With climate change aggravating and leading to adverse impacts on social and economic sectors. India urgently requires investment in climate adaptation. The discussion identifies the challenges faced in implementing adaptation actions by states, the current sources of climate finance, particularly adaptation finance, the instruments and methods of current financing, and suggests possible ways of scaling adaptation finance for states.

Paper presented by: RR Rashmi, Distinguished Fellow, TERI; and Dhriti Pathak, Climate Change Researcher and Analyst.

Discussant: Ravi Shankar Prasad, Distinguished Fellow CEEW, Former Additional Secretary MOEF& CC

Moderator: C.K. Mishra, Former Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India

(Organised by the IIC’s Sectoral Policy Planning Group on Environment under the Convenorship of C.K. Mishra)

The Dark Hours of the Night

By Salma; translated by G J V Prasad (Simon and Schuster, 2025)

Discussants: Professor B Mangalam, English professor at Aryabhatta College, University of Delhi; Prof. Swati Pal, Principal, Janki Devi Memorial College (JDMC), University of Delhi; Prof. Nishat Haider, Professor of English, Jamia Millia Islamia ; Ms. Salma, Author of the Book, Member of Parliament ; Prof G J V Prasad, Translator of the Book

Moderator: Prof. Malashri Lal, Convenor, English Advisory Board, Sahitya Academy and poet

An evening dedicated to the revered Kathak Maestro, Guru Munna Shukla. Ahaetuki, a Sanskrit term meaning “that which is without cause,” is a tribute to the Guru–Shishya parampara. 

Through the film The Kettle and the Cup and the Kathak Baithak that follows, the evening celebrates not merely an art form, but the devotion, discipline, and humility at its heart. Through the film The Kettle and the Cup and the Kathak Baithak that follows, it is a celebration not merely an art form, but the spirit of devotion, discipline, and humility that lies at its heart.

At 18:00

Screening of The Kettle and the Cup

(40 mins;2025; Hindi)

Director & Producer: Ruchi Saini

The documentary is created in the loving memory of the revered Kathak Maestro, Guru Late Munna Shukla Ji of the Kalka-Bindadin Gharana. The film honours the sacred bond between Guru & Shishya, offering a rare glimpse into the Maukhik Vidya.

At 18:45

Kathak Baithak

The Baithak will feature Aranya – The Forest Within, a Kathak offering by Ruchi Saini and her students. Aranya journeys into the quiet, breathing spaces where nature and Kathak meet

By Pelva Naik

Dhrupad, the oldest Indian Classical Music genre, was a preserve of male musicians, until Asghari Bai stormed the bastion. In 2015, aged only 29years, Pelva Naik gave a brilliant performance at the prestigious Darbar festival in London. 

She has been privileged to learn Dagarvani from Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar at his Gurukul in Bombay, in the traditional guru shishya parampara. Pelva has performed at major festivals in India and in France, Italy, Spain.

Beyond the Ballot - Paradoxes of Democracy

By T. S. Krishna Murthy (White Falcon Publishing, 2025)

Discussants: Justice M. N. Venkatachaliah, former Chief Justice of India; Shri Prabhat Kumar, former Cabinet Secretary and Governor of Jharkhand; Prof Asha Sarangi, Professor, Centre for Political Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University; Justice Madan Lokur, former Judge of the Supreme Court of India; Shri T. S. Krishna Murthy, former Chief Election Commissioner of India & Author of the book

Moderator: Suhas Borker, Editor Citizens First TV (CFTV)

Presentation of Awards to young crafts persons

Chief Guest: Ms. Meenakshi Gopinath, Educationist, Political Scientist and Life Trustee, IIC

Awards will be presented to Amit Kumbhakar from West Bengal practising the craft of Terracotta, Padma Sisa from Odisha for Weaving of Kisalo Adivasi Cloth, Bhavya Soni from Rajasthan practising the craft of Meenakari, Soumya Ranjan Bariki from Odisha practising the craft of Pattachitra Painting, Rajni Kaur from Punjab for Weaving of Desi Cotton, Dildar Qureshi from Rajasthan practising the craft of Miniature Painting

(Collaboration: Delhi Crafts Council)

From Kingmaker to Bystander: Is the Media Still a Force in Indian Elections?

Panelists: Rajdeep Sardesai, Television Anchor; Pawan Khera, Congress Leader; Poornima Joshi, Resident Editor, Hindu Business Line, Delhi; Satish K Jha, Professor of Political Science, Delhi University; Jitendra Kumar. Independent Journalist

Moderator: Bharat Bhushan, Journalist and Editor

(Collaboration: The Media Foundation)

New Watercolours and Drawings

By Golak Khandual

This exhibition brings together intimate portraits of real and imagined people—friends, family, workers, and characters shaped by the artist’s encounters. Drawing from life and memory, the works explore shifting identities and the masks we wear, revealing how reality and imagination continually blur.

Golak Khandual is an architect and artist whose three-decade practice blends drawing, ecology, and community-focused architecture. His work includes landmark projects like Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park and Kishanbagh Sand Dunes, alongside numerous solo exhibitions across India.

Inauguration of the exhibition 4 December at 18:30

The Exhibition will be on view from 11:00 to 17:00 hrs

Ink Over Algorithms: Why the Soul of Storytelling Transcends AI

POSTPONED

by Manjima Misra (New Delhi: Highbrow Scribes Publications, 2025)

Discussants: Prof. Subhashis Banerjee, Head of the Department and Professor of Computer Science, Ashoka University; Prasanto Kumar Roy, Senior Advisor and Former Managing Director, FTI Consulting; Neha Dixit, Award-winning Journalist; Namrita Mahindro, Global AI and Digital Transformation Leader; Ayush Garg, Founder, Delhi School of Artificial Intelligence

Moderator: Manjima Misra, Author of the book

A Festival of Women's Voices in Gurbani Sangeet

“Kudrat de Sab Bande”

The fifth edition of Kirtaniye celebrates the oneness of all creation as envisioned by Guru Nanak Dev Ji- a reflection on nature, equality, and divine harmony in times of ecological imbalance.

Featuring performances by girls from Baru Sahib School, Himachal Pradesh; Gurleen Kaur (Uttarakhand); Avanti Patel (Mumbai); and Nivedita Singh (Patiala)

(Collaboration: Enable India Foundation)