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INDIA INTERNATIONAL CENTRE v o l u m e X X V. No. 3 May–June 2011

diverse: Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan A Troubled Eden and what is now Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. It is BOOK RELEASE: A Tangled Web: in this genesis, perhaps, that the seeds of the current Jammu & Kashmir, IIC Quarterly, co-published with unrest lie. And the key to peace in this volatile HarperCollins India Limited, 2011 region is in an understanding of this diversity. Edited by Ira Pande The essays here familiarize the reader with the Released by Dr. Karan Singh, May 5 conflicting views on history, politics and autonomy pertaining to the region, and examine the various The launch of the special issue of the IIC Quarterly political, cultural, economic and social issues at play. is an annual rite when its double Winter-Spring issue Also included are features that voice the concerns of is released before a distinguished gathering. Speaking ordinary men and women who have borne the brunt

Launch of IIC Quarterly, A Tangled Web: Jammu & Kashmir on the occasion, Dr. Karan Singh, Chairman of the of decades of unrest; as well as commentaries on the Editorial Board, gave an emotional account of his beauty, art and food typical of the area; and photo personal attachment to this troubled area and set features that capture its ethereal and unique essence. the tone for a discussion by Shri Salman Haidar and The essays, by a wide selection of analysts and Madhu Kishwar as they traced the journey of this politicians, academics and artists, try to make jinxed paradise. sense of an increasingly volatile situation, making Founded in the mid-nineteenth century, the state A Tangled Web an insightful perspective on what is of Jammu and Kashmir brought together areas that undoubtedly an area of great strategic and geopolitical are culturally, linguistically and geographically significance. profiles

perhaps unthinkable on foot today! She praised the Tribute book, particularly the quality of the photographs and ILLUSTRATED LECTURE: Nirad C. Chaudhuri – the detailed information it gave the reader. She also Many Shades, Many Frames felt, while going through the book, as though she Speaker: Dhruva N. Chaudhuri were living her life all over again through its pages. Collaboration: Niyogi Books, June 11 Filmmaker Rajiv Mehrotra also recalled his days as a youngster when he and Dhruva N. Chaudhuri, An added treat at the launch of photographer and followed and filmed Chaudhuri in Oxford—the writer Dhruva N. Chaudhuri’s book on his father good wine he was given, his memories of Chaudhuri Nirad C. Chaudhuri, the prolific Bengali-English sitting on the floor in adhoti-kurta , writing furiously, writer was a screening of the documentary film An while Mozart played in the background. The Unrepentant Vision, by filmmaker Rajiv Mehrotra. screening of the film was a delight for the audience, The event had an overflowing hall with some of the who seemed to enjoy the eccentric and humorous audience standing outside. comments made by Nirad C. Chaudhuri during his interviews. For the author, D.N. Chaudhuri, In her introductory speech, Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan, writing a book about his famous father was an eye- recalled aspects of her personal equation with opening experience. It was an event which will Chaudhuri and shared many interesting anecdotes perhaps reignite interest in the life and times of with the audience. She recalled Chaudhuri’s insistence Nirad C. Chaudhuri. in making his friends and colleagues walk the distance between Ajmeri Gate and Tughlakabad—a distance  NANDITA JAISHANKAR

surrender that led to the liberation of people and General on the Pinnacle the formation of Bangladesh. His candid acceptance TALK: An Odyssey in War and Peace of differences with General Maneckshaw, refusal to by Lt. Gen. (Retd.) J.F.R. Jacob rush in impatiently without adequate preparations, Collaboration: Roli Books, June 6 and the audacity of taking independent decisions at great risk, especially when Pakistan had the substantial presence of the army, were acts of courage All generals accept war as an occasion to test their and determination. Any slip could have changed the knowledge, skills, patriotism, and an opportunity to course of events. excel. Some retire without seeing any action on the front while some just deal only with skirmishes from During the release of his book, he addressed other across the border till 1971, when India was forced to significant issues: the lack of coordination among a war by a belligerent neighbour. chiefs of forces; why China did not interfere; the dignified handling of PoWs and how the Naxal General Jacob, a versatile soldier in the true insurgency was handled. tradition, had actively participated in the war Jacob is one of the few generals whose odyssey in war against Pakistan. His contribution was captured in was as remarkable as in peace, as evidenced in his the iconic photograph of surrender by General Niazi role as Governor of Punjab and Administrator of the to General Aurora at Dhaka. It was his grit that had Union Territory of Chandigarh. rejected a ceasefire under the United Nations, and secured the first and the only unconditional public  P. S. BAWA 2 diary culture

