Zakir Husain Memorial Lecture 2025

Dear friends,

It gives me great pleasure to share the video recording of the recently revived Annual Zakir Husain Memorial Lecture series with you. After an unintended hiatus owing to a range of unforeseen circumstances, we are delighted to have reinstated this important platform for academic reflection and public discourse through lectures delivered by some of our foremost intellectuals.

This year’s lecture on 3 May at the IIC was delivered by Ambassador Bhaswati Mukherjee, who drew upon her distinguished diplomatic career to reflect on the evolving role of the Indian woman, placing her insights within historical and contemporary contexts, and her personal experiences. The evening was graciously anchored by Dr Saif Mahmood, whose characteristic eloquence and erudition lent a special charm to the proceedings. We were also privileged to hear from Mr Salman Khurshid, who spoke evocatively of his tenure as a young minister in the Ministry of External Affairs since 1992, recalling his encounters with contemporaries from his student years who had since joined the ranks of India’s diplomatic and administrative services.

I warmly invite you to watch the video and, should you find it meaningful, to support our initiative by liking, commenting on, and sharing it widely. Your encouragement will go a long way in sustaining and expanding our efforts to curate intellectually enriching lectures, workshops, and public engagements.

With sincere thanks,

Ather Farouqui