Ink and Eternity, Priceless Collections of Nalanda and Darbhanga 

This exhibition presents Bihar’s rich heritage of learning through collections from libraries. On display are rare manuscripts, facsimiles, texts, and photographs that reflect centuries of scholarship and the continuing tradition of knowledge in the region.

Inauguration by Dr Meenakshi Gopinath, Life Trustee, IIC 

The exhibition will remain on view until 14 October 2025, 11:00 to 19:00

(Collaboration: Lalit Narayan Mithila University, Darbhanga; Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University; Nalanda University, Nava Nalanda Mahavira)

As the United Nations founded in 1945, after the end of the 2nd World War, the deadliest in history, to "save succeeding generations from the scourge of war" completes 80 years, it is imperative to examine what has the UN achieved and why it has signally failed in stopping or ending wars.

 Chair: Mr. Come Carpentier de Gourdon, Distinguished Fellow, India Foundation, and Convener, Editorial Board of the magazine WORLD AFFAIRS.

Speaker: Ambassador K.P. Fabian, Professor, Symbiosis University, and World Peace University, Pune.

The Changing Profile of India’s Trade Relations: A Partial and General Equilibrium Analysis

Edited by Somesh K. Mathur, Prabir De, Archana Srivastava

Discussants: Dr. Rajan Sudesh Ratna, Dy. Head and Senior Economic Affairs Officer, South and South-West Asia Office, UNESCAP; Ms. Pallavi Jain Govil, Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs, New Delhi; Prof. Manmohan Agarwal, Jawaharlal Nehru University; Prof. Amita Batra, Jawaharlal Nehru University; Dr. Rajesh Chadha, Centre for Social and Economic Progress; Prof. Dibyendu Maiti, Delhi School of Economics; Prof. Kavya Dashora, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi; Prof. Somesh K. Mathur, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur & Editor of the book; Prof. Prabir De, Research and Information System for Developing Countries & Editor of the book; Dr. Archana Srivastava, BITS Pilani, Hyderabad & Editor of the book

Speakers: Ms Rana Safvi, historian, author, translator & cultural scholar; Shri Karan Mujoo, writer and creative Director; and Ms Aishwarya Jha, author , designer and entrepreneur.

Moderator:  Ms Shagufta Siddhi, art historian and archaeologist

Despite its immense impact, dementia remains under-recognized as a public health priority. WHO has identified dementia as an urgent global challenge. In India, timely action is needed to strengthen awareness, early diagnosis, workforce development, family support systems, and a continuum of care—across health and social sectors. This calls for a unified, multi-sectoral roadmap, drawing inspiration from the NITI Aayog-led National Brain Health Initiative and aligned with its goals.

This consultative meeting aims to bring together key government, academic, and non-profit stakeholders to deliberate on the above issues.

(Collaboration: Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences, IHBAS and Dementia India Alliance)

Ananda : An Exploration of Cannabis in India

By Karan Madhok (Aleph, 2024)

Discussants: Sh. Omair Ahmad, acclaimed novelist and journalist; Dr Khagesh Gautam, Professor, Jindal Global Law School, Ms Tripti Tandon, Lawyer and Drug Policy Analyst; Sh. Karan Madhok, author of the book

Moderator: Mr. Amritesh Mukherjee, Independent Journalist and Editor 
 

The Hyderabadis: From 1947 to the Present Day

By Daneesh Majid (Harper Collins, 2025)

Discussants: Dr. Mujibur Rehman, Professor, Jamia Millia Islamia (Central University) ; Sh. Dinesh C. Sharma, Journalist ; Mr. Daneesh Majid, Author of the book

Chair: Shri A.S. Dulat Former Head, R&AW

Moderator: Shri Ruben Banerjee, Journalist

Indian Political Theory: Possibilities and Challenges

The Inaugural Session and Panel Discussion

Debating Indian Political Theory: Political Theory in India

Coordinators: Prof. Savita Singh and Dr. Manindra Nath Thakur

Discussants: Prof. Rajeev Bhargava, Prof. Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Yogendra Yadav, Prof. Gopal Guru, Prof Gurpreet Mahajan

Chair: Prof. Manoranjan Mohanty

Followed by an Open Discussion with the audience

(Collaboration: Association of Creative Theory & Foundation for Creative Social Research; International Herbert Marcuse Society, USA; The Raza Foundation; and Shanti Sahyog)

Business Strategies and Public Policies in India and Europe: Ideas for a Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient Society

Edited by Bidisha Banerji and Sheetal Sharma (Springer, 2025)

Discussants: Prof. Rumki Basu, Former Professor, Jamia Millia Islamia ; Shri Narayanan Madhavan, Senior Journalist, Columnist and Editor ; Dr. Bidisha Banerji, Deputy Director, Amity University & Editor of the book; Dr. Sheetal Sharma, Associate Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University & Editor of the book

Chair : Shri V. Srinivas, Secretary, DARPG

How is India fairing in achieving a just and equitable energy transition that benefits both the environment and its people? How is India addressing the socio-economic dimensions of the energy transition? Are ecological impacts, community participation and nurturing local adaptability also being kept in mind? These are question the discussion aims to discuss at the public lecture

Speakers: Dr Atul Kumar, Professor, Energy Studies Programme, Jawaharlal Nehru University. Mr Karthik Ganesan, Fellow and Director, Strategic Partnerships, Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW); Dr Debajit Palit, Centre Head- Centre for Climate Change & Energy Transition, Chintan Research Foundation.

(Collaboration: Toxics Link)