Dr. Ghazala Shahabuddin of Ambedkar University Saving the Yamuna said that the book traced all the perspectives on the MEET THE AUTHOR: In Search of Yamuna – river—historical and cultural, and the need to revive Reflections on a River Lost (New Delhi: Times the organic connection with the river. She saw the river as an eco-system. Environmentalist and photographer, Group Books, 2011) Ravi Agarwal, felt that the book is a journey of discovery. Author: Sarandha Jain Sarandha deals with the nature/culture and nature/science Chair: Professor Rohan D’ Souza, May 30 connections. She also brings in western philosophers in the nature/science/society construct. He questioned the While introducing the author, Shri Soli J. Sorabjee role of technology in cleaning the rivers. He ended with said that Sarandha Jain has traced the history of the the quote that the challenge is getting those in whose Yamuna and pointed out the need to revive this great name we speak, to speak for themselves. river. This was followed by the author’s account of her Nitin Desai felt that there was very little space in the work and a slide show. Several eminent scholars also media about rivers. Desai also questioned the wisdom spoke on the book and the river. of federal control. He recalled his own experiences Sarandha Jain felt that one needed to establish one’s while conducting research on a village called Lakha own connections—to juxtapose multiple voices and Mandal in Uttaranchal, where the tribals fought multiple realities and make it a part of personal about how they dealt with their river. ecology. She felt that to save nature we needed to know it and to connect with it.  RACHNA JOSHI

also contains some well done verses. There are seven parts Treatise on Love in the text and it is only the second part that describes Talk: Kama Sutra – Beyond the Stereotype and elaborates on sex. The others engage with issues on Speaker: A.N.D. Haksar general context, on marriage, on duties and privileges Chair: Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan of the wife, on extra marital affairs, courtesans and on Collaboration: Penguin India, May 4 increasing virility. Above all, it is a classic guide to good living, fashionable lifestyle, a book on social and artistic pursuits as part of civilized living, sports and refers to The introductory remarks by Dr. Vatsyayan set the the sixty four arts. The text has a conceptual framework tone of the event. Her brief introduction of A.N.D. Haksar presented him as a seasoned diplomat with about the practical approach to life, it is not judgmental. varied experiences as well as a translator and researcher In essence, the text is descriptive and not prescriptive. of lesser-known Sanskrit texts. The contribution of An important aspect of the text is that it refers to an the Orientalists that began in the eighteenth century overarching ethic while mentioning purusharth, the explored the landscape of spiritual India through texts. pursuit of life to acquire wealth (arth), pleasure (kama) Haksar, she said, has addressed himself to this ‘other’ – the and virtue (dharma) without excluding anyone by narrative secular literature ignored by the Orientalists. pursuing them in balance.

Following a brief history of the translations of the Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan in her final remarks said that she Kama Sutra, Haksar went on to describe the manner hoped that Haksar’s book helps to remove the prejudices in which his work presents the classic that goes beyond of cultivated Indians. the stereotype. His translation of the classic presents the totality of the text. The book, written largely in prose,  NAVINA JAFA 3 theatre diary

