INDIA WEEK 2021Online Program

Monday 9 August – Sunday 15 August

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INDIA WEEK 2021Monday 9 August – Sunday 15 August

India Week is the Australia India Institute’s annual celebration of all things India. From culture and thought to politics and society, the week is packed full of activities that deepen mutual understanding and strengthen links between our two countries.

Our 2021 program will be a hybrid festival of online and in-person events from August 9 - 15

Click here to browse through the most updated lists of online and in-person events.

PROGRAMMonday 9 August

Climate-change, Gender and Livelihoods in the Indian Himalaya

4.30 pm – 5.30 pm AEST 12.00 pm – 1.00 pm IST

Speakers:Dr Alexander E Davis, Lecturer in International Relations, University of Western AustraliaAssociate Professor Jane Dyson, School of Geography, The University of Melbourne Dr Ram Pandit, Environmental and Resource Economist, University of Western AustraliaRoshan Rai, Development Practitioner, DLR Prerna Dr Mona Chettri, AII Next Generation Network Scholar, University of Western Australia

Different Himalayan states in India are witnessing accelerated ‘development’ — new industries, infrastructure projects, urbanisation, and resource extraction. In this online discussion, hosted by the Australia India Institute Centre at the University of Western Australia, panellists will discuss how aspirations for development are reconciled with changes in the environment and how this uneasy relationship manifests itself in the narratives and experiences of contemporary Himalayan lives and livelihoods.

Tuesday 10 August

India Week Official Launch – Australia and India in Partnership

2.00 pm – 3.00 pm AEST 9.30 am – 10.30 am IST

Distinguished guests and speakers: His Excellency Manpreet Vohra, High Commissioner of India to AustraliaHis Excellency Barry O’Farrell AO, High Commissioner of Australia to IndiaMr Peter Varghese AO, Chancellor, University of Queensland, and author of Australia’s India Economic Strategy to 2035Ms Suhasini Haidar, Member of the AII Board and National Editor and Diplomatic Affairs Editor, The HinduAssociate Professor Manisha Priyam, Head of Education Policy, National University for Education Planning and Administration, IndiaMr Allan Myers QC, AC, The Chair of the AII Board and Chancellor of the University of MelbourneProfessor Michael Wesley, Deputy Vice Chancellor International, University of Melbourne Professor Muthupandian Ashokkumar, Acting AII Director and Assistant Deputy Vice Chancellor International, University of Melbourne

The Australia India Institute is pleased to be officially launching India Week 2021 with a roundtable discussion with many distinguished guests. Topics to be discussed include trade and education.

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EQ and IQ: Are South Asian International Students being Supported?

3.30 pm – 4.30 pm AEST 11.00 am – 12.00 pm IST

Speakers:Jaya Manchikanti, Co-Founder, IndianCareJyothsna Rao, Health Professional Krina Shah, Master of Social Work Graduate, University of Melbourne

Project SASS (South Asian Student Support) promoted the welfare and wellbeing of Victoria’s South Asian International Students from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar. It is supported by Study Melbourne’s International Student Welfare Program 2020 and the Victorian Government. Project SASS 2020 was an innovative, online, student-led project delivering culturally appropriate, evidence-based activities to increase students’ leadership skills, workplace knowledge and employability, social cohesion and addressing their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing

In this webinar, speakers will discuss the creation of the program, the reasoning for it, and highlight the successes and next steps.

Stories of Indingenousness: Land and Belonging

6.30 pm – 7.30 pm AEST 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm IST

Excavating narratives from the Adivasis in India and the Aboriginal peoples in Australia, whose stories are underrepresented in media and culture in this “modern age”. Who do these lands truly belong to, and what can India and Australia learn from each other about their seemingly similar indigenous inhabitants? Join us for this special discussion, hosted by Belongg.

Wednesday 11 August

Maie Casey in India and her Support for Indian art

3.00 pm – 4.00 pm AEST 10.30 am – 11.30 am IST Speaker: Mr Michael Moignard, Academic Fellow, Australia India Institute

Baroness (Maie) Casey (1892-1983) was an author, artist, collector, and connoisseur. This webinar will explore her role in building connections between contemporary Australian and Indian art in the 1940s and 50s. This webinar is part of the AII’s Fellows Series and will be hosted by honorary Academic Fellow Michael Moignard.

Gender and Security in Asia

3.30 pm – 4.30 pm AEST 11.00 am – 12.00 pm IST Dr Meenakshi Gopinath, Director, Women in Security Conflict Management and Peace, Member of the La Trobe Asia Advisory Board

Moderator:Dr Rebecca Strating, Executive Director, La Trobe Asia

In Asia, discussions and policies concerning conflict, peace and security remain dominated by male voices and views. This live Asia Rising podcast recording, hosted by La Trobe University, will explore the importance of involving women in Asian security conversations and what can be done to ensure greater gender diversity.

