Foundation for Critical Choices for India

Webinar on Merits and Demerits of Uniform Civil Code

 Webinar on Merits and Demerits of Uniform Civil Code

Sunday 13^th December 2020

14.00 hrs – 15.30 hrs

Venue: Online via Zoom and Facebook Live

Background: 

In India, we have a uniform criminal code that is applicable to every citizen of India however, a similar code does not exist especially with relevance to divorce, succession, polygamy, adoption, etc and still governed by private laws. Uniform civil code (UCC) means uniformity in personal laws. Currently, the personal laws of various communities are governed by their religious scriptures. Implementation of a uniform civil code across the nation is one of the contentious promises pursued by India's ruling party BJP. It is an important issue regarding secularism in India and continues to remain disputed by different religious groups. The main objective of this webinar is to make the audience aware of the current status of UCC, discuss the arguments -for and -against the proposed change, and importantly extrapolate the practical implications of the UCC if applied and adopted by the constitution. The webinar will investigate important aspects related to UCC such as constitutional guidelines, the role of the judiciary, its implications on people with different faiths and India as a whole. The expert speakers and panelists from a diverse backgrounds discuss the topic in great detail and participate in an interactive question and answer session.

Panelists & Speakers:

• Ms. Bhaswati Mukherjee- Ex- Indian Ambassador to the Netherlands
• Mr. Aniel Pahladsingh- EU lawyer, Council of State, the Netherlands (ORF).
• Mr. Jayant Bhatt - Advocate at High Court & Supreme Court, New Delhi, India.
• Mr. Badri Madan - Trustee & ex-president, FCCI.

Moderators:

• Mr. Anil Kumar Ravulakollu - Trustee FCCI.
• Dr. Pramod Agrawal - Vice President- Programs FCCI.

Event Report: Coming Soon

 Video:  Click here for a complete video of the event.

Kashmir policy of India especially in the context of articles 370 & 35a

Brainstorming session on Kashmir Policy

 Kashmir policy of India especially in the context of articles 370 & 35a, 

Sunday 30^th June 2019

14.00 hrs – 16.30 hrs

Venue: Van der Valk de Bilt (De Holle Bilt 1, 3732 HM De Bilt) near Utrecht, NL

Background: 

Year 2019 witnessed a huge victory for BJP lead NDA government for the second time. The new Government could use this strong mandate to resolve several long pending challenges India facing. One of such challenge is the state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). BJP has clearly mentioned in their election manifesto to remove article 370 and 35a from the state of J&K. At the same time many thinks that removing these articles is not easy and may not be the right step. There are many opinions on this complex topic. Therefore, a close group brainstorm session is organised by the FCCI to discuss the possible way forward for the long-term peace and stability in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. An educational presentation highlighting key aspects will be delivered by dr. Pramod Agrawal (VP-FCCI) at the beginning of the brainstorm session, followed by open discussion on the topic.

Event Report: Will be updated soon

Presentations (Click on the title): 

Kashmir policy in the context of articles 370 and 35a, by dr. Pramod Agarwal, VP-Programs, FCCI  (coming soon)

Webinar- New World Order

Jubilee Webinar & Interactive Discussion on

New World Order- Role of Emerging Powers

Sunday 18^th October 2020

14.00 hrs – 16.30 hrs

Venue: Online via Zoom and Facebook Live

Background: 

The current framework of the Global Governance order was visualized and structured during the decade immediately following the Second World War. A prominent example is the set-up of the United Nations post World War II in 1945. The balance of power has changed greatly since then. In simpler words, the change is visible but not reflected in the current world order. This calls for the new world in order to match the current situation in the world. The objective of this international webinar organized by the Foundation for Critical Choices for India (FCCI), is to address this issue of vital importance for the continuing peace and prosperity of the world. This year the UN is celebrating its 75th anniversary and it is an appropriate time for an evaluation and to chalk out a way forward.

Panelists & Speakers:

• Hon'ble Dr. Shashi Tharoor - MP-Lok Sabha India, former Under-Secretary-General of the UN.
• Dr. Samir Saran - President of Observer Research Foundation (ORF).
• H.E. Mr. Venu Rajamony - Indian Ambassador to the The Netherlands.
• Prof.Dr. Sharda Nandram - Academic & Consultant, Integrative Intelligence, Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam.
• Dr Pramod Agrawal - Vice President- Programs, FCCI.

Moderators:

• Dr. Yamini J. Singh - Secretary General, FCCI.
• Ms. Suman Korenhof - Director PR, FCCI.

Detailed Theme Report: Click here 

 Video:  Click here for a complete video of the event.

Reservation policy in India- time to revisit it?

