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)

Lecture and demonstration by Smt Bijoylaxmi Hota, a reputed integrated yoga therapist who has written eleven books on yoga and diet including the best seller, Yoga for Busy People

High blood pressure is a leading cause of death in the world today. A silent killer, it does not give any warning signs while continually damaging our internal systems, sometimes beyond repair. Medication is not the answer as it does not remove the real offender – stress. Besides drugs have their own typical unpleasant side effects. The right yoga on the other hand with specific asanas, pranayams, meditation, yogaindra and mantras provides lasting relief to the body, mind and psyche by removing both the cause as well as the symptoms effectively. Minor dietary changes will speed up the recovery
 

Panelists: Nandan Unnikrishnan, Distinguished Fellow, Euasia Studies, Observer Research Foundation; Dr. John Cherian, Contributing Editor (Foreign Affairs), The Frontline; and Sandip Lal, India Central Asia Foundation, New Delhi

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

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022. Washington took the lead in building a coalition of NATO and others to send arms and other supplies to Ukraine. America has already supplied arms worth about $25 billion since the war started. While no accurate estimate of casualties are available, the U.S. military has indicated a figure of 100,000 casualties on either side. The figure includes the dead and the wounded.

The war has impacted adversely on the global economy, particularly on the South with food prices going up. India has followed a calibrated policy of refusing to join the West in condemning or imposing sanctions on Russia while calling for a cease-fire to be followed by negotiations. Will India as Chair of G-20 be able to persuade the belligerents to agree to a cease-fire? The panel will examine these issues and look at the likely trajectory of the war 
 

Presentations by Prof. K. Warikoo, formerly Professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University and Hon’y Secretary General, Himalayan Research and Cultural Foundation; Prof. Shashibala, Head, Indology Centre, Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan, New Delhi; Prof. Rajnish Mishra, School of Sanskrit and Indic Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University; and Dr. Mahesh Ranjan Debata, Centre for Inner Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University

Gornyi Altai (part of Russian Siberia in mountainous Altai) is treated as sacred territory by its indigenous people since old times. The famed Sumeru Parvat is also located here. There are commonalities between the traditions and practices prevalent in Altai and in India. The discussion will outline some of these commonalities, highlighting the importance of these traditions and practices for the preservation of the eco-system and biodiversity

(Collaboration: Himalayan Research and Cultural Foundation)

A discussion with Shovana Narayan, senior Kathak artist, Guru and author; Amal Allana, theatre director; and Paresh Maity, well-known artist

Chair: Amb. Suresh Goel, former Director-General, Indian Council for Cultural Relations

The discussion will focus on the importance of using public spaces for the development and exposure of the arts in the three primary genres – visual including painting and sculpture; theatre; and performing arts

(Collaboration: Legends of India)