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2 0 1 8 u t c i P National Institute of Advanced Studies Indian Institute of Science Campus, Bengaluru-12

NIAS was conceived and founded in 1988 by the late Mr. J. R. D. Tata, who sought to create an institution to conduct advanced multidisciplinary research. Housed in a picturesque green campus in the Institute serves as a forum to bring together individuals from diverse intellectual backgrounds. The objective is to nurture a broad base of scholars, managers and leaders who would respond to the complex challenges that face contemporary and global society, with insight, sensitivity, confidence and dedication. C O N F E R E N C E , W O R K S H O P S A N D M E E T I N G S

A ONE-DAY WORKSHOP TITLED “DIALOGUE WITH 01 THE SCIENTIST-COMMUNICATORS” JOINTLY ORGANISED BY NIAS AND SWISSNEX INDIA, CONFERENCE, WORKSHOPS CONSULATE GENERAL OF SWITZERLAND ON AND MEETINGS SEPTEMBER 28, 2018.

Coordinator: Prof. Sai Baba and Dr. V V Binoy 02

NIAS VISITORS

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DOCTORAL PROGRAMME

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NIAS TRAINING PROGRAMME

05 National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) Bangalore and Swissnex India, Consulate General of Switzerland jointly organized a one-day workshop titled NIAS PUBLIC ‘Dialogue with the Scientist-Communicators’ on 28th September 2018 at NIAS. PROGRAMMES This workshop introduced the modern tools of science communication to the participants and provided a platform to discuss their ideas and activities with the experienced scientist-communicators from both India and Switzerland. The 06 workshop begun with the introductory remarks by Dr. V V Binoy, NIAS. He explained various science communication and science education activities being PUBLICATIONS conducted by the NIAS in various states of India and introduced the speakers to the audience. In the inaugural address Prof. V S Ramamurthy, former Director of 07 NIAS, emphasized the need for scientist to transform themselves into scientist- communicators. In his opinion bridging of science with society becomes easier if NIAS OUTREACH the person practicing science share it directly with the society. Dr. Adria C LeBoeuf, researcher at Weizmann Institute, Israel and the founder of ‘The Catalyst’, and Dr Samuel Lagier a neuroscientist-communicator and a globally 08 renounced trainer of communication skills for scientists, conducted a session titled ‘power of play for community building and science communication’. NIAS NATURE CONNECT

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They introduced the methods of creating new media about science and teaching scientists to be better communicators through science-based entertainment in the form of plays, films and immersive games through lectures and practical sessions to the participants. Dr Luc Henry, Scientific Advisor to the President of École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and former Managing Editor of the European science magazine ‘Technologist’ shared his experience of acquiring resources for scientific activities through crowdfunding. Under his supervision participants formed small groups and learned to build a campaign for collecting resources required for launching their research plans. Dr. Sai Baba, T V Raman Pai Chair Professor NIAS discussed the need of communicating science effectively with the public to attain social and financial development without any science-society conflict in his lecture titled ‘importance of science communication for the development of society’. The workshop ended with the vote of thanks by Ms Sreshtha Mondal, Research scholar, NIAS.

A WORKSHOP TITLED “EGALITARIANISM, HIERARCHY AND GLOBAL INTELLECTUAL LABOUR BEYOND THE WEST” WAS JOINTLY ORGANIZED BY NIAS AND THE UNIVERSITY OF BERGEN IN NIAS FROM 18TH - 20TH SEPTEMBER 2018.

Coordinator: Prof. Sundar Sarukkai

The workshop was attended by total of 30 participants from all across India. The aim of the workshop was to enable research scholars to discuss their work and other questions related to research in general. 10 speakers spoke on the theme of the workshop and actively engaged with the questions put forth by the participants. Participants presented their work on all three days of the workshop which resulted in a fruitful interaction among the participants and the speakers.

