Discussions

Archive Lecture Series:  Can a State Love its People? Reflections on governance

Source: BLiSC India

Published on: Aug 13, 2021 

One way to think about governance is as a contract between the citizens and the state, one that relies on trust, caring and civility. The talk is a reflection on a simple question: Can a State and its institutions love its people? In Mahatma Gandhi’s words, can it wipe every tear from every eye? Today, the calamitous pandemic has often revealed States that abandoned their citizens when they most needed them. As we look forward, on the other side of the pandemic, can we imagine – and build – a just and caring state? The talk would draw from personal experience both within and in resistance to the government, unpacking the idea of fraternity in the constitution, and the journey of seven decades of the Indian republic.

Harsh Mander on Fr Stan Swamy, activism, terror laws & the danger of being good I Shoma Chaudhury

Source: Enquiry with Shoma Chaudhury

Published on: July 21, 2021 

“Obstructors”. “Disrupters”. “Anti-nationals”. “Enemies of the State”. Sometimes it’s crucial to meet those one demonises. And assess what one truly fears. Activist Fr. #StanSwamy — 84, frail, suffering from Parkinson’s — died in custody. Declared a threat to the State. As the #Pegasus snooping scandal explodes, it’s educative to see who is being positioned as the “enemy at the gate” and why. What is the mindset the State is afraid of? Peace activist #HarshMander — himself framed as an apostle of hate — takes on these questions & lays bare the danger of being good.

Webinar Series: Vaccine Inequality and the Neoliberal Order 

Source: Karwan e Mohabbat

Published on: July 21, 2021 

As the world approaches two years of the worst public health crisis of a century, the most severe obstacles to recovery seem to lie not so much in the virulence of the virus itself, rather in the unequal economic structures, both globally and domestically. The only available defence against the Covid 19 virus are vaccines. Vaccine inequity at the global level is witnessed in the areas of disproportionate distribution of vaccines, transfer of manufacturing technologies, intellectual property rights and in-efficacy of global vaccine sharing programmes like COVAX and Gavi Alliance.

 Harsh Mander on Lynchings in India

Source: Democratic Decline

Published On: July 02, 2021

How in the recent past years the communal environment of India has taken down the idea of India. He explains how the the ideology of a ruling party evolved into communal hatred and lynchings of a minority community in the country. He recalls his important observations during the visits to families who lost their loved ones as a part of campaign led by him called Karwan e Mohabbat and other horrifying testimonies of hate which he witnessed.

What we have become as a country? there is a need of Acknowledgment

The 2nd JB D’Souza Memorial Lecture: ” The Collapse of the Republic” by Dr. Harsh Mander

Source: Dilip D’Souza

Published on : June 03, 2021

Later generation owe J.B D’Souza an immense debt of gratitude for his contribution to the administrative service it is the seeming example for the younger generation and the officers in service.

Says, when i turn to our country now and  i look around its comprehensive betrayal of so many pledges and dream of our freedom struggle and our constitution. He reflected why the state of our republic today worries him during this dark times. He explained why he fears because he has to witness these times nothing-less then the calamitous  near collapse to our republic.

Festival: Locking Down the Poor: The Pandemic and India’s Moral Centre| Harsh Mander and Arun Maira

Source: Jaipur Literature Festival

Published On : March 16, 2021

An intense and eye-opening #JaipurLiteratureFestival2021 session which lays bare the reality of the humanitarian crisis in the wake of the pandemic, tracing responsibility to state institutions and policy choices. This is one session everyone needs to hear. At the launch of his powerful new book ‘Locking Down the Poor’, Harsh Mander, Director of the Centre for Equity Studies, examines India’s response to the pandemic, with particular emphasis on the ramifications of imposing the world’s longest and strictest lockdown, and its harsh consequences for the less fortunate in the country.

Webinar Series : Labour Rights In India : Before During And After The Pandemic 

Source : Karwan-e-Mohabbat 

Published on : May 21, 2020

An insightful discussion on the past, present and future of labour laws organised on 18th May, 2020. With: Jan Breman, Renana Jhabvala, Indrajit Roy, Babu Mathew, Ravi Srivastava, Atul Sood and Priyanka Jain.

Webinar Series : Policy Inclusion Debate Series – The Uncaring Middle Class

Source : Karwan-e-Mohabbat

Published On : March 12, 2021

“It is one of the biggest humanitarian crisis this country has seen.” One year since the lockdown was announced and it’s consequences are borne by millions even today. While the middle class was locked within the walls of their homes, millions were left to fend for themselves in a complete state of despair and havoc. Where does the middle class stand? How far could we have gone to help those in need? Watch the complete discussion on the book ‘Locking Down The Poor : The Pandemic and India’s Moral Centre’ with Author Harsh Mander and the moderator Githa Hariharan along with other speakers on 6th March, 2021.

Webinar Series : A Nation Gasping, An Economy In Haemorrhage 

Source : Karwan-e-Mohabbat 

Publised On: May 13, 2021

As the nation gasps for breath and yet again the cracks of the system and the incompetence of the government lay bare, it is time think what needs to be done to emerge from this abyss. What impact would this second wave leave on our economy, on the poor? And what is the way ahead?

