Speaking Stones: The Rock Art of Ladakh
By Ahtushi Deshpande (Ahtushi Deshpande: 2024)

Discussants: Dr. Alka Pande, art historian; and Dr. Ahtushi Deshpande, photographer, writer, curator and independent researcher and author of the book

Challenges Confronting the Indian Language Media

Panelists: Paresh Nath, Editor and Publisher, Delhi Press; Mahtab Alam, former Executive Editor, The Wire, Urdu; Samata Biswas, Academic and Columnist, Senior Research Advisor, Calcutta Research Group; and R. Prasannan, Resident Editor, The Week & Malayala Manorama
 

Moderator: Vibodh Parthasarathi, Associate Professor, Centre for Culture, Media and Governance, Jamia Millia Islamia

(Collaboration: The Media Foundation)

Conceptualised by Dr. Ashwani Kumar

Workshop from 10:00 to 13:00

Workshop on Understanding the basic and common causes of back pain

The Interactive Workshop will also focus on How to improve your core; routine posture training; Safe ergonomics; and rehabilitation through physiotherapy and relevant exercises

Open to IIC members and staff members of IIC

Strong Bones, Pain-Free Life: Tackling Osteoporosis, Arthritis and Back Pain in Aging
 

Speaker: Dr. Bhuvak Garg, MS, MAMS, MRCS, FACS, FIMS, FHTS, Professor, Department of Orthopedics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi

Followed by

Panel Discussion on Common Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Elderly

Panelists: Dr. Rajesh Malhotra, former Professor & Head, Department of Orthopaedics, AIIMS, New Delhi; Dr. S.V. Madhu, Director Professor, Department of Endocrinology, University College of Medical Sciences & GTB Hospital, Delhi; Dr. Bhuvak Garg; Dr. Rohit Bhatia, Prof. of Neurology, AIIMS, New Delhi; and Dr. Puneet Khanna, Prof. Anaesthesiology, Pain Medicine and Critical Care, AIIMS, New Delhi

 

Chair: Dr. Ashwani Kumar
 

Programme Details

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are driving a paradigm shift across industries, reshaping the very fabric of modern life. With the advent of cutting-edge AI models like DeepSeek, the capabilities of intelligent systems are expanding exponentially, impacting sectors ranging from education and finance to healthcare and beyond. AI-driven innovations—such as personalized recommendations on platforms like Netflix, real-time customer engagement through chatbots, and intelligent voice assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri—have seamlessly integrated into our daily routines. These deeply profound advances, which still need a lot of work to do on reliability, will change our lives quite a bit.

However, as AI continues to evolve, it presents both unprecedented opportunities and significant challenges. While AI-driven automation, predictive analytics, and personalized experiences are revolutionizing industries, concerns about ethical considerations, bias in AI models, data privacy, and the future of employment persist. As we move beyond DeepSeek and similar models, it becomes imperative to examine the broader implications, limitations, and future trajectories of AI in shaping human society.

Welcome Remarks: Shri K.N. Shrivastava, Director, IIC

Introduction to the AI-ML National Conclave: Prof. Seyed E. Hasnain, National Science Chair, IIT Delhi

Navigating the New World of AI/ML: A user’s perspective: Presentation by Prof. Debasisa Mohanty, Director, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi

Societal Impact of AI: Presentation by Prof. Shandar Ahmad, former Dean, School of Computational & Integrative Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University

Computational Gastronomy: Blending Food with AI-ML: Presentation by Dr. Ganesh Bagler, Infosys Centre for Artificial Intelligence, IIIT, Delhi

Trust in AI Systems: Presentation by Prof. Naveen Kumar, Head of Dept. Computer Science, University of Delhi

Girls’ Education and Empowerment: Strategies and Experiences from South Asia
By Geeta Menon, Namita Ranganathan and Sanjeev Rai (Routledge India: 2024)

Discussants: Amb. Ranjit Rae, former Indian Ambassador to Hungary, Vietnam and Nepal; Shri Abhimanyu Singh, Chair Foundation for Education and Development( FED); Prof. Krishna Menon, Professor of Gender Studies, School of Human Studies, Ambedkar University; Dr. Geeta Menon, development professional and co-author of the book; Prof. Namita Ranganathan, Department of Education, University of Delhi, and co-author of the book; and Dr. Sanjeev Rai, co-author of the book

