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Reflecting on the Mittal Institute’s 15-Year Journey of Increasing Harvard’s Presence in India

Apr 24, 2025 | Community, Faculty, In Region, News

Reflecting on the Mittal Institute’s 15-Year Journey of Increasing Harvard’s Presence in India

To kick off this year’s Annual Symposium focused on media, climate, and arts, the Mittal Institute hosted a special Harish C. Mahindra Evening on Thursday, April 17. The evening featured Tarun Khanna, Mittal Institute Faculty Director; William C. Kirby, former Fairbank Center Director; and Arthur Kleinman, former Asia Center director. In conversation with each other, they discussed the Mittal Institute’s 15-year journey to increase Harvard’s presence in Asia, the extraordinary leadership of Tarun Khanna, and the differences between the Mittal Institute and other international centers at Harvard.

Media, Climate, and Arts: A Recap of the Mittal Institute Annual Symposium

Apr 24, 2025 | Bangladesh, Climate, Community, Faculty, India, News, Pakistan

Media, Climate, and Arts: A Recap of the Mittal Institute Annual Symposium

On April 17–18, the Mittal Institute held its Annual Symposium at the Barker Center on the Harvard campus to a standing-room-only crowd of faculty, fellows, students, and friends of the Mittal Institute. Read a recap of the Friday program, where renowned journalists, scholars, and Distinguished Artist Fellow Naiza Khan engaged in lively discussion and debate on media, climate, and arts in South Asia.

Previewing the Inaugural Harvard Pakistan Conference 2025

Apr 14, 2025 | Community, News, Pakistan, Students

Previewing the Inaugural Harvard Pakistan Conference 2025

For the first time in Harvard’s history, graduate students will host the Pakistan Conference at Harvard, supported by the Mittal Institute as well as research centers across the Harvard ecosystem. Taking place on April 27, 2025, on the Harvard Campus, the conference aims to bring together a diverse range of voices from policy, business, and civil society to arts, highlighting Pakistan’s opportunities, pathways, and challenges. We sat down with the two conference co-chairs—Muhammad Hadi from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Sannan Pervaiz from the Harvard Kennedy School—to learn what inspired the event, what attendees should expect, and why this matters right now.

India 2047: Four-day convening in New Delhi brings together 180 scholars to advance climate resilience in India and beyond

Apr 3, 2025 | Climate, Community, Faculty, India, News

India 2047: Four-day convening in New Delhi brings together 180 scholars to advance climate resilience in India and beyond

From March 19-22, more than 180 scholars and experts from Harvard and around the world gathered in New Delhi, India, for one of the largest events Harvard has ever hosted outside the United States. Leading experts in climate science, public health, medicine, labor, business, agriculture, and urban planning convened for “India 2047 – Building a Climate-Resilient Future,” a series of interdisciplinary dialogues on advancing climate resilience. 

Spotlight on the Newly Launched Harvard Bangladeshi Students’ Association (HBSA)

Mar 25, 2025 | Announcements, Bangladesh, Community, News, Students

Spotlight on the Newly Launched Harvard Bangladeshi Students’ Association (HBSA)

This academic year, the Harvard Bangladeshi Students’ Association (HBSA) was founded as a University-wide recognized student organization to build community, amplify Bangladeshi voices, and create spaces for cultural celebration, professional development, and advocacy. The Mittal Institute spoke with president Moomtahina Fatima, vice-president Khondoker Nazmoon Nabi, and treasurer Safwan Hossain about the mission of their group, their inaugural event on February 21, and what role Harvard students from Bangladesh and other diaspora members can take in engaging on challenges that Bangladesh faces today.

From India to the World: Student-Led India Conference at Harvard Showcases Country’s Rising Global Influence

Mar 12, 2025 | Community, India, News, Students

From India to the World: Student-Led India Conference at Harvard Showcases Country’s Rising Global Influence

The annual India Conference at Harvard is a student-led initiative that delves into India’s dynamic diversity and its growing influence on the world stage. For over 22 years, students from across Harvard’s schools have brought together thought leaders from business, economics, education, and culture to provide a comprehensive view of India’s present and future trajectory.

Masuma Halai Khwaja, Visiting Artist Fellow, on Using Textiles to Create Cultural Narratives

Mar 5, 2025 | Announcements, Arts Program, Community, News

Masuma Halai Khwaja, Visiting Artist Fellow, on Using Textiles to Create Cultural Narratives

Masuma Halai Khwaja joins the Mittal Institute this spring as a Visiting Artist Fellow. A visual artist, she explores textiles as a medium to weave together personal memory, diverse histories, and cultural intersections—creating narratives that transcend their origins. Working with fabrics sourced from local flea markets, she integrates embroidery to symbolize the fragmentation of traditions in the face of globalization.

On Birth, Transformation, and Divinity: Previewing the “Birthing the Goddess” Book Talk

Feb 25, 2025 | Community, India, News

On Birth, Transformation, and Divinity: Previewing the “Birthing the Goddess” Book Talk

On March 4, the Mittal Institute will host an author talk on Birthing the Goddess: The Feminine and the Idea of Birth with three of the book’s five authors. This collection of essays explore birthing myths and traditions from the research of five close friends who have a common interest in the mysteries of the Feminine Divine. We spoke with one of the authors, Stella Dupuis, who gave us a preview of the talk and some insight into the book.

Climate Insights: Book Recommendations from Harvard Faculty

Feb 4, 2025 | Climate, Community, News

Climate Insights: Book Recommendations from Harvard Faculty

Over the last few weeks, 17 Harvard faculty have joined the Mittal Institute Climate Platform as new affiliates, greatly increasing the platform’s reach and expertise. Now, these affiliates are sharing some of their top climate reads. Stay informed on the climate crisis, its global impacts, and some meaningful actions you can take. Enjoy the list!