Seminar and Interactive discussion

Reservation Policy in India- time to revisit it?

Saturday 28^th September 2019

14.00 hrs – 17.30 hrs

Venue: Van der Valk Hotel, Schiphol, Rijksweg-A4 4, 2132MA, Hoofddorp (Google Maps)

Background: 

The reservation is undertaken to address the historic oppression, inequality, and discrimination faced by some backward communities. It is intended to realize the promise of equality enshrined in the constitution. At the same time, the reservation was also meant to be a temporary measure, but due to political compulsions of our political leaders, it has become a permanent feature of our society and it seems nobody dares to touch this. While the rest of the world takes pride in becoming ‘forward’ in our country people are agitating and fighting to be labeled ‘backward’. On one hand, we want to get rid of the disgusting caste system, on the other hand, we may be reinforcing it with the help of reservation on basis of caste. Probably this is the best time in history to look again systematically various aspects of reservation policy and its effectiveness. After detailed presentations, the discussion will be placed on the sustainability of such a reservation policy. Since the topic is sensitive and emotionally attached to many, the work presented will be fact/ data-driven.

Event Circular and Schedule: Click here

Participation:  Entry to the event is Free. Registration is required.   

Registration Link: Click here 

Webinar- Indian press & news media

Webinar & Interactive Discussion on

Indian press and news media: Is the 4th pillar of democracy losing its credibility?

Sunday 27^th September 2020

14.00 hrs – 16.30 hrs

Venue: Online via Zoom and Facebook Live

Background: 

Media is like a mirror in a democracy. In recent years, however, the obsession with TRPs and paid news has reduced the trust in media drastically. Being the for-profit entity and the outreach of crony-capitalism in the media is destroying the profession and ethics of journalism. The biggest victim here, are the citizens. Ironically, they are also the culprits!

Within the scope of this webinar, we will investigate the various aspects related to journalism & news media (excluding social media) and their effect on Indian democracy. Multi-dimensional aspects such as biased news, breaking news, fake news, paid news, ethics in journalism, freedom of expression, for-profit activity, governing laws/guidelines will be discussed. For the first time, FCCI is going to hold a webinar in a completely different style. Instead of presentations, there will be a conversation, and opinion polls have thrown in for a good measure of fun and interaction.

Panelists:

- Ms. Satarupa Bose Roy (Founder & Editor, Indyana Magazine)
- Mr. Rajkumar Shinkar (Textile Engineer & Trustee FCCI)
- Dr. Pramod Agrawal (Technopreneur & Vice president programs, FCCI)

Moderators:

- Dr. Yamini J. Singh (Secretary-General, FCCI)
- Mr. Manas Manohar (Director Digital platform, FCCI)

 Complete Agenda: Click here 

 Video:  Click here for a complete video of the event.

Book Launch & Seminar on Indo-Dutch Cooperation on Water Management

Seminar on Indo-Dutch Cooperation on Water Management

 Launch of Book : "What we can learn from the Dutch- Rebuilding Kerala Post 2018 Floods", 

Authored by HE Mr. Venu Rajamony, Indian Ambassador to Netherlands & Mr. N. M. Rakesh

Friday 5^th April 2019

15.00 hrs – 18.00 hrs

Venue: Kasteel de Wittenburg, Landgoed de Wittenburg 1, 2244 BV Wassenaar, NL

Background: 

Over centuries, the Dutch have been able in finding ways to control high waters in their country. A low-lying area with 26% of the country below sea levels, their vulnerability to floods and the experience of past disasters have prompted them to develop one of the most advanced and sophisticated flood risk and water management systems in the world. On the other hand, India is prone to floods and other issues related to water management. Last year, Kerala experienced some serious floods that triggered the ideas of learning from the Dutch expertise. These possible learnings have been discussed and elaborated in the timely book "What can we learn from the Dutch - Rebuilding Kerala post 2018 floods" by the Ambassador of India to the Netherlands and his co-author Mr. N.M. Rakesh.
At this seminar on Indo-Dutch Cooperation on Water Management, experts from the public and the private sector as well as from TU Delft will shed light on the Water Management from different perspectives. This event is proudly co-hosted by FCCI (Foundation for Critical Choices for India) and NICCT (Netherlands India Chamber of Commerce and Trade). FCCI is working on a long-term skills’ mobility project and within the scope of this seminar, FCCI and NICCT will explore how the aspect of co-operation in water management in terms of mobility of skills could mutually benefit both India and the Netherlands.
NICCT and FCCI are honored to officially launch the aforementioned book authored by the Indian Ambassador to the Netherlands, during the seminar. In his book Ambassador Rajamony and Mr Rakesh point out not only the importance of water management, but also the key to successful cooperation between the Netherlands and India by jointly involving Governments, public and private institutions, companies and innovations to actually make projects happen successfully.

