Nandan Kudhyadi

C.V. Raman: The Scientist and His Legacy (45 min; 1989; English)
Recipient of the National Film Award for Best Biographical Film, 1989

Premier screening of 
Revolutionary in the Garb of a Scientist (23 min; 2022; English)

Acharya Prafulla Chander Roy was a true nationalist and dedicated his entire life in service of the motherland. A chemist by training he used his knowledge to establish a number of manufacturing units to usher in industrialization, and give impetus to entrepreneur spirit, empowering the youth and raising national self-esteem. He is believed to have secretly supported the more aggressive crusade against the colonial hegemony, and in a secret police investigation was dubbed ‘Revolutionary in the Garb of a Scientist’

The director will introduce the films before the screenings. Screenings will be followed by a discussion

Between Hope and Despair: 100 Ethical Reflections on Contemporary India

By Rajeev Bhargava (Bloomsbury: 2023)

Discussants: Prof. Romila Thapar, eminent historian, Professor Emerita, Jawaharlal Nehru University; Justice Madan Lokur, former Judge, Supreme Court of India; Shri Javed Akhtar, poet, lyricist, and screenwriter; Shri Sudheendra Kulkarni, politician and columnist; Ms Seema Chishti, writer and senior journalist; and Dr. Rajeev Bhargava, political theorist and author of the book

Moderator: Ms Seema Chishti, writer and senior journalist

When a Man Raises the Flag of Dhamma but Conceals his Sins: Notes on Fake Ascetics in the Jatakas 

Speaker: Dr. Naina Dayal, Associate Professor, Dept. of History, St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi

Chair: Dr. Vijay Tankha

Early Indian literature often draws our attention to hypocrites who use gestures, words and costumes associated with holiness to acquire what the true holy man renounces. Naina Dayal will focus on some stories from the Pali Jataka corpus, which identify the characteristics of those who are not genuine ascetics, and in the process, formulate the ideal of renunciation
 

Does “South Asia” Have a Future?

Panelists: Ms Suhasini Haider, Diplomatic Editor, The Hindu; Prof. Atul Mishra, Associate Professor, International Relations and Governance Studies, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Shiva Nadar University; Dr. Sanjay Kathuria, Senior Visiting Fellow, Centre for Policy Research; Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore; Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University; and Visiting Faculty, Ashoka University;and Prof. C. Raja Mohan, Senior Fellow, Asia Society Policy Institute

Chair: Amb. Shyam Saran, President, IIC

The idea of South Asia regionalism was put on the agenda with the founding of the South Asian Association for Regional Integration (SAARC). After more than three decades, there is growing disappointment with the inability of the SAARC to meet its objectives. Endemic conflict and divergent security perspectives continue to limit the prospects for regionalism in South Asia. The discussion will explore the possible regional futures and India’s policy choices in promoting regional integration in South Asia

(Collaboration: Asia Society Policy Institute, New Delhi)
 

Hindustani Vocal Recital

By Nabhodeep Chakraborty from Kolkata, disciple of Ustad Mazhar Ali Khan, Ustad Jawad Ali Khan and Ustad Raza Ali Khan 

At 19:00 
Odissi Recital

By Shalakha from Delhi, disciple of  Guru Smt Madhavi Mudgal
 

Integrating Gender and Climate Change Conversations

Keynote Address: Shri Shyam Saran, President, IIC

Speakers include Aditi Chadha Kapoor, Co-founder, Alternative Futures, Delhi; Mukta Naik, Fellow, Centre for Policy Research; Sayli Mankikar, Head, City Climate Alliance, National Institute of Urban Affairs; Ambika Vishwanath, Co-founder and Director, Kubernein Initiative; Priyanka Bhide, Co-Founder and Director, Kubernein Initiative; Neelesh Misra (TBC), Founder, Gaon Connection; Richa Sharma (TBC),  Additional Secretary-Climate Change Division Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change; Reena Gupta (TBC) Advisor, Government of Delhi and Formerly Natural Resource Management Specialist, The World Bank; and Dr. Meenakshi Gopinath, Director, WISCOMP and Life Trustee, IIC

The programme includes screening of two short films. The Egret River (Taiwan/20’/Animation) by Wan-Ling Liu; and Polar Bears) Singapore/24’/short fiction film) by Shilpa Krishnan Shukla

“Sab ka saath. Sab ka vikas”. A popular slogan of the Indian government, underlines the principles of growth and inclusivity that must go hand in hand for any policy output. The speakers at the seminar will ideate around how a gender intentional/inclusionary lens may be brought into climate action with a focus on urban centres, explore positive experiences that exist and how they may be scaled up. The seminar will draw perspectives from key stakeholders including government, private sector, research and intellectual community across sectors and civil society

(Collaboration: Women in Security, Conflict Management and Peace; and Kuberein Initiative, Mumbai)