The Extraordinary Science of The Ordinary World: The Legacy of Pierre-Gilles De Gennes

Speaker: Gautam Menon, Ashoka University

Moderator: Rohini Rangachari Karnik, Professor, Alliance Française de Delhi

The French Nobel prize winner in physics of 1991, Pierre-Gilles de Gennes (1932–2007), presided over the creation of a new interdisciplinary science, that of “soft matter”, studying materials as diverse as shaving foam, ink, sand, plastics and soap. But he also thought about education more broadly, emphasising that science is deeply human, intuitive, and driven by curiosity. He is not widely known to the public, a gap that will be addressed in the session. 
 

Emergent Quantum Matter: New Paths to Future Technology

Speaker:  Prof. Jainendra Jain, Founding Director, Lodha Theoretical Physics Institute, Mumbai; Evan Pugh University Professor & Eberly Chair in Physics & Director, Centre for Theory of Emergent Quantum Matter, The Pennsylvania State University

Chair: Dr. Shailesh Nayak, Director, National Institute of Advanced Studies

When electrons are confined to two dimensions and exposed to a strong magnetic field, they pull us into an astonishing new world that defies our everyday intuition. Electrons capture quanta of magnetic field to transform into exotic particles known as composite fermions, which serve as the fundamental building blocks of an unexpected and remarkably rich quantum landscape. The talk will begin with the story and the motivations that led the speaker to the concept of composite fermions, describe the new structures they revealed, and touch on ideas for how emergent particles can pave the way to new technology.

9TH NELSON MANDELA LECTURE

Reconciliation and Art

Speaker: Ashok Vajpeyi, noted poet, writer, critic and cultural activist

Introduction by Programme Director, South African High Commission

Opening remarks: Suhas Borker, Convener, Working Group on Alternative Strategies

Closing remarks: H.E. Prof. Anil Sooklal, High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa

The Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture was instituted at IIC in 2018 to mark the Centenary of Madiba

(Collaboration: South African High Commission and Working Group on Alternative Strategies)

TO MARK MANDELA INTERNATIONAL DAY 2026

Commemoration of Nelson Mandela’s 108th Birthday
Songs by School Choirs from Delhi NCR
At C.D. Deshmukh Auditorium: 11:15 to 12:15 Mandela Katha Mala

“Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. And overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life. While poverty persists, there is no true freedom” - Nelson Mandela, from ‘Make Poverty History’ speech in London's Trafalgar Square for the campaign to end poverty in the developing world, 3 February 2005.
Message from the UN Secretary General António Guterres to be read by Mr. Darrin Farrant, Director, United Nations Information Centre for India and Bhutan

Speakers: H.E. Prof. Anil Sooklal, High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa; and Suhas Borker, Convener, Working Group on Alternative Strategies

Interactive session with students of schools from Delhi NCR
A group of school students in Durban, South Africa shall join online for the interactive session.
Foyer outside the Auditorium: Madiba and His Struggle: An exhibition of paintings by students of Bluebells School International
Organized as part of Taking Gandhi to Children series that brings children closer to the enduring legacy of Gandhi’s non-violent struggle for equity, justice, pluralism and sustainable development

(Collaboration: Gandhi Yuva Baradari; United Nations Information Centre; and Working Group on Alternative Strategies)

ART MATTERS  CX

an evening on the Urdu Poet Asghar Gondvi entitled
Sab Tarz-e-Nazar Hai

Sushma Bhatnagar, Anisur Rahman,
Mehr e Alam and G S Khwaja
would be discussing the various aspects of the vision,
poetry and contribution of a major poet
who passed away 90 years ago

(Collaboration: Raza Foundation)
 

Clean Air Dialogues

Blue-Green Infrastructure – Comprehensive Landscape Planning for Clean Air and Urban Resilience

Moderator: Nidhi Madan, Director, Cities and Urban Landscape, Raahgiri Foundation

Discussants: Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Secretary, Environment/Urban Development, Chairman, DPCC, Govt of NCT of Delhi; Dr. SD Attri, Member (Technical), Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM); Neelima Soni, Director, Department of Landscape and Environmental Planning, Delhi Development Authority (DDA); Prashant Rajagopal, Deputy Inspector General Forests (MOEFCC); Subhash Yadav, Chief Conservator of Forests, Gurugram, Shyam Sundar Kandpal, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Delhi Forest Department.

