Decoding Bangladesh

Inaugural Remarks: Anindita Ghoshal, Professor of History at Diamond Harbour Women’s University, Kolkata

Moderator: Rajarshi Dasgupta, Assistant Professor, Centre for Political Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University

Discussants: Smruti Pattanaik, Research Fellow, MP-IDSA; Dr. Prabir De, Professor, Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS); Subhajyoti Ghosh, Senior Journalist and head, BBC Bangla

The discussion covers a long period in the prehistory and evolution of Bangladesh, from the 1947 partition of India to present times. Examining the country’s evolution through the lenses of political transitions, institutional change, democratic aspirations, economic reforms, governance challenges, and rising radicalism. Exploring how socio-economic realities continue to shape Bangladesh's political trajectory and regional geopolitics

(Collaboration: @Crossroads)
 

18TH GIRI DESHINGKAR MEMORIAL LECTURE
Was Nehru an Englishman?

Speaker: Professor Madhavan K. Palat, distinguished historian and former Professor at the Centre for Historical Studies, JNU

The speaker explores the debates surrounding Jawaharlal Nehru's cultural and political identity, examining how perceptions of him reflected wider geopolitical strategies in the postcolonial world. The lecture considers Nehru's response through his vision of nationalism, internationalism and cosmopolitanism, and how these shaped his idea of a free India.

This lecture series is a tribute to the work and contributions of Prof. Giri Deshingkar, an eminent social scientist, China scholar and one of the founders of the Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS), and former Director of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS)

(Collaboration: Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS); Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS)

IIC/MEDIA DIALOGUES
Easy to Launch, Difficult to Sustain? The Future of Independent Digital Media

Moderator: Shuma Raha, Journalist. Author

Discussants: Ritu Kapur, Co-founder & Managing Director, The Quint; Ashutosh, Co-founder, Satya Hindi; M.K. Venu, Founding Editor, The Wire; Rahul Kotiyal, Founder Editor, Baramasa.in

(Collaboration: The Media Foundation)

IIC MONSOON FESTIVAL OF MUSIC

Hindustani Vocal Recital 
By Siddharth Sahai from Delhi, disciple of Guru Sanjeev Jha
Accompanist: Roman Das (Pakhawaj)

Dhrupad Bandhu 
By Sanjeev Jha and Manish Kumar from Bihar, disciple of Gundecha Brothers.
Accompanists: Pandit Dalchand Sharma (Pakhawaj)

IIC MONSOON FESTIVAL OF DANCE: 20 & 21 AUGUST 2026

Odissi Recital
By Geetanjali Acharya from Gurugram, disciple of Late Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra & Guru Sujata Mohapatra

At 19:00

Bharatanatyam Recital
By Apeksha Kamath from Bangalore, disciple of Acharya Smt. Indira Kadambi  

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

The Immortal King: Yama
By Sudhamahi Regunathan (Bloomsbury, 2026)

Discussants: TBC

Vaccines: Emerging Viral Outbreaks

Speaker: Dr. Virander Singh Chauhan, distinguished scientist, Chancellor of GITAM Deemed to be University, Rhodes Scholar and recipient of the Padma Shri awardee (2012). He is known for his contributions to the development of a recombinant vaccine for malaria and for synthetic structural peptides with biological functions.

Moderator: Prof. (Dr.) Narendra Kumar Arora, distinguished Indian paediatrician and Executive Director, The INCLEN Trust International, New Delhi

The talk will explore the growing importance of preventive vaccines in addressing emerging viral threats such as Ebola, hantavirus and Nipah virus. It will examine the scientific and economic challenges of vaccine development, recent advances in vaccine technology, and issues of affordability, access, public trust and equitable distribution, highlighting the need for preparedness against future outbreaks.
 

The Journey to the Unknown
By Mohammad Naseem Khan, Delhi-based contemporary artist known for his evocative landscapes inspired by his travels through the mountains and coastlines of India. 
The exhibition presents a series of landscapes that evoke serenity through subtle shifts of tone, texture and light. Inspired by nature and the elemental forces of air, water and fire, the works invites viewers into expansive landscapes that are both timeless and deeply immersive.
The exhibition will be inaugurated on Tuesday, 18th August’26 at 18:00 hrs
The exhibition will remain open daily from 11:00 to 19:00 hrs
 

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

The Quiet that Remains: A poetic mapping of memory and emotion 
By Usha Mujoo Munshi (‎Vitasta, 2026)

Chair: K. N. Shrivastava, Director, IIC

Discussants: Dr Lakshmi Kannan, Poet, Novelist, Bilingual Writer; Mridula Garg, Writer & Poet; Sunit Tandon, President, Delhi Music Society; Amb Amarendra Khatua, Poet & Former Director, ICCR; Jayashree Misra Tripathi, Poet & Writer; Dr. Usha Mujoo Munshi, Author of the book

Readings by Prof. Sukrita Paul Kumar; Prof. Swati Pal; Prof. Nandini C Sen; Gauri Shankar Raina; Dr Payal Nagpal; Mandira Ghosh; Achla Bansal; Sangeeta Gupta
 

Building Resilient Relations: People as Stakeholders

Speaker: H.E. Riaz Hamidullah, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India

Moderator: Dr Ashok Behuria, Editor (Hony.), Journal of Peace Studies and Chairman (Hony.) Centre for Peace Studies

People are central to bilateral relations. Bound by centuries of shared history and culture, human connections give depth, resilience, and direction to enduring ties between nations.

(Collaboration: Centre for Peace Studies)