TO MARK MANDELA INTERNATIONAL DAY 2026
Commemoration of Nelson Mandela’s 108th Birthday
Songs by School Choirs from Delhi NCR
At C.D. Deshmukh Auditorium: 11:15 to 12:15 Mandela Katha Mala
“Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. And overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life. While poverty persists, there is no true freedom” - Nelson Mandela, from ‘Make Poverty History’ speech in London's Trafalgar Square for the campaign to end poverty in the developing world, 3 February 2005.
Message from the UN Secretary General António Guterres to be read by Mr. Darrin Farrant, Director, United Nations Information Centre for India and Bhutan
Speakers: H.E. Prof. Anil Sooklal, High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa; and Suhas Borker, Convener, Working Group on Alternative Strategies
Interactive session with students of schools from Delhi NCR
A group of school students in Durban, South Africa shall join online for the interactive session.
Foyer outside the Auditorium: Madiba and His Struggle: An exhibition of paintings by students of Bluebells School International
Organized as part of Taking Gandhi to Children series that brings children closer to the enduring legacy of Gandhi’s non-violent struggle for equity, justice, pluralism and sustainable development
(Collaboration: Gandhi Yuva Baradari; United Nations Information Centre; and Working Group on Alternative Strategies)

DURGABAI DESHMUKH MEMORIAL LECTURE 2026
A New Consciousness for a Fractured Time - Rethinking India’s Development Path
By Prof. Mihir Shah, Distinguished Professor and Chair, Rural Management Program, Shiv Nadar University

India’s development journey continues to grapple with fundamental challenges of water, nutrition, health, education and employment. Using water as a lens, Prof. Mihir Shah argues for a shift away from the “magic bullet” solutions of the twentieth century towards a more inclusive, trans-disciplinary approach rooted in dialogue, diversity, ecological wisdom and collective action.

(Collaboration: Council of Social Development)
 

Solo Piano Recital 
By Vikram Rajan a Vienna-based concert pianist, trained at the University at Buffalo (New York), Mannes College of Music (New York City), and the University of Music and Performing Arts (Vienna). Rajan has performed extensively across renowned venues such as the Vienna Musikverein and Bösendorfer Hall.

(Collaboration: Delhi Music Society)
 

An Evening of Indian Classical Music
By Shreya Chatterjee, distinguished Hindustani classical vocalist, trained under Shri Partha Sarathi Desikan and continuing her advanced training under Padma Bhushan Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty and Shri Brajeswar Mukherjee.
Accompanists: Durjay Bhaumik on Tabla, disciple of Taalyogi and Vinay Mishra on Harmonium, an ‘A’ Grade All India Radio artiste. 
(Collaboration:  ITC Sangeet Research Academy, Kolkata)
 

B.G DESHMUKH LECTURE 2026
Governance in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Speaker: Prabhat Kumar, Former Cabinet Secretary, First Governor of Jharkhand, President of the IC Centre for Governance, and Chancellor of Usha Martin University, Ranchi.

Chair: Shri Gopalkrishna Gandhi, Former Governor, West Bengal and Life Trustee, IIC
 

Khoyi Hui Aawazein
Saptak: A screening of poetry readings by seven deceased poets of Hindi
Kirti Chaudhary, Shriram Verma, Chandrakant Deotale, Bhagwat Rawat, Jyotsna Milan, Vinod Kumar Shukla and Mangalesh Dabral

(Collaboration: Raza Foundation)
 

Book Discussion Group

Longings Across Fences, Poems for the Nomadic Soul

By Jamshed (Amaryllis (An Imprint of Manjul Publishing House, 2026)

Discussants: Justice V. Ramasubramanian, Chairman, National Human Rights Commission; Justice A. K. Sikri

Former Judge, Supreme Court of India and Judge, Singapore Supreme Court; Amb. Lakshmi M. Puri

Former United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and author; Dr. Naima Khatoon, Vice Chancellor, Aligarh Muslim University; Kamna Prasad, Author and Founder, Jashn-e-Bahar; Paresh Maity, internationally acclaimed artist; Jamshed, poet, columnist & author of the book

IIC Double Bill :Music Recitals

Rabab Recital

By Imran Khan from Delhi, disciple & son of Ustad Gulfam Ahmed Khan

Accompanists: Shanti Bhushan Jha(Tabla)

At 19:00

Hindustani Vocal Recital

By Laxmipriya Nayak from Odissa, disciple of Guru Vidushi Anjana Nath  

Accompanists:   Arunava Dutta Banik (Tabla) & Mukesh Bhardwaj (Harmonium)

 

IIC Double Bill : Music & Dance Recitals

Carnatic Flute

By Aditi Sudarshan from Mumbai, disciple of Guru Shashank Subramanyam and Guru Kunnakudi  M. Balamuralikrishna.

Accompanists: Siddesh  Ganesh(Violin) & Vignesh Jayaraman (Mridangam)

At 19:00

Bharatanatyam Recital

By L .Murugashankari from Madurai, disciple of Kalaimamani  Smt Parvathi Ravi Ghantasala 
 

IIC FILM CLUB
WINDOWS INTO THE NORTHEAST
Presents a curated selection of contemporary films from Northeast India, bringing together distinctive cinematic
voices from the region. Spanning diverse languages, landscapes and lived experiences, the films offer intimate
reflections on identity, memory, community and change.

The Elysian Field (Ha Lyngkha Bneng), Meghalaya
(123 min; 2025; Khasi with English subtitles)
Director: Pradip Kurbah

With Richard Kharpuri; Helena Duiia; Baia Marbaniang; Albert Mawrie; Merlvin Mukhim; Jeetesh Sharma
Recipient of the Golden Saint George for Best Film and Silver Saint George for Best Director at the 47th
Moscow International Film Festival, 2025; NETPAC Award for Best Asian Film, Moscow International
Film Festival, 2025.
Set in the Khasi Hills in the year 2047, the film follows the lives of six remaining villagers negotiating loss,
memory and survival in an increasingly fragile world. Rooted in community and human resilience, the film
reflects on belonging, isolation and the enduring strength of collective spirit.

(This month’s film club films are open for all)

(Collaboration: Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER)