Tue 02 March 6.15 pm
Exhibition of Photographs : Fifteen Mantras for the Empowered Woman
Dr Abha Sharma Rodrigues

Programme Cancelled

Tue 02 March 6.45 pm
Book Launch : Fifteen Mantras for the Empowered Woman
Dr Abha Sharma Rodrigues

Programme Cancelled

Wed 03 March 6.30 pm
Music : Braj Mein Holi
Surendra Kumar

Holi (Festival of Colours, also known as Dhulheti, Dhulandi or Dhulendi) is celebrated in India and other countries with large Hindu diaspora populations - Suriname, Guyana, South Africa, Trinidad, the UK, Mauritius, and Fiji, among others. The most celebrated Holi is that of the Braj regions connected to Krishna - Mathura, Vrindavan, Nandagaon and Barsana, where the festive season lasts up to sixteen days. People throw coloured powder and water at each other. Bonfires are lit the day before, also known as Holika Dahan (death of Holika) or Chhoti Holi (little Holi) in memory of the miraculous escape that Prahlad had when Demoness Holika, who was burnt; Prahlad, a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu, escaped due to his unshakable devotion.

An accomplished versatile singer and renowned for his melodic expression, Surendra Kumar has received guidance from legendary Ustad Gulam Mustafa Khan of Rampur Gharana and sings Ghazal, Thumri, Purbi and Bhojpuri songs. His live performances are infused with warmth. His collection of Ghazals, Thumri and Bhojpuri Folk songs etc can be heard on the YouTube - Banauli's Channel.

Accompanists : Fida Husain Khan (Harmonium), Hanif Khan (tabla) and Nikhil George (Violin)

Thu 04 March 6.30 pm
An Evening with Yavar Abbas

As part of its 10th Anniversary Special Events, SACF pay tribute to the internationally acclaimed British Asian filmmaker Yavar Abbas whose films have been shown on national networks all over the world. A well known BBC Urdu broadcaster, columnist and filmmaker, Yavar Abbas is known for his seminal documentary India! My India (1967) which drew high acclaim from Satyajit Ray, It strikes you in its truth of observation and sincerity and I think it is very well shot. The film won several awards including the Marconi Award in Milan.

Yavar who turns 90 this year says, his ‘films reflect the pain of Partition and true spirit of India as well as the inner bond between Hindus and Muslims. Yavar will speak to documentary filmmaker and critic Lalit Mohan Joshi about his life and works. Yavar’s key films, India! My India, Faces of India (1968) and India Called Them (1968) will be screened at the Richmix, London E11 from Sun 7 – 28th March.

Speakers : Negede Assefa (Richmix) and Eric Liknaitzky (Contemporary Films) Chair : Derek Malcolm, international film critic In association with South Asian Cinema Foundation, Richmix and Cotemporary Films

Fri 05 March 6.30 pm
Dance : Kathak
Gauri Swakul

A first class postgraduate in Arts with Classical Kathak from the Lalit Kala Kendra, University of Pune, Gauri Swakul is a disciple of Guru Maneesha Sathe. She received a scholarship from Lila Poonawalla Foundation for her postgraduation and obtained the Nritya Visharad from Gandharva Mahavidyalaya in 2003 and Nritya Alankar in 2005. Honoured by Gandharva Mahavidyalaya by inviting to perform in the convocation ceremony, she also received the National Scholarship from the Government of India for advanced studies and training in Kathak. Sur Singar Samsad awarded her Singarmani title in 2005.

Gauri is here on a short term workshop on Kathak with the Study Abroad Programme of the University of Pennsylvania, USA on India Cultural Society, affiliated to American Institute of Indian Studies, a consortium of American Universities. In the year of 2009, The Indian Embassy of Thailand and Indian Women Club, Bangkok, invited her for six months to teach Kathak. She has won various competitions and has participated in over 250 solo and groups performances at reputed venues.

Mon 08 March 2.30 pm
Jaya Bachchan Retrospective of Films
Film : Kora Kagaz (1974)

A remake of a Bengali film Saat Pake Bandha (1963) starring Suchitra Sen, Kora Kagaz was directed by Anil Ganguly, starring Vijay Anand, Jaya Bhaduri, Achala Sachdev and Deven Verma. Jaya Bhaduri won the Filmfare Best Actress Award and the film also won the National Film Award for the Best Popular Film, Lata Mangeshkar won National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the song, roothe roothe piya, Kalyanji Anandji won the Filmfare Best Music Director Award.