husband who has failed to provide her emotional and Existential Anguish financial security. Savitri, the protagonist, to begin PLAY: Adhe Adhure with is painted as a strong minded woman, single- Author: Mohan Rakesh handedly managing her family, finance and career. But as the surface layers unpeel, her struggles expose Director: Sandeep Mahajan, May 28 the truth of her own unrealistic expectations and her emotional failure. Mohan Rakesh’s best known play Adhe Adhure was staged by senior students of the Indian Film and The theatrical piece attempts to recognize the very Television Institute, Meerut under the direction of purpose behind life, as a journey, as an expression of our Sandeep Mahajan. long-standing perceptions, where each one of us is in search of true happiness, but also on the way meet the Adhe Adhure is a complex dramatic piece on the many hurdles of desire, disease, exploitation, volatility of challenged relationships and emotional bankruptcy relationships and the fear of death. The play speaks out within an archetypal middle-class family. The play about the void in both men and women, which makes portrays Savitri, a middle-aged working woman them feel incomplete even after years of existence. discontented with her circumstances—an unemployed son, a promiscuous teenage daughter, and above all a  SHUBH SHARMA

Poetic Theatre PLAY READINGS: The Hungry Stones by Rabindranath Tagore Director: Sohaila Kapur, May 24

A reading of Rabindranath Tagore’s play based on one of his short stories, The Hungry Stones, was directed and presented by Sohaila Kapur. The performance was supported by Sanah Kaintura’s dance, and a deep resonant vocal rendition by Shampa Das. The stage The play ‘The Hungry Stones’ setting consisted of two desks covered with white of disbelief was that of the skeptical unnamed narrator sheets, behind which sat the two readers. Each reader which was compounded by Srijut’s enquiry from the announced his entry or exit by switching his table lamp madman Meher Ali, as to what was false. He, of course, on or off. A projection area adorned the top right corner never received an answer. of the cyclorama. Such readings can often be boring but, by punctuating The narrative, on the surface appeared to be a ghost the performance with sound effects and a slide show of story, but its underlying layers were the contrasts between carefully chosen images that added to the visualization reality and fantasy, and the inability to distinguish of the scenes, Sohaila made the performance interesting. between them. Working during the day as a collector of The primary characters of the story were the narrator, cotton duties, Srijut’s memories of the Arabian Nights characterized by Sanjeev Desai and Srijut, portrayed by of the Palace seemed like unbelievable flights of fancy. Sunit Tandon. During his nights, however, his stupid English clothes and his dull job seemed more fruitless. An added layer  MANOHAR KHUSHALANI 4 diary global

agreements with African States are estimated at some India-Africa Relations US$ 40 billion with some top Indian companies having DISCUSSION: India and the Rise of Africa – investments in diverse sectors in Africa. New Strategies and Approaches to Synergy for Ambassador Gennet Zewide said that, as compared to Sustainable Development other foreign lenders who dictated terms tantamount Panelists: Shashank Shekhar; to changing the policy, India’s projects in Africa had H.E. Mrs. Gennet Zewide; H.E Mr. Khaled El Bakly; been more holistic, and provided Africa with genuine H.E. Mr. Harris M. Majeke; H.E. Mr. Adeboblo Labiran; aid. At the New Delhi summit held in 2008, India and Vijay Naik, and Siddharth Vardarajan Africa had launched an action plan to promote closer Moderator: Suhas Borker cooperation. This led eminent Indian journalists on the Collaboration: Working Group on Alternative panel to agree that cultural media exchanges between India and Africa should be given a boost. Strategies and Indian Association of Foreign Affairs Correspondents, May 4 H.E. Mr. Khaled El Bakly, Ambassador of Egypt, added that the need of the hour was to build confidence and The distinguished panelists at this dynamic discussion, fight newer challenges, such as piracy and terrorism. organized on the eve of the second India-Africa summit Ambassador Gennet Zewide, who fondly remembered forum in Addis Ababa, highlighted the enduring Mahatma Gandhi’s association with Africa aptly relationship between India and Africa. summed up the evening’s discussion by reciting his famous quote: H.E. Mrs. Gennet Zewide, Ambassador of Ethiopia, said Africa shared a very special relationship with India, ‘The commerce between India and Africa will be of recalling the days when India supported Africa in its ideas, services not of manufactured goods, against raw struggle against apartheid to end colonization. Some other materials after the fashion of western exploiters.’ interesting observations on the India-Africa partnership were made. Among them was the fact that India’s bilateral  GAURIKA KAPOOR