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NIAS ORGANISED ROUNDTABLE MEETING AND A PANEL DISCUSSION ON “RECENT FLOODS AT KERALA AND KODAGU REGION OF KARNATAKA” ON SEPTEMBER 18, 2018. Coordinator: Prof. Sai Baba and Dr. V V Binoy

NIAS has organised Roundtable meeting on “Recent floods at Kerala and Kodagu Region of Karnataka” on September 18, 2018. Experts from various agencies participated in the meeting. The meeting started with Prof. M. Sai Baba, welcoming the participants. Dr. VV Binoy, gave the details of the agenda of the meeting.

The daylong meeting had participation from various agencies, which included: Prof. Shailesh Naik, Prof. VS Ramamurthy, NIAS, Prof Vinod Kumar Gaur, CSIR Centre for Mathematical Modelling and Computer Simulation, Bangalore, Dr. M V Ramanamurthy and Dr. T. Usha, National Center for Coastal Research, Chennai, Dr. M Mohapatra, RCMC, IMD, New , Dr. E N Rajagopal. NCMRWF, Noida, Dr. N Purnachandra Rao, National Centre for Earth Science Studies, , Dr. G S Srinivasa Reddy, Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre, Bengaluru, Prof. G L Sivakumar Babu, Indian Institute of Science.

Prof. Shailesh Nayak, Director, NIAS in his introductory remarks emphasised the need for improvement in communication system, response of the government to the information made available and its ability to judge the situation and take appropriate decisions. He has also stated about where there is the need for improvement, is it in communicating, or response or forecasting.

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Prof. V.S. Ramamurthy in his address, brought to the attention about the importance of quick responses to disaster to reduce the loss of lives and effective relief responses as well as post disaster management. Need for develop flood modelling systems developed for Chennai to be developed for other states.

Dr. MV. Ramanamurthy, talked about the Chennai urban flooding and C-Flows a Coastal urban flood warning and impact-based risk analysis that had been developed. Field experiments and collection of data is in process in Kerala and the data is to be used to validate the numerical methods available and set up a similar system in Kerala.

Dr. T Usha, gave further the details of C-FLOWS system and demonstrated various features of the system developed.

Prof. V K Gaur, in his address highlighted that one of the reasons of extreme rainfall is the climate change and the need for formulating plausible hazard scenarios and make them available to the public based on past events. He also emphasized the need for involving the academic institutes to energize the younger generation of students and internalize the available knowledge.

Dr. G L Siva Kumar Babu discussed about the triggering causes for the landslides and emphasised the importance of studying and analyzing the threshold rainfall of an area to minimize risk associated. Multi hazard risk analysis is being done to understand the triggers that lead to continuous disasters.

Dr N. Purnachandra Rao, indicated that the topography and geography of Kerala are different from other states and need to take this into consideration while carrying out the flood modeling studies. It was noted that mid-lands of Kerala have registered highest levels of flooding. Brought to the attention of the participants about the detail study done at district level of possible hazards in Kerala including flood and landslides and was made available to all the related government departments in Kerala.

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Dr. Srinivasa Reddy, presented the current situation of rainfall and flood status in Karnataka and described the excellent data collection system has been put in place was described. Kodugu region had 40% excess rainfall and found to be distributed in July and August as two peaks. 225 landslide areas were identified, and there was damage to most of the road structures. Horticulture was also affected seriously and would take time to recover.

Dr. E N Rajagopal, highlighted the capability of the deterministic forecast system with 12km radius horizontal resolution and 1-10 day forecast. The cyclonic systems that emerged prior to monsoon has led to the conditions resulting in heavy rain fall.

There were detailed discussions during the roundtable meeting and some of the points emphasised were: Requirement for co-ordination between different government departments to function during a disaster. Methods to make the public aware of the risk of the flood prone areas. Maintenance of slopes during new constructions and developmental aspects was discussed to prevent landslides.

