Towards Universal Values for World Peace

By Rama Shankar Singh

Discussants: Prof. J.S. Rajput, former Member, UNESCO Executive Council; Prof. Chandra Mohan, Secretary General, Comparative Literature Association of India; Dr. A.K. Merchant, General Secretary, Temple of Understanding India Foundation; and Prof. Rama Shankar Singh, Professor Emeritus, Biology, McMaster University, Canada and author of the book

Chair: Dr. Karan Singh

India’s E.V. Transition

Driving towards a Greener Future: Assessing the Environmental Benefits and Challenges of Electric Vehicles

Speakers: Shri Prashant K. Banerjee, Chief Executive Director, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM); and Shri Subhomoy Bhattacharjee, Consulting Editor, The Business Standard

Moderator: Shri Satish Sinha, Associate Director, Toxics Link

Looking at the positive environmental impacts of EVs, such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, while also addressing potential challenges and considerations, such as battery production and disposal, energy sources for charging, and infrastructure development. Thus, it provides a comprehensive view of the environmental implications of EV adoption, guiding us towards informed decision-making and strategic planning for a more sustainable future

(Collaboration: Toxics Link)

The Untold Story of Sita: An Empowering Tale of our Time

By Dena Merriam (Motilal Banarsidass)

Discussants: Maj. Gen. G.D. Bakshi, Strategic expert and writer; and Ms Dena Merriam, author of the book

Chair: Dr. Karan Singh

Speakers: Philippe Le Corre, Senior Fellow, Center for China Analysis, Asia Society Policy Institute, Senior Advisor (Geopolitics), Asia Society, France; Dr. Sriparna Pathak, Associate Professor, Jindal School of International Affairs, O.P. Jindal Global University; and Dr. Swasti Rao, Associate Fellow, Europe and Eurasia Centre, MP-Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis

Moderator: Amb. Ashok Kantha, former Ambassador of India to China and Distinguished Fellow, Vivekananda International Foundation

Europe finds itself navigating the complexities of the Indo-Pacific landscape. Amidst fierce Sino-American competition, as well as recently held elections in Taiwan and the forthcoming elections in 30-plus countries around the world, Brussels, Paris, and Berlin must define their positions and strategies in this strategically significant region. The panel will discuss the implications of the ongoing geopolitical shifts on world politics

(Collaboration: Asia Society Policy Institute, Delhi)
 

Great Cases Series Discussion 1: The Bilkis Bano Case

In Conversation: Advocate Shobha Gupta, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India in conversation with Naveed Mehmood Ahmad, Team Lead, Criminal Justice, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy

(Collaboration: Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy)
 

If I Could Tell You (70 min; 2022; English)

Directed by Niharika Popli who will introduce the film

Mentored and Supported by Film SouthAsia

Screening will be followed by a discussion

Charu, a deaf woman and her hearing friend Surbhi share two very distinct relationships with Indian Sign Language (ISL). Surbhi, a child of deaf adults (CODA), learnt signs even before she learnt any spoken language while Charu, raised in a hearing family, learnt ISL much later in life. Through the story of Charu and Surbhi, the film embarks on a broader inquiry into the significance of language in our shared human experience. Interspersed with performances and interviews with a dancer, a drag queen, an actor and an ISL poet, the film explores how these various manifestations of visual language help us understand agency, autonomy and care.

(Collaboration: Brotherhood and We Care Film Festival)
 

Speaker: Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, Stockholm University; Honorary Senior Fellow, Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore. His latest publications include, Jinnah: His Successes, Failures and Role in History (New Delhi: Penguin Viking, 2020); Pakistan: The Garrison State, Origins, Evolution, Consequences (Karachi: Oxford University Press, 2013); among others

Chair: Dr. Sanjeev Chopra

The partition of India into two separate states was accompanied by unprecedented violence and the greatest forced migration in history. It bequeathed a sordid legacy of ideological and territorial disputes and conflicts and concomitant suspicions and fears which worsened over time. Yet, all along efforts to build trust and peace were also made. An argument to continue to argue for peace will be advanced in the talk.

Indian Democracy as a Role Model for Strengthening Democracy in Central American Countries particularly – Guatemala

Speaker: H.E. Mr. Cesar Guillermo Castillo Reyes, former Vice President of the Republic of Guatemala

Chair: Shri Shyam Saran, President, IIC

(Collaboration: Indian Council for Cultural Relations)