20th Conference of the “International Association of Historians of Asia (IAHA)”

Historians and scholars with an interest in Asia converged at a major congress, the twentieth conference of the International Association of Historians of Asia (IAHA), held for the first time in India at New Delhi. The Conference was held from November 14-17, 2008 at JNU. The IAHA has come a long way since it started in 1960 in Manila, and has grown into a mammoth organization with expanding membership. One of its main objectives is the enhancement of the usefulness of written history as an instrument for the promotion of world peace, goodwill, and understanding  a vision that Nehru also articulated creatively and forcefully both as a statesman and a scholar. The conference was a great intellectual feast and a befitting tribute to Nehru, the voice of Asia, on whose birthday, i.e. the 14th of November, it took off. It was organized by Zakir Husain Centre for Educational Studies, JNU and the Educational Records Research Unit, and co-hosted by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies, Kolkata, the Asia Project, India International Centre, and the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs Project on International Migration and Diaspora Studies at JNU. Generous sponsorships by Indian Council of Cultural Relations, Indian Council for Social Science Research, Ministry of Environment and Forests, B.P. Koirala Foundation, and Indo-Sri Lanka Foundation went a long way in making this conference a success.

As anticipated, there were animated discussions on Asia as a civilizational unit, a political entity, and also as the cradle of thriving religions like Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism and many other variants, which add hue to its civilizational colour and grandeur. Various political forums like SAARC, ASEAN etc., too received the attention of scholars from India and abroad who provided insights into the peculiarities of caste, ethnicities, and other variants of social formations in India in particular and Asia in general. The 'Idea of Asia' shaped by these various elements was the theme of the inaugural address which set the tone of the entire conference.

The conference opened with an invocation of Nehru's legacy and paid glowing tributes to him for his idea of Asia. This was the theme on which Professor Deepak Kumar, convener of this conference, dwelt at length while welcoming delegates from around the world. His welcome address was followed by three erudite expositions by, first, Professor Romila Thapar who spoke on Recognising Historical Traditions from the Early Past, followed by an interrogative reflection by art connoisseur and critic Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan on Asian History: National State or Interconnected Cultural System? and lastly, Professor Sabyasachi Bhattacharya, who explored The Idea of Asia. Professor Thapar sought the attention and indulgence of the audience towards explicating the nuances of understanding early India and its relevance for the larger understanding of Asia. The riddle and relationship of cyclical and linear time notions to understand both epic and Buddhist literature and through them gauging the collective historical consciousness of that age was the prime focus of her exposition. Taking her audience through the by-lanes of methodological nuances she urged for a wider understanding of diverse cultures in Asia. Complementing Professor Thapar's view, Dr. Vatsayan made an anthropological appeal to understand the commonality of cultures cutting across boundaries of nation states. She also urged that nation states in Asia should initiate the process of preserving their cultural pasts by employing modern methods of conserving the vast wealth of inscriptions and records they possess. Problematizing the history of nation states as it emerged on the debris of the experience of colonialism, Professor Bhattacharya pointed forcefully to the context and paradox of the urge to have a pan Asian identity along with the desire to consolidate an exclusive national identity. He traced this paradox back to the writings of the first generation of intellectual statesmen who led these countries of Asia in the wake of decolonization. Rounding up the inaugural session, the chairperson of the session, Professor B. B. Bhattacharya, Vice Chancellor, JNU posited Asian identity to the axiomatic African identity and challenged and provoked the audience to explore the various facets of the Asian identity. 

The inauguration set the tone for the thirty panels in which more than 400 participants from India and other Asian countries like China, Japan, Burma, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and also from Europe, America, Africa, Australia and Oceania rigorously explored themes related to Asian trade, economy, society and culture which contribute and shape the general identity of Asia. The thirty panels reflected the immense diversity of themes ranging from Nation-Building in Asia, Asian Maritime History, Asian Trade Networks, Literature and Art in Asian History, Gender Discourse, Religious Revivalism and their Challenges to and of Modernity. Themes like livelihood, sustainability and environment and pertinent questions related to their history, which have shaped the life of today's Asia, were also the focus of discussion. The panel on Emergence of Knowledge Societies and Educational History, along with the panel on Asian Diaspora and Labour Migrations were held outside JNU at the India International Centre.

