Fascinating Light and Colour Phenomena in Nature
As part of International Day of Light (IDL) Workshop 2026

Keynote Address: Photonics as a Key Enabling Technology: A Two-Way Link Between Basic Research and Innovation by Prof. John M. Dudley, Professor at the Université Marie et Louis Pasteur, France; International Day of Light 2026 Steering Committee Chair

Welcome Address: K.N. Shrivastava, Director, IIC

Address:  Dr. Tabassum Jamal, IDL Workshop Chair

Organised as part of the International Day of Light (IDL) 2026, the workshop is an introduction to the fascinating science of light and colour through everyday natural phenomena. Aligned with the UNESCO theme "Light for a Sustainable Future," it seeks to promote scientific awareness while highlighting the role of light in sustainable development.

The inaugural session will be followed by a technical session featuring presentations by experts in the field

For more details, please visit our website

 (Collaboration: Zaheer Science Foundation, New Delhi and Shanti Foundation International)

Book Discussion Group  

Stories Carved in Stone Voices Rooted in Earth

Silent Walls, Speaking Stones & Indigenized/ Tribalized

By Nishi Chawla (Human Error Publishing, 2026)

Discussants:  Prof. Amrita Bhalla, Academician, Author and critic, Associate Professor, Department of English, Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi; Prof. Sukrita Paul Kumar, Guest Editor, Indian Literature, Poet, Academic and Critic; Prof Ratna Raman, Dept of English, Sri Venkateswara College, DU; Dr Nishi Chawla, Author of the book
 

INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY 

Climate Change and Conservation Challenges for Earthen Heritage Structures in the Northwestern Himalayan Region: A Case Study of Ladakh

Speaker: Mr. Sunder Paul, Director (Conservation), ASI, New Delhi. He has led conservation efforts at significant sites including Leh Palace, Hemis Monastery, and Ta Prohm Temple in Cambodia, and currently oversees monument conservation projects across the country.

Chair: K. N. Shrivastava, Director, IIC

Moderator: Pratap Bhanu Singh Sengar, former Director (Monuments) Archaeological Survey of India

Climate change is emerging as a major threat to the earthen architectural heritage of Ladakh and the north-western Himalayas. Focusing on iconic sites such as Leh Palace and historic monasteries, this presentation examines the impact of increasing rainfall, flash floods, and changing weather patterns on centuries-old structures, while exploring conservation approaches that combine traditional building knowledge with modern scientific interventions to safeguard this fragile cultural legacy for future generations.
 

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

Busy Women: Building Commerce and Culture in Middle India
By Shinjini Kumar (Penguin, 2026)

Moderator: Nishtha Gautam, Journalist, author-translator, Academic

Discussants: Amb. Pavan K Varma, Politician, Author, Former Diplomat; Milee Ashwarya, Publisher and Group Senior VP, Penguin Random House India; Shinjini Kumar, Author of the book

The Extraordinary Science of The Ordinary World: The Legacy of Pierre-Gilles De Gennes

Speaker: Gautam Menon, Ashoka University

Moderator: Rohini Rangachari Karnik, Professor, Alliance Française de Delhi

The French Nobel prize winner in physics of 1991, Pierre-Gilles de Gennes (1932–2007), presided over the creation of a new interdisciplinary science, that of “soft matter”, studying materials as diverse as shaving foam, ink, sand, plastics and soap. But he also thought about education more broadly, emphasising that science is deeply human, intuitive, and driven by curiosity. He is not widely known to the public, a gap that will be addressed in the session. 
 

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

Wild Capital: Discovering Nature in Delhi
By Neha Sinha (Harper, 2026)

Moderator: Gargi Rawat, Author and Consulting Editor, NDTV

Discussants:  Gautam Bhatia, Science-fiction writer; Neha Sinha, Conservation Biologist and author of the book
 

Democracy and Recent State Assembly Elections in India: Trends, Challenges, and Implications

Inaugural Address: K. N. Shrivastava, Director IIC

Chair: Prof. Rekha Saxena, Head, Department of Political Science, University of Delhi, Coordinator, Political Science Society

Discussants: Varghese K. George, Editor, The Hindu; Ram Bahadur Rai, President, IGNCA;  Dr. Sanjay Kumar, CSDS, New Delhi; Prof. Manisha Priyam, NIEPA, New Delhi; Kanchan Gupta, Senior Journalist

State Assembly Elections play a crucial role in shaping India’s democratic and federal framework. Recent electoral outcomes have revealed significant shifts in voter behavior, political representation, campaign strategies, and governance priorities. This discussion will examine emerging electoral trends, the role of youth and women voters, the impact of digital media and political communication, and the broader implications of these developments for democracy, federalism, and public policy in India.

(Collaboration: Political Science Society)
 

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

The Universe Is Pranking Us: A Journey through Philosophy and Physics of a Reality That Thrives on Uncertainty
by Mrittunjoy Guha Majumdar (Hay House, 2026)

Discussants: Prof. Ajoy Ghatak, Professor (Retd), Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi and Former President, National Academy of Sciences; Prof. Avinash Pandey, Director, Inter-University Accelerator Centre; Prof. Anand Ranganathan, Jawaharlal Nehru University; Prof. S. V. Eswaran, Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research; Dr. Arun Sikarwar, National Council of Educational Research and Training; Dr. Sarvesh Kumar, Associate Professor, University of Delhi; Dr. Kamalika Banerjee, Foundation for Advancing Science and Technology; Dr Sumit Mishra, Senior Principal Scientist, National Physical Laboratory (NPL) Delhi; Dr. Mrittunjoy Guha Majumdar, Adjunct Professor, School of Natural Sciences and Engineering, National Institute of Advanced Studies & Author of the book
 

Planning for Tomorrow: Financial Security, Legacy & Family Succession

Moderator:-   Ashwajit Singh, Chartered Accountant and Company Secretary and Trustee, IIC

Speakers: - CA (Dr) Girish Ahuja, eminent tax expert, author of various books on Direct Taxation, would speak on tax planning and financial security for succession planning;

Justice G.S.Sistani (Retd), Former Judge of the Delhi High Court, would cover aspects of legacy, preparation of will and succession planning.

As we advance through life’s later years, thoughtful planning becomes one of the greatest gifts we can offer ourselves and our families. This special program is designed to help senior citizens navigate important aspects of financial security, tax efficiency, wealth preservation and succession planning. The discussion will bring together leading experts in taxation, financial planning and estate law to provide practical guidance on managing assets, preparing a Will, understanding nominations and inheritance, minimising potential family disputes, and ensuring a smooth transfer of wealth across generations. The objective is to empower participants with the knowledge and tools needed to preserve their legacy, protect their loved ones and enjoy greater peace of mind for the future.
 

Book Discussion Group

Yashodhra se Samvaad: A collection of Hindi Poems

By Sangeeta Gupta (Prithvi, 2024)

Moderator: Maya Parijat, Writer

Discussants: Dr. Alka Tyagi, Poet, Researcher and Translator; Prof. Rekha Sethi, Indraprastha College for Women; Dr. Suman Kesari, Hindi Poet & Writer; Prof. Harsh Bala Sharma, Indraprastha College for Women; Dr Usha Munshi, Chief Librarian, IIC; Sangeeta Gupta, Artist, Poet, Film Maker & Author of the book

Performance by Sanya Tyagi AND Hullas Purohit