A Persian palace in Patna?
Looking afresh at the Mauryas and Achaemenids
Speaker: Upinder Singh, scholar of ancient Indian history, archaeology and political thought. She has authored several books, including A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India and Ancient India: Culture of Contradictions and currently a Professor of History, Ashoka University, Sonepat

Moderator: Prof. Nayanjot Lahiri, Professor of History at Ashoka University. She won the Infosys Prize 2013 in the Humanities-Archaeology.

The establishment of the Maurya empire (c. 324/321–187 BCE) roughly synchronized with the demise of the Achaemenid empire (c. 559-330 BCE). The reign of the third Maurya emperor Ashoka overlapped with the establishment of Arsacid rule in Iran. This lecture revisits the interface of the Achaemenids with India and their possible impact on Ashokan inscriptions. It also discusses the hunt for the Maurya palace in Patna, with a special focus on D. B. Spooner’s conviction that he had found a Persepolitan palace in Pataliputra and a Zoroastrian period in Indian history. Even if these theories went too far, the larger point is that ancient India needs to be understood in a global frame, paying close attention to the centuries-long close interactions between India, Iran and Central Asia.

(Collaboration: @Crossroads)
 

Arundhathi Subramaniam in conversation with Anamika

(Collaboration: Raza Foundation)

The Nalanda Literature Festival is a unique celebration of India’s cultural and literary heritage, with a special focus on Bihar and north eastern states’ rich linguistic traditions — Angika, Bhojpuri, Bajjika, Magahi, Maithili, Surjapuri, Bodo, Mizo, Assammese and many more. 

Through thought-provoking sessions, heritage, creative exchanges, the Festival seeks to revive and promote our regional languages, inspire younger generations, and position Bihar and north eastern states’ literary culture on the national and global stage.

(Collaboration: Dhanu Bihar Trust)

Conceptualized by Dr. Ashwani Kumar

Talk and Workshop from 10:00 to 13:00

Part I: CPR from 10:30 am to 11:30 am

Short Talk on: Hands to Restart Heart to Save Lives by Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) techniques.

By Prof Rakesh Garg, A.I.I.M.S, New Delhi

This technique helps to revive persons whose heartbeat or breathing may have stopped. This session will help participants to recognize and respond to cardiac arrest and give high quality CPR. This is a repetitive extensive training on CPR techniques

Followed by Demonstration and performing of CPR techniques including Automated External Defibrillators (AED) by the participants.

Organized by Dr. Ambuj Roy, Professor of Cardiology & Head, Skill, e-Learning & Telemedicine Facility, A.I.I.M.S., New Delhi. Conducted by Prof. Rakesh Garg, A.I.I.M.S., New Delhi, & associates.

Part II: From 11:30 am to 1:00 pm

‘Meaningful Life Despite Arthritis, with Rehabilitation Medicine!’

Organised & conducted with a short talk by Dr Sanjay Wadhwa, Prof. & Head, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, AIIMS, New Delhi.

(Strictly for IIC members & staff members only)

At 16:00

A short talk on Freedom from Arthritis, Move Freely Again: The Gift of Joint Replacement

By Dr Vijay Kumar, Professor of Orthopaedics A.I.I.M.S., New Delhi

Joint replacement surgery is a transformative procedure that significantly reduces chronic joint pain and restores mobility for individuals with severe arthritis or joint damage. It offers a renewed chance to move freely and embrace an active, fulfilling lifestyle.

Followed by Panel Discussion on

Restoring Mobility with Conservative Treatments/Joint Replacement

Panellists: Dr Vijay Kumar, Professor of Orthopaedics A.I.I.M.S., New Delhi; Dr. Sanjay Wadhwa, Prof. & Head, Dept. of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, A.I.I.M.S., New Delhi; Dr. Danveer Bhadu. Addl. Prof., Dept. of Rheumatology, A.I.I.M.S., New Delhi

Chair: Dr Ashwani Kumar

Followed by interactive Q & A session with the audience

From Kingmaker to Bystander: Is the Media Still a Force in Indian Elections?

Panelists: Rajdeep Sardesai, Television Anchor; Pawan Khera, Congress Leader; Poornima Joshi, Resident Editor, Hindu Business Line, Delhi; Satish K Jha, Professor of Political Science, Delhi University; Jitendra Kumar. Independent Journalist

Moderator: Bharat Bhushan, Journalist and Editor

(Collaboration: The Media Foundation)

The Shifting Logic of the Indus Waters Treaty

Speaker: Dr. Uttam K. Sinha, Senior Fellow, Manohar Parrikar–Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA)

Discussant: Amb. Ashok K. Kantha, Former Ambassador of India to the People’s Republic of China

Moderator: Dr Srinivas Chokkakula, President & Chief Executive Centre for Policy Research

The lecture explores how the Indus Waters Treaty, once hailed as a triumph of technical cooperation over politics, is being reshaped by shifting geopolitical realities, environmental stress, and the erosion of bilateral trust between India and Pakistan.