Webinar Series : Webinar: Rebuilding India’s Broken Economy – With Social Rights and Equity

Source : Karwan-e-Mohabbat 

Published on : May 28, 2020

The Pandemic And Equity Webinar Series: Part 3 A discussion on Rebuilding India’s Broken Economy – With Social Rights and Equity, with: Jayati Ghosh, Prabhat Patnaik, Gopal Guru, Patrick Heller, Aruna Roy and Vijayanand. Moderated by Harsh Mander and Navsharan Singh.

The Ayodhya Judgment and Constitutional Morality : Harsh Mander

Source : Anhad India

Published On : Dec 10, 2019

Bio: ANHAD and Karwan e Mohabbat organised a public meeting on 6 December 2019 to discuss the Supreme Court’s judgement in the Ayodhya case and Constitutional Morality.

The Times We Live In and How We Can Respond : Harsh Mander

Source: Karwan e Mohabbat

Published On : June 06, 2020

Bio: He talks about the present situation of Pandemic in the country and how the human rights of the marginalised is been violated, the unhealthy response of the state in dealing with this humanitarian crisis. How we as an individual can respond to it in a holding up the humanity first.

The Ayodhya Judgment and Constitutional Morality : Harsh Mander

Source : Anhad India

Published On : Dec 10, 2019

Bio: ANHAD and Karwan e Mohabbat organised a public meeting on 6 December 2019 to discuss the Supreme Court’s judgement in the Ayodhya case and Constitutional Morality.

 Seminar Series: Communalisation of India- Harsh Mander

Source: Anhad India

Published On : May 9, 2020

Bio: Communalisation of India, A understanding communal incidence and episode happened in past and how it evolved in phases till now. he explains how these horrifying large scale communal incidence cant be called riots and how the state is solely responsible for these long run communal incidence. He also explains according to his experiences in  the Indian Administrative Service how an officer can stop these communal violence in the spam of hours if they really want to.   

Of Loss and Longing | Harsh Mander, Natasha Badhwar | KSLitFest 2020 | KSLF 2020

Source : Khushwant Singh Literary Festival

Published On: Oct 10, 2020

Bio: Of Loss and Longing | Harsh Mander, Natasha Badhwar Based on this online release of Locking Down the Poor. The plight of our migrants has been reminiscent of partition and of Khushwant Singh’s book and film, Train To Pakistan. With desperate people walking with their belongings and taking nightmare train journeys. 

Lecture: CAG’s Founder’s Day Lecture 

Source: CAGChennai

Published On : Nov 27, 2017 

Bio: “There is a sense of fear that is being communicated through this epidemic of lynching that has broken out in many parts of India,” Mr. Harsh Mander speaks, at CAG’s Founders’ Day Lecture, about threats to the Constitutional Values of Justice, Liberty, Equality, and particularly Fraternity. There have been increasing instances of lynchings where fellow citizens have passively witnessed or even actively encouraged the violence; showing a lack of empathy for a fellow human being. 

Lecture : Part 1 of CAG’s Founder’s Day Lecture by Harsh Mander

Source : CAG Chennai 

Published On : Nov 27, 2017 

“There is a sense of fear that is being communicated through this epidemic of lynching that has broken out in many parts of India,” Mr. Harsh Mander speaks, at CAG’s Founders’ Day Lecture, about threats to the Constitutional Values of Justice, Liberty, Equality, and particularly Fraternity. There have been increasing instances of lynchings where fellow citizens have passively witnessed or even actively encouraged the violence; showing a lack of empathy for a fellow human being.

Oration: Activist & writer Harsh Mander delivers the 2019 Ida Scudder Oration

Source: CMC Vellore

Published On : Aug 23, 2019

Jointly organised by Christian Medical College Vellore and the US-based Vellore CMC Foundation. The objective of the Oration is to perpetuate the legacy of CMC’s founder, Ida Scudder, by honouring individuals who exemplify her courage, compassion, integrity and character, in order to inspire future generations to follow in her footsteps and emulate her dedication to the well-being of humanity.

The Times We Live In and How We Can Respond : Harsh Mander

Source: Karwan-e-Mohabbat 

Published On : June 06, 2020

The Times We Live In and How We Can Respond, Understanding the current situation of the humanitarian crisis which shook the roots of the nation the loss of  economically weaker  and the marginalised  section is enormous they suffered by loosing their  lives, dignity and hope In times like a Citizens should understand and recognise the loss of fellow citizens and respond by holding the idea of Humanity, Justice and Sameness

Talk : ‘Unequal India,’ by Harsh Mander

Source : Azim Premji University

Published on : Jan 21, 2013

Dwelling the many factors rising inequality and discrimination which characterise contemporary India, and discuss ways to reclaim the idea of a humane, equitable, pluralist and just India and world. He will also discuss his recent book ‘Ash in the Belly: India’s Unequal Battle against Hunger’

Sustainability Series: Shankar Venkateswaran in conversation with Harsh Mander

Source: Tata Group

Published on: 1st July, 2016

Bio:Shankar Venkateswaran, Chief, Tata Sustainability Group, and Harsh Mander, Director – Centre for Equity Studies, discuss sustainable development in a global context. This video is one in a three part sustainability series on diverse stakeholder perspectives, discussed at the Tata Sustainability Month CXOs Symposium.

Harsh Mander tells the ancient Indian fable of “the blind men and the elephant

Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Published on: Published on 15th December, 2015

 Interview with Mr Harsh Mander (Director of the Centre for Equity Studies, New Delhi, India) who use the ancient Indian fable of “the blind men and the elephant” to explain the different approaches to fight hunger and malnutrition.