Event Circular and Schedule : Click Here

Event Report: Click Here

Presentations (Click on the title):  

• Event Introduction - by Dr. Jasbir Singh, President FCCI
• Indo-Dutch Water Cooperation - Connection with Mobility of Skills between Netherlands and India - by Dr. Pramod Agarwal, Vice-President Programs, FCCI
• Indo-Dutch Water Cooperation - by Mr. Jan Bustra, Ministry van Infrastructuur en Waterstaat, Netherlands
• Basin Water Management in Kerala - by Mr.Paul van Meel, Integrated Water Resource Management Expert

 Photos (selected photos are displayed below):  Click here for complete album 

Round table debate - Fundamental Duties and Constitution of India

Round table debate on "Fundamental Duties and Constitution of India"

 In collaboration with the Embassy of India in The Hague, Netherlands

Wednesday 18^th February 2020

17.00 hrs – 19.00 hrs

Venue: Gandhi Center, Parkstraat 99, 2514 JH, The Hague, NL

Background: 

This event was held as part of the Government of India’s celebration of ‘Constitution Day and Campaign on Citizen’s Duties from November 26, 2019, to November 26, 2020, in the context of 70 years since the creation and subsequent implementation of the Constitution of India.
The Constitution of India has been a subject of focus in FCCI at several moments in the 40 years since FCCI was founded;  Since its inception in 1980, FCCI has held seminars, conferenced, written papers and published opinions on the Constitution of India. In fact, the first paper that FCCI published in June 1980 was entitled ‘Constitutional Framework in India – a Framework for the Future – a case for a new constitution for India’.

Event Report: Coming Soon

Presentations (Click on the title):  

• Constitution of India and Fundamental Duties- by Dr. Yamini Singh, EC Member and General Secretary, FCCI
• Constitution of India: Amendments in the light of Fundamental Rights - by Mr. Aniel Pahladsingh, Lawyer at the Council of State

 Photos:  Click here for the complete album 

 Video:  Click here for a complete video of the event.

Indian Diaspora conference 2018

Indian Diaspora conference 2018

Mobility of Skills Between India-Europe

Jointly organised by:

Foundation for Critical Choices of India (FCCI),

Foundation for Indian Diaspora in Europe (FIDE),

Province Utrecht and Utrecht University (UU).

Wednesday 19^th December 2018, 13.00 hrs – 18.00 hrs

Venue: Foyer,Province house Utrecht, Archimedeslaan 6, 3584 BA Utrecht

Please visit: www.indiandiaspora.eu

for Program details and Registration.

Exploring the possibilities of addressing the pollution challenges in India

Seminar and Interactive discussion

Exploring the possibilities of addressing the pollution challenges in India

Sunday 1^st December 2019

14.00 hrs – 17.30 hrs

Venue: Van der Valk Hotel, Schiphol, Rijksweg-A4 4, 2132MA, Hoofddorp (Google Maps)

Background: 

In the month of November 2019, pollution surged so high in capital city New Delhi that Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), under the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Govt. India (via www.air-quality.com) reported an Air Quality Index of 999, way above the upper limit of the worst category, Hazardous. Unfortunately, India is home to 15 of the 20 most polluted cities in the world with some studies indicating nearly 700 million Indians are exposed to unhealthy air. An analysis of the CPCB data showed that almost all cities from north to south indicated deteriorating air quality. There are several types of pollutions and each are connected to the larger picture of climate change, industrialization, rapid urbanization, population growth, number of vehicles and so on. The proposed seminar will explore the various dimension of this complex issue and explore together to address it. After the presentations, the discussion will be placed on the stated topic.  

Event Circular and Schedule: Click here

Participation:  Entry to the event is Free. Registration is required.   

Registration Link: Click here 

Female Safety in India: a Reality Check

Female Safety in India: a Reality Check

 FCCI Seminar supported by The Indian Ladies Club

Sunday 2^nd December 2018

14.00 hrs – 17.30 hrs

Venue: Valk Hotel Schiphol A4

Background: In the light of Thomas Reuters Foundation’s report on women’s safety, published early this year, that ranked India as the most dangerous country for women, the spotlight has returned on India after the notorious Nirbhaya case in 2012. This report raises a lot of questions within Indian communities all over the world and asks for more explanation by looking at the methodology of the conducted survey and by putting the subject of female safety into perspective. Therefore, this seminar will discuss the perception of women’s safety in India by presenting different perspectives on the data, socio-cultural aspects and legislation.

Event Circular and Schedule : Click Here

Detailed Event Report: Click Here

Event Photos : Click Here