The speakers elaborated on the causes behind the The Upsurge in the Middle East current uprising, Intifada in Arabic. The economic DISCUSSION: Democracy Upsurge in the Middle East and political deprivation of the masses, accumulation of wealth by the rulers, and lack of development Speakers: Bharat Wariavwalla, Khaled El Bakly, pushed the common men to revolt. The ‘youth bulge,’ Sandeep Dixit said Wariavwalla, took the lead role as this new Chair: K. P. Fabian, May 18 internet-savvy generation is well aware of the rest of the world. Khaled El Bakly, the Egyptian ambassador, The discussion highlighted the current situation in the gave first-hand information of what was going wrong Middle East. At present, politics in the Middle East is in the Middle East for so long. Corruption and police driven by social imperatives. People, the middle-class atrocity were the means by which the rulers kept their led primarily by the youth on the street, seem to be subjects silent, something that could not continue firm on the demands for a greater say in the political in the age of modern technology and a globalized and economic spheres. Whereas the rest of the world world. How does the changing Middle East concern went through these upheavals long ago, political unrest India? To this important foreign policy matter, Dixit here seems to be happening rather late. However, if summarized India’s key interests there in three points one keeps in mind that democracy is still a work-in- as oil, Indians who work there, and soft power. progress in many parts of the world, it is not too late for the Middle East to take the road to democracy.  KHINVRAJ JANGID 5 exhibitions diary

An enigmatic picture, evocative of the nebulous From the Mountains status of the state, which drew the eye was that of a EXHIBITION: Kabul – Through the Eyes of Afghan Youth boy perched on a lone stark tree against a backdrop of Collaboration: Canadian High Commission, snowy mountains. These amateur Afghans are well on their way to becoming true professionals. May 3–9 Nako – Living Cultural Heritage in the Western The second exhibition—22 colour photographs Himalayas by Stefan Olah, May 11–17 by Stefan Olah of the University of Applied Arts Collaboration: Austrian Cultural Forum Vienna—were of Nako village, in Kinnaur District, just seven km from the Indo-Tibetan border.

Two photographic exhibitions showcasing two disparate These photographs captured the picturesque village cultures were hosted at the IIC foyer and Annexe of 400 people—its blue lake and stark, arid mountain Exhibition Hall. Yet they shared common ground—the landscape, multi-coloured Buddhist flags and awnings mountainous region of the Inner and Outer Western reminiscent of Ladakh. Depictions of village life, secular Himalayas. The first was the work of 32 Afghan amateur and monastic were the main focus. Captured on film photographers, young men and women sponsored too were four Buddhist temple complexes dating by the Canadian Government. On display was the between the twelfth to sixteenth century; from the small, contemporary life of the Afghan heartland: Kabul, Herat, stark white ‘Kanchung Lakhang’ to the famous ochre Jalalabad and Mazar-e-Sharif. There were portraits of ‘Tibetan Translators’ (Richen Zangpo) Temple with its both the young and the old in daily life: schoolchildren, luminous, visually arresting murals and interiors. These farmers, cobblers, vendors, workmen, women in temples, where conservation and restoration work is still mosques. These were interspaced by two surrealistic going on, were visited by the Dalai Lama, in 2007. images of the damaged grandiose Darul-aman Palace of the 1920s, contrasted with modern downtown Kabul.  SIDDHARTH KAK