The roundtable discussions were followed by a Panel discussion on “ Recent floods at Kerala and Kodagu Region of Karnataka” on September 18, 2018. Experts from various agencies participated in the meeting. The panellists were Prof. Shailesh Nayak, NIAS, Prof. Vinod Kumar Gaur, C- MMACS, Bengaluru Dr. M. Mohapatra, NWFC, IMD, , Dr. E. N. Rajagopal, NCMRWF, Noida Dr. G. S. Srinivasa Reddy, KSNDMC, Bengaluru. The meeting started with Prof. M. Sai Baba, welcoming the participants. Dr VV Binoy, listed the important points of the discussion held during the round table meeting. Prof. Shailesh Nayak, Director, NIAS giving the introductory remarks about the importance of the meeting. The panel discussion was an open forum with public participation. Each member of the panel summarized the discussions held in the day long meeting and salient features were brought to the notice of the participants. There was active participation from the audience.

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DISCUSSION MEETING BY THE TIBET POLICY INSTITUTE – DHARAMSHALA, ON 'EDUCATION SYSTEM IN TIBETAN COMMUNITIES', HOSTED BY ISSSP, NIAS HELD ON 19 SEPTEMBER 2018, AT NIAS Coordinator: Prof. Lalitha Sundaresan

The TPI team consisted of three research fellows namely Dr. Rinzin Dorjee, Mr. Tenzin Dalha and Mr. Karma Tenzin accompanied by the Deputy Director Mr. Tenzin Lekshay. The discussion mainly focussed on the Tibetan community in India and the changes that took place in terms of culture and education, economic development, connectivity issues, among others, in the last five decades. In particular, the discussion on the education policy in Tibetan communities brought out some relevant socio cultural elements of change that are being manifested due to ingress of technology and social media, policy level decision making and changing geopolitical situations, over a period of time.

P A G E 0 7 C O N F E R E N C E , W O R K S H O P S A N D M E E T I N G S A DISCUSSION MEETING ON ‘PRIVATE FUNDING FOR BASIC RESEARCH IN INDIA’ WAS HELD ON 6TH, SEPTEMBER 2018 AT NIAS

Coordinator: Prof. Sai Baba

A discussion meeting on ‘Private funding for basic research in India’ was held on 6th, September 2018. The meeting, organized by Prof. M. Sai Baba and was chaired by Prof. S Ranganathan. Prof. G Baskaran, SERB Distinguished Fellow, IMSc, Chennai and Distinguished Visiting Research Chair Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, was the lead speaker of the event.

Science and its twin brother technology have been transforming our society, in ways unprecedented. For a healthy future of humanity and peaceful coexistence with our fragile ecosystem, advancement in science and a continuing enquiry into nature is a must. It is increasingly recognized that support for this must be sought, from beyond governments. Funds for science, potentially a large pool, does exist in private hands. Science philanthropy could be an enlightened self-interest. The meeting started with Prof. Ranganathan giving his introductory remarks and highlighting the agenda and introducing the lead speaker.

Prof. Baskaran, speaking about philanthropy and science philanthropy, spoke about Mike Lazaridis, the founder of the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics and the role he plays as a philanthropist who is contributing to basic research through the Perimeter Institute. Through a historical lens, the setup of research institutions funded by Tata’s like IISc and TIFR leading the growth of scientific research in the country. Prof. Baskaran reminisced about Dr. Mahendralal Sarkar and his passion for science which lead to the starting of the Indian Association for Cultivation of Science, which has attracted scientists like Prof. C.V. Raman.

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One of the recent examples he mentioned was of Infosys founder Kris Gopalakrishnan’s Pratiksha Trust funding for setting up the Centre for Brain Research at Bengaluru. Prof. Baskaran elaborated on the point that the kind of detachment required while funding the scientific research and gave the example of Lazaridis who has no influence in appointment, conduct of the project, choice of topic, etc. at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics.

Coming to recent trends about science philanthropy in the world, he presented in a detailed manner, the example of the Science Philanthropy Alliance, which brings together different foundations and philanthropists together at one place for supporting basic research in sciences. Prof. Baskaran then raised the question that despite so many philanthropists, foundations and trusts, what are the gaps that need to be bridged for science philanthropy in India?