Mon 08 March 4.30 pm
Jaya Bachchan Retrospective of Films
Jaya Bachchan & Shyam Benegal
In conversation with Lady Kishwar Desai

With his first four feature films Ankur (1973), Nishant (1975) Manthan (1976) and Bhumika (1977) Shyam Benegal created a new genre, which has now come to be called the "middle cinema" in India. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1976 and the Padma Bhushan in 1991. In 2007, he was awarded the highest award in Indian cinema for lifetime achievement, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2005. He has won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi seven times. Introduction by Sangeeta Datta

Tue 09 March 6.15 pm
Exhibition of Paintings : A Woman with a Cause : Jeroo Roy

Whilst beautiful in form, the paintings of Jeroo Roy are never conventional and despite the nature of her subjects, you cannot fail to be drawn to the artist’s positive attitude that shines through her works such as hands smashing their way through oppression. Always there is a message of hope for change, and it is this style that has led to her being invited by New Scotland Yard and the Home Office to display paintings at their conferences on gender equality.

In recent years, Jeroo has enjoyed success through a number of exhibitions including at the National Portrait Gallery where 208 portraits were displayed for the launch of Zerbanoo Gifford's book, Confessions to a Serial Womaniser - Secrets of the World's Inspirational Women. She has also led a number of art classes for children belonging to a women’s shelter group, and has also run classes in art therapy for young people.

A Parsee from Mumbai, Jeroo Roy first studied Art at the JJ School of Art in Mumbai and continued training at the London College of Printing. She then worked as a designer for magazines and as an illustrator and writer of children’s books. In 1982, Jeroo became involved in the building trade and established herself as a female contractor. Since 2001, she has returned to painting with a renewed passion, inspired by the subjects she portrays with such power and beauty.

Inauguration : Baroness Cox of Queensbury, Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords since 1985. Her work in the field of humanitarian aid has taken her on many missions to conflict zones. Open until 13 March during office hours

Wed 10 March 6.30 pm
Jaya Bachchan Retrospective of Films
Film : Abhimaan (1973, 122 min)

Directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, the film is perhaps best remembered for its songs, composed and arranged by the late S D Burman, written by Majrooh Sultanpuri, and sung by playback singers Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, and Mohammed Rafi. Jaya won the Filmfare Best Actress Award for Abhimaan.

Subir (Amitabh Bachchan) is a professional singer whose career is soaring. He does not plan to marry—until he meets Uma (Jaya Bhaduri), a sweet village girl who also sings. Subir falls in love with Uma and marries her. He fosters Uma's singing career. His career falters, however, just as Uma's singing career begins to thrive. Eventually, she becomes more famous than her husband, sparking jealousy from Subir. His pride and jealousy tear the marriage apart. The movie reaches a very sensitive situation when the couple separates and Uma has a miscarriage. In what is considered a masterpiece of direction by Mukherjee and scoring by Burman, the couple comes together again in an emotional reunion and they sing together.

Thu 11 March 6.30 pm
Jaya Bachchan Retrospective of Films
Film : Uphaar (1971)

Produced by Tarachand Barjatya for Rajshri Productions the film is based on Rabindranath Tagore’s story, Sampati. Anoop studies law in Calcutta, while his widowed mother lives in a small town in West Bengal. He has a sister, Sudha, who is married to Anil and lives in Calcutta. When Anoop returns home, his mother asks him to marry a girl she has approved but he wants to see the girl first. He goes to see Vidya, and also gets to meet another belle by the name of Minoo. His mother reluctantly agrees. Minoo has no household skills, neither is she educated, nor mature enough to understand her relationship with Anoop. Her only interests appear to be stealing mangoes and other fruit, and playing with children much younger than her. Once Anoop leaves her and heads back to Calcutta, Minoo starts realising she misses him.

Fri 12 March 6.30 pm
Jaya Bachchan Retrospective of Films
Film : Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa (1998)

Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa ((The Mother of Corpse No 1084) deals with the life of a woman who loses her son, a Naxalite, to the violence that is a result of his adopted ideology. The film is directed by Govind Nihalani and is based on Magsaysay and Jnanpith award recipient Mahasweta Devi's Bengali novel. The film stars Jaya Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Milind Gunaji, Seema Biswas, Joy Sengupta and Nandita Das. It marks Jaya Bachchan's return to acting after a gap of 18 years. In 1998, Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.

