Diversity and Conformity as a theme is relevant in these times, not just in India, but across the world, in both the Global South and its Northern counterpart, as nations and different people increasingly seek to define what unites them and what gives them unique identities.

It encompasses distinct ethnicities, gender and ways of life.

In India, we are trying through our vibrant democracy to celebrate our diversity, while upholding the fundamental norms of nationhood laid down by our Constitution, upheld by Parliament, and protected by the Judiciary and an independent media.

Eminent representatives from all these institutions will discuss the theme.

It is pertinent to point out two recent, significant achievements. Our successful Chandrayan mission to the moon had fulsome participation of women. The second is the ongoing Asian Games in Hangzhou, China where athletes representing our diverse population did us proud.

This reflects the resilience of our democracy as much as we must also honour tolerance of peaceful dissent and open responsible debate.

This gathering of eminent speakers seeks a better understanding of our foundational  values, based on promoting the rights of the constituents of our diverse population, while respecting what unites us in nationhood. 

 Programme

Registration 0900-0930 hours 

Inaugural Session

0930-1030 hours 

Felicitation of Guests by Professor (Dr.) M. Afshar Alam, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Jamia Hamdard and Mr. Moses Manoharan, Chair, Global Dialogue Forum, New Delhi

Welcome address: Mr. Moses Manoharan, Chairman, Global Dialogue Forum

Keynote Address: Hon’ble Mr. Justice J.K. Maheswari, Supreme Court of India, New Delhi

Presidential Address: Professor (Dr.) M. Afshar Alam, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Jamia Hamdard

Vote of Thanks: Professor (Dr.) Reshma Nasreen, Dean, School of Management and Business Studies, Jamia Hamdard

National Anthem

TEA

Session I

1030-1200 hours

Preserving Identity and Plurality

Chair: His Grace (Dr.) Youhanon Mar Demetrios, Metropolitan of Delhi Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church

Speaker: Dr. Syeda Saiyidain Hameed, Padma Shri, former member of the Planning Commission of India, former Chancellor, Maulana Azad National Urdu University

Speaker: Mr. Kamal Faruqui, former Chair, Delhi Minorities Commission, is a  member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB)

Speaker: Ms. Abirami Jotheeswaran, General Secretary, All India Dalit Mahila Adhikar Manch (AIDMAM)

Speaker: Mr. Khurshid Ganai IAS (Retd), former advisor to the Governor, Jammu and Kashmir, previously a senior civil servant. He is recipient of the Chief Minister’s Gold Medal for integrity and meritorious service.

Q & A 

Session II

1200-1330 hours

Panel Discussion – Upholding the Constitution, Enforcing the Law

Moderator: Mr. Javed Ansari, eminent journalist, former Executive Editor, India Today TV

Panellist: Ambassador A.R. Ghanashyam IFS (Retd.), veteran diplomat, foreign policy analyst, former Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria

Panellist: Professor Saleena Basheer, Dean, Hamdard Institute of Legal Studies and Research, Jamia Hamdard

Panellist: Mr. Saidutta Mishra, Director, Law, Institute of Company Secretaries of India

Panellist: Professor (Dr.) Arvinder Ansari, Director, Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, Jamia Millia Islamia

LUNCH

1330-1430 hours

Session III

1430-1600 hours

Balancing Minority Rights with Majority Responsibilities

Speaker: Dr. Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, Chief Imam, All India Imam Organisation

Speaker: Professor Sushma Yadav, Pro Vice Chancellor, Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh

Speaker: Professor Kumar Suresh, Head, Department of Educational Administration, National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration

Speaker: Ms. Kunjamma Mathew, National President, Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) of India

Speaker: Janab Alhaj Mohammed Hafeezullah Sharief, Chairman, Khuddam Ul Ulama Welfare Foundation

Q & A

Valedictory Address

1600-1700 hours

The Future of the Union

Mr. Iqbal Singh Lalpura, Chairman, National Commission for Minorities, former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer

HIGH TEA 

1700-1730 hours

CONFERENCE CONCLUDES