There was good discussion from the participants. One of the important discussion points was about raising funds for research with no strings attached is one of the challenges lying ahead as basic research has long term goals for the society. Suggestions like Alumni funding research in Indian institutions and scope for enhancing the same, possibility of crowd funding science and its implications in our country, were also discussed.

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ROUND TABLE MEETING ON “INDIA– EUROPE SPACE COOPERATION” HELD ON SEPTEMBER 5TH, 2018 AT NIAS

Coordinator: Prof. Rajaram Nagappa

The National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) organised a Round Table with the European Space Policy Insitute (ESPI) on 5th September 2018 at NIAS. Select Indian space SMEs and startups presented their capabilities and roadmap. The Round Table helped explore the possibilities for industry particpation in the Indian space ecosystem and also enabled the participants to engage in an open dialogue to identify synergies for space cooperation between India and Europe.'

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JAPANESE CONSULAR-GENERAL MR TAKAYUKI KITAGAWA AND VICE-CONSUL MR AMRO VISITED NIAS ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2018 AND INTERACTED WITH THE PROGRAMME HEADS AND DEANS. Coordinator: Prof. Rajaram Nagappa

Mr. Takayuki KITAGAWA, Consul-General, Consulate-General of Japan, Bengaluru, India also delivered the special lecture on “Importance of Karnataka in Indo-Japan Relationship “ on September 20th, 2018 at Lecture Hall, NIAS.

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NIAS FOUNDATION COURSE ON “TRADITIONAL TEXTILES” AUGUST TO NOVEMBER 2018

Coordinator: Dr. Rajani MB

The art and craft of extracting fibers, weaving, dyeing and printing textiles, and clothing are an age- old channel to reflect the culture and identity of communities, individuals and geographical regions. India has a long history in the production and trade of textiles, and a rich variety of techniques and patterns have evolved in different regions.

This course is designed so that, the participants are introduced to the variety in traditional textiles of India, their histories, and the processes and techniques involved in their production. The course also discusses modern demands, manifestations and the state of existence of such craft. As part of the course, we have had a few activities where participants have met artists who do dyeing and printing and have had an opportunity to do it themselves.

The first of such activity was a visit to Thanrangini Block Printing Studio (Sept 8th ). Participants were introduced to natural dyes, block making, block printing and market for such work in the current environment.

The second was a workshop at NIAS on Sept 15 th on Tie-Dye, where Japanese Shibori method of tie- resisting fabric and dyeing with natural material (Marigold and Onion peel) were done. Participants were familiarized with the environmental pollution that textile industries cause and shown use of natural dyes, which takes longer but does minimal harm to the environment. Even the waste produced by our workshop went on to the compost heap.

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NIAS-DST TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR WOMEN SCIENTISTS ON“SCIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY IN INDIA” HELD DURING SEPTEMBER 3 – 7, 2018 Coordinator: Prof. Sheela Ramasesha and Dr. Shalini Dixit

National Institute of Advanced Studies conducts residential courses every year for those in senior positions in the government and industry supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), . This September, for the seventh successive time, NIAS conducted NIAS – DST Training Programme for Women Scientists (under DISHA Scheme). We continued with the theme of sustainability and it offered an excellent opportunity for multidisciplinary engagements, as its connection to research, teaching, advocacy, and policy and community participation. The week-long training programme was meant for mid-career women scientists and technologists from across India. The objectives of the course were to provide the orientation for multidisciplinary engagements around questions of sustainability, to offer opportunities for professional development and to provide leadership and mentoring workshops to women scientists.