Mon 15 March 6.30 pm
The Pravasi Film Festival Awards : Sharmila Tagore and Soha Ali Khan
Saeed Jaffrey and Sangeeta Datta

Veteran actor Saeed Jaffrey was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in absentia at the first-ever Pravasi Film Festival held in New Delhi 3-6 January, 2010. The feature film Life Goes On by Sangeeta Dutta bagged the Best Pravasi Feature Film Award. The short fiction, Shor, by D K Krishna and Raj Nidimoru received the best short fiction award while Flying Sikh by Navdeep Kandola got the best short non-fiction awards. In this special event, the UK based organisations honour the two London based winners.

Saeed Jaffery, a PhD in History, formed his own English theatre company Unity Theatre, in New Delhi in 1951. In 1956, after his studies at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, he went to US on a Fulbright scholarship and took a second post-graduate degree in drama. He served as a Director, Publicity & Advertising, India Tourist Office in America (1958 to 1960). Saeed’s most memorable TV show performances are Gangsters, The Jewel in the Crown, Tandoori Nights and Little Napoleon. He started his film career with The Guru (1969), but the film that brought him huge appreciation was Satyajit Ray's Shatranj Ke Khiladi. The first Asian to have received British and Canadian Academy Award nominations for acting, he is the first ever to be awarded the ‘Order of the British Empire’ for his services to the theatre.

Sangeeta Dutta, a PhD in English, taught at St Xavier's College, Mumbai. Currently teaching at South Asian Cinema and Literature at the Centre for Advanced Studies, University of London, she has also worked as post doctoral fellow at University of Sussex and SOAS, London. She holds a degree in music and is well known for her Tagore musical performances. She also runs her Arts company, Baithak UK. Author of a book on Shyam Benegal for the World Director's series (BFI), she was the Associate Director on Rituparno Ghosh's The Last Lear, Chokher Bali, Raincoat, Antarmahal and also on Brick Lane (UK 2008). A play written and directed by her, The Dying Song, was produced by Asian Music Circuit and went on a national UK tour in 2008.

In association with The Pravasi Today

Tue 16 March 6.15 pm
Exhibition of Paintings : All Bearing Earth and Ecological Agonies
Dipali Saha

“I was deeply influenced by Tagore’s vision of universal relationship when I was studying in Santiniketan, Visva-Bharati University. In their strange relationship, human beings, animals and nature have also inspired me. All this is reflected in my works on canvas, indirectly yet spontaneously. Other elements, symbolic and otherwise, have provided impetus to my creative works. Besides this, colours play a vital role in my works. The red symbolises flesh and blood; the blue of emotions, sometimes providing a spectrum of delightful realisation along with lines and texture. These often express protest against the imbalance in nature, as I am in favour of equality and universality on earth.”

Tue 16 March 6.45 pm
Music : Beauty of Bamboo : Flute
Praveen Prathapan

A promising young talent who attracted many audiences by his magical touch on the flute, Praveen Prathapan was introduced to the flute by his father, Prathapan Nagaratnam, at the age of five. He has been training for 8 years with Chittoor T Raghavaraman, a versatile musician from Chennai.

Winner of many awards at the Croydon Music Festival and Watford Music Festival, Praveen was awarded the music scholarship at Queen Elizabeth’s School in 2007. Praveen attained the title Sangeetha Kalajothy given by the Oriental Examination Board of London. Praised as a naturally talented artist by the flute maestro Dr N Ramani, Praveen is also learning the Mridangam under Karaikudi R Krishnamurthy.

The orchestra leader of The National South Asian Youth Orchestra (Milapfest Trust), Praveen has had the opportunity to work with well known music directors and tutors such as Manorama Prasad, Sanju Sahai, Veenai Jayanthi, Violin Kumaresh, Gaurav Mazumdar, Girishh, Satish Kumar and Bhavani Shankar. His talent, enthusiasm and contribution to SAMYO earned him the fellowship award in 2009. He has performed at prestigious venues including Queen Elizabeth’s Hall, Dartington Hall, Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Bridgewater Hall-Manchester and Symphony Hall-Birmingham.

Accompanists : Balu Raguraman (violin) and M Balachandar (mridangam)

Wed 17 March 6.30 pm
Film/Discussion : Faisle : Empowering Ordinary Women
Rama Pandey and Achala Sharma

Written and produced by well known broadcaster and TV producer Rama Pandey, Faisle is a series of real life stories of women of modest traditional background who could muster courage and determination to fight for their rights and privileges and went ahead to live their lives with dignity as they wished. Written by Rama Pandey, this story collection was recently launched in India. Based on this book, Rama produced a TV serial spread over 26 episodes; songs and music have been used to enhance the themes. Rama has made special effort to portray these stories and characters in the traditional family atmosphere with the help of well known actors.

The book and films, Faisle have already been widely discussed and reviewed. To give a flavour of what a few ordinary women of India have achieved, this event is targeted at the audience here with video clips.

Speakers : Achala Sharma, a prolific writer, ex-head of BBC World Hindi Service, honoured for her literary activities in India and abroad and Cllr Zakia Zuberi of Asian Community Arts.

In association with Katha UK

Thu 18 March 6.30 pm
Incredible India Lecture Series : The Long Strider : Thomas Coryate
Tony Wheeler

“In Surat in 1980, working on the first edition of the Lonely Planet India guide, I heard for the first time of Thomas Coryate, who walked all the way to India, only to die of dysentery in 1617. He may well have been the first ‘tourist’ to India and there has been more interest about his pioneering travels in recent years including the Dom Moraes and Srivatsa Sarayu book The Long Strider: How Thomas Coryate Walked From England to India in the Year 1613.”

Tony Wheeler and his wife Maureen arrived in Australia with 27 cents and a camera (which they soon pawned) between them, the continual questioning from people they met - How did you travel? What did you see? What did it cost? - inspired them to turn their diaries into a book, Across Asia on the Cheap, which was sold out in the first week. Eighteen months in Southeast Asia resulted in their second guide, South-East Asia on a shoestring (known as 'yellow bible'). There are over 500 Lonely Planet titles with a 'between-the-lines message that travelers should respect the planet they wander'.

Over the past 30 years, Tony has researched and written Lonely Planet travel guides, diving guides and walking guides. He has also researched and published Chasing Rickshaws, Time & Tide: The Islands of Tuvalu and more recently Rice Trails: A Journey Through the Ricelands of Asia & Australia. Tony's East Timor guidebook was awarded the Pacific Asia Travel Association 2005 Gold Award for Best Travel Guidebook.

In collaboration with TransIndus, (For further information, please e-mail : enquiries@transindus.com or phone 020 8566 2729)

Fri 19 March 6.30 pm
Talk : Millennium Women : A Future Model
Mohini Kent Noon

Iconic modern women such as Princess Diana and Madonna have blazed a trail for women. When Sarojini Naidu joined Mahatma Gandhi's Salt March, she led more than one revolution. From warrior queens such as Raziya Sultan and Rani Jhansi to the saint Meerabai, ordinary women have had many different role models to choose from but millions are still unable to make their voices heard in the world. Indian mythology offers us further role models such as the unparalleled warrior goddess Durga; the beautiful, gentle Mahalaxmi, goddess of beauty, wealth and harmony; the scholarly and artistic Mahasaraswati.

The dawning of the bright new millennium brings new hope for women. Education and job opportunities have brought within their reach the most fundamental liberation of all - economic. To earn, to control money and to be empowered to make major decisions solo is one route to self-expression. The time has come for women to change their mind-set, to be confident and centered within themselves instead of being defined by their men and deferring to men. “It’s time to be comfortable with our female bodies instead of always feeling too fat or too thin, instead of straightening our hair if it's curly and curling it if it's straight..."

Writer and filmmaker Mohini Kent Noon is co-author and producer of the award-winning play Rumi: Unveil the Sun, on the great Sufi mystic Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi. She wrote and directed Curry Tiffin a film on Indian history; Ramayana, a feature film on the Indian epic; TV commercials and documentaries; working with the likes of Oscar-winning actor Ben Kingsley and thespian Roshan Seth. She is the author of Chief Longhooknose, a humorous work of fiction; and an Indian cookery book. She was a columnist with India Today newsmagazine and several others, including The Times of India, The Indian Express, The Week, The Tablet, Outlook and the Sunday Times (of India). She had a regular slot with BBC Radio 5 Alive and Radio Scotland. She is actively involved with a number of Indian charities working for women and children, providing education and fighting trafficking.

Chair : Baroness Margaret Jay of Paddington, politician for the Labour Party, became a journalist on the BBC's prestigious Panorama programme, and Thames Television. Founder Director of the National Aids Trust, she is also a patron of Help the Aged.

Mon 22 March 6.30 pm
Bharatanatyam Dance Recital
Sita Pratap

With a family background steeped in Vedic traditions, Sanskrit, Indian art and culture, it was no surprise that dancing came so naturally to Sita Pratap from a very young age. Trained under Guru Prakash Yadagudde at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, London, Sita completed her diploma and postdiploma in Bharatanatyam with distinction. She has performed in the presence of many dignitaries including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, HRH Prince Charles, as well as before many world-renowned artistes including George Harrison, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Dr M Balamurali Krishna and Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia. Recipient of the Yuva Kala Vipanchee title, Sita has also taken special classes from Dr Saraswati, Chitra Visweswaran, Vijaya Marthanda, Leela Ramanathan and Udupi Lakshminarayan.

Since 2002, Sita has also assisted her Guru in both teaching and choreographing. She has also studied Carnatic Vocal for over 15 years with Sivasakthy Sivanesan and in July 2008, she gave her Carnatic Vocal Arangetram. Founder of a dance school, Nrityakashi, Sita holds a bachelors degree in Maths and Business Management from King’s College, University of London.

Thu 25 March 6.15 pm
Darbar Exhibition : Behind the Scenes
Arnhel de Serra

A photographic exhibition on friendships, moments of calm and tension as well as fun among artists, audiences and organisers at the Darbar Festival, described by Songlines world music magazine, as Britain’s ‘most important celebration of Indian classical music.’

This exhibition of stunning pictures is by Arnhel de Serra who has been taking pictures from the Darbar Festival since its inception in 2006. Tutored by a Magnum photographer and based in London, he has been working internationally for over 15 years. Gurwinder Singh of EastWest Photography says the exhibition presents “fantastic imagery, candid back stage pictures by a world class photographer.”

Darbar Festival 1-4 April 2010 takes place at Kings Place, London, featuring over 20 concerts by world class maestros, bringing together classical traditions from north and south India, dhrupad as well as innovative cross cultural music. (www.darbar.org.uk)

Open until 1 April during office hours

Thu 25 March 6.45 pm
Music : Sitar
Dharambir Singh

One of the UK’s most prominent North Indian classical musicians, Dharambir is a disciple of the late maestro Ustad Vilayat Khan from the Imdad Khani Gharana. He has performed widely in major festivals across Europe as well as working in cross-collaborative work with the Euro-Asian Fusion group, Shiva Nova. He also has a reputation as an educator and since the 1980s has taught for the Leicester Music service, at Leeds College Of Music, the Bhavan Institute and initiated numerous innovative projects across the country.

Recently, Dharambir Singh completed his NESTA fellowship, given to exceptionally talented individuals working in pioneering musical fields. This evening’s performance will be preceded by a short talk about his work into the Grăma Murchană, an investigation into the original template for tuning in Indian Music and its part in the Indianization of music.

Accompanist : Kousic Sen (tabla) is a disciple of Pandit Kumar Bose from the Banares Gharana. In association with the Darbar Festival (www.darbar.org.uk)

Fri 26 March 6.30 pm
Dance : Bharatanatyam
Rachana R Narayanan

Disciple of Padma S Raghavan, Silambam, Chennai, Rachana R Narayanan had her early training under Nalini Prakash at Silambam, Coonoor from the age of five. She gave a solo performance at the Tourism and Information Centre, Chennai, in 2008, which was critically acclaimed.

Having an excellent track record in academics, Rachana is now pursuing an honours degree in Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge. Her passion for Bharatanatyam brings her home to Chennai every year to continue her training in dance theory and techniques. To aid her study of this art form, Rachana has also trained as a Carnatic vocalist. Her other interests include drama and writing.