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Illiteracy Inequality

4.00 pm – 5.00 pm AEST 11.30 am – 12.30 pm IST Speakers:Dr Amanda Gilbertson, The University of MelbourneTom Delaney, Literacy and English Teacher Prerana Singh, Coordinator, Enabled

Chair:Professor Nathan Grills, Professor Melbourne School of Population and Global Health and Senior Research Adviser (Health) and Fellow, Australia India Institute

India has made excellent strides forward in increasing literacy over the last 20 years, but this progress has been unequal. Despite policies and programs, illiteracy in various disadvantaged groups, such as those with disability, low income, low caste and dwelling rurally has typically remained stubbornly high. In this online discussion, several experts will address the topic from different angles.

Developing Partnerships Between Australian and Indian Universities

4.30 pm – 5.30pm AEST 12.00 pm – 1.00 pm ISTProfessor Aniruddha Desai, Founding Director of ASCRIN, La Trobe UniversityProfessor Susan Dodds, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Industry Engagement), La Trobe UniversityProfessor Yogesh M Joshi, Dean of International Relations, IIT KanpurProfessor Sudhirkumar Barai, Director Pilani Campus and Director International Programs & Collaborations, BITS Pilani

Chair: Dr Rebecca Strating, Executive Director, La Trobe Asia

The Asian Smart Cities Research and Innovation Network (ASCRIN) facilitates and enables the development of strong partnerships required to support ‘smart cities’. This event, hosted by La Trobe University, will look at the successes of ASCRIN and how it can be a model for partnership, as well as the importance of international collaboration when implementing real-world impact and providing social and public goods.

Thursday 12 August

Literature, Political Writings and Influence on the Indian Freedom Struggle

2.30 pm – 3.30pm AEST 10.00 am – 11.00 am IST

This panel discussion will focus on Indian literature and political writings and their importance in the Indian freedom struggle. The discussion will broadly cover: political writings, fiction: novel and poetry, women writers. Hosted in collaboration with Australia India Institute, Delhi and the Daily Milap.

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How India and Australia Tackle Plastic Waste

3.00 pm – 4.00 pm AEST 10.30 am – 11.30 am IST

Speakers:Ms Zeenat Niazi, Vice-President, Development AlternativesMr Souvik Bhattacharjya, Senior Fellow and Associate Director at Integrated Policy Analysis Division of TERI, The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI)Professor Assa Doron, Australian National UniversityDr Heinz Schandl, Senior Science Leader, CSIROProfessor Veena Sahajwalla, Australian Research Council and Laureate Professor, University of New South Wales

Plastics (polymers) are a ubiquitous material and are used for many applications because of the versatility of the material. Very often, however, plastics are ending up in landfill or worse in our waterways and oceans. We are exploring the scale of the issue in India and investigating solutions for reducing plastic waste through a circular economy, where today’s waste can become a resource for tomorrow. In this online discussion, experts from India and Australia share their perspectives on the problem and discuss opportunities and solutions.

Multiculturalism and the Creation of an Anti-Racist Society 6.30 pm – 7.30 pm AEST 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm IST

India and Australia are both countries with long histories of cultural assimilation; how can such multiculturalism lead to vibrant societies and how can a vibrant society, in turn, foster more multiculturalism? In this session, hosted by Belongg, our panelists will delve into what anti-racism and diversity truly mean, and how literature moulds these realities while simultaneously introspecting on existing systems and stories.

Friday 13 August

Sports Diplomacy: Pitching for a Stronger Australia-India Relationship

4.00pm – 5.00 pm AEST 11.30 am – 12.30 pm IST

SpeakersSimon Taufel, Australian Cricket Umpire, Former Member of the ICC Elite umpires panelLisa Sthalekar, Former Cricketer and Commentator Brad Rowse, CEO, Melbourne City Football Club Harini Rana, Journalist Molina Asthana, Principal, Swarup Asthana Lawyers and Business Advisors, and Founder of Multicultural Women in Sport

Join our panel of professionals working in sport as they share their insights on sports diplomacy initiatives between Australia and India, followed by a panel discussion and robust audience question and answer session.

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Saturday 14 August

The Many Facets of Dr Ambedkar

3.00 pm – 4.00 pm AEST 10.30 am – 11.30 am IST

Professor Jaymangal, Acting Principal, Dr Ambedkar, Law College Mumbai, IndiaProfesspr Rajesh Karankal, Head of Department of English, University of Mumbai, IndiaAsmita Mahire-Singh, Consultant Giribala Thomas, Department of Home Affairs, Government of India Prakash Punekar, Project Manager

Many people know Dr Ambedkar as the leader of marginalised and underprivileged society in India. This webinar, hosted by Dr Ambedkar International Mission Australia, aims to highlight Dr B. R. Ambedkar’s multifaceted personality, his vision and philosophy. The discussion will also explore his significant contributions in various fields, including women’s empowerment, the Constitution of India, Indian economics, industrialisation and modernisation.

Sunday 15 August

Flag Hoisting Ceremony at the Consulate General of India 9.00 am – 10.00am AEST

All Indians, persons of Indian origin and friends of India are welcome to attend the Flag Hoisting Ceremony to mark the beginning of celebrations for the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence. This special event is organised by the Consulate General of India Melbourne.

Monday 9 - Sunday 15 August

Art Exhibition: Folklore 12.00pm - 6.00pm AEST

This group art exhibition, Folklore by Indian Australian Artists, captures the numerous aspects of the Indian folk culture, including tales, music, dance, legends, oral history, popular beliefs and customs.This art exhibition is a means to connect the broader Australian community to the cultural folklores of India. No need to register – simply visit us at 147/149 Barry St, Carlton.

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Wellbeing EventsMonday 9 August

Meditation and Detox Practices for Wellbeing

10.00 am – 11.00 am AEST 5.30 am – 6.30 am IST

Facilitator:Dr Elizabeth Denley, Heartfulness Institute

Learn how to create better physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing for yourself through simple yogic meditation practices that bring contentment, calm, compassion, courage and clarity to everyday life.

Musical Meditation

2.00 pm – 2.45 pm AEST 9.30 am - 10.15 am IST

Facilitator: Girija Krishnaswamy, Yoga Teacher, The Art of Living Foundation

Meditation and music go hand in hand. In this session, hosted by The Art of Living, you will experience a meditative state through the power of music and singing.

Tuesday 10 August

Detox

10.00 am – 11.00 am AEST 5.30 am – 6.30 am IST

Facilitator: Girija Krishnaswamy, Yoga Teacher, The Art of Living Foundation

Breathing is a tool with which we can access the switchboard of our nervous system, which controls our involuntary and voluntary nervous systems. In this session, hosted by The Art of Living, you can learn to detox and relax through breath.

Meditation and Detox Practices 12.30 pm – 1.30 pm AEST 8.00 am – 9.00 am IST

Skills to calm the mind and overcome negative emotions are the essentials to excel in any field. In this series of daily sessions, hosted by Heartfulness, you will learn meditation and different micro practices for mental clarity introduced successively. The easy-to-follow steps, and free-to-all online Heartfulness resources makes it easy to integrate and sustain these inner wellbeing practices in your daily life at your pace.

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Wednesday 11 August

Hormonal Balance

10.00 am – 11.00 am AEST 5.30 am – 6.30 am IST

Facilitator: Simone, Yoga Teacher, The Art of Living Foundation

Our hormonal balance decides what sort of mood we will have. Deep breathing exercises and meditation bring a balance to these chemicals and calm down our minds. In this session, hosted by The Art of Living, you will learn exercises that can help you better handle the changing situations in front of us.

Lifestyle Tips: Food and Eating

11.30am – 12.30 pm AEST 7.00 am – 8.00 am IST

Facilitator:Dr Sanjeev Sharma, The Art of Living Foundation

Are our bodies only a solid structure – consisting of bone, muscle, organs and a network of arteries and veins through which our blood circulates? We could condense the solid matter in the human body to the size of a thimble. The rest is space between cells, and space between organs.

Connecting and enlivening all these parts is the energy that our cells produce. It’s what keeps us going. Without an adequate energy supply, our health suffers. In this event, hosted by Heartfulness, you will explore how we can avoid an energy crisis.

Thursday 12 August

Meditation and Detox Practices

12.30 pm – 1.30 pm AEST 8.00 am – 9.00 am IST

Skills to calm the mind and overcome negative emotions are the essentials to excel in any field. In this series of daily sessions, hosted by Heartfulness, you will learn meditation and different micro practices for mental clarity introduced successively. The easy-to-follow steps, and free-to-all online Heartfulness resources makes it easy to integrate and sustain these inner wellbeing practices in your daily life at your pace.

Strengthening of the Lungs

4.00 pm – 5.00 pm AEST 11.30 am – 12.30 pm IST

Facilitator:Dimple, The Art of Living Foundation

We take thousands of breaths each day and inhale thousands of litres of air. But, if our body isn’t optimised and we aren’t breathing properly then the lungs aren’t able to take in as many nutrients as they can. In this session, hosted by The Art of Living, you will learn breathing exercises to give your respiratory system a much-needed boost.

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Friday 13 August

Flexibility Friday 4.00 pm – 5.00 pm AEST 11.30 am – 12.30 pm IST

Facilitator:Sanitha, The Art of Living Foundation

During COVID-19, working from home has become more common than ever. Flexibility is an important component of physical fitness and has many positive effects on the body. In this session, hosted by The Art of Living, you can learn to increase your flexibility with simple yet profound yoga postures.

Saturday 14 August

Immunity Boost

10.00 am – 11.00 am AEST 5.30 am – 6.30 am IST

Facilitator:Kunal, Art of Living Foundation

Most people don’t know that they are using only 33% of their lung capacity. This can be increased by learning yogic breathing or deep-focused breathing. In this webinar, hosted by The Art of Living, you will learn about powerful breathing exercises that can enhance your lung capacity for oxygen.

Spiritual Ecology: In Tune with Nature

2:00 pm - 3.00 pm AEST 9:30 am - 10.30 am IST

The event, hosted by Heartfulness, will focus on our relationship with nature and the remarkable way in which trees feel, communicate, support each other and respond to us in subtle ways. If we expand our consciousness to embrace Nature, it can go a long way in healing us and enabling us to simplify our lives to be in tune with nature, both within and without.

Sunday 15 August

Meditation and Detox Practices

12.30 pm – 1.30 pm AEST 8.00 am – 9.00 am IST

Facilitator:Mr Abhijeet Gupta, Art of Living Foundation

Skills to calm the mind and overcome negative emotions are the essentials to excel in any field. In this series of daily sessions, hosted by Heartfulness, you will learn meditation and different micro practices for mental clarity introduced successively. The easy-to-follow steps, and free-to-all online Heartfulness resources makes it easy to integrate and sustain these inner wellbeing practices in your daily life at your pace.

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Healing through Breath

4.00 pm – 5.00 pm AEST 11.30 am – 12.30 pm IST

Facilitator:

Suma, Art of Living Foundation

It took a global pandemic to make the world realise that our breath is the most important aspect of our being. With the second wave of COVID-19 ravaging the lives of thousands of people and the country’s health infrastructure, it is time we take the responsibility of our lungs into our own hands.

On Demand Events Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2021

The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) is the largest festival of its kind in Australia, celebrating the best of Indian cinema in all its forms. In 2021, IFFM takes over five key venues in Melbourne’s CBD and suburbs, while an extended virtual season will see films stream for free via the festival’s website, iffm.com.au. Kicking off a diverse and dynamic program of more than 70 feature films, documentaries and shorts, is the 2021 IFFM Opening Night film, Ajitesh Sharma’s WOMB (Women of My Billion) on 12 August.

Equity in Education: Shared Perspectives from India and Australia – Technology

In this webinar, leading educators and industry leaders from India and Australia share their direct experiences, insights, and key analysis of how technology has become a defining factor in modern education, including how the pandemic has brought that stark reality to the surface. This webinar was part of a series of virtual events exploring equity in education, presented in partnership with the Asia Education Foundation and Australia India Institute, Delhi.

Equity in Education: Shared Perspectives from India and Australia – Gender

This webinar explored gender equity in education from Australian and Indian perspectives, through the prism of policy and research, education providers and recent graduates in entrepreneurship. This webinar was part of a series of virtual events exploring equity in education, presented in partnership with the Asia Education Foundation and Australia India Institute, Delhi.

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Equity in Education: Shared Perspectives from India and Australia – Wellbeing

This webinar considers wellbeing as a key component of equity in education from Australian and Indian perspectives. Panellists explore how research, policies, school leaders and classroom practitioners are shaping programs for the greater wellbeing of students and teachers in schools. This webinar was part of a series of virtual events exploring equity in education, presented in partnership with the Asia Education Foundation and Australia India Institute, Delhi.

Australia and India’s Soft Power Diplomacy

The special relationship between Australia and India is built on historic people-to-people links, but how will the post-COVID environment change that? In joint partnership with the the Australian Institute of International Affairs Victoria (AIIAV), the AII hosted the third panel discussion in the AIIAV’s South Asia Seminar Series on ‘Australia and India’s Soft Power Diplomacy’.

Women in Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a COVID World

The global UN Women theme for International Women’s Day (IWD) 2021 was “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world”. This theme celebrates women and girls’ tremendous efforts around the world in shaping an equal future. Catch-up on this webinar, as a panel of experts from various disciplines discusses the topic related to their work in Australia and India.

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We would like to thank all our partners for collaborating with the Australia India Institute for India Week. Their insight and desire to promote the Australia-India relationship is invaluable.

INDIA WEEK 2021Partners

The Australia India Institute is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment, and the University of Melbourne.

Front cover image: Andrew Moore, Lahore Gate - Red Fort, Delhi Back cover image: Federation_Square,_Melbourne, Donaldytong, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons