Delhi–Nalanda Dialogue 2026

Under the aegis of the Nalanda Literature Festival 2026–27 (www.littfest.in)

Chief Guest: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Minister of Culture, GoI

Special Invitees: Kapil Mishra, Hon’ble Minister, Art, Culture & Language Department, Govt. of NCT of Delhi; Padma Vibhushan Dr. Sonal Mansingh; Purushottam Agrawal, Amitabh Kant; Chanchal Kumar; K. N. Shrivastava; Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi; William Darymple; Mugdha Sinha; Mahesh K.

The discussion will draw from the vision of the Nalanda Literature Festival 2026–27, highlighting the linguistic richness of undivided Bihar and the north-eastern states. It will examine how platforms such as the festival can revive languages like Angika, Bhojpuri, Maithili, Bodo, Mizo, and Assamese, encourage literary engagement among younger generations, and bring regional cultural narratives into national and global conversations

(Collaboration: Deptt.of Art, Culture & Language, Govt of NCT of Delhi; Dhanu Bihar)
 

Delhi–Nalanda Dialogue 2026

Under the aegis of the Nalanda Literature Festival 2026–27 (www.littfest.in)

Chief Guest: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Minister of Culture, GoI

Special Invitees: Kapil Mishra, Hon’ble Minister, Art, Culture & Language Department, Govt. of NCT of Delhi; Padma Vibhushan Dr. Sonal Mansingh; Purushottam Agrawal, Amitabh Kant; Chanchal Kumar; K. N. Shrivastava; Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi; William Darymple; Mugdha Sinha; Mahesh K.
 

The discussion will draw from the vision of the Nalanda Literature Festival 2026–27, highlighting the linguistic richness of undivided Bihar and the north-eastern states. It will examine how platforms such as the festival can revive languages like Angika, Bhojpuri, Maithili, Bodo, Mizo, and Assamese, encourage literary engagement among younger generations, and bring regional cultural narratives into national and global conversations

(Collaboration: Deptt.of Art, Culture & Language, Govt of NCT of Delhi; Dhanu Bihar)

 

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

General Brasstacks: The Sundarji Story
by Probal DasGupta (Penguin Viking, 2025)

Moderator: Barkha Dutt, Journalist and Founder-Editor, Mojo Story
 

Discussants: Amb. T C A Raghavan, Former High Commissioner to Pakistan; Lt. Gen Rakesh Sharma, Distinguished Fellow at VIF; Probal DasGupta, Author of the book

 

IIC DOUBLE BILL: DANCE RECITALS

Kathak Recital

By Rupa Rani Das Borah from Delhi, disciple of Guru Late Surendra Saikia 
Accompanists:  Madho Prasad (Vocal); Rajeev Shukla (Tabla) & Ghanshyam Shisodiya (Sarangi)

At 19:00

Odissi Recital

By Priyanka Jena from Cuttack, disciple of Guru Meera Das  
 

ART MATTERS
A panel discussion on a book The Idea of Persia by Ramin Jahanbegloo

Discussants: Professor Neera Chandhoke and Professor Syed Irfan Habib along with the author.

(Collaboration: Raza Foundation)
 

India and the Kurdish People: Re-Starting a Civilizational Dialogue

Chair: K.N Shrivastava, Director, IIC

Moderator: Kallol Bhattacherjee, Journalist at The Hindu

Discussants: Miloon Kothari, Visiting Professor, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva; Arif Rhein, Kurdistan National Congress (KNK)

The cultures of India and West Asia are deeply interwoven. The millennia-old values and customs of the 60 million Kurds in Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria resemble those of the Indian subcontinent in many ways. How can this historical bond be transformed into practical relations today? What opportunities for cultural exchange exist?
 

In Memory of Ustad Nasir Zahiruddin Dagar
A tribute by students of Ustad F. Wasifuddin Dagar. Shri Santosh Kumar; Shri Pramathesh Ambasta; Shri Aravindan Srinivasan; Smt Sucheta Roy; Sushri Aparajita Chakraborty
Followed by a vocal concert at 19:30 by Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar with Pandit Mohan Shyam Sharma on the pakhawaj
(Collaboration: Dagar Brothers Memorial Trust)

DIALOGUES IN HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Conceptualised by Dr. Ashwani Kumar

Assessment of effect of Noise Pollution on Human Health

Workshop from 10:00 to 13:00
Screening for any effect of noise pollution: any relevant history of the past, physical examination in symptomatic cases, checking of the health parameters affected by noise pollution like blood pressure (BP) and pulse, auditory (hearing) screening in selected cases of concern, on spot counselling will also be provided.  

(Strictly for IIC members and staff members only)

At 16:00
Short Talk on Noise Pollution and its effects on Human Health

Noise pollution is a preventable environmental issue and defined as excessive, unwanted, or harmful sound that has significant adverse effects on human health. It has impact on hearing, increasing risks for cardiovascular diseases, sleep disturbances, and cognitive impairments which is a broad term for reduced mental ability spanning from mild noticeable memory lapses to severe dysfunction in the form of Dementia. It has negative effects on community cohesion and quality of life. Effective Noise Pollution management is essential, with robust regulations, proper planning, and public awareness.

Followed by Panel Discussion with experts on Noise pollution

Moderator: Dr. Rakesh Kumar
    
Discussants: Dr. Rajesh Sagar Professor, Department of Psychiatry, A.I.I.M.S, New Delhi; Dr Achal K. Srivastava, Professor, Department of Neurology, A.I.I.M.S. New Delhi; Shivani, Chief, Audiologist, Department of E.N.T., A.I.I.M.S., New Delhi.

Followed by interactive Q & A session with the audience

Chair:  Dr Ashwani Kumar    

SAMHITA-BHARAT KI SOCH PUBLIC LECTURE SERIES 
Health, Wellness and Nutrition: An Ayurveda Perspective

Speaker: Prof. G. G. Gangadharan, Ayurveda expert and practitioner

Chair: Dr. Manoj Nesari, Advisor-Ayurveda, Ministry of AYUSH

Rooted in the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda, this lecture explores the connection between health, wellness, and nutrition through a holistic lens. It highlights how balanced living and natural practices can support overall well-being.

Prof. G. Gangadharan is an Ayurveda researcher and practitioner, with a PhD from Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, Pune. He has worked extensively on the preservation and promotion of Ayurvedic practices, including medicinal plant conservation, local health traditions and standardization of clinical protocols, to ensure Ayurveda’s relevance and efficacy in the modern world.

Third lecture of the series on “Health, Wellness and Nutrition”, organised by IIC- International Research Division and Bharat ki Soch Foundation
 

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

Footsteps on the sands of Time
by Anil Golani (Notion Press, 2025)

Discussants: Dr. Usha Mujoo Munshi, Chief Librarian, IIC; Prof. Payal Nagpal, Poet & Professor, Dept of English Literature, Janki Devi Memorial College, University of Delhi; AVM Anil Golani, Director General, Centre for Aerospace Power and Strategic Studies and Author of the book

Chair: Amb Dinkar P. Srivastava, Former Ambassador to Iran and Distinguished Fellow, Vivekanand International Foundation

(Collaboration: Poetry Society of India)