Life and Works of Dr Jayant Narlikar : A Talk

Discussants: Prof. Somak Raychaudhury, Vice Chancellor, Ashoka University will be in conversation with Amb. K. P. Fabian, Professor, Symbiosis University

From Fire to Light: Rereading the Manusmrti

By Arvind Sharma (Harper Collins, 2024)

Discussants: Prof. Purushottam Agrawal, Former Chairperson, Centre of Indian Languages, JNU; Prof. Bharat Gupt, Vice-Chairman, National School of Drama & Former Professor, Delhi University; Prof. Arvind Sharma, Birks Professor of Comparative Religion, McGill University & Author of the book

Moderator: Prof. C. Upender Rao, School of Sanskrit and Indic Studies, 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.

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.

The Prime Minister: Discourses in Indian Polity

By Dr. Anil Singh (Kaveri Books: 2014)

Discussants: Shri. B. P. Singh, Former Governor of Sikkim and Former Home Secretary, GoI; Prof. M. P. Singh, Honorary Senior Fellow, Centre for Multilevel Federalism, Formerly Professor, Department of Political Science University of Delhi; Prof. Prateek Sharma, Vice Chancellor, Delhi Technical University; Prof. Sushma Yadav, Member of Justice (Retd.) KG Balakrishnan Commission, Former Vice Chancellor, BPS Mahila Vishwavidyalaya; Former Pro Vice Chancellor, Central University Haryana; Sh. K.C. Tyagi, Senior Politician, Former Member of Parliament and Dr. Anil Singh, Editor, STAR Views and author of the book.

The Silent Whispers: Voice of the Muffled Melodies
Poems by Misna Chanu (Authorspress)

Discussants: Malashri Lal, Convenor, English Advisory Board, Sahitya Academy; Payal Nagpal, , Professor, Dept. of English, Janki Devi Memorial College, University of Delhi; and Misna Chanu, author of the book

Chair: Dr. Amarendra Khatua, Former Secretary, MEA, and Dg, ICCR ; Poet & Diplomat 
 

A Fireside Chat with Prof. Vijay Padaki, Trustee Emeritus, Bangalore Little Theatre Foundation

Prof Padaki, besides being part of the founding faculty of IIM Bangalore and a tenured Professor there, is an internationally recognized theatre educator, having written over 50 original plays in English. He will talk about the challenges in writing and performing in the English language in India, based on the long experience of Bangalore Little Theatre in new play development. The talk, illustrated with excerpts from plays, will be of interest to all followers of original writing in the English language in India.

Chair: Dr Anuradha Kapur, former Director, National School of Drama
 

This talk by Vasanthi Veluri and Anurag Chatrath will take you on a journey into their life in a remote Himalayan village, Satoli — where simplicity is not sacrifice, but a path to deeper connection. Through visuals and personal stories, this talk explores how intentional living, rooted in sustainability and community, can offer a richer, more meaningful way of being, despite the challenges.

Chair: Sunisha Ahuja, Education Specialist with UNICEF India 
 

Odissi Dance: Aesthetics, Therapeutics, Metaphysics

By Reela Hota (Prabhat Prakashan: 2025)

Discussants: Arvind Sharma, Birks Professor in Comparative Religion, McGill University; Sharon Lowen, performing artist, dance guru, writer and Odissi dancer; Swati Pal, Principal, Janki Devi Memorial College, University of Delhi  and poet; Manindranath Thakur, Professor of Political Studies , JNU; Mahavir Singhvi, Joint Secretary at Ministry of External Affairs of India (Central Europe); Reela Hota, Odissi danseuse, Former Senior Fellow, Ministry of Culture, Founder Secretary, Rays of Wisdom Society & author of the book

Chair: Madhu Khanna, Former Professor, Director for the Centre for the Study of Comparative Religion and Civilizations, JMI 
 

Speakers: Lt. Gen. Syed Ata Hasnain, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM & Bar, Defence Analyst and former GOC, XV Corps and Chancellor Central University of Kashmir; Amb. Pankaj Saran, Former Dy NSA, Amb to Russia and HC to Bangladesh and Convenor, NatStrat; and Prof. Amitabh Mattoo, Dean, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University and former Vice Chancellor, Jammu University.

Chair: Amb.  Y.K. Sinha, Former CIC, High Commissioner to the UK and Sri Lanka and Head of the Pakistan- Afghanistan- Iran Division in MEA