Inauguration of an Exhibition of Polish Posters 6 diary lectures

were introduced. To fill post school-stage gaps, help Innovative Education Model was sought from collaborators, states and the central TALK: The Change Agents – Innovative Indian government. To go beyond the stereotypes of C Organisations. ADAPT’s Innovative Design and and D category jobs, company-oriented vocational Delivery of Education Model programmes were successfully introduced. Speaker: Dr. Mithu Alur With the setting up of the National Resource Collaboration: EMI Institutions and The Indian Centre for Inclusion in 2007, the focus shifted from Express, May 6 segregated education to inclusive education. While at the micro level, private and public schools were This eloquent and moving account was about a introduced to the ideology of accepting differently journey of nearly 40 years, which began with the abled children; at the macro level, the systemically setting up of The Spastics Society of India’s school disadvantaged children were brought in to the Right in 1972. Later institutionalized all over India, this to Education (RTE). Next is a rural model, hoping evolved into a movement to support disabled people to create inclusive villages with synchronized health and their families. and education for the disabled. This project, Shiksha Sankalp, will help to create inclusive schools. A new model of Interdisciplinary Rapport, whereby professionals could have a cohesive holistic approach Dr. Alur’s meditative, spiritual journey is truly to children was adopted in close partnership with inspirational. This innovative model is aptly called parents, families, professionals and disabled persons. ‘ADAPT-Able, Disabled All People Together.’ A dynamic model with extra-curricular activities was set up and training courses for teacher and therapists  SHEKHAR BORKER

melismatic passages, started to obscure text even more, Soaring Notes focusing on vocal gymnastics instead. MUSIC APPRECIATION PROMOTION: A discussion on the cruel practice of castration to maintain Greek Drama and the Beginnings of Opera pristine pre-puberty high male voices, and the shift to Illustrated lecture by Dr. R. P. Jain countertenors singing falsetto was followed by a rare Introduction: Sunit Tandon, June 8 recording of one of the last castrati – Alessandro Moreschi and a contemporary countertenor example. From the The coming together of words, music, drama—there Classical period, a video clip featured Mozart’s ingenious is nothing quite as stimulating as opera to engage and bringing together of three low male voices, adding entertain the senses. In this lecture, held as part of the depth and drama as the philanderer Don Giovanni is Music Appreciation Promotion series, Dr. R.P. Jain commanded to repent. Moving on to the Romantic period, took the audience on an audiovisual journey, locating an excerpt from Wagner illustrated how instruments and the origins of opera in early Greek drama; moving on notes had evolved to represent characters in ‘leitmotifs’; through various epochs to the sights and sounds of and a piece by Richard Strauss demonstrated how the modern times. The focus on words, rather than music, emphasis in opera had shifted from transmission of text made early opera performances seem more recited than to the communication of musical colour and texture, sung. ‘Prima le parole, edopo la musica’ was the guideline. reversing the earlier guideline to ‘prima la musica, e dopo Clarity of the text was important, and any accompanying le parole’. Examples of nationalistic and exotic innovations instrumentation secondary. Excerpts from Monteverdi’s concluded the all-too-short evening, leaving the audience Orfeo and Handel’s Xerxes illustrated this beautifully, craving an encore. though by the Baroque period, music was already nosing ahead of the words. Coloratura sopranos with their long  PUNITA SINGH 7 cities diary

that sustained it, all the while attempting to fulfil its A City ‘Beseiged’ normal functions. He focused mainly on the police, FRONTIERS OF HISTORY: In the Name of which played a stellar role moulding itself to service the Sarkar – The 1857 Uprising in Delhi the rebel cause, and was at the forefront of collecting Illustrated lecture by Mahmood Farooqui supplies, provisions and labour essential to waging a Chair: Dr. Narayani Gupta, May 27 war, in addition to its normal policing duties. Farooqui sketched captivating vignettes of these police Storyteller extraordinaire of the Dastangoi, Mahmood interventions: peremptory demands for rations and Farooqui, came up with this account (not a history) of resources for soldiers; merchants and bankers being the ghadar after almost four years of transcribing and coerced to finance the war apparatus; military necessities translating the ‘Mutiny Papers’. These obscure, difficult- of masons, tailors, thatchers, coolies, water carriers, to-decipher documents came from Delhi’s various construction workers, bakers, farriers; petitions over police thanas and lay undisturbed for 150 years in the houses plundered by rebels; runaway women; brawls recesses of the National Archives of India. Farooqui’s over prostitutes; policing of gambling, kite flying, opium fascinating and often entertaining account reveals a consumption, blowing of bugles during Muharram; bans Delhi in intense turmoil carrying on despite a pauper as on private possession of lead and gun powder; arranging a king, a debilitated nobility and an empty treasury. The funerals; dealing with armed soldiers, to name just a account is as much a record of rebel governmentality as few from among scores of its preoccupations in a city of medieval and pre-modern modes of governance. beleaguered by a bewildering plethora of both day-to- Reprised from the chapter ‘In the Name of the Sarkar’, day demands and those engendered by the ever-hungry Farooqui’s talk examined the intricate link between the war machine—and yet, vibrantly thriving. military, finance and the formation of states—of the logistics of the machinery of war and the governance  RITU SINGH