Other highlights of the conference included plenary lectures on 15th and 16th November by Professor Leslie Gunawardana, a noted historian and professor emeritus at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, and Professor Ramachandra Guha, celebrated columnist and historian respectively. Professor Gunawardana, whose lecture was held at IIC, spoke on Science, Technology and History while drawing special attention to the history of science and technology in pre-modern Sri Lanka. Renowned scientist and Chancellor of JNU, Professor Yashpal, whose pithy reflections on science in society were insightful as well as instructive, chaired this lecture. Professor Gunawardana's scholarly and erudite exposition began with an exploration of the study of the history of science and technology in South Asia which has for long been seen as stagnant in modern historiography. Gunawardana gave a majestic overview of the development of science and technology in Asia through the ages and pointed out that such a study has to necessarily be an international enterprise. In the second part of his exposition he took us through the development of science and technology and innovation among the various epochs of mature social formations in pre-modern Sri Lanka, hinting at the changes and continuities in modern Sri Lanka. Various stages of innovation pertaining to hydraulic engineering, hydrodynamics, hydrostatics to maternity care and their creative adaptability ensuring their sustainability and continuous refinement were explained through an array of historical sources. In the end he urged and provoked scholars to take keen interest in the innovative and scientific attainments of small social formations like Sri Lanka. Notwithstanding its size, as Gunarwardana's lecture demonstrated, being an island, it was open to ideas, innovations and their adaptability. It contributed its own stream to the ever-flowing river of science.

Professor Guha in his lecture Biographies and History explored the central question of why historians of Asia do not write biographies and why they should. It is on this provocative exhortation that he began his lecture. His main argument was that Asia has produced an interesting range of personalities and has a very rich literary tradition, but it is a paradox why historians of Asia have not indulged in writing biographies. Among the probable reasons cited by Guha was the burden of religious inheritance in Hinduism and Buddhism and the belief in the cycle of rebirth. He also added that the burden of scholarly inheritance and the role played by Marxist historiography precluded the possibility of biography as a fertile field of research in Asia. An indifference to record keeping also precluded the writing of biography. Guha ended his lecture by pointing out that biography writing remains a challenging literary form and he exhorted the audience to not only contribute to this form but also to tap extant biographies as source.

It was befitting that the conference, which started with the exploration of the idea of Asia, ended with a critique of liberal democracy and sustainability and multilateralism in Asia's relations with the world. The valedictory session was chaired by Professor Bipan Chandra and had two prominent speakers. Professor Harbans Mukhia spoke on Liberal Democracy for Asia and the World: Problems of Prospects, while Professor Michael Adas explored the theme From Alternative to Mainstream: Moving beyond Cold War: Development Options to Sustainability and Multilateralism. Professor Mukhia reflected that the histories of societies are full of religious or secular expressions of the yearning for human equality. Religious and secular systems changed societies in a comprehensive manner and succeeded in creating space for upward mobility at the lower rung at the least. He also contended that the histories of the past two centuries have shown that market is a force of differentiation and not equalizer as held by the liberal democrats. He observed that Asia has been the home of several of the historical experiences and pluralism and tolerance have been their major characteristics, and concluded his address by urging societies to recover these experiences and abide by their pluralist ethos, and to cherish their failures as much as their successes  a lesson that capitalism seemed disinclined to learn. 

Professor Adas dwelt on the global issues of concern and the future direction of the processes started off by the industrial revolution, particularly due to the globalization of the economies, and expressed his dissatisfaction over the restricted options provided by the alternative technology proponents.  He chalked the history of the normative and hegemonic ideology of dominance of Asia by the Europeans and later by USA and USSR, starting with the Portuguese expansion into Asia, which was possible due to their selective advantages over the Asians. Through a comparative analysis on contrasting perceptions evident through art, and technological and organizational advantages of Europe over Asia  due to which they could break into the massive trading system of Asia  Professor Adas noted that although the Europeans did not have any advantage over Asia when the Portuguese based themselves at Goa, gradually clear distinctions appeared to their advantage and by nineteenth century the science and technology of Europe was completely transformed from 'normative' to 'hegemonic'. Europe assumed the role of the unrivalled exploiter of raw materials and extractor from nature  a role to be assumed later by USA and USSR  and the Asians and Africans who were crucial to this design of empire building became invisible and branded as pre-enlightenment and therefore irrational. 

