BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

What the Shadow Said
By K. Jayakumar (Alcove Publishers, 2026)

Discussants: Dr. Sukrita Paul Kumar, Guest Editor, Indian Literature, Poet, Academic & Critic; Jatin Das, Artist, Prof. Radha Chakravarty, Writer, Critic & Translator; K. Abhay, Hindi Poet; Gagan Gill, Writer and Poet; C P Surendran, Indian poet, novelist, journalist, columnist and screenplay writer; K Jayakumar, Former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, Former Chief Secretary of Kerala, and a renowned poet, lyricist

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP 

Ashes to Light: Stories of Hope Towards Gender Justice
By Priyadarshini Bhattacharya (Vintage Books, 2026)

Discussants: Prof Dev Nath Pathak, South Asian University ; Prof Pushpesh Pant,  Food Critic and Historian ; Dr. Saswati Bhattacharya, LSR, DU ; Dr. Savita Singh,  IGNOU ; Dr. Sukrita Paul Kumar , Poet and Translator ; Yauvanika Chopra, New India Foundation, Dr. Preeti Vajpeyi, Vinyaas Society; Kabir Vajpeyi, Vinyaas Society; Girija Borkar, Economist and Development Professional; Sushmit Ghosh, Filmmaker; Preeti Sudan, Former Union Health Secretary, Chairperson, UPSC; Kiran Bedi,  Former Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry; Dr. Raviraj Shetty, Therapist and Author, Narrative Practices India; Priyadarshini Bhattacharya, Joint Secretary, Panchayat and Rural Development Department & Author of the Book
 

1940s–1960s: The 13th Dalai Lama's ‘Declaration’ in Tsepon Shakabpa's Tibet: A Political History

Speaker: Dr. Scott Relyea, Associate Professor of East Asian History and Assistant Chair, Department of History, Appalachian State University

Chair: Prof. Kaveri Gill, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Centre of Excellence for Himalayan Studies, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence.

Discussant: Dr Swati Chawla, Associate Professor, Jindal School of Liberal Arts and Humanities, O.P Jindal Global University, Sonepat

In 1967, Tsepon W.D. Shakabpa published Tibet: A Political History, the first book to focus on the political history of Tibet, based on research begun in the early 1950s. This lecture examines the intellectual, political and geopolitical contexts—from India and the United States to the United Nations and Yale University—that shaped this decision and influenced the framing of Tibet's political history during the era of decolonisation.

(Collaboration: Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS)
 

MAHARASHTRA SANSKRITIK DIWAS 2026

Dr Prakash Baba Amte - The Real Hero
(2014;137 minutes; Marathi with English subtitles)
Director: Samruddhi Porey
With Nana Patekar, Sonali Kulkarni, Mohan Agashe

Introduction: Suhas Borker, Co-Convener, Maharashtra Sanskrtik ani Rannaniti Adhyayan Samiti

Young Prakash graduates with a Bachelor of Medicine degree. Instead of settling down to a comfortable city life along with his wife Manda they both move to a most backward area of Maharashtra. From government apathy to Naxal threats, from a US Visa refusal due to financial issues to returning his civilian honour, the Padmashri. The film is an incredible true story of hope, courage and compassion.

(Collaboration: Maharashtra Sanskritik ani Rannaniti Adhyayan Samiti)
 

Curandera: The Path from Tragedy to Truth
(2025; 37 minutes; English and Spanish with English Subtitles)
Director: Alexia Kraft de la Saulx

A powerful journey of healing, transformation and reconnection—following one woman’s extraordinary path from personal trauma to becoming a traditional Amazonian healer.

(Collaboration: Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness The Dalai Lama)
 

Kriya Yoga and Peace of Individual and Planet Earth
Speaker: Nayaswami Jyotish (John Novak) and Nayaswami Devi Novak, Spiritual Directors, Ananda Worldwide, Nevada, USA
A talk exploring the philosophy and practice of Kriya Yoga, its spiritual lineage, and its relevance for contemporary life. The speakers will reflect on the teachings of Mahavatar Babaji and Paramahansa Yogananda, whose Autobiography of a Yogi introduced generations across the world to India’s yogic traditions, and explore Kriya Yoga as a path to meditation and self-realisation. 
 

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP 
Rabindranath Tagore: The Myriad Minded Man.
By Krishna Dutta and Andrew Robinson (Rupa Publications, 2026)

Chair: Ashok Vajpeyi, hindi poet, critic and art lover

Discussants: Prof Irfan Habib, historian and former Abdul Kalam Azad Chair, National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration; Reba Som, writer, academic, historian; Ananya Vajpeyi, writer and academician.

Connected Histories, Shared Present: Cross-Cultural Experiences between Latin America, the Caribbean and India
Release of the book edited by Sonya Surabhi Gupta (New Delhi: Tulika Books, 2026)

The book will be released by Shri N.N. Vohra, Life Trustee, IIC

Followed by a discussion with Ambassador R. Viswanathan, Latin America expert and former Ambassador to Latin American countries; Prof. Sonya Surabhi Gupta, former Professor of Latin American Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia; and Prof. Carlos Frederico Pereira da Silva Gama, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Shiv Nadar Institute of Eminence

(Organised by IIC-International Research Division)
 

4TH KAPILA VATSYAYAN MEMORIAL LECTURE 2026
Speaker: T. M. Krishna, eminent Carnatic vocalist, writer, activist, author and Ramon Magsaysay awardee
Opening Remarks: Suhas Borker, Convener, Kapila Vatsyayan Memorial Committee and Editor Citizens First TV (CFTV)
Closing Remarks: Dr Aditya Malik, Member, Kapila Vatsyayan Memorial Committee and Founding Professor in Humanities and Social Sciences, Plaksha University
Chair: Prof Ashis Nandy, eminent political psychologist, social theorist, futurist and critic

(Collaboration: Kapila Vatsyayan Memorial Committee)

Phulkari: A Lingering Presence
By Sunaina Suneja

Phulkari, the vibrant embroidery tradition of Punjab, evokes nostalgic memories of color, music, dance and poetry. The exhibition traces the journey of reviving the thread-counted Phulkari embroidery and its iconic Pehchaan motif, celebrating Punjabi womanhood through a rich collection of vintage heirlooms alongside contemporary works.

The exhibition will be inaugurated on Wednesday 16 September at 11:30 hrs

A walkthrough by Sunaina Suneja will be conducted on Friday, September 18 & 25, Saturday, September 19 & 26 at 16:00 hrs. 
A session titled “We Are All Daughters” inviting participants to bring a treasured object associated with a mother, grandmother or another significant woman in their lives, and share the memories it holds will be on Wednesday, 23 September at 16:00 hrs.
The exhibition will remain open daily from 11:00 to 19:00 hrs