SHSS 15 July compressed

Newsletter | Edition 5 | March-May 2026

Inside this Edition Message from the Editor Guest Note: Professor Sambudha Sen The School Messages from the Head of Departments SHSS at Annual Awards 2026 Year at a Glance Students’ Success: Convocation 2026 Taking Flight- Where our Graduates are Headed Distinguished Alumni Awards Building a School- Converstions with Professor Rajat Kathuria A Day in the Life of a Student New Partnerships Event Chronicles Accolades Conversation with Professor Partha Chatterjee Students Achievements The Centre of Excellence for Himalayan Studies Seminars and Conferences Publications, Presentations and Events Alumni Achievements: AMP From the Columns Campus Memories Acknowledgement 01 03 05 07 10 11 13 15 17 19 25 27 28 37 47 51 59 63 72 85 87 91 93

As Aawaaz completes its first year, this anniversary edition is an opportunity to pause and reflect not only on what we have documented over the past four quarters, but also on the community whose stories have filled these pages. Since inception, Aawaaz was envisioned as more than a newsletter. It was meant to be a record of the intellectual life of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences: its ideas, conversations, research, creative practice and above all, its people. Every issue has sought to capture a small part of what makes SHSS a vibrant academic community, where disciplines intersect, debates flourish, and learning extends well beyond the classroom. This special issue looks back at a remarkable year for the School. It brings together milestones from across our departments, celebrates the achievements of our students, faculty, researchers and alumni, and reflects on the partnerships and initiatives that continue to shape our academic journey. In place of the customary Dean’s message, we are privileged to feature a guest reflection by Professor Sambudha Sen, whose association with SHSS spans its formative years. We also present an extended conversation with Professor Rajat Kathuria who reflects on the evolution of the School, the place of the humanities and social sciences in contemporary India, and the ideas that will shape our future alongside an engaging interview with Professor Partha Chatterjee, the founding Head of Economics. This edition also introduces some new features. Through A Day in the Life of a Student, we step away from institutional milestones to capture everyday life on campus through the voices of our students. Alongside these are stories of research, creative practice, alumni accomplishments, collaborations and events that together reflect the diversity of work undertaken across SHSS. Putting together Aawaaz has always been a collective effort. It has been possible only because faculty members, students, departments and alumni have generously shared their time, ideas and achievements with us. My sincere thanks to everyone who has contributed to this publication over the past year. As we celebrate this first anniversary, I hope the pages that follow do more than chronicle a year’s activities. I hope they offer a glimpse into the curiosity, creativity and scholarship that define SHSS. Thank you for reading, and for being part of the continuing story of Aawaaz. Message from the Editor Paulami Ghosh Senior Manager- Academic Engagements, School of Humanities and Social Sciences 1 2 For those who dare to dream, there is a whole world to win. Shiv Nadar, Founder, Shiv Nadar University “ “

Eleven years ago, on a winter morning, Shubhashis Gangopadhyay, the first Dean, or rather Director, as they were then called – walked into my roofless E Block cabin to give me one more hint about how things were conducted at SNU. “In this place, no one summons a colleague to their office”, he said, “if they want a discussion, they visit the colleague’s room!” “Great!”, I said, and I felt great : almost certain now that I hadn’t walked into one of life’s traps by allowing Shubhashis to persuade me to take on the headship of the English Department at SNU. I wanted to join SNU – but not as the head of a department. I was still licking the wounds inflicted on me by the administration at Delhi University, bent on destroying the great English Department of which I was, unfortunately, the head. When I look back on my eleven years at SNU, I am amazed at how easy, even enjoyable my seven years as head were. In fact, the only real discomfort I experienced through some of those years were freezing temperatures in my E block office even in the summer months when the world outside was baking! Yes! There were many times when I was asked to explain a decision that our department had made, but I can’t think of an occasion when a good or even a sincere explanation did not cut ice. SNU was a small place then, and like the river in One Hundred Years of Solitude, that was equally accessible for every inhabitant of Macondo, the door of the Vice Chancellor’s office was open for any faculty member who wanted to visit. One afternoon while I was in the vice chancellor’s office, trying to persuade her that we needed more faculty , Rupamanjari suddenly sprung up from her seat and pointed towards the enormous glass window of her third-floor office. SNU : Au Revoir Professor Sambudha Sen Senior Professor Department of English 3 4 “Look!”, she cried ! Almost instantly I caught the wonderous sight that had galvanized her. There it was, in the far distance, a magnificent flock of antelopes – young and fully grown – in full flight! That herd of leaping antelopes has remained for me a defining image for SNU during those early days. Like that flock, we moved forward in unison unfettered by useless obstructions. The vice chancellor used the word “dream” very often in our Academic Council meetings and rules, as they took shape in those meetings, were almost always molded to facilitate rather than obstruct. Those early days carried challenges too, and the most concerning of those was the frequency with which colleagues left the university. Shubhashis who had persuaded me to work at SNU himself left a year after I joined. But Ajay Dandekar, who succeeded him as Dean, was always generous and ready to sacrifice his own interests for those of the school. And if we lost colleagues, we managed to attract excellent new faculty too. Sidharth who started the International Relations department became a very close friend. So did Rajat when he was brought in as the Dean of SHSS. We knew very quickly that Rajat’s heart was as big as his smile and that he could work on big ideas without ever ignoring some unease that a colleague – no matter how young – may have been experiencing . It has been a pleasure for me to work with all three deans of SHSS, but that is also a measure of the time that had passed since I joined SNU at the age of 58. Those accumulating years acquired a physical form when, Anubhuti became head of the history department and joined the weekly meetings that Rajat regularly held . Anu and I laughed out aloud because, as we both knew, I had been in many similar meetings with her parents in Delhi University! I have to say, though, that arguing with Anu about this or that decision that we were about to take made me feel young rather than old! Through this period, the English Department grew bit by bit to become one of the finest in the country. If I had to pin point one reason for our rising reputation, it would be the support we received from some of the most respected scholars of the humanities. These scholars helped us recruit some outstanding young faculty and to build a curricula that won universal appreciation. In 2018 we suffered a devastating blow when Aniket Jaaware, an outstanding colleague and a dear friend, passed away. But Aniket would have been very happy to see that that the gentle , self-effacing and incredibly capable Gautama Polanki is now leading the department and that Mamta is still smiling and working with ten hands. What does it take to make a great department or for that matter a good university? I’ve thought about this and in the end found no clear formula. Like the earth itself, a university needs an environment made up of elements that cannot always be monetized. What monetary value can we put to an environment that encourages debate, to teachers who can communicate complex ideas with passion and clarity, to students who want to learn because learning to them is a pleasure, or to the unceasing pursuit of knowledge beyo

Who We Are? The School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Shiv Nadar University brings together disciplines that are often studied separately but increasingly need to speak to one another. From Economics, Sociology and International Relations to History, Design, Art, Media & Performance, Rural Management and English, SHSS is built on the belief that contemporary challenges demand both disciplinary depth and interdisciplinary engagement. Our classrooms encourage debate, our research addresses questions of public relevance and our students are trained not merely to acquire knowledge but to question, analyse and create it. Our Vision To be globally recognised for excellence in research and teaching while contributing to a more inclusive, informed and sustainable society. Our Mission Our ambition is to build departments that are among the strongest in the country, supported by outstanding faculty, rigorous scholarship, international collaborations and meaningful engagement with society. We believe that excellence in the humanities and social sciences The School 5 6 rests equally on research, teaching and public engagement. Academic Programmes SHSS today offers fourteen undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes across eight departments. Beginning this academic year, the School will launch an interdisciplinary undergraduate programme in humanities and social science (IHS) with specialisations in Sustainability Studies, Archaeology, Heritage and Historical Studies, and Society, Culture and Technology reflecting our continuing commitment to disciplinary strength alongside interdisciplinary learning. Academic Programmes Research at SHSS spans contemporary history, political economy, sustainability, conflict, development, public policy, ethnography, world literatures, visual arts and performance, among many other areas. Faculty employ quantitative, qualitative and practice-based methods often working across disciplinary boundaries and in collaboration with national and international partners. The School’s research agenda is guided by a simple objective: to produce scholarship that is academically rigorous while remaining engaged with the pressing questions of our time.

7 8

Annual Awards 2026 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 98 10 1211 1. Teja Varma Pusapati 7. Chinmay Sharma 2. Vikash Kumar 8. Tuhina Ganguly 3. Punarjit Roychowdhury 9. Shampa Bhattacharjee 4. Vasundhara Bhojvaid 10. Siddharth Mallavarapu 5. Aadya Kaktikar 11. Divya Kannan 6. Bahar Dutt 12. Aakriti Mandhwani (Department of English) (Department of English) (Department of Design) (Department of Sociology) (Department of Economics) (Department of Economics) (Department of Sociology) (Department of IRGS) (Department of Art, Media and Performance) (Department of History and Archaeology) (Department of Art, Media and Performance) (Department of English) 9 10

The Year at a Glance 11 12

Namratha N Master of Fine Arts Rija Kalita M.A. in English Nishant Misra B.Sc. (Research) in Economics Master of Fine Arts Jayasuchita Jayakumar Pooja M.A. in Rural Management Easwar Balakrishnan B.A. (Research) in History Ashwath Hari Damle M.Sc. in Economics Tejas Chhabra M.Sc. in Economics Vanalee Sahaaria B.A. (Research) in English Anuraag Shankar B.A. (Research) in International Relations Adithya S R Nair B.A. (Research) in Sociology Arushi Agarwal B.Sc. (Research) in Economics and Finance School Gold Medalist Program Toppers Master’s admission offers from: 1. University of Chicago, 2. The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) 3. Barcelona School of Economics. • Recipient of The Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation scholarship. • AIR 8 on the merit list for the Indian Statistical Institute Master of Science in Quantitative Economics entrance examination for their 2026 intake. 13 14