The role of street plantation, urban greens, parks and open spaces is critical to not only mitigate pollution dust and emission impacts, but also for performance benefits- enhanced mental and physical well-being, biodiversity and shade, localized cooling and water management. This session will explore how to deploy a comprehensive landscape approach to street and public space design- prioritizing nature-based solutions and plantations that actively intercept particulate matter and suppress dust.

This is the third discussion in a series of dialogues exploring the multifaceted challenges of pollution, bringing together perspectives from science, policy, health, and civil society.

(Collaboration: Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), Raahgiri Foundation)
 

DIALOGUES IN HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Conceptualised by Dr. Ashwani Kumar

Talk & Workshop from 10:00 to 13:00
Short Talk: Thyroid Gland: Function and Dysfunction

Followed by workshop on Goitre Detection; Screening for Thyroid nodules; Clinical Assessment of Thyroid Function based on Questionnaire and Physical Examination

(Strictly for IIC members and staff members only)

At 16:00
Short Talk on Know Your Thyroid: Separating Facts from Fiction
An interactive Public Health Awareness Programme on Thyroid Health

Speaker: Dr. S.V. Madhu, Director Professor, Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, UCMS & GTB Hospital, Delhi

Thyroid disorders are becoming very common and are being recognized across the life span- childhood, adolescence, pregnancy, adults and the elderly. Thyroid function tests are frequently being advised when we visit our doctors. This public lecture will try to bust some of these myths and provide clarity on different facets of thyroid disorders that will help us live better and healthier.

Followed by a panel discussion on ‘Living with Thyroid Disorders’

Moderator:  Dr. S.V. Madhu, Director Professor, Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, UCMS & GTB Hospital, Delhi

Panelists: Dr. Vandana Jain, Prof. of Pediatric Endocrinology Division; Department of Pediatrics A.I.I.M.S., New Delhi; Dr. Rajesh Khadgawat, Prof. of Endocrinolgy & Metabolism, A.I.I.M.S., New Delhi.
                      
Followed by interactive Q & A session with the audience

Chair: Dr. Ashwani Kumar
 

DURGABAI DESHMUKH MEMORIAL LECTURE 2026

A New Consciousness for a Fractured Time - Charting a Path of Genuine Transformation
By Prof. Mihir Shah, Distinguished Professor and Chair, Rural Management Program, Shiv Nadar University

India’s development journey continues to grapple with fundamental challenges of water, nutrition, health, education and employment. Using water as a lens, Prof. Mihir Shah argues for a shift away from the “magic bullet” solutions of the twentieth century towards a more inclusive, trans-disciplinary approach rooted in dialogue, diversity, ecological wisdom and collective action.

(Collaboration: Council of Social Development)
 

Human Relation with House Bird
A solo exhibition by Rahul Gupta, Delhi-based visual artist, his artistic practice engages with themes of environmental change, memory, and human–nature relationships.

Curated & Supported by Kaarigari Foundation

This exhibition reflects on the gradual disappearance of the house sparrow from contemporary urban life, using the bird as a symbol of memory, coexistence, and humanity’s changing relationship with nature. The works explore themes of environmental loss, nostalgia, and the fragile balance between urban development and ecological harmony.

The exhibition will be inaugurated on Tuesday, 14 July’26 at 17:30 hrs by Ashwani Kumar Prithviwasi, Founder & Director, Delhi College of Art and Guest of Honour: Johny ML, Curator and Art Critic

The exhibition will remain open daily from 11:00 to 19:00 hrs
 

Solo Piano Recital 

By Vikram Rajan a Vienna-based concert pianist, trained at the University at Buffalo (New York), Mannes College of Music (New York City), and the University of Music and Performing Arts (Vienna). Rajan has performed extensively across renowned venues such as the Vienna Musikverein and Bösendorfer Hall.

(Collaboration: Delhi Music Society)