The Valedictory Session concluded with a general body meeting of the IAHA, followed by vote of thanks by Dr. Parimala Rao, School of Social Sciences,

(Nandita Khadria, Research Officer, ERRU, SSS)

Refresher Training Programme for In-service ISS Officers of state/UTs on “Development Economics and Indian Scenario”

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (Training Division had requested Jawaharlal University to organize a one week residential training programme for the in-service senior level ISS officers from different states and UTs.  The Vice-Chancellor forwarded the letter to the Chairperson, Centre for the Study of Regional Development, School of Social Sciences to conduct the same in collaboration with the Ministry.

The Centre acceded to the request and the programme was scheduled form 23  24 December, 2008.  The officer coordinating from the Ministry was Mr. M. C. Kathuria, Director Training Division and from CSRD Dr. Seema Bathla, Associate Professor.

In all, the Ministry had sent invitation letters to nearly 24 officers from all over India of which nine sent confirmation.  The list of participants and their contact no. are enclosed.  The participants were all mid level officers who had been working I various capacities in the NSSO and other divisions.  Their stay arrangements were made in Aravali Guest House in JNU from 22 to 28 December, 2008.

The main focus of the programme was on Development Economics and Indian Scenario.  Accordingly, several issues were identified covering each and every important sector viz. industry, agriculture, social and health and financial sectors, and environment and so on.  Since the duration of the programme was 5 days, only major issues concerning Indian economy under each sector were taken up for dissemination and discussion.  It was decided to have four lectures per day.  A copy of the programme is attached.  The participants were given reading material on important developmental issues concerning Indian economy for reference.  Eminent experts in the subject were invited to address the participants.

The inaugural address was by Prof. T. S. Papola on structural transformations in the Indian Economy followed by three lectures.  Three officers from the Training Division had also attended the inaugural session.  The name of the speaker is written in each of the sessions in the enclosed programme.  Experts were from JNU as well as from other Research Organizations in Delhi.   Prof. B. B. Bhattacharya spoke about Global Crisis and its impact on the Indian economy, which was an eye opener to many participants.  Similarly, other sessions were also appreciated.

On the last day of the programme, one session was devoted to evaluation followed by a half a day excursion tour to important sights in Delhi.  The evaluation was done by the chairperson of the centre Prof. R. K. Sharma, Prof. Amresh Dubey and Dr. Seems Bathla.  The participants were asked about their opinions on the programme and its contents, its usefulness in their career, ways to improve the programme in future and bring value addition and so on.  They were also asked to fill up the feed back form being given by the Ministry.

Overall, the participants felt that the course was very useful in:

1. acquainting them with theoretical insights on development economics

2. making them aware of latest developments taking place in India's economic growth in a globalized era, be it global economic crisis, agriculture, poverty and human development etc.

3. providing them insights into the regional issues and specific problems being faced by different regions such as level of technology and how it hampers/enable national level growth

4. acquainting them with the usefulness of the NSS data in analyzing the issues and the gaps that need to be filled up such as data on exports at the state level

5. learning usage of newer techniques and methodologies (statistical and econometric) for analyzing and examining data such as on poverty, industry etc.  

They also opined that though the programme was very exhaustive as they were made to sit through each lecture in a day (for almost 2 hrs/lecture) but it was an experience in itself which they cherished.  Also they requested us to give them one or 2 good books (may be text book) on development economics.

(R. K. Sharma, Chairperson, and  Seema Bathla, Associate Professor, CSRD, SSS)

International Symposium on “Novel Strategies for Targeted Prevention and Treatment of Cancer”

Cancer is a widespread and age-old disease; however, the knowledge about this disease among public is limited. This ignorance puts many people/population at high risk to develop cancer. At the recent trends, cancer may become the leading disease in India in few decades which will create an enormous burden on our health care system. Thus right steps with firm commitment should be taken as early as possible to control this malignancy. Keeping this in view, the School of Life Sciences is expanding its research on cancer control and treatment, said Dr. Rana P. Singh, a Cancer Biologist and Organizing Secretary of the Symposium. He emphasized the importance of much needed Global Translational Cancer Research, and said that updating common people with the recent developments in this area is also a task of the scientific community.

