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M.J. Akbar IDRC Photos: Nadine Robitaille

Listen to M.J. Akbar’s presentation 


On August 28, 2008, IDRC launched its year-long series of presentations by distinguished Indian thinkers when it hosted renowned journalist, editor, and author M.J. Akbar.

 

A highly respected Muslim voice in India’s media community, Akbar helped launch several influential publications, including Sunday, The Telegraph, The Asian Age, The Deccan Chronicle, and most recently, Covert. He is the author of numerous political books including a biography of Jawaharlal Nehru and a historical study of Kashmir. He has also written extensively on the impact of Islam in the changing political and security environment of South Asia. His most recent book, Blood Brothers, was released to rave reviews.

 

Since it was founded nearly 40 years ago, IDRC has supported research for development in India. Distinguished Indians have served on IDRC’s Board of Governors, including physicist M.G.K. Menon and current IDRC Governor Pratap Mehta, President of the Centre for Policy Research in New Delhi.

 

The India Lectures series marks the 25^th anniversary of the opening of IDRC’s South Asia regional office in New Delhi. The lectures will highlight the wealth of eminent thinkers and stimulating ideas emanating from this rising global power.

 

M.J. Akbar’s wide-ranging talk set the broad historical context for the series. His topic was “India in the Arc of Turbulence from the Nile to the Ganges — Implications for Geo-Politics.” His presentation tackled such sweeping themes as imperialism, democracy, religion, poverty, war, and terrorism. He spoke about the evolution of India and Pakistan, and about Afghanistan. And, in the wake of his removal in March 2008 from the editorship of The Deccan Chronicle and The Asian Age, he assessed the level of press freedom in his home country.

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