and importance of the city increased up to 1931, when Facets of Indian Cities it ceased to be the capital of British India. His anecdotes DISCUSSION: Making of the Metropolises – dwelled on the partitioning of Bengal into smaller states, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai and transforming them. Shri Jagmohan provided an Speakers: Jagmohan, Vinod Mehta, and M.J. Akbar insight into the increasing migration to the city of Delhi since Partition. This has altered the character of the city Chair: Soli J. Sorabjee, May 19 over the last six decades. The formation of the Master Plans has given the city a vision to improve for future The explosion of urban population in India needs. He also spoke of the rejuvenation of open spaces, necessitated the increasing attention of urban and the bridges across the Yamuna that have led to a planners and the government to address the issues balanced growth of the city. Vinod Mehta provided a of infrastructure, governance, migration, housing brief history on the growth of Mumbai from a group of while maintaining the unique character of each city. small fishing islands. Used by the Portuguese as a trading Soli Sorabjee introduced the speakers, each speaking zone, it came into British hands as ‘dowry’ in the 1660s. on a metropolis of his choice. The major developments occurred from the 1840s with M.J. Akbar provided a brief but enlightening history the establishment of bridges, roads and the legendary of Kolkata. Starting as the major trading centre and Mumbai-Thane railroad link in 1853. Coupled with the the hub of world trade for rice, silk, spices and other opening of the Suez Canal in 1863, this made Bombay a commodities of the age, the Portuguese, Danish and major port for world trade. Later, a confluence of many French had already established trading posts here long cultures has made it a truly secular and cosmopolitan city. before the British arrived. As the centre of the East India 8 Company, it became the capital of India. The prosperity  ROHIT KRISHAN GULATI diary notices

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Resolution Passed During Annual General Body Meeting – March 29, 2011 At the Annual General meeting held on March 29, 2011 many members expressed their concern on the recent conduct of some members during the recent election process and suggested amending the rules and regulations to provide for a code of conduct for members to enable the Centre to cancel the membership on grounds of conduct unbecoming of a member of IIC, and passed the following resolution unanimously: This General Body meeting resolves to reaffirm the core values of IIC’s foundations which are IIC’s raison d’ etre and at the same time we resolve to rebuff attempts which seek to lower the prestige and dignity of this august institution. It is the implementation of the idea and spirit behind this that is important and all members are duty bound to ensure that rules, regulations and instructions which members accepted at the time of seeking membership are adhered to in the right spirit.

Obituary A-0403 Shri M.T. Advani L-0328 Shri Biren De A-1365 Shri S.C. Gupta M-0637 Maharani Menaka Raje Pawar A-2957 Smt. Santosh Varma M-0730 Shri Chidananda Dasgupta A-3106 Smt. Shakuntala Khosla M-1149 Shri Ramakrishna Chattopadhyaya A-3454 Shri S.K. Mitra M-1606 Shri M.P. Wadhawan A-5414 Smt. Janaki Venkataraman M-2053 Shri C.G. Somiah L-0245 Shri Shiv S. Kapur M-2290 Shri Jagdish C. Chopra

