The Values of our Constitution

Speaker: Shri Justice Madan Lokur, former Judge of the Supreme Court of India

Followed by an interactive session with students from schools of Delhi NCR.

Discussants: Dr Smita Patil, Associate Professor, Department of Gender and Development Studies, IGNOU; Dr Surajkumar Thube, Visiting Professor, Department of Political Science, Ashoka University; Prof. Aakash Singh Rathore, International Fellow, ETHOS, Rome and author of Becoming Babasaheb: The Life and Times of Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar

Introduction: Suhas Borker, Convener, Working Group on Alternative Strategies

Organised as part of Taking Gandhi to Children series that brings children closer to the enduring legacy of Gandhi’s non-violent struggle for equity, pluralism and sustainable development by hosting year round interactive sessions with students from schools of Delhi NCR

Public Service Broadcasting Day - 2025

(Jan Prasaran Divas)

Public Service Broadcasting Day on 12 November commemorates the day Gandhiji made his first and only live broadcast on All India Radio. On this day in 1947 Gandhiji addressed more than 2 lakh refugees at the Kurukshetra Camp from Broadcasting House, New Delhi. Gandhiji held no public office or position in Government and it was truly a public service broadcast. Since 2000, this day has become an occasion to spread awareness about the concepts and values of Public Service Broadcasting in the country.

Commemoration at the Gandhi - King Memorial Plaza: 10:30 – 11:00

Followed by Discussion at C.D Deshmukh Auditorium: 11:00 – 12:15

Usha Mehta's tryst with freedom on radio: during the Quit India Movement Usha Mehta was arrested on 12 November 1942 and the Underground Radio Transmitter confiscated in Bombay. Ms Basudha Banerji, former Documentary Producer, All India Radio and Shri S.N. Sahu, former Press Secretary to President K. R. Narayanan, relive the moment.

Discussion on Public Service Broadcasting: Broadcasting as a public resource

Lead Presentation: Shri Suhas Borker, Mediaperson and Convener, Jan Prasar

(Collaboration: Jan Prasar)

The scene of the burning of Kamadeva by Siva, with verses from Kalidasa’s  Kumarasambhavam. Presented by Margi Madhu, son and disciple of Guru Moozhikkulam Kochukuttan Chakyar, who was the torch bearer of the Ammannoor style of acting with artists of Nepathya – Centre for Excellence in Kutiyattam

Kutiyattam is one of India’s oldest living theatrical traditions. In 2003, it was proclaimed Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO

A Billion Butterflies: A life in Climate and Chaos Theory

By Dr Jagadish Shukla (St Martins Press, 2025)

Discussants: Sh. Shyam Saran, President, IIC; Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Former Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission of India; Ajit Seth, Former Cabinet Secretary; Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary to Government of India Ministry of Earth Sciences; Dr. Jagadish Shukla, Author of the book

Featuring Snezhana Zagorodnyaya (bassoon) and Zakhar Atamanenko (piano), two gifted scholarship recipients and laureates of major international competitions. Both have performed with leading orchestras across Russia and the CIS, and participated in renowned programmes such as Sirius, Artek, and Moscow Meets Friends.

(Collaboration: Russian Cultural Centre, Embassy of the Russian Federation in India)

By Shatavisha Mukherjee from Kolkata, disciple of Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar

Accompanists: Durjay Bhaumik (tabla); Vinay Mishra (harmonium)

(Collaboration: ITC Sangeet Research Academy, Kolkata)

A unique performance and reflective talk that explores the profound connections between art, peace, and womanhood. Through her innovative choreographies, music, and narratives, Vijayalakshmi traces her journey as a dancer while honouring the artistic legacy of her mother, and Guru Bharati Shivaji.

Vijayalakshmi is an internationally acclaimed exponent of Mohiniyattam. Daughter and disciple of Bharati Shivaji. A recipient of several prestigious awards, including from the Kerala Sangeet Natak Academy and the Regents Lecturer from UCLA. She has performed in India and the world, sponsored by The Government of India, including the Bolshoi Theatre, the Edinburgh International Festival and the Lincoln Centre. Her prominent productions include Unniarcha, inspired from Kalaripayattu; Swan Lake, etc.

(Collaboration: The Raza Foundation & WISCOMP)

Speakers: Mr. Nitin Desai, former UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs; Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, former Indian Permanent Representative to the UN in New York; Gen. Satish Nambiar, former Force Commander and Head of Mission of UNPROFOR, the UN Protection Force in the former Yugoslavia; and youth representative

(Collaboration: The United Nations, India)

Flute Recital

By Saurabh Banaudha from Lucknow, son & disciple of Guru Late Pt. Niranjan Prasad

Accompanist: Daksh Makwana (Tabla)

At 18.30

Hindustani Vocal Recital

By Debraj Gupta from Kolkata, disciple of Pt. A Kanan & Pt. Aniruddha Bhattacharya,

Accompanist: Subrata Dandapat (Tabla) & Ravi Pal (Harmonium)

Duration: (50 min;2010; English)

Directed by Laurent Bregeat

In this film Bregeat enters the world of the reclusive and introspective abstractionist Ram Kumar, exploring his life, his philosophy, his views and how they play out in his work.

(Collaboration: Raza Foundation)