Mon 29 March 6.30 pm
Book Launch : Victoria and Abdul: The True Story of the Queens' Closest Confidant
Shrabani Basu

In June 1887 two Indian servants were sent to Queen Victoria as a present for her Golden Jubilee. One was the 24-year-old Abdul Karim. Young Karim immediately caught the Queen’s eye and was rapidly promoted to become her Indian Secretary. He cooked her curries, became her Hindustani tutor and delighted the elderly Queen with his stories about India. She honoured him with titles, gave him houses in Windsor, Balmoral and Osborne and extensive land in Agra. He advised her on Indian politics and soon became the lonely monarch’s closest companion. Despite the objections of her family and courtiers, who even threatened to overthrow her on grounds of ‘insanity’, the Queen stood by Karim till her last days, and refused to let him go.

Victoria & Abdul is the story of an unusual relationship between the Empress of India and a humble servant which flourished at a time when the British Empire was at its height. At its heart, it is a story of love and friendship.

Shrabani Basu is the correspondent for the Kolkata-based Ananda Bazar Patrika Group, and writes for The Telegraph and other publications. She is the author of Curry: The Story of the Nation's Favourite Dish and the critically acclaimed Spy Princess: The Life of Noor Inayat Khan, a compelling biography of the exotic Second World War heroine executed by the Gestapo, soon to be made into a film.

Chair : Amin Jaffar, Director of Asian Art, Christies and former Deputy Keeper of the Asian Department at the Victoria & Albert Museum. He is the author of Made for Maharajas, and co-author of Maharaja: the splendour of India’s royal courts. In 2004 he was co-curator of Encounters: the meeting of Asia and Europe 1500-1800.

In association with The History Press Ltd

Tue 30 March 6.45 pm
Music : Hindustani Vocal Recital
Mandira Lahiri

A foremost representative of Lucknow Gharana, Mandira Lahiri was initiated into music by her maternal uncle, the Late Birendra Kumar Phukan and later trained under Guru and father-in-law, the late Pt Chinmoy Lahiri, the prolific teacher/performer who produced some outstanding performers like Begum Parveen Sultana. In 1975 the All India Radio awarded her with the highest position in light classical music, which other than khayal is also her subject of excellence. She held the highest position in Sangeet Praveen examination (Masters in Music) from Allahabad in 1981.

Gifted with a sonorous voice, Mandira has a unique style of khayal singing is characterized by pure and meticulous treatment of ragas. Taans and sargams are developed on a variety of rhythmic patterns, which travel through the octaves. She performs innovative ragas created by her Guru. Her semi classical; rendering is characterized by deliverance of the emotional content of the song in the most appropriate manner.

Accompanists : Fida Hussein Khan Qureshi (harmonium) and Raj Kumar Mishra (Tabla

Wed 31 March 6.30 pm
Seminar : New Millennium and Gandhi
Dr Sudarshan Iyengar, Dr Usha Thakkar and Lord Meghnad Desai

This is the hundredth year of the Hind Swaraj, Mahatma Gandhi's seminal work. Returning from London to South Africa, during November 1909, Gandhiji wrote this pivotal work on board the Kildonan Castle. “The world has so far seen the Laissez-faire system of capitalism, Marxist way of varied shades of communism, Socialism, and so on, it has yet to try out the Gandhian way.”

Gujarat Vidyapeeth was established by Mahatma Gandhi himself in Ahmedabad in year 1920. Its Vice Chancellor, Dr Sudarshan Iyengar is a renowned Gandhian, economist and educationist. An animated speaker, he is well versed in English, Gujarati, Hindi and Tamil.

Dr Usha Thakkar, Honorary Director, Institute of Research on Gandhian Thought and Rural Development, and Honorary Secretary, Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya, Mumbai, is also Vice-President, Banasthali Vidyapith, Rajasthan. She is author of several publications including Women in Indian Society, Culture & Making of Identity in Contemporary India and Politics in Maharashtra and Women’s Studies Series (co-editor).

Professor Lord Desai of St Clement Danes, economist and Labour politician, has published Marx's Revenge: The Resurgence of Capitalism and the Death of Statist Socialism and Nehru's Hero: Dilip Kumar in the Life of India. Former Director of the Centre for the Study of Global Governance, which he founded in 1992 at LSE, he is now Professor Emeritus. He is Chairman of the Trustee's Board for Training for Life, Chairman of the Management Board of City Roads and on the Board of Tribune magazine. He is an Honorary Associate of the National Secular Society.

In association with the Gujarati Literary Academy and the Gujarati monthly journal, Opinion