National Education Policy 2019

National Education Policy 2019
Discussion
2.0 hrs

July 16, 2019 7:30 pm Tuesday

National Education Policy 2019: A Panel Discussion

Made public a few weeks ago, the draft National Education Policy 2019 proposes major changes in the government funding policy on education, the structure of school education, the curricular design for school and higher education, the nature of teacher training and recruitment, among other crucial areas of India’s education system. The institutional implications of these policy measures will be wide ranging and deep, and invite therefore a critical and constructive engagement with the draft NEP. What is the process that has guided the making of the NEP? How do the NEP proposals relate to the Right to Education? Do the experiences of the socially marginal communities offer an alternate vantage point for responding to them? These are among the several questions addressed in the panel discussion.

Our Panelists:-

Chandan Gowda – CG is Professor of Sociology at Azim Premji University, Bengaluru.”

Shantha Sinha is a former Chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, and retired as a Professor, department of Political Science, University of Hyderabad. As secretary trustee of MV Foundation she worked towards abolition of child labor and in support of children’s right to education.

Sujatha Suryapally – Professor of Sociology at Satavahana University & Activist.

Ritesh Khunyakari- Faculty at TISS Hyderabad.

Moderator :- Dr.A.Suneetha is a Senior Fellow at Anveshi. She has studied women’s madrassas as part of her research on gender and minorities.

Organizer
Lamakaan An Open Cultural Space

The Future of Indian Economy

The Future of Indian Economy
Talk
2.0 hrs

July 12, 2019 7:00 pm Friday

Vamsi Vakulabharanam Associate Professor of Economics University of Massachusetts, Amherst

In the recently concluded Indian election, economic factors did not play a decisive role. Despite a faltering economy, BJP returned to power with an enhanced majority. Political and cultural factors seemingly played a much more central role in the determination of the election outcome. What is in store over the next five years? Will economic factors become central once again? What kind of an economy can we expect in the near future? What indications can be gleaned from the newly minted 2019 budget? What are the emergent economic faultlines of the Indian economy?

12th July 2019 7:00pm

How India Voted in 2019: Puzzles with No Clear Answers?

How India Voted in 2019
Discussion
2.0 hrs

July 11, 2019 7:30 pm Thursday

How India Voted in 2019: Puzzles with No Clear Answers?

While a BJP / NDA victory in the 2019 election was anticipated, political workers and commentators alike were surprised to the extent – the seemingly unassailable capacity of the modi / shah duo and the BJP to craft an absolute sweep that has left the opposition in shambles. This has prompted some commentators to suggest that India has changed fundamentally and in some ways irreversibly. Is this really true? How would we characterize such a change? Or if not, how does one understand the results?

Pranjoy Guha Thakurta, Journalist & Political Commentator, Arafa Khanum, Senior Editor, The Wire and Biju Mathew, Professor and Labor Organizer respond to these questions and more in lamakaan’s key election analysis event.

All are welcome!

Organizer
Lamakaan An Open Cultural Space

Sports Movie Month – Rudy (1993)

Sports Movie Month – Rudy (1993)
Movies
3.0 hrs

July 10, 2019 7:00 pm Wednesday

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Rudy has always been told that he was too small to play college football. But he is determined to overcome the odds and fulfill his dream of

playing for Notre Dame. Director: David Anspaugh Writer: Angelo Pizzo Stars: Sean Astin, Jon Favreau, Ned Beatty

Unki Awaaz, Meri Zubaani

Unki Awaaz, Meri Zubaani
Music
2.5 hrs

July 09, 2019 7:30 pm Tuesday

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Unki Awaaz, Meri Zubaani – A musical conversation with Salman Farshori about Hindi Cinema’s musical journey, all the way from From K L Saigal, 90’s Hindi Pop to the new era singers.

Organizer
Mohammed Salman Farshori

I have performed at Lamakaan in the past. Singing is my hobby. I was born and raised in Hyderabad and I currently live and work in Dallas TX USA. Ashhar Farhan and Faraaz Farshori are my point of contact there and I have informed them about this event. Thanks!

No Laughing Matter

No Laughing Matter
Discussion
2.5 hrs

July 07, 2019 6:30 pm Sunday

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No Laughing Matter: The Ambedkar Cartoons, 1932-1956

Lamakaan in association with Navayana invites one and all to the launch of Unnamti Syama Sundar’s book ‘No Laughing Matter: The Ambedkar Cartoons.’

The book launch will have a panel discussion.

Panellists: 1. Shankar Pamarthy, Cartoonist 2. Prof Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd, Political Thinker 3. Akhileshwari Ramagoud and 4. Unnamati Syama Sundar, Author of the book 5. S Anand, Publisher, Navayana Moderator of the panel discussion.

ALL ARE WELCOME!

Budget Analysis: Dr.Amir Ullah

Budget Analysis: Dr.Amir Ullah
Talk
2.0 hrs

July 06, 2019 7:00 pm Saturday

Budget speeches are always windows into the future. This budget, the first statement of great significance for the national economy by the newly elected government, is being watched by observers world over. How has India fared in the last year, how will it do in the coming years on crucial indicators of economic wellbeing ? What do these indicators mean for different segments of the economy ? What are the signs that we need to watch out for ? What gains and what losses ? Come listen to Dr. Amir Ullah Khan, development and trade economist and advisor on development practice to many national and international bodies. The conversation will be moderated by G Sudhir, IAS, chairperson of the commission of inquiry into Minorities in Telangana State.

Organizer
lamakaan

Kya Hora Is Shehar Ko, World Music Day Celebrations

Kya Hora Is Shehar Ko
Discussion
2.0 hrs

June 30, 2019 3:00 pm Sunday

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Rocks Bachao, Musi bachao, Osmania Bachao, Bargad Bachao… Heritage Bachao, Pani Bachao! Errum Manzil bachao This is a shout out to all those who have been fretting about how Hyderabad has been changing rapidly. There is never a quiet moment. Come summer, we have water scarcity, but even before we heave a sigh of relief as the temperatures come down, the traffic nightmares begin. We hear that there will be a long term strategy for the city to become world class but even before we take that in, we hear that trees are being cut or that rocks are being blown away and even as that dust settles down, we hear that the familiar landmarks are going to disappear. Public Interest Petitions, Recipes that worked once, do not seem to work everytime. Online appeals, media campaigns, lobbying the right people.. what else, what else do we need to do ? The immediate context for this is of course the latest news that the Errum Manzil will be replaced with a new secretariat building. But the broader context is to just meet, share, and think about how we can build collective capacities to take on multiple strategies simultaneously. So, if you care abbout the Errum Manzil and other heritage sites chalked up for demolition, if you care for trees and for water and for rock precincts, please show up. We promise there will be no onerous speeches. No exhortations to immediate action. We want to hear what each of you – especially if you are under 40, thinks can be done to conserve the continuity of Hyderabad’s social, cultural, material and ecological heritage. We want to know how we can come together to act intelligently. Just bring your enthusiasm and yourself.

World Music Day Celebrations
Music
2.0 hrs

June 30, 2019 7:00 pm Sunday

As part of World Music Day being celebrated in Hyderabad, Lamakaan invites one and all to this year’s WMD celebrations.

The Fête de la Musique, also known as Music Day, Make Music Day or World Music Day, is an annual music celebration that takes place on 21 June. On Music Day the citizens of a city or country are allowed and urged to play music outside in their neighborhoods or in public spaces and parks. Free concerts are also organized, where musicians play for fun and not for payment.

Agenda: 1. Classical evening with Mrs Aradhana Karhade Shastri, sri Rahul Deshpande and sri Vivek khayal A Radha Kumari,

All India radio Graded Artiste in Classical Vocal, Devotional & Light Music Vocal Genres. Done Masters in English Literature as well as Music.

Been performing on stage for the last 25 years Teaching music for the last 25 years.

2.QAWWALI PERFORMANCE By Shaheen Women Resource & Welfare Association   Qawwaliis a musical tradition, belonging to the Sufi culture, wherein the soul of the singer and audience ecstatically becomes one with the Almighty. It was popularized during the Mughal era. It is mostly performed by men at dargahs or at places of sacred importance. Shaheen Women’s Resource and Welfare Association, an NGO located in the heart of Old City, Hyderabad, has been tirelessly working for the rights of young girls and women since the time of its establishment in 2002. Shaheen has successfully adopted Qawwali for its activities for twin reasons – firstly, to break the stereotype of Qawwals (singers) to be only men, and secondly, to create awareness in the community through Qawwalis on women’s rights. The Qawwalis performed by the dedicated interventionists of the organization are unique in nature, with their focus on gender issues. They include topics like the protection and education of the girl child, domestic violence, ‘Beti Basati Hi Ye Dunya Hamari Saari, discrimination against the girl child and child marriage, among a host of other women and child rights issues. The lyrics of the Qawwalis have been poignantly penned down by the Founder-Director of Shaheen, Ms. Jameela Nishat, who is an activist and poet herself. It is an exclusive effort on the part of Shaheen to promote cultural empowerment in society. These Qawwalis portray the life story of girls suffering in the patriarchal society in such a way that one can visualize their agony. The performers often find the response from the audience to be overwhelming, and therefore feel this kind of a cultural activity to be an effective method of intervention to reach out to the masses.

ALL ARE WELCOME AND ENTRY IS FREE & OPEN TO ALL.

Democracy in Contemporary India

Democracy in Contemporary India
Talk
2.0 hrs

June 28, 2019 7:00 pm Friday

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Lamakaan invites all to a talk by Prof Rampunyani on the topic ‘Preserving Democracy in Contemporary India.’

In this talk, Prof Punyani will take us through the journey of Independent India and how its founding fathers dreamt about a truly secular, socialist and republic India. He will also highlight the major challenges to Indian democracy in contemporary times.

The session will be interactive and followed by questions and answers session.

About Prof Ram Punyani: Prof Ram Puniyani is a former professor of biomedical engineering and former senior medical officer affiliated with the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. He began his medical career in 1973 and served IIT in various capacities for 27 years, beginning in 1977. In December 2004, he took voluntary retirement to work full-time for what has been stated by some as “communal harmony” in India. He is involved with human rights activities and initiatives to oppose something which some see as “the rising tide of fundamentalism in India”. He is associated with the organizations All-India Secular Forum, Center for Study of Society and Secularism and ANHAD. In 2006, he was awarded the Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration.

Early in June 2019, he received threatening phone calls from unknown persons who demanded that he stop his “anti-Hindu” activities. Puniyani filed a report with the Mumbai Police.

ALL ARE WELCOME

Organizer
Lamakaan

Sadhana Interfaith and Fascism is still resistible !!

  1. Sadhana Interfaith
Discussion
1.0 hrs

June 27, 2019 6:00 pm Thursday

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SADHANA CAFE

Sapthagiri“Giri” Iyengar will give a presentation about the work of Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus to mobilize Hindu Americans to connect their faith to social justice values, engage in community seva, and speak out against all injustice, bigotry and violence. Giri will then facilitate a discussion and brainstorming about how to create a platform like Sadhana in India, and what it’s priorities and activities might be.Giri is from Mysore, and is a Masters in Social Work student at Hunter College, New York. Giri has been an active member of Sadhana, particularly in the “sanctuary” movement for immigrants’ rights.ALL ARE WELCOME!!!

Organizer

Lamakaan
Fascism is still resistible !!
Discussion
2.0 hrs

June 27, 2019 7:30 pm Thursday

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The hopes of defeating fascism through electoral maneuvering have been dashed; the fascist juggernaut continues to roll on spilling ever more blood and rupturing the social fabric of the country. There is a sense of hopelessness and dismay among the Left and progressive circles in the wake of the return of Narendra Modi led NDA government at the helm. The setback has sent such a fiery shock wave that many have started blaming the masses while some are putting the entire blame on the EVM scam. Those who blame the masses for such a sorry state of affairs can only be asked to follow Brecht’s advice to dissolve the electorates and choose a new one. As regards the EVM scam, while it could have been responsible for the increase in the margin of victory, it alone cannot explain this second coming of Modi government. The question arises: is fascism still resistible? On the face of it, the fascist rise in India looks invincible. But if we keep our faith in science and history intact even in this testing time, we would know that in order to cure a disease, it is very important to diagnose it properly. The strategy of defeating fascism through electoral means was based on the understanding that fascism comes into existence when a fascist party like BJP comes to power and gets defeated if it goes out of power. This understanding was fundamentally flawed in the first place because it failed to take account the reactionary social movement behind the rise of fascism and no wonder the strategy has backfired. If we really want to resist fascism at this dark hour in the history of our country, it is of utmost importance that we seek answer to the following questions: what lies at the root of fascism? What are the factors that are responsible for the rise of fascism in any society? What is the similarity and dissimilarity between the fascist rise of the decade of 1930s and the current fascist rise? What should be the correct strategy of resisting fascism and smashing it?

The speaker, Anand Singh, will try to answer these questions and will also provide the contours of the new round of struggle that needs to be waged to smash fascism from both long term and short term perspectives.

Organizer
IN DEFENSE OF REASON