L-0298 Shri M.F. Husain M-2347 Dr. V.P. Dutt 9 futures diary

Highlights for July–August 2011

Performances Lectures 21 July 2011 at 6:30 pm 18 July 2011 at 6:30 pm Kathakali Recital Hijacked Heritage Solo performance by Prabal Gupta The West Discovers Ancient Mesopotamia: Early from Bangalore, disciple of the late 19th Century Archaeology to the Destruction of Guru Kalamandalam Govindan Kutty Babylon in the 21st Century and Guru Fact Padmanabhan Illustrated lecture by Dr. Shereen Ratnagar, archaeologist, 25 – 26 July 2011 at 6:30 pm former Professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University. Chair: Monsoon Festival Dr. Kunal Chakrabarty, Chairperson, Centre for 25 and 26 July 2011 Historical Studies, School of Social Sciences, JNU Presenting two evenings of music 28 July 2011 at 6:30 pm and dance celebrating monsoon Rosalind Wilson Memorial Lecture 2011 melodies ‘Mother India’ Hindustani Vocal Recital Speaker: Shri Gopalkrishna Gandhi, former Governor, By Savita Devi, daughter West Bengal and disciple of the late (Organized by the Rosalind Wilson Memorial Trust) Siddheshwari Devi 29 July 2011 at 6:30 pm 26 July 2011 at 6:30 pm Music Appreciation Promotion Odissi Recital Hymns in Praise of Twenty One Tara: Arya Tara By Kavita Dwibedi from Delhi Namaskaraikavimsati Stotram Illustrated lecture and rendition of chants in praise 1 August 2011 at 6:30 pm of Goddess Tara in Mahayana Buddhist tradition Manipuri Recital Presented by Raji Ramanan Solo presentation by Sinam Basu Singh from Imphal, Manipur, Chair: Geshe Dorji Damdul, Director, Tibet House disciple of Guru Y. Hemanta Kumar, 11 August 2011 at 6:30 pm Guru N. Tiken Singh and Guru W. Frontiers of History Lokendrajeet Singh Nationalist Asceticism in India Speaker: Dr. Chandrima Chakraborty, Associate 3 August 2011 at 6:30 pm Professor, Department of English and Cultural Studies, Concert – Violin and Piano McMaster University, Ontario, Canada Presented by Mandhira de Saram on the violin and Eshantha de Chair: Professor Tanika Sarkar Saram on piano 24 August 2011 at 6:30 pm 10 August 2011 at 6:30 pm From Human Trafficking to Human Rights Concert – Piano Recital Speaker: Professor Alison Byrsk, Mellichamp By Susan Sobolewski from USA Professor of Global Governance 10 futures diary

27 August 2011, 11:00 am to 1:00 pmCelebrating Exhibitions Women’s Leadership Ela Bhatt will speak on Anasua Sarabhai 22 – 28 July 2011, 11:00 am – 7:00 pm daily Imaging Delhi – II Poetry Picturing Delhi 10 August 2011 at 6:30 pm Ram Rahman, well- Gitanjali – The Melody of Longing known photographer An illustrated presentation with music and visuals will present an exhibition By K. Jayakumar of photographs selected Chair: Dr. J.P. Das from work over the last (Collaboration: The Poetry Society, India) 35 years; as well as some vintage photographs Seminar taken by his father, 27 – 28 July 2011, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm on both days Habib Rahman many of Parampara – Pravah which go back to the mid-1950s. A view of the building 27 – 28 July 2011 of Delhi both physically and culturally – as seen by A two-day seminar on rare aspects in the Kathak one family. The exhibits will be a mix of an archive form of dance and images, and will include old magazines and press Conducted by Guru Rani Khanam, Kathak exponent cuttings to present a different way of looking at the city and choreographer Opening on Thursday, 21 July at 6:30 pm Presentations by Dr. Maya Rao; Smt. Leela Venkataraman; Smt. Sunainaya Hazari Lal; Shri Ravindra Mishra; As part of this exhibition, there will be a talk Smt. Arshiya Sethi; Shri Subhash Chandra; Smt. on Tuesday, Manjushree Chatterji; and Ms. Saswati Sen 26 July at 6:30 pm (Collaboration: AAMAD-Kathak Dance Centre) The Tradition of the Documentary Photograph Illustrated lecture by Ram Rahman who will speak Discussion about the tradition of social documentary photography 23 August 2011, 10:30 am - 1:00 pm and its continuing relevance. With reference to his own Living Rivers, Dying Rivers work, this will be a personal take on the work of Sunil Kosi/Baghmati River Janah (India b 1918), Walker Evans (USA, 1903-1975), Lead presentation by Dinesh Kumar Mishra, based at Manuel Alvarez Bravo (Mexico, 1902–2002), and Jamshedpur, he has been working on the flood issue in Brassai (France, 1899-1984) the Ganga–Brahmaputra Basins since 1984, and has written many books on the rivers of North Bihar. He 10 – 17 August 2011, 11:00 am – 7:00 pm daily has published over 60 articles in various journals, and Imaging Delhi – III is currently writing a book on the River Bagmati of Delhi and Beyond Nepal/Bihar Photographs by Smitha Khorana Chair: Shri Ramaswamy R. Iyer 25 – 31 August 2011, 11:00 am – 7:00 pm daily Film The Triumph of Dance 2 August 2011 at 4:00 pm A collection of paintings characterized by vibrant Films on Spirituality and Faith colours and inspired by the eclectic dances from the Mohammed the Prophet land of Persia Director: Chema Sarmiento Paintings by Setareh Felizadeh 11 Reg. No. 28936/77 diary

A Note from the Director

landmark year is about to begin soon. The and implementation; balancing the demands of the India International Centre, which was environment and development with sustainability; the A inaugurated on January 22 1962, celebrated role of science and technology development, and in its Silver Jubilee in 1987 and its fortieth year in 2002. the democratization of knowledge in its creation and Now the Centre will complete 50 years in January dissemination together with the ethical issues involved 2012. It is time to take a moment to reflect on how in the immense power that it places in the hands of this beautiful and tranquil place has provided space people for both construction and destruction. for 50 years for the contemplation and articulation The democratic process itself needs to be transparent of multiple voices and visions in multiple formats. and accountable. It rests on elections through which Several members have given us suggestions on what a government is voted into power; political tolerance could be done to mark the Golden Jubilee year in that seeks to take into account the minorities and 2012, while also carrying on the normal activities embraces diversity; rule of law that ensures equality of the Centre. of treatment to all its citizens; and speedy delivery One of the proposals to emerge from these of justice to make this discernable; freedom of suggestions is that a series of lectures, panel expression that aids in dissemination of information discussions and seminars should be organized in and formation of public opinion; accountability and 2012 by eminent speakers and thought leaders to transparency that are the bedrock of good governance; see how the democratic process has worked in post- decentralization that makes governance more Independence India, and whether it has succeeded inclusive; and civil society that articulates the needs in giving human capability the freedom to innovate of the people and takes the delivery to the grassroots. and grow. Capability that lies between raw capacity The proposed series seeks to look at the above issues and action perhaps needs to be linked to human and, in the light of these, examine the achievements freedom in all its dimensions, rather than to the in the last six decades since Indian independence mere profit motive, for development to take place together with the challenges that lie ahead and how within the ambit of justice, equity and basic rights. they are to be dealt with for the future. One of the pivotal issues is the struggle between We at the Centre would be delighted if the members those who govern and those who are governed. This help us organize this series. Also we welcome plays itself out in all aspects of democracy. suggestions for other activities that members After much discussion, the focus that has emerged for would like during the Golden Jubilee year and the proposed lecture series is development through would be grateful for their active help in bringing democracy. This entails tackling the challenges of them to fruition. equitable access to quality health and education; issues pertaining to participatory decision-making  Kavita A. Sharma

This issue of the Diary has been assembled and edited by Ira Pande, Chief Editor; Rachna Joshi, Senior Asst. Editor; and Ritu Singh, Asst. Editor. Published by Ravinder Datta, for the India International Centre, 40, Max Mueller Marg, New Delhi-110 003, Ph: 24619431. Designed by Poonam Bevli Sahi at FACET Design, D-9, Defence Colony, New Delhi - 110 024, Ph: 24616720, 24624336 and printed by Mastan Singh at I.G. Printers, 104, DSIDC Shed, Okhla Phase-I, New Delhi - 110 020. 12