The course had talks on different scientific and personal development topics and included a combination of invited and in-house lectures by scientists, administrators, scholars, teachers, social scientists and artists. The programme involved lecture demonstrations, audio-visual contents, group discussions and sessions focusing on professional development. The schedule of the programme included yoga every morning for an hour; lecture Sessions, and presentation by participants. The course also involved one public lecture by Dr. BindeshwarPathak, founder of Sulabh International and a play performance by Bangalore little theater on the scientist Rosalind Frankin, “Photograph 51”. In addition the course involved a visit to National Gallery of Modern Art, Bangalore.

The programme was enjoyed and valued as it gave opportunity for the participants to hear the latest developments on many topics of social and scientific importance, in addition to their own progress in their careers. This programme also gave networking opportunity for the women leaders in several scientific organizations to initiate cross- discipline collaborative dialogues.

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Urban and Mobility Studies Programme started a new lecture series titled “Changing India Series” on September 24th, 2018

A new series of monthly lectures and events entitled 'Changing India' has been initiated to remember the social thought of Prof. M.N. Srinivas, funded by the Pratiksha Trust. M.N. Srinivas, a major sociologist of modern India and a key figure in the history of NIAS, was deeply invested in understanding how the Indian social and political landscape developed after Independence, sometimes taking unexpected turns. Building on his work and reflections on Indian society, the ‘Changing India’ series of lectures, events and workshops will host key academics, writers, public intellectuals, artists and social justice activists to reflect on some of the pertinent questions of our time. The first event was held on September 24th , 2018: 'Transformative constitutionalism and the decriminalisation of the right to love', by Arvind Narrain, Human Rights Mr. Arvind Narrain Lawyer, Activist and Writer.

PUBLIC PROGRAMMES

Dr Bindeshwar Pathak Ms K Vaijayanti Prof Arun Kumar Founder, Sulabh Head Resource and Research Malcolm Adisheshiah Chair International, Social Service Vertical, Akshara Foundation Professor, Institute of Social Organization Maximising Learning of Children Sciences, New Delhi and My Inventions and Discoveries in Schools – Early Grade Math Retired Professor Jawaharlal to Solve the Problems of initiative at Scale Nehru University Sanitation, Untouchability and September 11, 2018 Two Circles of Growth: Social Discrimination – Through Marginalizing the Unorganized Peace and Non-Violence September 14, 2018 September 4, 2018 NIAS WEDNESDAY DISCUSSIONS

Dr Shivani Agarwal, Azim Premji Dr Jeebanlata Salam Dr Kshitija Joshi University,Bengaluru, Understandi Assistant Professor, NIAS Assistant Professor, NIAS ng the Impact of Forest Management Aspirations and the Social Capital The Trade-off between Fiscal Efficiency on the Landscape Change and Tree September 26, 2018 and Human Development - The Case of Diversity in Central Indian Dry Five South Indian States Deciduous Forest Landscapes by September 12, 2018 September 20, 2018 P A G E 1 4 P U B L I C A T I O N S

Journal Articles

Lalitha Sundaresan & Kaveri Ashok (2018) Uranium constraints in Pakistan: how many nuclear weapons does Pakistan have? , Current Science, Volume 115, Issue 6, p.1042-1048 (2018)

S. Chandrashekar (2018), The China-US Space Rivalry & the New World Order: What Should India Do? , ISSSP Report No 03-2018, September 2018

R Srikanth (2018), India's Sustainable Development Goals – Glide Path for India's Power Sector Energy Policy, Volume 123, p.325-336 (2018)

Reports

R Srikanth (2018), Earth and Human Systems: Understanding the Interaction (Report on the NIAS-MOES Workshop held at NIAS on 14 August 2018) , NIAS, Bengaluru (2018)

Media Publications

DEW Talks to Dr.Shailesh Nayak, "NIAS is Emerging as an Acclaimed Think-Tank on Space, GIS Issues", Drilling & Exploration World: The Complete Energy Journal, 27(11). September 2018

D Suba Chandran, "Lessons to be Learnt," The Book Review, 20 September 2018

D Suba Chandran, "Building momentum for peace in J&K," Daily Time, 18 September 2018

