18TH GIRI DESHINGKAR MEMORIAL LECTURE 
In Search of our Inner Hàn Zì: AI for Connecting South Asia’s written languages
Speaker: Peggy Mohan, Professor of linguistics, Howard University, Washington D.C., JNU and Ashoka University, and Mass communications at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.

Opening Remarks by Awadhendra Sharan, Director CSDS & Alka Acharya, Director ICS

Welcome Remarks by Snigdha Konar
The lecture explores how India and China developed distinct writing traditions despite underlying linguistic similarities, and how AI translation can serve as an ‘Inner Hàn Zì’, connecting South Asia’s diverse languages at the level of meaning. It examines AI’s potential to overcome linguistic barriers, preserve diversity and make knowledge, particularly in science and technology, accessible to all.
This lecture series is a tribute to the work and contributions of Prof. Giri Deshingkar, China scholar and one of the founders of the Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS), and former Director of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS)

(Collaboration: Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS); Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS)
 

DIALOGUES IN HEALTH & WELLNESS 
Conceptualised by Dr. Ashwani Kumar

Workshop from 10:00 to 13:00 hrs

Registration, filling of proforma, recording of basic parameters of an individual participant. Random blood glucose testing, Lower limb vascular assessment by hand held Doppler, Foot assessment and foot care and structured Yoga asanas and pranayama session for diabetes by Bhanu Sharma (Yoga Instructor)

(Strictly for IIC members and staff members only)

At 16:00 hrs
Short Talk on Yoga for Prevention and Management of Diabetes: A Holistic Path to Health & Wellbeing!

Type 2 diabetes is a major public health problem, with a strong link between diabetes and stress, leading to worsening blood sugars and increased risk of complications. Yoga, is known to relieve stress and enhance the body’s capacity to cope with it. The lecture will highlight scientific evidence on the benefits of Yoga in the prevention and management of diabetes and its role in providing holistic care.

Followed by a panel discussion on Yoga for Diabetes: Integrating Tradition with Modern Medicine!

Moderator: Dr. S.V. Madhu, Consultant, Endocrinology

Discussants: Dr. Nitish Naik, Prof., Dept. of Cardiology, A.I.I.M.S,New Delhi; Dr. Jyoti Keshwani, Director, Morarji Desai Yoga Institute, New Delhi; Dr. Ayush Agarwal, Associate Prof. of Neurology, A.I.I.M.S., New Delhi.

Followed by interactive Q & A session with the audience

Chair: Dr. Ashwani Kumar
 

Persia in the Mirror of Mughal India
Academic Session I: Competition and Collaboration

Moderator: Meera Masaldan
Speakers and Paper Titles: Rudolph P. Matthee Capturing Qandahar: The Safavid-Mughal Struggle over a Contested City; Nobuaki Kondo A Contribution of a Mughal Noble to Iran: Fazil Khan and his Madrasa in Mashh
The three-day international conference explores the historical, political, cultural and intellectual exchanges between Safavid Persia and Mughal India.

Details of Academic Sessions on Day 1 and Day 2 on the website.
(Collaboration: Ashoka University – Harish and Bina Shah School of Humanities; British Institute of Persian Studies (BIPS); Olleya; Art Fervour; The Raza Foundation)
 

The Written Word and Social Progress: How Kerala Achieved 100% Literacy

Keynote Speaker:Pooyam Thirunal Gouri Parvathi Bayi  of the Travancore Royal Family

Chair: Vijay K. Nambiar,retired Indian diplomat and Former Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations

Speakers: Venu Vasudevan, Former Chief Secretary, Kerala; T.K Manoj Kumar, former Secretary, Govt of India; Resmi R., Registrar, University of Kerala; Parvathy S., Director, State Archives of Kerala

The World within the Word
Poetry Reading Session on Nature 
Curated by Malashri Lal and Apoorvanand

Verses from Hindi, English and 6 regional languages

Chief Guest: Ashwajit Singh, Trustee, IIC

Seminar on the Syncretic Traditions of the Subcontinent: Voices Past & Present

Welcome Address: Shyam Saran, President IIC
Inaugural Remarks: Dr. Jyotsna Singh, Convener of the Seminar, Director, Dara Shikoh Centre for the Arts
Keynote Lecture: Dr. Karan Singh, statesman, philosopher and thinker
The seminar shall explore the rich syncretic traditions of India and the subcontinent as expressed through art, architecture, literature, material practices and visual narratives. The seminar examines how diverse communities and cultural influences have intersected and evolved across the region. The programme will also include the release of a publication featuring research papers by students of Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi. 

