Paper presentations by the Sectoral Policy Group (SPG) on Social Affairs

The papers examine the entire gamut of issues concerning hate speech in India: the legal and constitutional framework and context; misrepresentation of the past; use of divisive narratives for ‘othering’ of religious minorities (primarily Muslims and Christians), Dalits, Adivasis and communities from Northeast India; role of police, civil administration and media; the way forward to curb hate speech.

Opening remarks: Suhas Borker, Convener, SPG-Social Affairs

Papers presented by Justice (Retd) Madan B. Lokur; Prof. S. Irfan Habib; Dr Meeran C. Borwankar; Prof. Apoorvanand; Shri S. N Sahu; Shri Jafar Alam; Prof. Y. S. Alone and Dr Mercy Vungthianmuang.

The paper of Prof Jagdeep S. Chhokar shall be presented posthumously.

Chair: Justice Dr. S. Muralidhar, former Chief Justice, Orissa High Court

(Organised by the IIC’s Sectoral Policy Group on Social Affairs)

Curated by Uma Nair, Independent Curator, art critic and author

A rare confluence of three Indian modern masters, an ensemble of twelve sculptures explores the human form, lived experience, and everyday rituals.

Himmat Shah’s evocative heads, Krishen Khanna’s Bandwallahs, and Vaikuntam’s Dravidian bronzes together reveal lived experience, human form, and time’s imprint.

Inauguration of the exhibition on 11 December at 17:30

Duration : (83 min;2025; English with English subtitles)

Directed by Joy Ma and Lulu Men

The documentary delves into the complexities and often upheaval of immigration through the lens of a small community in the U.S. and Canada. This community shares a profound bond: they are survivors of the Deoli Internment Camp in Rajasthan, where they were imprisoned for up to five years following the brief Sino-Indian War in 1962. Their experience highlights the vulnerabilities of displaced communities caught in the crossfire of geopolitical conflict.

Aainakhana

Translated by Gauri Shankar Raina

Discussants: Dr. Nirmal Kanti Bhattacharjee, Editorial Director, Niyogi Books and former Director, National Book Trust, India; Dr. Roop Krishen Bhat, Eminent Short Story writer, Linguist, former Professor, CIL and former Director, ADULT Education, Ministry of HRD; Dr. Gaurishankar Raina, Eminent writer and translator, former Advisory Board Member, Sahitya Akademi

Moderator: Prof. Rumki Basu, Head, entre for Public Policy & Governance, Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi, and Eminent Poet & Author

Odissi Recital

By Prapti Gupta from Ghaziabad, disciple of Guru Aruna Mohanty & Guru Alpana Nayak

At 18.30

Bharatanatyam Recital

By Sowmya Laxmi Narayanan from Delhi, disciple of Guru Geeta Chandran

Sitar Recital

By Saptarshi Hazra from Kolkata, disciple of Pt. Netai Basu, Pt. Buddhadev Dasgupta and Pratyush Banerjee.

Accompanist: Pt. Ashis Sengupta

At 18.30

Hindustani Vocal Recital

By Priyanka Mitra from Kolkata, disciple of Pt. Ajoy Chakraborty, Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar & Guru Anjan Majumdar

The Nalanda Literature Festival is a unique celebration of India’s cultural and literary heritage, with a special focus on Bihar and north eastern states’ rich linguistic traditions — Angika, Bhojpuri, Bajjika, Magahi, Maithili, Surjapuri, Bodo, Mizo, Assammese and many more. 

Through thought-provoking sessions, heritage, creative exchanges, the Festival seeks to revive and promote our regional languages, inspire younger generations, and position Bihar and north eastern states’ literary culture on the national and global stage.

(Collaboration: Dhanu Bihar Trust)

Bharata before the British and other essays: Towards a new Indology

By Shonaleeka Kaul (Vitasta, 2024)

Introductory Remarks: K.N. Shrivastava, Director, IIC

Discussants: Prof. Meenakshi Jain, Hon’ble. Member of Rajya Sabha, Author, Historian; Prof. M. Jagadesh Kumar, Former Chairman, University Grants Commission, Professor (formerly Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi), educationist and columnist; Prof. Shonaleeka Kaul, Professor of History, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Former Malathy Singh Distinguished Lecturer, Yale University; Jan Gonda Fellow, Leiden University; Visiting Professor, Heidelberg University. Sanskritist and author of the book.

The talk explores how institutions of higher education in Asia, the US, and Europe have shaped the development of Asian Studies and enabled cross-cultural understanding during periods of geopolitical tension. Highlighting influential centres such as the Royal Asiatic Society, EFEO, and the Harvard-Yenching Institute. The session will also consider current challenges, including shrinking international funding and how the future of Asian Studies can be re-imagined.

By Prof. James Robson is the James C. Kralik and Yunli Lou Professor of East Asian Languages and Civilizations at Harvard University and Director of the Harvard-Yenching Institute, he has conducted extensive research across China, Taiwan, and Japan, and is the award-winning author of The Power of Place.

Chair: Sabaree Mitra, Professor Centre for Chinese and South East Asian Studies, JNU, Honorary Fellow, Institute of Chinese Studies, Delhi.

(Collaboration: Institute of Chinese Studies)

Talk and Workshop from 10:00 to 13:00

Hands to Restart Heart to Save Lives by Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) techniques.

The talk will be about CPR, the lifesaving technique that may be required in many medical emergencies such as heart attacks. This technique helps to revive persons whose heartbeat or breathing may have stopped. This session will help participants to recognize and respond to cardiac arrest and give high quality CPR. In addition, participants will also learn how to use Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), which are medical devices used to restore normal heart rhythm.

By Prof Rakesh Garg, A.I.I.M.S, New Delhi

Followed by Demonstration of Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) techniques. Organized by Dr. Ambuj Roy, Professor of Cardiology & Head, Skill, e-Learning & Telemedicine Facility, A.I.I.M.S., New Delhi. Conducted by Prof. Rakesh Garg, A.I.I.M.S., New Delhi, & associates.

(Strictly for IIC members & staff members only)

At 16:00

A short talk on Freedom from Arthritis, Move Freely Again: The Gift of Joint Replacement

By Dr Vijay Kumar, Professor of Orthopaedics A.I.I.M.S., New Delhi

Joint replacement surgery is a transformative procedure that significantly reduces chronic joint pain and restores mobility for individuals with severe arthritis or joint damage. It offers a renewed chance to move freely and embrace an active, fulfilling lifestyle.

Followed by Panel Discussion on

Restoring Mobility with Conservative Treatments/Joint Replacement

Panelists: Dr Vijay Kumar, Professor of Orthopaedics A.I.I.M.S., New Delhi; Dr. Sanjay Wadhwa, Prof. & Head, Dept. of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, A.I.I.M.S., New Delhi; Dr. Danveer Bhadu. Addl. Prof., Dept. of Rheumatology, A.I.I.M.S., New Delhi

Chair: Dr Ashwani Kumar

Followed by interactive Q & A session with the audience