Chair: Prof. Pravin Sinclair, former Professor of Mathematics, Indira Gandhi Open University
 

He Almost Prevented Partition

The Life and Times of Dr. M.C. Davar

By Praveen Davar

Discussants: Shri Farooq Abdullah, former Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir; Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar, former Minister, writer and former diplomat; Prof. Apoorvanand, Professor, Department of Hindi, University of Delhi; and Capt. Praveen Davar, author of the book

Chair: Dr. Karan Singh, statesman, philosopher and thinker
 

Celebrating 75 years of the Indian Constitution, one-of its kind workshop series will employ unconventional methodologies, including role-plays, dramatized readings, and explorations of original documents, to offer an immersive experience in understanding the values and enduring spirit of the Indian Constitution. This workshop will be led by Prof. Achyut Chetan, author, Founding Mothers of Indian Republic.  Can their radical questions, unconventional methods, and fierce debates offer new ways to navigate challenges of democracy, fraternity, nation-building, peace, and coexistence? Through these interactive sessions, participants will familiarize themselves with the warp and weft of the Constitution while amplifying women's voices and agency in shaping the modern Indian democratic republic.

Inaugural Remarks: Shri Shyam Saran, President, IIC

Special Remarks: Prof. Neera Chandhoke

Workshop Facilitator: Prof. Achyut Chetan

Welcome Remarks: Dr. Meenakshi Gopinath

(Collaboration: WISCOMP)

 

Celebrating 75 years of India’s Constitution, this special dialogue will explore the pivotal contributions of the women members of the Constituent Assembly in shaping the modern Indian democratic republic. Prof. Achyut Chetan, author of Founding Mothers of Indian Republic, will lead the conversation, drawing from extensive archives and rare artifacts to bring forth the compelling yet often invisibilised voices of the founding mothers.

Opening Remarks and Chair: Shri N.N. Vohra, Life Trustee, IIC

Speaker: Prof. Achyut Chetan

Special Remarks: Dr. Meenakshi Gopinath

Closing Remarks: Justice Gita Mittal

Programme Details

Bandung Spirit and the Role of the Global South 
A programme of seminar, cultural programme and an exhibition

Inauguration of the exhibition at 09:30 on 24 April 2025

The exhibition will remain on view in the Quadrangle Garden until 30 April 2025

From 10:00 to 17:45 in Seminar Rooms I to III, Kamaladevi Complex 
Bandung Day Symposium 2024
Welcome Remarks: Shri K.N. Shrivastava, Director, IIC
Introductory Remarks: Prof. Nitya Nanda, Director, Council for Social Development

Keynote Address: Amb. Shyam Saran, President, IIC and former Foreign Secretary of India

At 18:30 in C.D. Deshmukh Auditorium
Samanvay: Celebrating the Bandung Spirit
Presented by Bluebells School Choir; Pratidhwani led by Prof. Subhendu Ghosh; Students of Bahasa Indonesia, Centre for Chinese & South East Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, led and directed by Dr. Gautam Kumar Jha; and Tiryak, the Choir, led and directed by Kajal Ghosh, coordinated by Sabaree Mitra

(Collaboration: Council for Social Development; Bandung India Network; and People’s Forum for a Multi-Polar World)

Release of the IIC Quarterly Winter 2024 – Spring 2025 Special Issue
Edited by Mritiunjoy Mohanty, Runa Sarkar and Omita Goyal

To be released by Dr. Karan Singh, Chairman, IIC Editorial Board

Followed by a panel discussion with
Ashwini K. Swain, Sustainable Futures Collaborative; Nagraj Adve, Teachers Against Climate Crisis; Mritiunjoy Mohanty and Runa Sarkar, IIM Calcutta and Guest Editors

Chair: Dr. Karan Singh 

This collection of essays makes an assessment of the energy transition path that India has chosen and is taking, both in terms of macro-strategy as well as sectorally, seen from the standpoint of a renewable energy pathway that can deliver sustainable growth alongside climate justice. The contributors locate the discussion on energy transition and climate justice within a political economy framework to try and understand the choices that have been made, and discuss feasible alternatives and coalitions that might be forged to deliver a more sustainable future.