15 16

As a Senior Climate Consultant at Dalberg, Anirudh develops strategies and financing mechanisms to scale affordable, locally relevant climate adaptation and resilience solutions across the Global South. He designed and helped implement the India Green Finance Facility, expected to mobilize around USD 900 million from the ADB and the Green Climate Fund to support India’s clean energy transition. He also played a key role in establishing the Bharat Climate Forum, bringing together policymakers, industry, financiers, and civil society to integrate climate action into India’s growth and industrial plans. Additionally, he works with AVPN and Temasek Trust to identify climate-resilience investment opportunities in Asia-Pacific. Shagufta earned her Ph.D. in Sociology and Social Anthropology from Shiv Nadar University in 2021 as one of the inaugural students in the Sociology PhD program. She currently serves as a Lecturer in Global Health and Social Medicine and GTA Lead at King’s College London, and as PGR Deputy Director in the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine. Previously, she was a Postdoctoral Research Associate on the Wellcome-funded project “Grid Oncology: Remaking Cancer Care in India” (2020– 2022). A Fulbright Scholar, she holds an MA and MPhil in Sociology from the Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi, and was the first recipient of the Fulbright Nehru Doctoral Fellowship across all university departments. Neeraj is the Partnerships and Communications Manager at the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development (OICSD), where he develops and implements communication strategy and oversees partnerships and operational activities. His research interests include Indian social policy and politics, with a focus on social justice and reducing systemic inequalities. Alongside his full-time role, he provides pro-bono consulting to grassroots NGOs in India, supporting program strategy and community-level impact. He holds an MSc in Politics of Conflict, Rights, and Justice from SOAS (2021– 22), where he co-curated the “India at 75: In Review” conference. B.A. (Research) in Sociology, Class of 2019 Partnerships and Communications Manager The Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development M.Sc. in Water Science and Policy, Class of 2022 Senior Consultant and Climate Fellow Dalberg Ph.D. in Sociology, Class of 2021 Lecturer in Global Health and Social Medicine King’s College London Distinguished Alumni Awards 2026 Neeraj Sheyte Anirudh Kishore Shagufta Kaur Bhangu 17 18

BUILDING A SCHOOL A distinguished economist, he previously served as the Director and Chief Executive at the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER). With over 20 years of experience in teaching and 25 years in economic policy, Prof. Kathuria has consulted for the World Bank, ILO, and UNCTAD, and continues to influence critical discussions on digital economy, regulation, and competition policy. He holds a PhD from the University of Maryland, College Park, a master’s from the Delhi School of Economics, and an undergraduate degree from St. Stephen’s College. He joined Shiv Nadar University in the year 2021. Here are the excerpts from our candid discussion. on strong disciplinary foundations. If historians, economists, sociologists and designers not to mention IR scholars and artists each bring depth from their own fields, then the conversations between them become genuinely productive. That investment has proved remarkably farsighted. Today, artificial intelligence can process enormous amounts of information, but making sense of society, institutions, ethics, culture and history still requires human judgement. As technology transforms almost every aspect of our lives, I suspect the humanities and social sciences will become more, not less, important. SHSS today is also unusual in another sense. It is difficult to find another school that brings together such diverse departments—from Economics and International Relations to Design, Rural Management and Art, Media & Performance—within one academic community. Those conversations across disciplines have become one of the greatest strengths of the School. PG: SHSS has evolved considerably over the past few years. How do you see the place of the humanities and social sciences changing, particularly at Shiv Nadar University? RK:I think Shiv Nadar University made an important choice very early in its journey, and perhaps that is what distinguishes SHSS even today. The point of departure was not simply that the University adopted a four-year multidisciplinary programme. Many institutions now speak about interdisciplinarity, but what Shiv Nadar did was to invest first in disciplines. It built strong departments in Economics, History, Sociology, English, International Relations, Design and later Art, Media & Performance and Rural Management. That may sound obvious today, but when the University was founded, many newer institutions were moving in a different direction. For me, interdisciplinarity has never meant weakening disciplines. On the contrary, meaningful interdisciplinarity is only possible when it rests Conversation with the Dean, Professor Rajat KathuriaConversation with the Dean, Professor Rajat Kathuria What makes a university more than a collection of departments? Is it the faculty, the students, the research, or the conversations that bring them together? As SHSS marks another year of growth, I sat down with Professor Rajat Kathuria to reflect on institution-building, the changing place of the humanities and social sciences, the importance of research, and the future of higher education in India. Along the way, the conversation wandered from economics to table tennis, from Mohammad Rafi to P.G. Wodehouse, revealing not only his vision for SHSS but also the curiosity and humour that have shaped his academic journey. Prof. Kathuria at his favourite spot on campus, the ISC, on his first day. (L-R) Siddharth Goel, Saurav Adhikari, Professor Kathuria, Amrish Tony, Gen. Jaishankar, Pawan Negi 19 20

PG: Research has been central to SHSS from its inception. Why has that mattered so much? RK: Research changes the way people teach. A faculty member who is actively engaged in research doesn’t merely broker existing knowledge. She brings contemporary questions, uncertainty and debate into the classroom. Students are exposed not only to established theories but also to ideas that are still evolving. That changes the character of learning completely. Those who built Shiv Nadar University understood that. Research was never seen as something separate from teaching-it was part of the identity. One consequence has been that our undergraduate students also experience 21 22 research much earlier than is common in most universities. They attend seminars, interact with faculty working on current problems and increasingly undertake research of their own. Many have gone on to excellent postgraduate and doctoral programmes around the world. A research University should produce not only graduates but future scholars. Then there is the unique OUR, the voluntary UG research project that SNU offers. It’s a great experiment that has worked. I know not of another Indian university that offers anything similar. Kudos to the person who thought of it. PG: Is there any student research that particularly stands out? RK: There are too many to single out, and I certainly haven’t read every thesis. But what has consistently impressed me is their range. In Economics, I have seen excellent work on labour markets, technology, trade and development. In International Relations there has been fascinating work on subjects as diverse as landmines and geopolitics. Sociology, English and History have all produced outstanding dissertations over the years. I particularly remember attending the doctoral defence of Shagufta, the first one I attended after I joined the University. It was online because those were COVID days and I came away deeply impressed not only due to quality of her scholarship but also by the confidence with which she presented it. Today she teaches at King’s College London. Those are the moments that remind you why universities matter. PG: Our alumni now work at institutions ranging from the World Bank to Oxford, INSEAD and LSE. What does that say about the School? RK: Every institution has its own measures of success. For management schools it is often salaries. For a research driven school like ours, I think the truest measure lies elsewhere. Success is reflected in the number of graduates who become researchers, scholars and teachers at leading institutions around the world. When our alumni contribute to knowledge creation, they become ambassadors for the values on which the School was built. PG: Ironically, you almost didn’t join Shiv Nadar University. RK: That is true. I had recently declined another academic leadership position and wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about a long daily commute. Saurav Adhikari, our Board Member, and D.K. from HCL as he is fondly known, however persuaded me to visit the campus before I made up my mind. They also knew I was a table-tennis enthusiast, so they insisted that I bring my racket. That visit changed everything. Before anything else, they took me to the astonishing Indoor Sports Complex where I hit a few balls with the then TT coach Pawan Negi. Afterwards, I came to the Faculty Lounge for lunch, where I met my current colleagues from across SHSS. They were not told I was being considered for the Dean’s position, which made the conversations refreshingly candid. What persuaded me to come wasn’t the campus, impressive as it was. It was the faculty. As an economist, I suddenly realised I would have the opportunity to learn every day from historians, literary scholars, sociologists, artists, designers and international relations scholars. Administration is only one part of being a Dean. Those conversations have been the richest academic experience of my career. PG: You’ve now completed five years. Looking back, what gives you the greatest satisfaction? RK: Without question, watching the School grow in confidence. We have recruited outstanding faculty, strengthened research, introduced new programmes, expanded partnerships and, most importantly, watched our students and alumni thrive. Every issue of Aawaaz reflects that growth. If there is one section I never skip, it is the one on students. They are the lifeblood of a university. Faculty create institutions, but students create campuses. PG: How should students think about studying the humanities and social sciences in an age increasingly dominated by technology? RK: Technology will continue to reshape every profession. That is inevitable. But technology also makes human capabilities more valuable rather than less. Employers increasingly seek judgement, empathy, communication and ethics, qualities that cannot easily be automated. That is why I think we should move from STEM to STEAM (as Rupamanjari Ghosh would often say) by recognising

23 22 The size of your dream is only limited by the extent of your imagination. Shiv Nadar “ “ 24 the present and prepare us for what lies ahead. Our country needs a critical mass of educated people willing to think independently, question assumptions and imagine better possibilities. Universities exist to cultivate precisely those habits. PG: Six Quick Questions PG: Favourite place on campus? RK: The Indoor Sports Complex. The Clubhouse comes a close second—but for entirely different reasons. PG: One book that has influenced you? RK: Leave it to Psmith by P. G. Wodehouse. Alongside that, Yes, Prime Minister has probably shaped my thinking about institutions more than any Economics book ever could. PG: Who would you most like to invite to dinner? RK: Mohammad Rafi without question. His art and humanity are unsurpassed. If I had to choose an economist, it would be John Maynard Keynes. PG: How did you discover your passion for Economics? RK: The honest answer has two parts. The first is easy. My thesis advisor Dennis C. Mueller taught economics as a living discipline. There was mathematics, there were diagrams, but above all there was intuition. He had an extraordinary ability to show that models were not an end in themselves but a way of making sense of the real world. The second part came when I started teaching. My strategy was simple: copy Dr. Mueller. I know the imitation was never as good, but in trying to teach the way he did, I discovered that I had fallen in love with it myself. My students never suspected that’s besides teaching I was also completing my own education. PG: If not economics? RK: Law or perhaps the economics of India’s creative industries. There is untapped value in our cultural heritage. SHSS has exposed me to conversations that I might never otherwise have encountered one of which is India’s creative and cultural industries, visual arts, music, dance, theatre, textiles, crafts, calligraphy and countless forms of intangible cultural heritage. With patronage gone, there is enormous scope for research and thoughtful public policy that supports these. PG: One word to describe SHSS? RK: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

25 26

Shiv Nadar University and Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to advance collaborative work in research, grassroots initiatives, and social innovation. This will facilitate Shiv Nadar University students undertaking short term and long term internships with SEWA across the country. Faculty and students will engage in action research, field studies, and document SEWA’s grassroots innovations as part of experiential social-innovation learning thereby providing hands-on exposure and strengthening students’ skills in participatory research, social entrepreneurship, and sustainable development. The partnership will promote co-created, evidence-based solutions to community challenges and enhance SEWA’s capacity by systematically capturing and scaling its grassroots innovations. Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and Shiv Nadar University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote art, music and performance through sustained collaboration. The partnership will bring together faculty and students from both institutions for joint workshops, seminars, and masterclasses; facilitate interdisciplinary research and innovation; and support joint curriculum development and other academic exchanges. Professor Aleks Szram and Marina Ribera Iñigo visited the university on March 26, 2026 for the signing. The event was attended by Professor Rajat Kathuria, Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences; Dr. Aadya Kaktikar, Head of the Department of Art, Media and Performance; faculty members from the department; and Ms. Paulami Ghosh from the Dean’s Office for Academic Engagements. Both institutions look forward to a fruitful association that nurtures artistic excellence, encourages cross-cultural dialogue, and prepares students for dynamic careers in the creative and performing arts. Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) Trinity Laban New Partnerships This exhibition presented the works of the graduating Master of Fine Arts students, and it reflected the culmination of their academic and creative journey. The exhibition had a diverse range of thought-provoking artworks presented by emerging practitioners. The event also offered an opportunity to engage with the artists and faculty members of the department. This was particularly relevant for individuals interested in contemporary art practices and for prospective candidates seeking to understand current directions in fine art education. The exhibition was hosted after a round table discussion. It was then followed by live performances by MFA Graduating Students: Rutik Ubare and Arpa Poddar. Alongside this event, the department showcased the works of Mr. Anurag Paul who was selected from the previous year’s MFA graduates for the department’s prestigious ‘MFA Fellowship’. His one-year-long practice and research within the department culminated with the exhibition. ART 800 Final Thesis Show, MFA program was conducted from 8-17 May 2026 in UAC Shiv Nadar University. Event Chronicles Performance by Rutik Ubare Performance by Arpa Poddar 27 28

The keynote addresses were delivered by historian and film maker Professor Uma Chakravarti and retired Professor Kunal Chakrabarti from Jawaharlal Nehru University. The symposium was organized by Shreya Mandal and Arpan Bayan, PhD scholars at the Department, and brought together graduate students, early career researchers and senior scholars working in the field of Early Indian history. Key highlights of the workshop: The attendees got introduced to what zines are and how they’ve been used as personal, DIY forms of expression across time. Looked at references from independent publishing and artist-made books. Conducted hands-on session: Fold, Cut, Copy, Arrange, Repeat. The Department of History and Archaeology hosted ‘Making and Unmaking Identities: Social Histories of Early Historic and Early Medieval South Asia’, a two day, student-led symposium on 27-28 March 2026. The School of Humanities and Social Sciences hosted a talk titled “The Book You Want to Write” by Ms. Nandini Nair, Associate Director, New India Foundation on Thursday, 2 April 2026. The Department of Art, Media and Performance hosted a workshop led by MFA Fellow, Anurag Paul on 28 March 2026. It explored storytelling through fragments, everyday moments, and a bit of absurdity. The School of Humanities and Social Sciences hosted an online session titled ‘Unlocking Opportunities - The Rhodes Scholarship Journey’, on 11 April 2026. The session was led by Dr. Bela Desai, the India Selection and Outreach Director at Rhodes Trust. The School of Humanities and Social Sciences hosted the first episode of Alumni Live on 25 April 2026, a series connecting our current community with alumni who have navigated the world in inspiring ways featuring Neeraj Sheyte, a Sociology major from the Class of 2019. After completing Master’s in Politics of Conflict, Rights and Justice, he is working as a Partnerships and Communication Manager at the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development. Alumni Live is more than a career talk. It’s a space to hear about: The Paths Less Taken: Stories of grit, curiosity, and exploring the unknown. The “Invisible” Options: Discovering professional routes that weren’t on the radar during student years. The Reality of the Journey: Moments of hard work and the courage it takes to pivot. 29 30

The Cultural Day highlighted cultural bonds and prospects of cooperation between India and Taiwan. During the event, Shiv Nadar University academic community experienced different aspects of Taiwanese culture, divided in five booths – dedicated to Puzzle, Ring Toss, Chopsticks Challenge, Mahjong, and a Bubble Tea Station. DADRI2TAIPEI Taiwan Culture Day was conducted on April 7, 2026. Students from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, were invited to the two day National Student Change Initiatives Fest 2026 at the EMPI Business School, last month. The theme of the fest was “AI for Good: A Blueprint for Responsible AI Innovation.” The festival was organized by Ashoka Innovators for the Public in partnership with Connecting Dreams Foundation. The festival was designed as a national learning and exhibition platform where student-led AI innovations addressing social and environmental challenges were showcased. The event engaged more than 800 student teams and over 5,000 students across disciplines such as engineering, AI, design, public policy, and management. Students of the B.Des program attended the event Future Scape 2026 hosted by Global Association for Corporate Services (GACS) Exhibition and Knowledge Conclave on March 28 in Gurugram, which stood out for its practical focus on how industries leverage AI to improve operations, boost profitability, and scale solutions. Exhibitors included Origami Tissues, which showcased tissue manufacturing, bleaching, and market preferences for white over brown tissue; Milliken, which highlighted cross-sector sourcing of raw materials; Techno Purple, whose workforce-management app offers facial recognition, digital tracking, and image-based progress monitoring; Palki Food Service; and Datasurfr, a platform providing real-time climate and geopolitical risk insights with plans for broader sector expansion. Students also had an insightful conversation with Mr. Balwant Singh Atwal, CSO at HCLTech. Overall, the conference offered meaningful industry exposure, practical insights, and strong networking opportunities. 31 32

The Trade, Environment and Finance Conclave 2026, held on 14 March 2026, convened at the India International Centre in New Delhi, gathering economists, policymakers, and financial experts to explore the intersection of trade policy, environmental governance, and finance in reshaping economic strategies for developed and emerging economies. Hosted by Professor Rajat Kathuria and Dr. Punarjit Roychowdhury, the forum addressed concerns over the fragmentation of the post-Cold War trade framework influenced by geopolitical and climate developments. The opening panel, Green Protectionism: Can India Navigate the New Trade– Environment Nexus?, examined whether new environmental standards, such as carbon border adjustments, signify genuine climate action or veiled protectionism. Professors Meeta Keswani Mehra, Aparna Sawhney, and Aman Srivastava highlighted the impact of climate regulations on export competitiveness for developing nations, urging alignment of trade policies with sustainability objectives. The second panel, “Global Trade at the Crossroads,” focused on trade dynamics under geopolitical strain. Moderated by Professor Manoj Pant, discussions covered the World Trade Organization’s declining authority and the rising significance of service trade in India’s economy. An afternoon session explored the financial aspects of the trade-environment nexus with the theme “The Future of the Indian Rupee in a Changing Global Economy.” Moderated by Professor Indranil Sen Gupta, speakers examined the impact of capital flows on India’s current account deficit and currency stability. Discussions highlighted how financial markets are increasingly factoring in climate-related investment risks and sustainable financing. Dr. V Anantha Nageswaran emphasized the need for India to adapt to a shifting global economy marked by strategic competition. He advocated for enhancing manufacturing capacity and diversifying supply chains. The conclave concluded with Professor Ananya Mukherjee stressing the critical role of academic institutions in facilitating interdisciplinary dialogue on these complex issues, demonstrating that trade, environment, and finance are now inseparable elements of economic policy. 33 34

Prof. Kathuria at the Australia–India Strategic Dialogue on May 18–19 Prof. Kathuria at the International Seminar on ‘India– Africa Partnership for Sustainable Development: Advancing Cooperation in Trade, Investment, and Health’, co-organised by RIS for Developing Countries, DAKSHIN – Global South Centre of Excellence, and SIS, JNU. Prof. Kathuria at the annual Friedrich-Ebert- Stiftung (FES) conference in Berlin Prof. Kathuria, Dr. Jabin Jacob and Dr. Happymon Jacob attended the annual Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) conference in Berlin Prof. Catherine Montgomery and Prof. Martin G Evans from Durham University with Prof. Kathuria and Dr. Punarjit Roychowdhury Executive Vice President of the Sehgal Foundation Mr. Jay Sehgal with Prof. Kathuria, Prof. Raina and Ms. Ghosh during his visit to the university. Also in attendance were Ms. Niti Saxena, Ms. Anjali Makhija, Ms. Pooja Murada and Mr. Sam Kapoor Celebrating excellence—SHSS non-academic staff honored by the Vice-Chancellor at the Annual Awards. Congratulations! 35 36

Dr. Prakash Kumar, Associate Professor, Department of Design has secured his second patent of the year! Achieving one patent is a career milestone, but securing two within a single year is a true testament to Dr. Kumar’s relentless innovation and commitment to advancing the field. His work continues to push boundaries and inspire us. Dr. Subhashim Goswami, Head of the Department of Sociology, has been awarded the prestigious Charles Wallace India Trust (CWIT) Visiting Fellowship for 2026. Dr. Goswami is currently at Queen’s University Belfast, where he will engage in collaborative research and contribute to the vibrant intellectual community there. This fellowship is a testament to his significant contributions to the field of Sociology and reflects the global impact of our academic community. Dr. Prakash Kumar Associate Professor, Department of Design Associate Professor and Head, Department of Sociology Dr. Subhashim Goswami Accolades Dr. Kapil Patil, from the Department of International Relations and Governance Studies (IRGS), has been awarded a prestigious Grants-in-aid for Spring 2026 by the American Institute of Physics (AIP). This competitive grant will support Dr. Patil’s crucial archival research at the U.S. National Archives. His project delves into the history of the Atomic Energy Commission’s international technical assistance efforts, shedding light on the intersection of science policy, global governance, and nuclear diplomacy. Dr. Patil’s work continues to provide vital insights into the evolution of nuclear technology politics and the circulation of scientific knowledge. We congratulate him on this achievement and look forward to the significant contributions his research will bring to the field. Assistant Professor, Department of History and Archaeology Dr. Kapil Patil Curated an international exhibition on photography and anthropology for DAG, which was collateral to the India Art Fair 2026. Professor, Department of Department of History and Archaeology Dr. Sudeshna Guha THE HINDU magazine Sunday, February 8, 2026 08 CM YK backpage J ust days before she turned her attention to a new flagship in Beverly Hills, Anita Dongre was in Vadodara, at the historic Laxmi Vilas Palace, preparing for the second edition of Rewild, her Fashion for Good fundraiser that brings together craft, conservation and community. Against the palace’s Indo-Saracenic backdrop, models walked in contemporary silhouettes rooted in Indian textile traditions, as musicians and conservationists gathered for a January evening that reframed the fashion show as a vehicle for stewardship. (The funds are reserved for nature and wildlife conservation.) It was a reminder that even as the brand expands outwards, its centre of gravity remains firmly grounded at home. That same sensibility now finds architectural expression on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills, where a vertical garden rises from the ground, designed by MAD Architects. Dongre’s newest flagship store here opened with pomp and fanfare, courtesy Los Angeles locals and friends of the brand, including actor Poorna Jagannathan and actor-producer Mindy Kaling, as co-hosts. Inside, a pichwai wall painted and embroidered by craftspeople in Rajasthan glows against handwoven furnishings and embroidered lampshades. The space, about 3,000 sq.ft., carries the House’s signature language: contemporary silhouettes framed by centuries-old craft. The store marks Dongre’s fourth international location, following flagships in Mumbai, New York’s Soho, and the Dubai Mall. It is also a first for an Indian designer in Beverly Hills, an address she describes as “the next step for the brand to cover this side of the world”. “We were one of the first designers to open in the U.S.,” she says over a call on the eve of the launch. “We started with New York and there was always a desire that after a year or two, we would have the second store in L.A. Then COVID-19 happened and things slowed down. It took us about three years to find a location that we were happy with.” Taking on the West Coast The L.A. flagship is led by her son, Yash, who oversees international operations. “This store is retailing our bridal wear, which will be targeted largely to the South Asian diaspora,” he explains. “Other than that, we have a lot of occasion wear, resort wear, and red carpet looks.” Including the collection from the Rewild fundraiser. “With these lines, we are hoping to target a much wider audience, do red carpet activations and really make it an international store.” The choice of location is strategic. “When we thought of L.A., it was clear it would always be Beverly Hills,” Yash says. “We want to be in global retail luxury hotspots.” The decision also stems from consumer insight. “We had a lot of clients coming from California to the New York store,” he notes. The Beverly Hills opening also reflects a larger shift in how South Asian luxury brands are positioning themselves in the West. As retail strategist

Dr. Anupam Roy, from the Department of Art, Media and Performance, has been awarded the prestigious Fellows Award 2024 CAREC! This global recognition is a testament to Anupam’s incredible dedication and impactful creative work, which consistently engages with critical socio-political issues. The Prince Claus Fund honors visionary artists and cultural practitioners who use the power of culture to inspire, challenge, and foster positive change where it is needed most. Dr. Anupam Roy Assistant Professor, Department of Art, Media and Performance Assistant Professor, Department of Art, Media and Performance Dr. Amrithasruthi Radhakrishnan has been awarded a grant by the Asian Cultural Council for her upcoming.... upcoming fellowship research, which will explore the impact of early Cold War diplomacy on India’s performing arts institutions. By examining the historical role of philanthropic foundations and cultural intermediaries, her work aims to open new doors for artistic collaboration between the U.S. and India. Dr. Radhakrishnan is a faculty with the Department of Art, Media and Performance at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. It is always inspiring to see deep, archival humanities research receive the support it needs to thrive. Congratulations to Dr. Radhakrishnan and all awardees! Dr. Amrithasruthi Radhakrishnan He read from his work at the University of Edinburgh on April 29. Dr. Kapur is a writer-in-residence at the Hawthornden Castle in Lasswade just outside Edinburgh during April-May 2026. Dr. Paul delivered the keynote address titled “Research in Gender Studies” at the first ever National Students’ Research Seminar organised by the SGTB Khalsa College, Delhi University on 16th April 2026. Conference Paper Presentation: “Ragini meets GenZ: Environmental Conservation through the Digitized Afterlife of Oral Folklore of Haryana” presented in a one-day multi- disciplinary seminar on “GREEN GOVERNANCE AND FUTURE OF DEVELOPMENT” organized by DAV College, Ambala City on March 18, 2026. Professor, Department of English Assistant Professor, Department of English Associate Professor, Department of English He also spoke at the Creative Writing Conference at the University of Edinburgh in early May 2026. Professor Vikram Kapur Dr. Sreejata Paul Dr. Gatha Sharma 39 40

Dr. Chinmaya Lal Thakur submitted the manuscript of his upcoming book “Subjectivity in the Novels of David Malouf: Aspects of Being and Becoming” to Liverpool University Press, Liverpool, UK in April 2026. The book is scheduled to be published before Christmas next year. Department of Sociology PhD Scholars (Sant Ram Antil, Rumela Chatterjee and Sandra Joseph) and faculty (Vasundhara Bhojvaid) have jointly published ‘Care and living materialities’ in HAU: Journal of Ethnographic Theory in the 2026 Spring issue. This publication is a result of a workshop hosted by the Department of Sociology in 2024 that engaged with Andrew McDowell’s book Breathless: Tuberculosis, inequality, and care in rural India. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press. The article can be accessed here: https://www.journals. uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/740765 The Max Weber Kolleg, Institute for Advanced Study, Erfurt, Germany, has awarded Dr. Arif a Distinguished Fellowship for 9 months ending July 2026. She will be working on a book project, “Life, per se: Critique of the Government of Identity”, in addition to her ongoing research on AI and LLMs. Assistant Professor, Department of English Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology Professor, Department of Sociology Dr. Chinmaya Lal Thakur, Dr. Vasundhara Bhojvaid Dr. Yasmeen Arif Professor Roma Chatterji is a visiting professor at the Department of Sociology. She has co-authored the book Superheroes in Indian Comics: Deliberations from Anthropology. London: Routledge, with Amaan Shreyas. This volume is an ethnographic account of superhero comics in India based on case studies of three publishing houses. It offers a detailed analysis of their techniques of narration associated with the publication of commercial comics such as collective authorship, open-ended plots, frequent re-boots of the storyline, extended story arcs and complex narrative universes to throw into sharp relief the contrast between superhero comics and the graphic novel. They argue that superhero comics are a postmodern vehicle to test serious socio-political issues in the mode of fantasy. Professor, Department of Sociology Professor Roma Chatterji Dr. Divya Kannan from the Department of History and Archaeology, has been awarded the prestigious Charles Wallace Visiting Fellowship at the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH), University of Edinburgh for 2025. This esteemed fellowship, supported by the Charles Wallace India Trust (CWIT), recognizes exceptional scholars in the arts and humanities, providing them with the opportunity to engage with the vibrant intellectual community at the University of Edinburgh and collaborate with the Centre for South Asian Studies. Dr. Kannan is currently in Edinburgh, where she is dedicating her time to her advanced research project, contributing to the academic life at IASH, and participating in the wider scholarly discourse. Assistant Professor, Department of History and Archaeology Dr. Divya Kannan 41 42

Shayori Dey’s analysis of Guru Dutt’s “Pyaasa”. Lead OPED in Hindustan Times on “ Heat Action Plans need to become more than emergency interventions published 1st May 2026 Documentary Film 1. Short Documentary (10 minutes) on impact of climate change on India craft for DW German broadcasting channel telecast in March 2026 2. Short documentary on Black kites of Delhi -scavengers in the skies for DW German broadcasting channel telecast in May 2026 Awards Received Dada Saheb Phalke Best Documentary Jury award 2026, (second year in a row for the film Lunch is Served documenting the human -elephant conflict situation in West Bengal) Associate Professor, Department of Art, Media and Performance Associate Professor, Department of Art, Media and Performance Dr. Ashwin Ramanathan Bahar Dutt Hemant Sreekumar along with Gitanjali Poluru (MFA 2023-25) as his Research Assistant, have been awarded an 18,00,000 funding from the Dassault Systèmes Foundation’s board for their project “Experiential Sonic Architecture: VR- Integrated Design to Understand the Role of Architectural Geometry in Healing/Pleasant Human Experiences”. It’s the first approved project from SHSS funded by La Fondation and solidifies SHSS’s integration into SDC’s research initiatives. Dr. Hemanth Kadambi continues as the Director of the Maski Archaeological Research Project (MARP) this year. He is currently engaged in laboratory analyses of excavated materials in Karnataka, which will be presented as a report to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Delhi this year, and will be published in scholarly journals. Prof. Rajeswari S. Raina was awarded the co-chairship of the Bernard Maris UNESCO Chair, hosted by Sciences Po Toulouse - France, under UNESCO’s auspices earlier last year and is expected to hold this role till 2029. In this video, Prof. Raina talks about agriculture as a deeply misunderstood domain that mainstream development economics has reduced to output, labor shifts, and GDP share. Pushing back against that narrow story from dev. econ, she argues that agriculture is multifunctional by way of shaping ecosystems, food cultures, livelihoods, social relations, and even the carbon and energy balance of society. To her, modern agriculture has been turned into an energy hungry system, and she calls for a conceptual shift from purely micro and macro frameworks toward a meso level, landscape-based understanding, insisting that knowledge must be co produced with farmers, civil society groups, and practitioners. Assistant Professor, Department of Art, Media and Performance Associate Professor and Head, Department of History and Archaeology Professor, Department of International Relations and Governance Studies Hemant Sreekumar Dr. Hemanth Kadambi Professor Rajeswari S. Raina 43 44

The Shiv Nadar Foundation Inter-Institutional Collaboration Grant Project- The Past as Present: Approaches to Pedagogy, History, and Archaeology, concluded in April 2026. As part of the collaboration with Vidyagyan Bulandshahr and Shiv Nadar School Noida, the “History and Archaeology” lab was expanded at Vidyagyan and a new lab room established at SNS Noida. As part of this project, subject experts in art, history, archaeology, and photography conducted various projects with 50 school students over a period of two years. This has resulted in the compilation of art work, oral history interviews on food and attire, and photographs on urban settings and water- all on display in the lab rooms. A mock archaeology dig-site has also been developed at Vidyagyan as a teaching resource. The project was a pilot study to facilitate training in historical and archaeological methods and an awareness of historical sources and its relationship with everyday life and urban environments. The team from SNU included Dr. Divya Kannan, Dr. Iman Mitra, Dr. Kaustubh Sengupta, and Dr. Hemanth Kadambi, from the Department of History and Archaeology. Assistant Professor, Department of History and Archaeology Assistant Professor, Department of History and Archaeology Former Assistant Professor, Department of History and Archaeology Dr. Divya Kannan Dr. Iman Kumar Mitra Dr. Kaustubh Mani Sengupta Dr. Shraman Banerjee has been invited as a Visiting Fellow at the Hausdorff Center for Mathematics (HCM), University of Bonn for May-June, 2026. The visit is funded by the HCM and the Department of Economics, University of Bonn. Presentations & Events “The Alphabets of Africa” by Abhay K. Discussant May 2, India International Centre, New Delhi Assistant Professor, Department of Economics Department of IRGS Dr. Shraman Banerjee Professor Siddharth Mallavarapu Associate Professor and Head Department of History and Archaeology Dr. Hemanth Kadambi 45 46

Conversation with the Founding Head of Department- Economics | Dean of Academics Professor ParthaProfessor Partha ChatterjeeChatterjee PG: What led you to develop the economics programs at the university? PC: When the university began its journey, we joined the university attracted by our founder’s vision to build a multidisciplinary comprehensive research university. Economics was a critical piece in that vision. The question for us was what kind of economics department we wanted to build. While economics across the world had changed over the preceding few decades, economics in India, particularly economics education, was firmly rooted in the distant past. I noticed gaps in economics education in India: curricula were often outdated, research and teaching were not always integrated well, and many programs implicitly felt like “mini-PhDs,” without acknowledging the much broader impact economics was having across the spectrum of industries across the world. So, we designed the programs to be rigorous, updated, and skill- oriented. Research was heavily integrated in teaching and formed a critical part of our thrust to prepare students who can think, who can define problems, and find solutions. PG: What was your approach to curriculum design for the first year and beyond? PC: We had to build a vision without having the luxury of years of planning. The first year was focused on fundamentals, but we planned for what came next, introducing newer content and course styles that weren’t commonly done. For example, we made computational skills mandatory in undergraduate as well as master’s level, including programming, because students coming into the program often had not been exposed to that background. The idea was to keep the program rigorous while also making it relevant to modern economics. PG: How did you ensure the master’s students received strong teaching and support? PC: The cohorts were small, so the experience became intense and close-knit. Students had frequent advising and direct interaction with faculty. We also used faculty and teaching assistant support to bridge differences in students’ prior preparation, especially in computational and quantitative foundations. PG: What was special about your first cohort of master’s students? PC: The students and faculty were closely connected, and the program was built to create a platform for students—academically and professionally. Because it was a small cohort, there was a lot of mentoring and guidance, and students were able to struggle, learn, and improve rapidly. PG: What were the key challenges in recruiting faculty and students at the beginning? PC: There were three major challenges: • Recruiting faculty (and ensuring we had the right level and fit). • Recruiting students, even though nobody knew the new department yet. • Building the research and academic environment quickly enough to make the program credible. Professor Chatterjee with Mr. Shiv Nadar, Founder- Shiv Nadar University, former Chancellor Late Dr. S. N. Balakrishnan and the founding M.Sc. Economics batch 47 48

We had a clear vision for what kind of department and standards we wanted. The selection, both for recruiting faculty members as well as students, was rigorous. For a new university, there was always the temptation to increase numbers quickly, however, we knew the importance of pursuing excellence and not get comfortable with mediocrity. PG: How did you build connections and help students after graduation (employment/PhD)? PC: We designed the master’s program with outcomes in mind: students could either go into industry or into PhD programs. Since faculty were also actively doing research, students gained direct exposure to discipline and to the kinds of questions being asked internationally. Mentoring and global networks helped many students move into strong PhD and advanced pathways. We also built connections with the industry. This helped students choose the right path for our students and opened paths to internships and jobs. PG: How did you develop industry connections for economics and master’s programs? PC: We regularly invited people from the industry, as diverse as finance, FMCG, and even mining, to talk to and interact with our students. We had to explain what the new university and department were doing and why their background would be valuable to students. Over time, as students performed well and the department established credibility, these links became more sustainable. We also took their inputs in refreshing our curriculum, and in fact, even building a new program in economics and finance. PG: When you took on the international office role, how did global collaboration happen during COVID? PC: COVID stopped many in-person travel plans, so we had to rethink “internationalism.” We shifted toward virtual partnerships and academic conversations. I also ran a series of virtual events called Beyond Boundaries (bringing prominent international leaders and scholars) to keep academic communities connected despite lockdowns. PG: What was the focus of collaboration during your international work? PC: As I established the Office of International Partnerships within the university, the first goal for us was to increase opportunities for student mobility. We built partnerships around it and created a structure for students. A precursor to that was major project we worked on for three years in collaboration with three Indian universities, and two European universities supported by the European Union and the British Council. That project enabled us to create a deep understanding of how to create paths for students for international education. Later, I was also involved in creating dual degree programs. PG: What was the toughest kind of decision you faced? PC: One recurring difficulty was to ensure that we did not compromise on our vision of excellence. We often eschewed the easy path in getting what was easily available, but reached for what we wanted. This was true in many dimensions, but particularly so in faculty hiring. Another difficult period was COVID, because a university’s energy depends heavily on student presence and constant interaction, and that was disrupted. PG: What are your core principles for the university’s identity and culture? PC: We emphasized that the university is: Multidisciplinary in both research and teaching Comprehensive across fields Research-focused in advancing knowledge and in bringing research and teaching together Student-centered focused on helping students succeed in life, not just academically We also supported this with structures like faculty-student pairing and a culture of close advising and availability outside classroom settings. Overall, a sense of belonging. PG: What achievements are you most proud of? PC: I am proud of what we have achieved as a collective. I’m proud the current reputation and progress, but not as one single event—it’s the result of many years of many small efforts. I’m especially proud that people now seek us out and recommend. It gives to see our faculty members making an impact in research and society. From the economics department perspective, I am delighted to see that the Economics and the Economics & Finance programs are among the most sought-after programs in the country. PG: How do you see economics evolving in the next 15 years? PC: Economics will keep integrating more computation and data-driven methods, and the role of AI and automation will increase. At the same time, economics must stay focused on real societal problems, especially unequal impact the changes afoot will have and the risk that disadvantaged groups may fall further behind. Economics must also retain focus on how to help bridge the income gap across countries. So, the department needs to keep updating curriculum and research while staying grounded in how economics can solve public-interest problems. PG: How do you plan for the next direction of economics/finance programs? PC: We believe we should integrate more computation and AI skills in programs and also expand r

Was awarded The Foundation for Indian Contemporary Art (FICA) Emerging Artist Award. Organised and chaired a seminar entitled “(Re)Imagining Trans: Mappings, Crossings, and Tracings” at the Northeast Modern Languages Association (NeMLA) Convention 2026. Was featured in “Art India’s 30th Anniversary Special Edition - Looking Ahead: 30 Artists Under 30”, a selection that reflects the magazine’s long-standing commitment to shaping critical discourse around contemporary Indian art. The recognition was formally conferred during Indian Art Fair 2026. Master of Fine Arts Class of 2025 Ph.D. Scholar Master of Fine Arts Class of 2025 Shiv Shankar Juie Gune Sahil Kumar Student Achievements Department of Art, Media and Performance Department of English Elza Vempeny published her photo poem collection in Agents of Ishq. https://agentsofishq.com/post/eight- poetic-expressions-reflect-on-pain-mentruation-and- metamorphosis-of-the-body-699d0d6c961a5 Working with a community-based organization: Manish got the opportunity to write a skit titled “Maharo Jaad Maharo Haq”, based on the life of the Van Gujjar community. The skit was performed at a program organized by the District Legal Services Authority, Haridwar, for which he was also awarded a certificate. He has been actively involved in supporting the preparation of Community Forest Resource (CFR) management plans. His role also included assisting community members in obtaining essential documents such as Aadhaar and PAN cards, as well as preparing other common documents. Thesis Writing Fellowship (October 2025 - February 2026) - Awarded by the Center for Sciences and Humanities (CSH), Delhi. Amount: 240000 (two lakh forty thousand rupees). B.A. (Research) Class of 2026 Ph.D. Scholar Ph.D. Scholar Elza Vempeny Manish Kumar Yogita Suresh Department of Sociology 51 52

Dr. Sabhapandit is the IRGS department’s first-ever student to receive the Ph.D. degree. Short Term Visiting Fellowship at the JSW Centre for the Future of Law, National Law School of India University, Bengaluru. During his fellowship, Dr. Kachroo will develop his paper on COVID-19 vaccine governance in India as a problem of regulatory design under constitutional constraints. This work will come with a particular focus on how questions of bodily autonomy, risk disclosure, AEFI governance, and public trust were negotiated during the pandemic, exploring what happens when policy begins to lean on scientific advice as justification, even as the science itself evolves in public. Dr. Kachroo is the second-ever student to receive the Ph.D. degree from the IRGS department. Fellowship Joined DIIS - Dansk Institut for Internationale Studier (Denmark) as a Visiting Research Scholar. At DIIS, he is attached to the Conflict and Political Violence unit, where he will also be presenting a portion of his ongoing Ph.D. research. Dr. Swarati Sabhapandit Dr. Rishabh Kachroo Abhishek Saxena Department of IRGS PhD Synopsis Presentations 53 54

Program Manager at AidData and a researcher specializing in China’s lending to developing countries. He holds a Master of International Affairs from the UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy (GPS) and completed an MA in Chinese Studies. As the first IRGS graduate, Pavan has gone on to build an impressive career in international political economy. He developed his expertise through internships at organizations such as the Institute of Chinese Studies and the Delhi Policy Group. Delivered a keynote speech on “Vande Mataram: A Civilisational Mantra for Viksit Bharat @2047 at Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies, University of Delhi, as a Youth Icon representing the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India in the latest session of Viksit Bharat Yuva Connect Programme (VBYCP), an initiative empowering young voices under the guidance of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. March 13 Currently, Ms. Bhatia is a Research Intern at Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India. Article “Hegemony with Chinese Characteristics” Modern Diplomacy, April 11 Currently, Ms. Chaurasia is MSc in International Relations at RSIS | S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University Singapore. Class of 2021 Class of 2025 Class of 2025 Pavan Raghavendra Mannat Bhatia Ananya Chaurasia UNDERGRADUATE B.A. (RESEARCH) ACHIEVEMENTS Article “The Price of Strategic Autonomy: India and the Iran Conflict” The Diplomat, April 9 Currently, Ms. Khan is M.Sc student of International Relations at RSIS | S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University Singapore. Class of 2025 Class of 2027 Delivered a pitch during Shiv Nadar University Industry Partnership Summit, acting as a Student Ambassador. In this role, Mr. Tiwari contributed to the smooth execution of the event, engaging closely with industry leaders and professionals from diverse sectors. A remarkable learning experience of academia-industry collaboration in real time. Class of 2026 Shared experiences of studying in Taiwan in event hosted by Education Division, Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in India (TECC), where she shared her experiences studying in Taiwan and interacted with students and faculty members from different universities. Earlier in the year, Ms. Thanmai spoke on “An information session on Taiwan–India relations and studying in Taiwan”. The session commenced with a welcoming address by the Ambassador, followed by a series of presentations in which speakers from diverse academic and professional backgrounds shared their experiences of studying in Taiwan. This was complemented by a presentation outlining the range of scholarships available to Indian students interested in pursuing their education in Taiwan. Naisha Khan Ojasw Tiwari Thanmai Sanan 55 56

Class of 2028 Shared experiences of studying in Taiwan in event hosted by Education Division, Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in India (TECC), where she shared her experiences studying in Taiwan and interacted with students and faculty members from different universities. On March 3, TECC invited a group of students (undergraduate and postgraduate) to speak on educational opportunities in Taiwan - “Study in Taiwan - Scholarship Orientation at TECC”, as part of its regular information sessions. Ms. Shraddha was the invited speaker for the session, and detailed her academic journey learning Mandarin at 長榮 大學, Tainan (during the Mandarin Abroad Program - 2025 Summer). She reflected on her experience of living abroad and learning a new language surrounded by new friends - experiences that will be featured in her latest photobook “Zǒulù: Streets of Taiwan”. The events served as a valuable platform for interaction between current and prospective students, fostering a sense of greater awareness in the scope that Taiwan-India relations hold for our students. The audience greatly enjoyed their presentations and felt inspired by their experiences. Shraddha Anu Shekar Ms. Thanmai spoke about her five-month study period at National Quemoy University in Kinmen (as part of New Southbound Policy Elite Study Program - NQU). She discussed the scholarship structure, course offerings, the geopolitical significance of Kinmen, Mandarin language instruction, as well as campus life. Toys, in one form or another, have always been a core part of every child’s experience. Toys and play are considered to be essential tools for the growth and emotional development of young children, especially in the areas of imagination, problem- solving, motor skills, creativity, and social skills. There is a diverse and culturally rich history of traditional toys in India. Economically, the toy retail industry is growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.2% since 2023 and is expected to reach USD 3 billion by 2028 (Kothari, 2023). Designing toys allows designers to use a transdisciplinary approach in which aspects of different domains, such as child psychology, behavior, ergonomics, market research, aesthetics, materials, mechanisms, manufacturing, sustainability, prototyping, safety, and standards, are applied. For design students, this creative act allows them to apply knowledge gained from multiple core design courses and create a design artifact while also experiencing fun and joy in the creative process. Some of the toys developed by students in the Department of Design during the courses ‘Sustainable Design: Philosophy and Approaches’ and ‘Form and Detailing’ are showcased in this segment. Sustainable Design - Philosophy and Approaches Process: The project began by identifying belonging and social exclusion as an overlooked issue visible in everyday campus life, leading to the development of an awareness-driven short film. Pre-production involved scriptwriting, storyboarding, mood boards, shot planning, location scouting, costume selection, and equipment sourcing to shape the film’s narrative and visual direction. Shooting was carried out across multiple days, followed by reshoots and additional shots. The footage was refined through editing, color grading, dubbing, sound design, ambient effects, and music to create an emotionally engaging film about belonging and exclusion. Problem Objective: To create a short film that uses visual storytelling and metaphor to highlight the need for belonging, while creating emotional connection, empathy, and reflection among audiences. Batch (2024-2028) Student Name - Eniyan Chidambaram Tarun Raja Vetrivel Guided by - Dr. Manmohan Vashisht 2 Belong Concepts/Ideation Final Outcome DEPARTMENT OF DESIGN Short film that uses visual storytelling and metaphor to highlight the need for belonging, while creating emotional connection, empathy, and reflection among audiences. Eniyan Chidambaram B.Des. Class of 2028 Tarun Raja Vetrivel B.Des. Class of 2028 Manmohan Vashisht Assistant Professor Department of Design Sanket Pai Assistant Professor Department of Design 57 58

CHS is conducting the second edition of its Summer Internship Programme in Chinese Language and Studies, with the new cohort having commenced on 20 May 2026 and continuing until 20 July 2026. The programme brings together students interested in Chinese language, culture, and research through a structured remote internship format. Steered by the Centre for Himalayan Studies, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence signed an MoU with the Maharashtra Institute of Technology - World Peace University (MIT-WPU), Pune, India, in April 2026 to promote academic exchanges, collaborative research, joint events, and student engagement initiatives. The Centre welcomed three distinguished scholars as Non- Resident Fellows who joined the Centre from April 2026. These include James Patrick Leibold, Emeritus Professor, La Trobe University, Australia; Wen-Hsuan Tsai, Research Fellow, Institute of Political Science, Academia Sinica, Taiwan; and Uttam Lal, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, University of Sikkim. Their association with the Centre will strengthen ongoing research and academic collaborations on governance in Tibet, the Communist Party of China, and Himalayan societies. Himalayan Studies The Centre of Excellence for Announcements On 10 April, CHS, in collaboration with the College of Language and Culture Studies, Royal University of Bhutan, co-organised a webinar on transformations in authority and institutional structures in the Himalayan Buddhist world, featuring Mari Miyamoto, Professor of Keio University as the presenter and the Venerable Lopen Lungtaen Gyatso as discussant. Dr. Kaveri Gill served as the moderator. On 16 April, CHS jointly organised a panel discussion with the Department of International Relations and Governance Studies, on the global implications of India’s China challenge, drawing on contributions by SNIoE faculty members to the March 2026 edition of India’s World magazine. The discussion featured Jabin T. Jacob, Anand P. Krishnan, and Priyanka Pandit, Assistant Professor, IRGS. Professor Raina and Shin-Lin with students at the SRUTI exhibition in Delhi Events 59 60

From March to May 2026, the Centre for Himalayan Studies published 33 articles and research outputs. These included 19 Commentaries, 6 Issue Briefs, and 2 Occasional Papers, along with 6 translated pieces in Tibetan, Tamil, Malayalam, Urdu, and Chinese. The past three months also saw contributions to the March special issue of the foreign policy magazine India’s World and several commentaries published under CHS’ “On China” series with The Tribune. The period further featured contributions from several external scholars and practitioners, reflecting CHS’s continued engagement with wider academic and policy communities. 1. CHS Director, Jabin T. Jacob served as Guest Editor of a special issue of India’s World (Vol. 2, Issue 3) on India’s China challenge writing the introductory essay framing the key issues at the heart of this challenge. CHS Associate Fellow, Devendra Kumar and Fellow, Anand P. Krishnan also contributed an article each to this special issue analysing the Tibet question in India–China relations and the role of Chinese corporates in India, respectively. Guest Edited by Prof. Jabin Thomas Jacob Featuring articles by Prof. Jabin Thomas Jacob, Prof. Priyanka Pandit, Prof. Atul Mishra and Class of 2021 IRGS BA student Pavan Raghavendra The India-China relationship goes beyond just its bilateral implications for each country. The relationship now actively impacts regional dynamics and has slowly become integral to the calculations of several external powers in terms of their regional policies in South Asia/wider Asia. Less discussed is the global impact of the India-China relationship. While India and China are members of world spanning configurations like the BRICS and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, it is seldom the bilateral relationship between the two most populous countries and regional rivals that is in the foreground but China’s capacity and influence as well as the US-China bilateral dynamic - and of how these organizations might or might not serve as a tool for China to challenge the West-led global order, howsoever defined. Against this backdrop, this special issue explores the impact of India’s approaches to China on regional and global dynamics. In particular, it looks at three issues - Indian knowledge production on China, India’s economic relationship with China and India’s contention with China in global economic governance. PublicationsIndia’s World Special Issue: India’s China Challenge Prof. Jabin Thomas Jacob Pavan Raghavendra 2. Anand P Krishnan authored an Occasional Paper analysing India–China economic relations and structural interdependence in the post-2020 period, with a focus on trade imbalances, economic asymmetries, industrial dependence, and the evolving dynamics shaping relations between the two countries. The Centre’s partnership with the national daily, The Tribune under the “On China” series saw six curated commentaries during this period. A. Jabin T. Jacob authored a Commentary examining the implications of recent US military engagements in Iran for China’s own military ambitions. Following the recent creation of Cenling County in Chinese- occupied Aksai Chin, he also co-authored with Devendra Kumar a Commentary analysing China’s restructuring of administrative units along the Line of Actual Control with India. 3. Shih-Ting Lin, Mandarin Language Teacher, Department of International Relations and Governance Studies, authored an Issue Brief about Chinese citizens in Pakistan with a focus on Pakistan’s security measures to protect them involving not only just physical protection but also digital surveillance. B. Anand Krishnan authored two Commentaries for The Tribune. The first analysed the strategic implications of a potential UPI–Alipay linkage, while the second examined shifts in CCTV ecosystem in India hitherto dominated by Chinese companies. C. Also for The Tribune, Kaveri Gill, Non- Resident Senior Fellow reviewed the book The Robe and the Sword: How Buddhist Extremism is Shaping Modern Asia, examining themes of religion, extremism, and state power in contemporary Asia. In another review for the daily, Kumar reviewed Frank Dikötter’s book Red Dawn Over China. • Jabin T. Jacob began his tenure as a Ministry of Foreign Affairs Taiwan Fellow at the Graduate Institute of International Politics, National Chung Hsing University in Taichung, Taiwan. • Kaveri Gill delivered talks and participated in academic engagements on marginalised youth at the Salaam Balak Trust, on environmental policy in the Himalayas at the University of Delhi, on Nalanda traditions at the International Buddhist Confederation, and on the Dalai Lama’s leadership, at Panjab University. • Claude Arpi initiated an archival project to catalogue and index over 1,500 archival files collected over three decades from the National Archives of India, the Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library, and other repositories, with plans to develop an online accessible research database. Faculty Updates 61

Seminars and Conferences The Department of Art, Media and Performance Artist Talk: by Mithu Sen was conducted on March 11, 2026 Talk: Hosted a talk on the title ‘Landscape of Arts Practice Today: Insights from IFA’ by Dr. John Xaviers on 13 April 2026. Lecture: Hosted a Public Lecture Demonstration on the possibilities of collaboration between AI and artistic practices, led by Jayachandran Palazhy (Bangalore, India) and Lorenzo Brusci (Italy) on 10 April 2026. Department of Economics Seminar: Titled ‘Double auctions with complementary objects’ was taken by Dr. Sanyyam Khurana, Ashoka University, on 13 March 2026. Seminar: Titled ‘Trade Liberalisation and Intergenerational Educational Mobility in India was taken by Dr. Subhasish Dey, University of Warwick, UK on 3 April 2026. Seminar: Titled ‘Heat stress and hospitalization in India’ was taken by Dr. Abhishek Dureja, Plaksha University, on 27 March 2026. Seminar: Titled ‘Optimal Equilibria with Verifiable Cheap Talk’ was taken by Dr. Raghul S. Venkatesh, IISER Bhopal on 10 April 2026. Seminar: Titled ‘Banks, Sectoral Credit, and Local Economic Growth in India’ was taken by Dr. Sujana Kabiraj, Shiv Nadar University, Delhi-NCR on 17 April 2026. 63 64

Seminar: Titled ‘Envy and its Economic Consequences’ was taken by Dr. Amlan Das Gupta, O P Jindal Global University on 24 April 2026. Undergraduate Research Dissemination Symposium: Conducted on 25 April 2026. The event featured poster presentations by final-year students from the B.Sc. (Research) in Economics program. Department of English Talk: Titled “Writing Women’s Madness: 1845- 1914 (Palgrave Macmillan, 2025).” By Dr. Mary Chapman, conducted on 12 March 2026. Department of History Talk: Titled ‘“Untouchable” leather: Class, Caste and Labour in Colonial India’s Tanning Industry’ by Dr. Shahana Bhattacharya (Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi) was conducted on 19 March 2026. Book Discussion: The discussion titled ‘Against the Fetishization of Plural Time: Rethinking Ways of Doing a Social History of Time’ was conducted on 26 March 2026. Dr. Nitin Sinha (Senior Research Fellow, Leibniz-Zentrum Moderner Orient, Berlin) was the presenter and the discussant was Dr. Baishakh Chakrabarti (Guest Faculty, Department of History and Archaeology, Shiv Nadar University, Delhi-NCR). Book Talk: organized a book talk by Dr. Saagar Tewari (Fellow, Prime Ministers Museum and Library) on his book Islands Against Civilisation: Anthropology, Nationalism, and the Politics of Scheduling, 1918–1950 (Orient Blackswan 2025). Dr. Venkat Ramanujam Ramani, Department of Rural Management, Shiv Nadar University, Delhi-NCR, was the discussant. The event was held on 16 April 65 66

Department of IRGS Film screening and Discussion: The discussion titled ‘Short films on the Syncretic Culture of South Asian Islam’ was taken by Mr. Yousuf Saeed (documentary filmmaker) on 23 April 2026. In this screening and discussion, Mr. Saeed introduced some of his short films on how different cultures and religious faiths have interacted with each other over centuries to create unique examples of pluralism and syncretism in South Asia. These films include Basant (13 mins), Meetings at the Crossroads (6:30 mins), Sufi Sama (12 mins), Hindu religious books in Urdu (5 mins) and Jannat ki Rail (7 mins). Seminar: Titled “Caste in Indian Diplomacy and International Relations” was held on 20 February 2026. Speakers of the session were: Dr. Pavan Kumar. PhD, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD), Delhi Dr. LADHU RAM CHOUDHARY, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur Dr. KAMNA TIWARY, PhD, Amity University, Patna Dr. Rama Devi, Centre de Sciences Humaines (CSH Delhi), Delhi Dr. Sruthi Muraleedharan, IRGS Dr. Medha, IRGS Seminar: Titled “Under which conditions can scientists achieve effective diplomacy with political leaders? Why don’t they succeed every time?” was held on 21 April 2026. The speaker was Robert Anderson (Simon Fraser University, Canada) Seminar: Titled “India’s Urbanizing Story: An Introduction to Urban Governance” was held on Apr 23. The speaker was Mriganka Saxena (Your City and You) 67 68

Department of Sociology ICAS Workshop: The workshop was hosted in collaboration with ICAS MP and the Department of Sociology, SNIoE, on 16th and 17th March 2026, at Shiv Nadar University and at the India International Center, respectively. Pre-PhD Submission Seminar: “Enduring Merit and Being of ‘Potential’: Contemplating the Socially Good Engineer at IIT X” by Ms. Yogita Suresh, Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Sociology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Delhi-NCR, on 19 March 2026. UG Research Conference: The Totem Pole Club, led by undergraduate students in the Department of Sociology, organized a research conference titled “Relationality and Becoming: Networks, Ecologies, and Emerging Subjectivities”. The conference brought together undergraduate students from different Indian universities to address the theme of multiple forms of relatedness and subjectivities through a sociological lens. The Conference was held on 28th March 2026. Book Talk: Superheroes in Indian Comics: Deliberations from Anthropology, authored by Professor Roma Chatterji, Visiting Professor at Shiv Nadar Institute of Eminence and a retired Professor of Sociology from the Delhi School of Economics; and Mr. Aniruddho Chakraborty, Head of Communications (India) at Embraer and Founder of Chariot Comics, on 2nd April 2026. Seminar: ‘Through Aspirational Horizons: Adivasi Youth and Mobilization in Bastar, Central India’, by Dr. Sahib Singh Tulsi, from the Department of Educational Studies, University of British Columbia (Vancouver), on April 16, 2026. 69 70

Pre-PhD Submission Seminar: ‘Practising the Flesh: An Ethnography of Becoming a Wrestler in Contemporary Haryana’ by Mr. Sant Ram Antil, PhD Scholar, Department of Sociology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, on 21 April 2026. Seminar: Imagining Authenticity, Imaging Resistance: Dalit Art and Mithila’s Visual Canon by Dr. Sandali Thakur, Associate Professor, Rural Management Program, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, on 23rd April 2026. Publications, Presentations and Events Faculty Publications Dr. Ananda Krishnan S K, Assistant Professor, Department of Art, Media and Performance Bahar Dutt, Associate Professor, Department of Art, Media and Performance Dr. Iman Kumar Mitra, Assistant Professor, Department of History and Archaeology Publications Sexual Slander Against Women Politicians: A case in Kerala. Published on: 21 February 2026. Economic and Political Weekly. Vol. LXI, No. 8. 1. Paper on “The feeding and vocalisation patterns of the endangered Bugun bird of Arunachal Pradesh” to Journal Of Indian Birds (status accepted, under editorial review) 2. Chapter on Conflict in Nature reporting to be published by Pan MacMillian edited by Kishalaya Bhattacharya (in press out in January 2027) 3. A memoir on nature and grief titled ‘Chrysalis’ to be published by Bloomsbury India (out in December 2026) 1. Diviani Chaudhuri and Iman Mitra, ‘Between the Historicist and the Dehistoricized: The Stories of the National Capital Region, India’ in Francesco Biagi (ed.), Renewing Urban Critical Theories: Rediscovering Thinkers, Reimagining Texts and Reframing Questions (London and New York: Routledge, 2025), 235-50. 2. Ritajyoti Bandyopadhyay, Iman Mitra and Kaustubh Mani Sengupta, ‘Southern City and the Rent Question: Calcutta 1910s-1950s’ in Ranabir Samaddar, Enrica Morlicchio and Sandro Mez- zadra (eds.), City as the Southern Question (London and New York: Routledge, 2026), 25-42. 3. Iman Mitra, ‘Relentless Discursivity: Political Economy at the Hindu/Presidency College in the Nineteenth Century’ in Rochona Majumdar, Sukanya Sarbadhikary, and Upal Chakrabarti (eds.), The Hindu/Presidency College: A Global History (Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2026), 182-210. Publications Publications 71 72