For more details about the programme,  Please click here:- 

(Collaboration: Dara Shikoh Centre for the Arts, Parzor Foundation and Bharat Ram Research Grant)

Seminar on the Syncretic Traditions of the Subcontinent: Voices Past & Present

Welcome Address: Shyam Saran, President IIC
Inaugural Remarks: Dr. Jyotsna Singh, Convener of the Seminar, Director, Dara Shikoh Centre for the Arts
Keynote Lecture: Dr. Karan Singh, statesman, philosopher and thinker
The seminar shall explore the rich syncretic traditions of India and the subcontinent as expressed through art, architecture, literature, material practices and visual narratives. The seminar examines how diverse communities and cultural influences have intersected and evolved across the region. The programme will also include the release of a publication featuring research papers by students of Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi. 

For more details about the programme, Please click here:-

(Collaboration: Dara Shikoh Centre for the Arts, Parzor Foundation and Bharat Ram Research Grant)

Celebrating 100 Years of Thich Nhat Hanh: Launching the Year of Mindfulness
To mark Thich Nhat Hanh’s birth centenary with calligraphy and poetry workshops, practices, a documentary film, reading from the book, Touching the Footsteps of the Buddha, and panel discussion

Panel Discussion: 
Chair: Narayani Ganesh, Former Editor, Speaking Tree and Times of India and Author

Discussants: Shantum Seth, Dharmacharya, Plum Village and Co-founder, Ahimsa Trust; Shashi Banerjee, Senior Educator, Shiv Nadar Foundation; Trupti Bhingare, Youth Leader, Wake Up Asia, Plum Village

For more details & registration, please visit our website: http://ahimsatrust.org/tnh100

(Collaboration: Ahimsa Trust)

ART MATTERS CXII

An evening on Hindustani classical vocalist Shanno Khurana
Pt. Madhup Mudgal and Naman P.Ahuja will be in conversation with Sushmita Jha about her book on Shanno Khurana.

(Collaboration: Raza Foundation)
 

DIALOGUES ON HEALTH & WELLNESS 
Conceptualised by Dr. Ashwani Kumar

Talk & Workshop from 10:00 to 13:00 hrs

Short Talk: Fatty Liver: How to prevent and treat?
By Dr. Sagnik Biswas, Asst. Prof., Dept. of Gastroenterology, Human Nutrition, A.I.I.M.S., New Delhi.

Followed by Registration, filling of proforma; recording of basic parameters of an individual participant; fibro scan test to measure liver stiffness & fat content  
(Note: Two hour fasting is essential for Fibro Scan Testing)

(Strictly for IIC members and staff members only)

At 16:00 hrs
Short Talk on Pancreatic Cancer: Recognizing the Risks and the Warning Signs! 
Speaker: Dr. Pramod Garg, Prof. & Head, Dept. of Gastroenterology & Human Nutrition, A.I.I.M.S., New Delhi
The pancreas is a small organ that produces digestive enzymes and insulin. Its inflammation causes acute pancreatitis or, when persistent, chronic pancreatitis, which can lead to recurrent abdominal pain, diabetes and poor digestion. Pancreatic cancer is among the deadliest cancers. Risk factors include smoking, diabetes, family history and chronic pancreatitis. Possible warning signs include new or worsening diabetes, unexplained weight loss and abdominal pain, especially after age 50. If you have two or more of these symptoms, consult a doctor. Diagnosis commonly involves an abdominal CT scan; MRI or endoscopic ultrasound may also be used. Outcomes are better when the cancer is found early.
Followed by a panel discussion on Your Pancreas Matters: How to Keep it Healthy! 
Moderator:  Dr. Pramod Garg, Prof. & Head, Dept. of Gastroenterology & Human Nutrition, A.I.I.M.S., New Delhi 
Discussants: Dr. Virinder Kumar Bansal, Prof. of Surgery, General, Laparoscopic & Renal Transplantation Surgeon, Dept. of Surgical Disciplines, A.I.I.M.S., New Delhi; Dr. Deepak Gunjan, Addl. Prof., Dept. of Gastroenterology & Human Nutrition, A.I.I.M.S., New Delhi.
        
Followed by interactive Q & A session with the audience

Chair: Dr. Ashwani Kumar