Dalit Journeys for Dignity: Religion, Freedom, and Caste

Edited by Ramnarayan S Rawat; K Satyanarayana ; P Sanal Mohan

(State University of New York Press, 2025)

Discussants:  Prof. Madhulika Sonkar, Assistant Professor, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi; Dr. Harish Wankhede, Assistant Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University; Dr. Charu Gupta, Professor, University of Delhi; Dr. K. Satyanarayana, Professor, English and Foreign Language University, Hyderabad & Editor of the book and Prof. Ramnarayan S Rawat, Associate Professor, University of Delaware, US & Editor of the book

Moderator Dr. Surinder Jodhka, Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University

The talk will focus on the 12-day Israel-Iran war that began on June 13 with an Israeli strike and escalated when the U.S. joined on Day 9. With President Trump claiming to have destroyed Iran’s nuclear program—a claim still disputed—a U.S.-brokered ceasefire followed. The discussion will explore why Israel initiated the war, whether the ceasefire will hold, and the broader implications for regional stability, global geopolitics, and India.

Speakers: Ambassador K P Fabian, Distinguished Fellow, Symbiosis University; and Wing Commander Praful Bakshi, well-known expert in geopolitics.

Dance Choreography by Dr Uma Sharma, a renowned Kathak exponent and Padma Bhushan awardee.

Accompanists: Gayan: Madho Prasad, Flute: Vinay Prasanna, Sitar: Khalid Mustafa, Padhant: Yograj Panwar and Compere: Sadhna Shrivastav

(Collaboration: Uma Sharma School of Dance and Music – Bharatiya Sangeet Sadan)

The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) faces urgent threats from climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Regional cooperation, led by India’s soft diplomacy and ICIMOD’s apolitical role, is crucial to secure a resilient, greener, and safer future.

Speaker: Dr. Pema Gyamtsho, Director General of ICIMOD, former Minister of Agriculture and Forests (2008–2013), and former Member of Parliament, Royal Government of Bhutan

Chair: Dr. Shailesh Nayak, Director, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian scientist and Life Trustee, IIC

A talk on the colonial plunder of India’s sacred artefacts and their continued captivity in British museums. Drawing on visits to institutions like the British Museum, V&A, and Pitt Rivers, Bhatia uncovers how empire institutionalised theft as preservation, turning gods into trophies. With vivid case studies — from the Amaravati sculptures to Tipu Sultan’s throne and the Chola bronzes — he explores the moral, legal, and emotional urgency of restitution. Moving beyond critique, Bhatia envisions a “Museum of Returned Memory” in India and calls for ethical partnerships, transparency, and healing. This talk challenges historical denial with clarity, dignity, and hope.

Speaker: Shyam Bhatia, foreign correspondent and author whose work spans conflict zones, diplomacy, and colonial legacies. His latest research focuses on colonial-era looting and the afterlife of empire in British museums.

Chair: Dr. BR Mani, Former Director General, National Museum

(55 minutes)

Director: Alexander Kronemer

Nominated for an Emmy Award in Outstanding Lighting Director and Scenic Design by the 39^th Annual News and Documentary Emmy Awards.

It is a powerful historical docudrama set during the Crusades. It tells the remarkable true story of Saint Francis of Assisi, who bravely crossed enemy lines to meet Sultan Muhammad Al-Kamil of Egypt. Their courageous encounter fostered mutual respect and planted the seeds of peace between Muslims and Christians in a time of brutal conflict. 

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

A talk by Guest of Honour Brigadier Ashok Abbey (retd), India’s best known Himalayan mountaineer

Followed by a short Film directed by Dr. Shankar Barua, a distinguished scholar-practitioner, filmmaker, entrepreneur, and start-up mentor

Winner of Best Animated short film in the Makizmithran Film Festival and Indian Independent Film festival.

Followed by a musical evening

Celebrating the Rains

By Minu Bakshi, a renowned Indian poet, classical singer, academic, and cultural ambassador whose distinguished career spans over four decades.

(Collaboration: The Mountain Climate Trust)

Theatrical Dance performance by Jyotsna Shourie Dance Centre. It uses select couplets from the Krishna Chalisa wherein Bharatanatyam merges with evocative Carnatic music and expressive storytelling. It showcases the different lilas of the playful child. The mentor and the protector who appears whenever hearts call for him in the complete surrender.

Accompanists: Vocalists Kalaimamani Sri O.S. Arun and Sudha Raghuraman (recorded music)

Dissent with Love: Ambiguity, Affect and Transformation in South Asia

Edited by Parul Bhandari (Routledge, 2024)

Discussants: Prof. Janaki Abraham Associate Professor, Delhi School of Economics; Prof. Himadri Roy, Professor, Indira Gandhi National Open University; Dr. Paro Mishra, Assistant Professor, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Delhi; and Dr. Parul Bhandari, Director of Studies, Human, Social and Political Sciences, St. Edmund's College, University of Cambridge and Author of the book

Chair: Prof. Patricia Uberoi, Emeritus Fellow at the Institute of Chinese Studies

Tianxia System in the New Era and Limits to China–Pakistan All-Weather Relations

Speakers: Dr. Jabin Jacob, Associate Professor, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Delhi NCR; Dr. Atul Bhardwaj, Visiting Research Fellow, School of Policy and Global Affairs, City St George’s, University of London; Fellow (2022–2024), Prime Minister Museum and Library, New Delhi, and an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Pune; and Prof. Sriparna Pathak, Professor of China Studies and Founding Director, Centre for Northeast Asian Studies, O.P. Jindal Global University, NCR

Moderator: Dr. Rajiv Ranjan, Associate Professor, Department of East Asian Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Delhi

A panel discussion on the evolving contours of China’s strategic worldview through the ancient yet resurgent concept of Tianxia — “All under Heaven.” The idea, deeply embedded in Chinese philosophical and political thought, is being reimagined by the Chinese leadership to structure global hierarchies in the 21st century.