Professor Rajeswari S Raina, Professor, Department of IRGS Dr. Priyanka Pandit, Assistant Professor, Department of IRGS Dr. Medha, Assistant Professor, Department of IRGS Dr. Carlos Frederico Pereira da Silva Gama, Assistant Professor, Department of IRGS Interview Publication Presentation Presentation and Events Publications“Get to know Rajeswari Raina, new co-holder of the UNESCO Bernard Maris Chair” “Quelling its Better Angels: The China Effect in Global Economic Governance” India’s World March 11 “Global Implications of India’s China Challenge” April 16, 2026, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence “Caste in Indian Diplomacy and International Relations” February 20, 2026, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence Guest Lecture by Dr. Farah Mihlar (Oxford Brookes University, UK) on “Islam and Gender in a Minority Context” course INT350: Islam in Global Politics April 15, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence - “War on Iran and the Breakdown of the Liberal International Order” E-International Relations March 19 -“War tests BRICS—and reveals its limits” 360 Info April 10 73 74

Dr. Jabin Thomas Jacob, Associate Professor, Department of IRGS, Director, Centre of Excellence for Himalayan Studies Publications Presentation and Events -“Dealing with India’s China Challenge” India’s World March 11 -“Purges in China’s PLA and Xi’s tightening grip” Hindustan Times March 17 -“Why China is building villages near LAC” The Tribune April 22 -“Donald Trump in China, Beijing in control” Deccan Herald May 14 “Global Implications of India’s China Challenge” April 16, 2026, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence Dr. Kapil Dhanraj Patil, Assistant Professor, Department of IRGS Dr. Sreedeep Bhattacharya, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology Publications Publications “Cooperation, or Control? Scientist-Diplomats, the IAEA, and the Global Nuclear Order” (book chapter co-authored with Maria Rentetzi, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nürnberg, Germany and Irina Federova, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nürnberg, Germany). In Maria Rentetzi (ed.). The Missing Interaction: Science and Diplomacy in Early Cold War. Turnhout: Brepols Publishers (2025), pp. 249-276. December 19, 2025 -“Too Strict or Too Lax? The IAEA and the Evolution of Nuclear Safety Standards” (book chapter co-authored with Maria Rentetzi, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nürn- berg, Germany). In Maria Rentetzi, Angela N.H. Creager and M. Susan Lindee (eds.). Negotiating Radiation Protection in the Nuclear Age. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press (2025), pp. 203-230. December 19, 2025 “Irrespective of Who Wins—The Corrupt Power-Nexus Remains” “Monuments Under Siege” “The Pause Between” “Seeing the Self: How Selfies Alter our Relationship with the Self and the Image” 75 76

Dr. Atul Mishra, Associate Professor & Head, Department of IRGS -“Mark Carney’s Theory of International Order” India’s World March 12 -“What is Happening to the Rules-based International Order?” Center for the Advanced Study of India March 16 -“Political Deadness: Raj Intellectuals, Geographical Imagination, and the Denial of Indian Sover- eignty” Global Studies Quarterly March 17 -“The West Asian Crisis Could Upend the International Order. India Should Revise its Approach” The India Forum March 27 -“The ‘rules-based international order’ is a crisis of the word and the world” Scroll.in April 6 -“Theorizing the Global South” Fourth Global South Young Diplomats Forum, Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service, MEA, Delhi February 16 -“India’s future in the coming decade” Opening session of the Network of Advanced Studies conference, organized by The Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru February 28 to March 1 -“Regions, Regionalisms and Regional Orders” Special course for Diplomats from ASEAN Countries, Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service, MEA, Delhi April 20 “Is international politics just a game of power? Geopolitics, Diplomacy, IR Framework ft Atul Mishra” iqfy;kc+kth fgUnh ikWMdkLV Puliyabaazi Podcast Publications Presentation and Events Interview 77 78

Student Publications Khushi Mohunta Juie Gune Teresa Joshy MA student Khushi Mohunta’s research paper, “Healing through Reading: A Discursive Exploration of Bibliotherapy in Online Spaces,” was published in the Princeton Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (Volume 1, Issue 3: Bridging Horizons, ISSN: 3069-8200) in March 2026. https://www. princeton-press.com/accepted-papers/healing-through-reading%3A-a- discursive-exploration-of-bibliotherapy-in-online-spaces. On 23 February 2026, her article, “How a cup of chai becomes an act of resistance,” was published in the ‘Books and Literature’ section in The Indian Express. https://indianexpress.com/article/books-and-literature/ how-a-cup-of-chai-becomes-an-act-of-resistance-10539133/. Her story, “Yellow Post-box Magic,” was published in the April (Second) 2026 issue of Champak magazine. https://new.express.adobe.com/ webpage/1eNkS5O9TqlXp#yellow-post-box-magic. Presented a paper entitled “Confabulous Lives: Transgenre Masquerades in Freshwater (2018) and Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars (2016)” at the Northeast Modern Languages Association (NeMLA) Convention 2026. Teresa Joshy published part of her ongoing research titled “Situating the Animal Presence in Colonial Archives: A Case of the Madras Presidency”, Archival Science, Springer Nature (Scopus-indexed). Emil M. Oomen Dr. Swarati Sabhapandit Dr. Rishabh Kachroo Mr. Aaryaman Nijhawan Emil M. Oomen’s paper titled “Capital and Community: Syrian Christian Agrarian Enterprise in Travancore, c. 1880-1950 CE”, in the forthcoming issue of the Indian Economic and Social History Review (Scopus-indexed) “Judicial Fortitude versus Executive Overreach: Appointment of Judges to Indian Higher Judiciary (2014–22)” Economic & Political Weekly Publications “Whither A Republic’s Scientific Temper” Public Understanding of Science April 16 “Beyond the Jab: Vaccines, Publics, and the State” Dialogue May 5 Publications “On Russia’s Victory Day, India salutes a joint fight – and a shared future” RT May 9 79 80

Mr. Bilal Ahmad Tantray Book Reviews “When Western Concepts Fail South Asian Realities - A Linguistic Reckoning” The Friday Times March 21 “When rebels win: ideology, statebuilding and power after civil wars by Kai M. Thaler, New York, Cornell University Press, 2025, 270 pp” Small Arms & Insurgencies May 4 Publications “Seeking Sunshine in the Ghetto” The India Forum April 16 “Locating the Global in the Birth of Bangladesh” Economic and Political Weekly, May 5 Mr. Ratnadeep Maitra Mr. Ishan Fouzdar Presentations & Events “Rise of Parallel Power: Jamaat-e-Islami and Economic Fundamentalism in Bangladesh” 83rd Annual MPSA - Midwest Political Science Association Conference, Chicago, USA April 23 to 26 Publications “Populism Can Be Left and Right, But Fascism Can Only be a ‘Right-Wing Movement’: Partha Chatterjee” The Wire March 17 81 82

Ms. Aishwarya Sanas Interview “Spotlight on: Aishwarya Sanas” British International Studies Association May 12 Mr. Vasu Sharma Mr. Pavan Raghavendra Presentations & Events “Mineral Diplomacy between India and Russia: Analysing Opportunities and Challenges” Conference “India–Russia Relations in a Changing Global Order: Continuity, Change and Challenges”, Organizers: Department of International Studies, Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Mumbai, Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi March 25 Publication: “Beijing’s Innings: China’s Global Investments in Cricket” India’s World 83 84

It’s a wrap! Spring semester complete! Celebrating the SHSS team and the grit that got us here. MOHIT SHELARE (2015-17) Selected as one of the artists participating in the Fifty-Ninth Carnegie International at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh. Exhibition dates are May 2, 2026–January 3, 2027. Titled “If the word we,” this edition of the quadrennial event is the largest to date and will appear at the Carnegie as well as vari- ous institutions across the city. PRIYESH GOTHWAL (2015-17) Selected as one of the artists participating in the Fifty-Ninth Carnegie International at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh. Exhibition dates are May 2, 2026–January 3, 2027. Titled “If the word we,” this edition of the quadrennial event is the largest to date and will appear at the Carnegie as well as vari- ous institutions across the city. TSERING MOTUP SIDDHO (2015-17) Selected as the Associate Curator, Ladakh Bienniale 2026. ANKIT RAVANI (2016-18) International Residency at Vila Sul, Salvador de Bahia/Brazil, 2026 SOURAV GARAI (2019-21) Dotwalk Ajitara residency March to May on- going (2026) AISHWARYA DAS (2020-22) Artist in Residence, Rijksakademie, an interna- tional residency for research and experiment 2026-27 SAMUDRA GOGOI (2022-24) 2026 Inlaks Fine Art Award SAKSHEE PATEL (2023-25) Residency Space Studio, Baroda, 2026 SHIV SHANKAR (2023-25) 2026 FICA Emerging Artist Award Arthshila X Khoj residency in Siwan from Feb- ruary to March (2026) Dotwalk Ajitara residency March to May on- going (2026) PARAG DAS (2023-25) Arthshila X Khoj residency in Siwan from Feb- ruary to March (2026) Dotwalk Ajitara residency March to May on- going (2026) SAHIL KUMAR (2023-25) Selected as one of the artists to be featured in Art India Magazine’s “30 under 30: Looking Ahead” edition. SAI GITANJALI POLURU (2023-25) Her work Root Systemes Analysis at Students’ Kochi Biennale was awarded with Tata Trust International Award 2026. Alumni Master of Fine Arts 85 86

83 84 87 88

89 90

91 92 CampusMemories

Acknowledgement We thank Swarna, RA with Prof. Kathuria and Sivani, OCJ at the Dean’s office for their valuable contribution to the newsletter—specifically for collating details on the life of a student section and supporting the proofreading process. Their timely inputs, attention to detail, and coordinated effort were instrumental in ensuring the content was accurate and well-presented. We would also like to extend our gratitude to all the Head of Departments and the SPOCs for the newsletter—Kriti Manocha (Economics), Carlos De Gama (IRGS), Chinmaya Lal Thakur (English), Prakash Kumar and Vikash Kumar (Design), Iram Gufran(AMP), and P.C. Saidalvi (Sociology)—for their steadfast support. Swarna Avyacta V Research Assistant School of Humanities and Social Sciences OCJ- Dean’s Office B.Sc. (Research) in Economics and Finance Class of 2028 Sivani Siravuru 93