(Collaboration: Centre for Policy Research)

The Great Case Series: A series exploring landmark constitutional rulings. The discussion on State of Tamil Nadu v. Governor of Tamil Nadu examines the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Governor’s duties in assenting to bills and the constitutional implications of prescribed timelines.

Panelists: Tathagata Roy, Former Governor of Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya; Prof Ashok Pankaj, Professor at the Council for Social Development, New Delhi; Lalit Panda, Author of Heads Held High: Salvaging State Governors for 21st century India

Moderator: Anshul Dalmia, Research Fellow, Charkha

(Collaboration: Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy)

It is the fourth edition in the series brings together grassroots and deep-tech innovators from across India, showcasing affordable, inclusive, and scalable solutions addressing key challenges in healthcare, agriculture, environment, and clean energy. The two-day festival will feature around 100 innovations across the Deep-tech and Grassroots Innovation sectors.

The festival theme this year is From Spark to Scale: Transforming Innovative Ideas to socially relevant solutions

Festival Highlights

• Opportunity to interact and network with policymakers, mentors, investors, and technical experts at one of the largest stakeholder congregations of its kind

• Entry to curated theme-based sessions on technical mentoring, policy issues, regulation, investment and market channel opportunities

• Story-telling sessions from successful innovators to learn from lived experiences

• Opportunity for innovators across India, including NE and J&K and other emerging ecosystems to showcase their grassroots and deep tech innovations and products.

Mentored and Curated by Dr. Renu Swarup, Former Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, Prof. Anil Gupta, Founder, Honey Bee Network, SRISTI, GIAN & NIF, Dr. Swati Basu, Former Scientific Secretary, Office of the PSA, Dr. Taslimarif Saiyed, Director and CEO, C-CAMP, Bengaluru

Inauguration of Exhibition in the Gandhi-King Plaza at 1:10 pm

Deep Tech and Grassroots Innovation

An exhibition of innovators from across India showcasing nearly 100 innovations in healthcare, agriculture, environment, and clean energy.

Exhibition will be on view till 20th November 2025 from 11:00 AM to 18:00 Hrs

Please click here for full details of programme

(Collaboration: C-CAMP, Bengaluru and GIAN, Ahmedabad)

This conference on the Buddhist philosopher Atīśa Dīpaṃkara will explore his roles as scholar, reformer and spiritual leader. Born in present-day Bangladesh c. 982, Atīśa travelled to Southeast Asia to study from Guru Serlingpa/Dharmakirti. As Abbot of Vikramshila, he was invited to Tibet to teach Buddhadharma. Practitioners and academics will speak of Atīśa’s life, and of how he contributed to our understanding of mindfulness and the guru-shishya relationship

To register please click here: https://tinyurl.com/2j5jd4j6

Please click here for more details of programme

(Organised by IIC- International Research Division in collaboration with the Centre for Escalation of Peace, Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Ritinjali and Pallavan Learning Centre)

Conceptualized by Dr. Ashwani Kumar

Talk and Workshop from 10:00 to 13:00

Managing Our Weight - what can we do?

The talk will be about weight control. Benefits of controlling weight include prevention of Diabetes and if already with Diabetes.

By Dr Pooja Tiwari, Assistant Prof., Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Central Armed Police Forces Institute of Medical Sciences (CAPFIMS)

Followed by Screening for diabetes risk including weight, height, and waist check, random blood sugar testing and counselling by Dietician.

(Strictly for IIC members & staff members only)

At 16:00

A short talk on Lighten up for Sugar Control: How Weight Management Transforms Diabetes?

By Prof. S.V. Madhu, Director Professor, Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, UCMS & GTB Hospital, Delhi.

Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, with nearly 90% of people with the condition being overweight or obese. Managing obesity through weight loss with lifestyle changes, medication, or surgery is crucial for preventing or treating type 2 diabetes and improving blood sugar control. Weight management can transform type 2 diabetes by improving glycaemic control, reducing the need for medication, and offering the potential for disease remission.

Followed by Panel Discussion on

Awareness to Action: Controlling Weight to Control Diabetes!

Panelists: Dr. S.V. Madhu Director Professor, Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, UCMS & GTB Hospital, Delhi. Dr. Nitish Naik, Prof. of Cardiology, AIIMS, New Delhi. Dr. Yashdeep Gupta, Addl. Prof. of Endocrinology & Metabolism, AIIMS, New Delhi. Mrs. Nilanjana Singh, Dietician & Nutrition Therapist.

Chair: Dr Ashwani Kumar

Followed by interactive Q & A session with the audience