Shalini Dixit, "Social Identity: Self vs the Other", Deccan Herald, 6 September 2018

Anshuman Behera, "Manufacturing Maoists," Deccan Herald, 4 September 2018

Sundar Sarukkai, "The nature of dissent," The Hindu, 4 September 2018

D Suba Chandran, "The UN, Myanmar and the Rohingyas," The Rising Kashmir, 4 September 2018

P A G E 1 5 N I A S O U T R E A C H

N I A S F A C U L T Y O U T R E A C H

Prof. Shailesh Nayak

Appointed as a Member, Search-cum-Selection Committee for Selection of the Director General, NECTAR, New Delhi : Ministry of S&T, Dept. of S&T, GoI, 6th Sept. 2018

Appointed as a Chairman, Atmosphere and Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems and Services (ACROSS), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Delhi

As a Chairman chaired the meeting to finalize National Geospatial Policy organized by Department of S&T-New Delhi at NIAS, Bangalore, 4th Sept. 2018

As a Chairman, Chaired 13th Executive Committee Meeting of Indian Geophysical Union at CSIR-NGRI, & 1st FIGA Triennial Congress Committee Meeting, NGRI, Hyderbad, 7th Sept. 2018

Guest of Honour and address the Book release function and workshop on "Recent Advances in Geotechnical earthquake engineering", Dept Civil Engineering, IISc, Bengaluru, 10th Sept. 2018

As a Chairman, chaired 3rd Meeting of Coastal Zone Management Plans (CZMPs) TECHNICAL SCRUTINY/REVIEW COMMITTEE at NCSCM, Chennai, 11 & 12 Sept. 2018

As a Member, attended FES 17th Annual General Body meeting and 70th Board meeting, Foundation for Ecological Security (FES), Anand, . 15th Sept. 2018

As a Chairman, chaired an Expert committee to review Atmosphere and Climate Research- Modelling Observing Systems and Services (ACROSS) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Delhi at NIAS, Bengaluru, 24th Sept. 2018.

Prof. Carol Upadhya

‘Rural Real Estate: Agrarian Land as a Financial Asset’. Paper presented at Sixth Network of Rural and Agrarian Studies International Conference, Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar, September 20-22, 2018.

‘Mobilising the Youth? Deflection of Desire through Skill Development’. Paper presented at Conference on Egalitarianism, Hierarchy and Global Intellectual Labour beyond the West, NIAS, September 18-20, 2018.

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Prof. Sharada Srinivasan

Article in Better India cited the work of Prof Sharada Srinivasan published in two special volumes on Ancient Metallurgy in Materials and Manufacturing Processes Journal on Wootz steel and high-tin bronzes from Tamil Nadu https://www.thebetterindia.com/158830/tamil- nadu-research-facts-damascus-steel/

Invited delegate and speaker at the 3rd Edition of the Ooty Literature Festival held in the heritage Nilgiri Library, Ooty between 14th-15th September 2018. Prof Sharada highlighted her book India’s LegendaryWootz Steel and the ways in which the popular writing style of the book was aimed at enthusing the younger generation about the study of materials heritage and adventure of archeological science as in the study of the wootz making traditions that India was famous for. She also highlighted the recently published National Museum Bronze Catalogue where she has contributed to the study of techniques of bronze casting. She was also able to point to the role the NIAS TCS Heritage Initiative is highlighting the need to document and preserve crafts. Since various sessions, writers and poets also touched upon the topical Kerala floods and environmental aspects, Prof Sharada also highlighted the plight of metal craftspeople such as at Aranmula and need for further initiatives to support them.

Prof. M. Sai Baba

Delivered lecture on "Importance of Science Communication for the Development of the Society’" at the workshop on Dialogue with the Scientist-Communicators, organised by Swissnex India, Consulate General of Switzerland and NIAS on 28th September 2018.

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“Unfolding of the flower”

Picture credits: Prof. Sai Baba, NIAS P A G E 1 8