Across the Ocean: The Story of Parsi Migration and Settlement in India

Speaker: Dr. Rukshana Nanji, independent  archaeologist

 

Chair: Dr. Shernaz Cama

 

The arrival and settlement of Zoroastrian Persians/Parsis on the shores of Gujarat is recorded in the Kisse-i-Sanjan, a quasi-historical poem composed in c.1599 by Dastur Bahman Kaikobad in Navsari. This primary source has been used by historians and scholars over the centuries as the basic building block in reconstructing the history of the Parsi community in India. Several myths and legends have grown around this migration of the Early Medieval period. Their arrival on the Gujarat coast, settlement and integration with the local culture and their attempts to retain a distinctive cultural identity are briefly discussed in this paper. Several other lesser known sources such as the 16 Sanskrit shlokas, Rivayats, epigraphic records and other historical sources also provide invaluable insights. Archaeological excavations carried out between 2002 and 2004 provided evidence which has helped assess the veracity of these historical sources and legends. This paper presents known historical facts along with archaeological data to better assess the intercultural exchanges that took place between two diverse cultures during the Early Medieval period  

 

To Mark Bijoya Sammelan

 

Bhakti Geeter Asor

Presented by Srabani Goswami and Niraj Roy from Delhi

With background narration by Anupurba Roy, Kolkata

 

The musical evening includes the compositions of legendary poets

 

Main Presentation by Ms Mythili Bhusnurmath and Dr. Bornali Bhandari,National Council of Applied Economic Research

 

Speakers:  Dr. D.B. Gupta, NCAER and Ms Vineeta Dixit

 

Moderator: Dr. Pronab Sen, Chairman, National Statistical Commission

 

 

 

An exhibition of paintings

By Kamal Hyat from Pakistan

 

Inauguration by Smt  Anjolie Ela Menon on Friday, 13 November 2015 at 18:30

 

The artist will be present to conduct a walk - through of the exhibition

 

Poetry readings in  English, Hindi,  Punjabi and Urdu  by

Anamika,  Mirza Arif,   Dr. Ahmad Ali Barqi Azmi,  Rachna Joshi,  Dr. H.K. Kaul,  Dr. Mohanjit,  Nibedita Sen,  Dr. Vanita and  Dr. Ganga Prasad Vimal

 

Chair: Shri Jagmohan, former Minister for Tourism and Culture, Government of India

 

 

Directed by Julio Ozan Lavoisier who will introduce the film

 

Screening will be followed by a discussion

 

The film presents material gathered over a period of fourteen years in the most dense and remote corners of India. The film looks at the doctrine and the Ganges; education and ashrams; art, temples and forts, rituals, marriages and funerals etc.

 

Diversification in Indian Agriculture

 

Introductory Remarks

 By Prabhat Kumar, former Cabinet Secretary 

 

Keynote Speakers:  Shri Ajay Vir Jhakar, Chairman, Bharat  Krishak Samaj;  and Shri T. Nanda Kumar

Chairman, National Dairy Development Board

 

Presidential Remarks 

By Shri Sompal , former Member, Planning Commission 

 

 

 

Panelists: Prof. Jagdeep S. Chhokar, Founder Member,  Association for Democratic Reforms and former Professor, Indian Institute of Management,  Ahmedabad and others

 

Moderator: Shri  Suhas Borker

 

 

12 November - the day Gandhi ji made his first and only live broadcast on All India Radio is commemorated as Public Service Broadcasting Day. On this day in 1947 he addressed refugees at the Kurukshetra Camp from Broadcasting House, New Delhi. Gandhi ji held no public office or position in Government and it was truly a public service broadcast by All India Radio that carried the Mahatma's message of love and fortitude to the suffering refugees 

 

Commemoration from 10:30 to 11:00 in Gandhi-King Plaza

Followed by

Discussion in C.D.  Deshmukh Auditorium from 11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Recalling Usha Mehta's Tryst with Freedom: Rita Mukherjee, former Chief Producer, All India Radio  Usha Mehta was arrested on 12 November 1942 and the Underground Radio Transmitter confiscated in Bombay

Discussion on: Public Service Broadcasting and the Constitution of India – Idea and Ideology
 

Lead Presentation by Suhas Borker 

Broadcasting policy experts, broadcasters, social scientists, academicians, activists and media persons to participate. Media students are encouraged to participate in the programme so that they are exposed to the concepts and values of PSB