As the first step in this direction, the school organized an International Symposium on ''Novel Strategies for Targeted Prevention and Treatment of Cancer'' during 19th and 20th December, 2008. Prof. R. K. Kale, Dean SLS, welcomed all the delegates and symposium was inaugurated by Prof. Ramadhikari Kumar, Rector II. The programme covered a wide range of topics on strategies to control cancer, and specifically highlighted some of the latest developments for targeted prevention and treatment of cancer by dietary, natural and synthetic agents as well as complementary and alternative approaches. This symposium provided a good platform for the exchange of scientific ideas among the students and cancer biologists coming from different institutions within India as well as from abroad. The participation of more than 40 scientists (cancer specialists) from abroad was a hall mark of this meeting. Symposium highlighted the need of developing cancer chemoprevention programs focusing on interactive mouse-human studies as well as the move towards population-based as well as individualized chemoprevention. The leading talks in 9 plenary sessions and 4 symposiums, and 88 poster presentations encouraged scientists to discuss their research work towards designing and discovery of novel strategies for cancer control and management. Six young researchers were awarded 'Young Scientist Awards' for their overall contribution in the area of cancer research. Seven young researchers were awarded 'Best Poster Awards' for their work presented in the symposium.

''Cancer does not cause the immediate death of a person. His/her family suffers with him/her. By treating and preventing cancer, we can save many patients and families from suffering,'' said Rajesh Agarwal, Professor, University of Colorado Denver, USA.

''I am here to share my observations regarding skin cancer. We are also looking at cancer-preventing agents in nutrition. We have observed that green tea helps prevent skin cancer,'' said Richard Eckert, Professor, University of Maryland.

Professor Roger Griffin from Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, said he was looking forward to learn about some anti-cancer ayurvedic components in India. ''Being a medicinal chemist, I wanted to share my experiences with Indian scientists on modulation of DNA,'' he said.

Scientists emphasized appropriate nutrition that would help fight cancer. Indian nutrition has components like - curry, tea, spices, red wine and strawberries etc. which could be effective in controlling cancer. Eating right food in appropriate quantity always helps. One should not consume tobacco. India has high number of patients suffering from oral cancer. While red wine helps prevent cancer, it is dangerous to consume too much alcohol. People must exercise. Dr. Rana Singh, SLS, JNU, also said that our country has vast natural resources of medicinal plants and a priority must be given to explore anticancer agents from these plants for their potential uses in chemoprevention of cancer.

Dr. Shakti Bhan Khanna, Apollo Hospital, Delhi, delivered a lecture on how to diagnose and adopt preventive measures for breast, ovary, uterine/cervical cancers. This lecture provided invaluable information for preventing cancers in women.

Due to overall success and far reaching beneficial outcomes of this symposium to both students and faculty/scientists, an objective of the UGC Resource Networking Programme, the organizing committee members and Prof. R. K. Kale, the Dean of School, have proposed to organise second such symposium in 2010.

(R.K. Kale, Dean, School of Life Sciences)

Third International Conference of Latin American Studies Council of Asia and Oceania (CELAO)

Jawaharlal Nehru University and Indira Gandhi National Open University, organised the Third International Conference of Latin American Studies Council of Asia and Oceania (CELAO): Consejo de Estudios Latinamericanos de Asia y de Oceania) during 3  5 December, 2008 at the Convention Centre of IGNOU.

The CELAO Conference was formally inaugurated by Shri Pranab Mukherjkee, Union Minister of External Affairs on 3 December, 2008.

The two earlier conferences of the CELAO were held in Melbourne, Australia (2005) and Seoul, Korea (2007).

More than two hundred scholars, specialists officials and members of business community engaged in studies, research and active economic relations with the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean participated in the three-day deliberations.  Nearly a hundred of the delegates participated from Asia-Pacific region, including importantly China, Latin America and the Caribbean and also from the United States and Africa.

The focus of the Conference was to explore the potentials of bilateral/multilateral economic relations between Asia-Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean regions as well as the contemporary political, social, cultural and economic trends in the regions of Latin America and the Caribbean.

In all, there were four plenary sessions complemented by 23 parallel sessions over the three days in which around 80 formal presentations were be made on themes such as economic liberalization, political processes, developmental issues, regional integration, civil society movements and foreign policy issues besides the role of Latin America and the Caribbean in the multilateral fora.

The themes of the four plenary sessions were Latin America's Democratic Movement; East Indian West Indians: Retention and Adaptation I the Caribbean Indian Diaspora; China-India-Latin America Relations; Brazil and India: An Unavoidable Partnership in a Post-globalization World; and India-Latin America Relations.

The 23 (Twenty three) parallel working sessions were focused on Regionalism, Developmental Issues, Foreign Policy, IBSA Forum, Civil Society and Movements, Security Issues, State and Politics, Brazil, Indian Diaspora in the Caribbean, US and Latin America, Latin American Literature and Contemporary Social Issues.

(Abdul Nafey, Professor & Chairperson, CCUS&LAS/SIS)

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