Speakers: Vivek Dehejia and Rupa Subramanya, authors of the recently published book of the same title

Moderator: Jonathan Shainin, Senior Editor, the Caravan magazine

Do seatbelt laws save lives in India? What was the real reason for the BJP's defeat in the 2004 election? Why did Nehru ignore the Chinese threat in 1962 and how does this relate to why people risk their lives to cross railway tracks in Mumbai? Using the tools of economics, and borrowing from such fields as psychology and anthropology, Indianomix presents new angles to old mysteries, to argue that when you dig down into the deeper mechanisms, India makes sense after all

Indianomix: Making Sense of Modern India

Speakers: Vivek Dehejia and Rupa Subramanya, authors of recently published book of the same title

Moderator: Jonathan Shainin, Senior Editor, Caravan Magazine

On Tuesday, 5^th February 2013 at 6:30 pm in the Centre's Conference Room - I

Indianomix: Making Sense of Modern India

VivekDehejia and RupaSubramanya

Published by Random House India in December 2012

Have capitalism and the market economy made Indians more apathetic and uncaring?

Do seatbelt laws save lives in India?

What if India hadn't been ruled by the British?

What was the real reason for the BJP's defeat in the 2004 election?

Why did Nehru ignore the Chinese threat in the lead-up to the 1962 war and how does this relate to why people risk their lives to cross railway tracks in Mumbai?

What are the root causes of violence against women? Is a skewed sex ratio one of them?

Do dictatorships really deliver better economic growth than democracies?

What role do culture and religion play in the modern economy?

In Indianomix, Vivek Dehejia and Rupa Subramanya focus the lens of popular social-science on the confusing mass that is India. Using the methods and tools of economics, as well as borrowing from fields as varied as psychology, anthropology, political science, sociology, and religious studies, Indianomix examines a wide range of historical and contemporary questions to provide a unique, fresh insight into the country.  In the process, Dehejia and Subramanya find answers to entangled questions and discover new angles to old mysteries. 

Written with sharp, insightful and humorous prose, Indianomix reveals how life's everyday situations - even something as simple as trying to flag down a taxi - can be better explained when you analyse them with an economic outlook.  It isn't about figuring out where the stock market is heading, what the Reserve Bank of India's monetary policy should be or providing a dissertation on the need for economic reforms.  Instead it is about debunking myths and calling into question bits of conventional wisdom about India - and showing that when you dig down into the deeper mechanisms hidden below all the confusing patterns in the country, India makes sense after all.

(114 min; 1991)
Director: Yuri Beliankin

Lake Baikal, the "blue eye of Siberia," is the earth's oldest and deepest lake. It holds a fifth of the planet's fresh water and is home to over 2,500 species of fish and crustaceans. For the indigenous people living along its shores, its cliffs are gods, its creation the subject of legend. But this ancient ecosystem is now endangered by overfishing and industrial pollution, to the point where it would take the rivers feeding the lake up to 400 years to restore it to health

India, the Portuguese and the Indian Ocean Societies: Exchanges and Engagements

Inauguration in the Multipurpose Hall at 10:00

India, the Portuguese and the Indian Ocean Societies: Exchanges and Engagements

Inauguration in the Multipurpose Hall at 10:00

AUDITORIUM AT 18:30
Mando and Fado Concert
Details to be announced on the IIC website

As part of the seminar there will be a public lecture on Wednesday, 13th February 2013

AUDITORIUM AT 09.30

History of Goan Costumes (tbc)
Illustrated lecture by Wendell Rodricks, well-known fashion designer

(54 min; 2007; dvd; English & with subtitles)
Directors: Pepe Ozan and Melitta Tchaicovsky

Shot in remote areas of Northwest India, the homeland of the gypsies, the film captures the lives and journeys of vanishing nomadic communities who are believed to have common ancestry with the Roma (gypsies). Shot over a period of seven months, the film follows their ancient way of life, capturing weddings, shamanic rituals, and the music and dance of the snake-charmers (Kalbeliyas), storytellers (Bhopas), salt-traders (Banjaras), metalworkers (Gadolya Lohars) and musicians (Manganiars) who travel from village to village eking out a survival

India International Centre

Presents

Jaisalmer Ayo! Gateway of the Gypsies

(54 min; 2007; dvd; English subtitles)

Directors: Pepe Ozan & Melitta Tchaicovsky

Screening on Saturday, 9^th February 2013 at 6:30 pm in the Centre's Lecture Room - II, IIC Annexe,

Lodi Estate (next to The World Bank), New Delhi 110003

About the film

Shot in remote areas of the Thar Desert in Northwest India, Jaisalmer Ayo! Gateway of the Gypsies captures the lives and journeys of vanishing nomadic communities who are believed to share common ancestors with the Roma (Gypsies). Covering a period of seven months, from the open roads of the desert to temporary encampments, the two filmmakers followed their ancient way of life capturing weddings, shamanic rituals, music and dance of the castes of snake-charmers (Kalbelyas), storytellers (Bhopas), salt-traders (Banjaras), metalworkers (Gadolya Lohars) and musicians (Manganiars) that travel from village to village in their struggle for survival.

A camel cart journey of snake-charmers and singers on their way to Jaisalmer serves as a thread to the story connecting the various episodes on the different nomad castes found along the way. The images, supported by minimal narration, carry the viewer through the intricacies of the Hindu caste system and the group's endogamous professions, similar to those practiced by the Roma in Europe.

The remarkable soundtrack of Rajasthani music blends magically with the images depict the ancient way of life, music, dance and rituals of the last generation of nomads who remain in the region

Speaker: Shri Anand Grover, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health

Chair: Dr Achin Vanaik, formerly Professor & Head, Dept. of Political Science, University of Delhi, and Founder-Member, Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace

An exhibition of photographs by Usha Vohra

Zanskar is virtually a secret land, tucked away deep in the Himalayas, with innumerable nameless mountains spreading across infinite spaces. The landscape"”desolate, arid and stark"”presents a formidable spectacle

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

Zanskar is virtually a secret land, tucked away deep in the Himalayas, with innumerable nameless mountains spreading across infinite spaces. The landscape - desolate, arid, and stark - presents a formidable spectacle.

A sight of the luminous mountains, spreading far beyond vision, leaves the viewer awestruck and humbled. Mineral reserves in the Zanskar Himalayas impart enchanting rainbow hues to the rocks.

Time is measured here in seasons, not days and weeks.

USHA VOHRA has been a keen photographer for the past several years.

Most of the photographs of the mountains have been taken from a helicopter.

On view 9^th to 15^th February 2013

11 am to 7 pm daily in the Art Gallery, Kamaladevi Block

Speaker: Maj. Gen. (retd.) Vinod Saighal

Chair: Dr Kavita A. Sharma, Director, IIC