Summer is the perfect season to slow down with a great book, and our community has shared a collection of recommendations to inspire your next read. Exploring themes from identity and belonging, to the promises and perils of artificial intelligence, these selections offer a rich range of perspectives and ideas. There’s something here for every reader. Happy reading!
As the summer approaches, the Mittal Institute extends a warm invitation to Harvard’s community to visit the New Delhi Office. Whether using the office space to conduct research, participating in scholarly discussions, or immersing oneself in the vibrant academic milieu of the region, the office offers a unique opportunity to engage with South Asia’s rich cultural heritage and scholarly legacy. The office has planned several events that will connect Harvard with India’s intellectual scene. Come and be a part of it!
From advancing conversations on the future of the Arctic to reimagining how design and grassroots advocacy can shape more sustainable communities, South Asian members of Harvard’s Class of 2026 are bringing bold ideas and global perspectives. As they graduate and begin the next chapter of their journeys, these students carry with them a commitment to scholarship, innovation, and meaningful impact. While this selection of profiles is far from comprehensive, these profiles offer a glimpse into the many ways Harvard students are preparing to engage with and contribute to the world. Congratulations to the Harvard University Class of 2026!
This spring, the Mittal Institute hosted a range of programs spanning critical issues across South Asia, from examining the role of rivers in India’s cultural and environmental landscape to rethinking design solutions for extreme heat. Explore recordings from standout events, and visit our Mittal Institute YouTube page for more conversations and lectures.
On April 17, the Mittal Institute held its Annual Symposium at the Harvard Faculty Club, convening scholars, practitioners, and community members for the launch of Living with Rivers, a new interdisciplinary initiative exploring how South Asia is living with its rivers. Bringing together perspectives across ecology, climate science, public health, design, and the humanities, the symposium examined the complex interdependence between people and river systems in a rapidly changing world.
The South Asian Studies Colloquium at Harvard brings together scholars, students, and enthusiasts to share research and ideas across disciplines. With presentations by graduate students, faculty, and visiting fellows, plus a guest lecture series, each session encourages lively dialogue and feedback. Open to the entire Harvard community, the colloquium fosters connections, sparks cross-disciplinary conversations, and explores the rich histories and cultures of South Asia. We spoke with Colloquium organizers Seton Uhlhorn, a Mittal Institute Graduate Student Associate and Ph.D candidate specializing in classical Urdu literature, and Afeef Ahmed, a Ph.D candidate who studies Early Modern South India and the Indian Ocean, to learn more about what inspired the series.
In 2024, the Mittal Institute community came together for virtual and in-person events in Cambridge, New Delhi, and beyond, on a diverse array of topics: a deep dive into the impacts of heat, lectures on ancient architecture and global health, an exploration of Bangladesh’s history and future, and much more. View our curated list of some not-to-be-missed events, and visit our YouTube page for more.
As the days grow colder this winter season, it’s the perfect time to settle in with a great read. Explore our latest reading recommendations—there’s something here for every kind of reader. We hope they spark inspiration for your own winter reading. Enjoy!
For our Alumni Spotlight we spoke with Aprajita Rana, a tri-qualified lawyer, with an experience of over 15 years in advising clients in diverse areas of law, including corporate, commercial, technology, media and telecommunication, data protection and privacy and e-commerce, with a core focus on employment law.
On July 11, the “One Harvard, Young Harvard” mixer brought an evening of dialogue and camaraderie to the Mittal Institute’s India Office, where incoming students, alumni, and University affiliates came together to strengthen the intergenerational ties at the heart of the Harvard community.
This spring, the Mittal Institute offered a variety of programming, from a reflection on the Mittal Institute’s 15-year journey connecting Harvard with South Asia, to critical conversations on building climate resilience, to a captivating presentation of the work of artist Naiza Khan. Below is a list of some not-to-be-missed event recordings – please visit our YouTube page for more.