Banaras

A journey into the Heart of the City (Penguin Random House India: 2024)

A discussion with Prof. Purushottam Aggarwal; Ms Vasanthi Raman; and Shri Vertul Singh

Moderator: Ms Milee Aishwarya

(Collaboration: The Raza Foundation)

Traditional Folk Songs from Bihar/Uttar Pradesh
Kajri and other Bhojpuri folk songs presented by Dr. Revati Sakalkar from Varanasi

Kajri is a folk song and dance presented by women from Uttar Pradesh and the adjacent regions during the rainy season. A Hindustani classical form, the lyrics of the songs often describe the longing of the maiden for her lover as the black monsoon cloud arrives in the summer skies

(Collaboration: NCZCC, Prayagraj, Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India)
 

Conceptualised by Dr. Ashwani Kumar

Alzheimer’s Disease
Workshop and talk

From 10:00 to 13:00
Workshop on Recognizing and Responding to Common Acute Neurological Disorders 
The Workshop will include a discussion on how to improve mental health

Open to IIC members and staff members of IIC

At 16:00
Alzheimer’s Disease: Current Status and Management
Lead presentation by Dr. Achal Kumar Srivastava, MD, DM (Neurology), FRCP, Professor, Dept. of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi

Discussant: Dr. Rajesh Sagar, Professor of Psychiatry, AIIMS 

Chair: Dr. Ashwani Kumar

Neurological disorders do set in with advancing age in certain people. Alzheimer’s disease being one such disorder, is a degenerative brain disorder that gradually worsens over time. It is the most common cause of dementia, of about 55 million people worldwide with dementia, 60% to 70% are estimated to have Alzheimer’s disease. It is associated with a gradual decline in memory, thinking, behaviour and social skills affecting a person’s ability to function. Medicines may improve or slow the progression of symptoms but do not cure the disease. How to diagnose, delay the onset of such conditions and the proper management will be included in the presentation
 

Ruchika Theatre’s production of Maxim Gorky’s classic play
Directed by Feisal Alkazi

First premiered in 1902 under the direction of Konstantin Stanislavski, and where he developed ‘Method Acting’, the play is a hallmark of Russian social realism. The play depicts a group of impoverished Russians living in a shelter near the Volga. Considered a theatre classic, new productions of the play in every conceivable language of the world are performed regularly.
 

Speakers: Shri Urmilesh, former Executive Editor, Rajya Sabha TV; Ms Arfa Khanum Sherwani, Senior Editor, The Wire; Shri Nikhil Pahwa, Editor, MediaNama

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

This conversation marks the 34th anniversary of the presidential assent to Prasar Bharati Act 1990 and the 31st discussion in the annual series

(Collaboration: Jan Prasar)
 

Rising Phenomenon of Urban Flooding: Causes, Consequences and Sustainable Solutions

Speakers: Manu Bhatnagar, Principal Director, INTACH; Shyamal Sarkar, IAS (retd.), Distinguished Fellow and Director, Water Resources Division, The Energy Resource Institute (TERI); and Shri Jaideep Chatterjee, Dean, Jindal School of Art and Architecture, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat

Flooding in urban areas is a growing concern worldwide as it is causing significant damage to human lives, the environment and economy. The damage is more evident in India because of the growing density of population in urban areas, including in the Tier – 1, 2, 3 and 4 cities. The discussion will discuss the possible solutions and strategies to mitigate and manage urban flooding with policy –level changes; green infrastructure; flood-resistant construction; planned well-maintained drainage system; and community involvement and alertness.  

(Collaboration: Toxics Link)
 

By Maestro Izumi Tateno

The artist will present a concert programme of works by Bach/Brahms; Scriabin; Nordgren; Koichiro Mitsunaga; and Takashi Yoshimatsu

(Collaboration: Embassy of Japan; and Delhi Music Society)
 

Ukraine, Gaza, Taiwan…A World at War
By Ajay Singh (Pentagon Press: 2024)

Discussants: Lt. Gen. Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd.), PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM and former General Officer Commanding, 15 Corps (Srinagar) & Military Secretary; Amb. Anil Trigunayat, Distinguished Fellow, Vivekananda International Foundation and former Ambassador to Jordan, Libya and Malta; Ms Joyeeta Basu, Editor, The Sunday Guardian; and Col. (retd.) Ajay Singh, former Indian Army Officer and author of the book

Illustrated lecture by Ahtushi Deshpande, photographer and author of the recently published book Speaking Stones: Rock Art of Ladakh

Chair: Dr. Arshiya Sethi, dance scholar and author

Ahtushi Deshpande will present a journey through Ladakh’s hidden petroglyph galleries. These ancient imprints, scattered across Ladakh’s sprawling and often remote open-air galleries, offer tangible evidence of a history that predates recorded accounts. She will also draw comparisons with rock carvings from other regions, such as Utah and Arizona, to highlight the similarities and share intriguing stories. 
 

Outhouse (97 min; Hindi with English subtitles)
Director: Sunil Sukthankar
Produced by Dr. Mohan Agashe who will introduce the film

With Sharmila Tagore, Dr. Mohan Agashe, Jihan Hodar

Screening will be followed by a discussion with Hema Devare and Suhas Borker, co-conveners of the Maharashtra Sanskritik Divas

Nana, a retired single adamant old man, has no idea that an unwelcomed guest on his four - a puppy is going to change the course of his life. Aadima, a senior graphic designer artist, doesn’t have the faintest inkling that the same puppy is going to force her to go on adventures she otherwise wouldn’t. And Neel, her grandson has no clue that he is going to help Nana and Aadima understand the needs of elderly singles.

(Collaboration: Maharashtra Sanskritik ani Rannaniti Adhyayan Samiti)