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“The History of Irram Manzil, its preservation and ways for its rehabilitation for public use” A Talk By Dr Fatima Shahnaz

Ever since the state government decided to build the new secretariat at the complex of Irrum Manzil, one of the icons of Hyderabad Collective Heritage, there’s this huge buzz amongst the activists to safeguard from monument from being razed to the ground. As part of several talks and discussions happened earlier at Lamakaan and at various other places, this talk by Prof Shahnaaz will give the detailed account of the Irrum Manzil, its history and the way out of preserving it from the clutches of the governmental agencies.

Dr Fatima Shahnaz is an international advocate of human rights, a Professor (Emeritus) of Political Science; an author and journalist. She obtained her B.A., M.A. and PhD from the Sorbonne University, Paris, France. Her school-leaving General Certificates of Education was from the Oxford/Cambridge Boards. She was the first Indian/Asian Head Girl at her English boarding school.

She has written one novel, GOLCONDA, on Hyderabad and the end of the Asaf Jahi NIzam’s rule and the integration of Hyderabad into the Indian Union in 1948; this book gives an insider’s insights into the Hyderabad of that period and its palace life. The book was published in New York by News India (Times). Other books include several poetical collections: Sarasvati; Shards; KHAKI –Poems on Pulwama; The New York Poems, In the Arms of Words – Poems whose funds went for the Relief of victims of the Asian Tsunami and Hurrican Katrina in New Orleans (by Sherman Asher publishers, USA) and others. She has given speeches and lectures in the New York area and in India, Delhi and Hyderabad, after returning to her homeland. She has worked on many human rights causes, and women’s rights, in India as well as overseas.

Two British track athletes, one a determined Jew, and the other a devout Christian, compete in the 1924 Olympics. Director: Hugh Hudson Writer: Colin Welland (original screenplay) Stars: Ben Cross, Ian Charleson, Nicholas Farrell

Movies Intro : 7:00 PM Movies Starts at 7:10 PM Post-Screening Discussion – 15 mins

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.

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?

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!

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 – 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.

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 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.

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.