The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI), through their South Asia Regional Digital Initiative (SARDI), have launched a fellowship programme in India to conduct policy research at the interface of digitisation and MSMEs in India and facilitate sustainable change in the MSME growth trajectory. The fellowship programme is anchored by LEAD at Krea University, a research centre of the IFMR Society. Join LEAD at Krea University, USAID and DAI for a convening on emerging insights from the SARDI India MSME Tech Policy Fellowship and seek feedback from experts on the way forward. The event will also serve as a platform for convening key stakeholders engaged in the MSME, digitisation ecosystems and exploring pathways for creating feedback loops between research and policy. The event starts from 9:30 AM at Mumtaz Hall, Taj Palace, New Delhi. For queries, reach out to communications-lead@ifmr.ac.in. RSVP here.

On the evening of 11 May, the Open Air Theatre at Krea University’s campus was filled with the sounds of the 60s to the 80s, as The Rackettails took the stage to perform a selection of covers from iconic bands such as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, The Beatles and The Eagles. Led by Dr John Mathew, The Rackettails took the audience on an emotive musical journey through their creative renditions, infusing the performance with a delightful mix of nostalgia and youthful energy. From Supertramp's The Logical Song to ABBA's Chiquitita, the audience was transported to a different time, bridging the gap between generations. In this wonderful tribute to the golden era of music, the ensemble breathed new life into these classic songs, emphasising the harmonies and bringing new flair to their interpretations. The Rackettails' concert was a testament to the timeless power of music that resonates with music lovers of all generations. 

Krea University's newest venture, TedxKrea University, is tentatively set to roll out its first event sometime in the first week of October. It aims to provide students with unique and exciting opportunities to showcase their skills, creativity, and innovative ideas. With a commitment to diversity and fostering a sense of community and collaboration, these events will be tailored to the interests, passions, and expertise of Krea's diverse student body. The founders of Krea University are respected leaders in their fields and have made significant contributions to Indian society, making TedxKrea University events likely to attract some of the most prominent and innovative thinkers from India and around the world, providing students with unparalleled access to influential people in their fields.

With over 285+ participants, 20+ volunteers, and 22 sports played, Bolt 2023 drew to a close on 7 May 2023. The final week witnessed some incredible sportsmanship as some of the best athletes on campus competed fiercely for victory. The rolling trophy for this year's competition was won by house Ares, a monumental achievement! The SIAS Sports Club Core Committee members who deserve special recognition are Smriti Venkatraman and Aatmesh Govind for their contribution as Basketball Heads, Nanki Puri and Sagar Bhargava for Football, Adnan Qureshi and Aditi Rajesh for Badminton, Shruti Dalal and Ayaan Bedi for Volleyball, Yashh Jhawar for Cricket, Uditi Krishna and Yazad Bhacka for Miscellaneous Sports, Hemant Megavath and Lakshmi Lavanya for Tennis, and Arjun Anand and Arya Dutta for Indoor & Gym Sports, respectively. The club expressed its heartfelt gratitude to the Operations Team and the Office of Student Life (OSL) for their unwavering support, and also acknowledged the overall contribution of club representatives Priyanka Prasanna Acharya, Johanna Hashmi, and Divij Doshi.

Dr Kalpita Bhar Paul, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at SIAS presented a paper titled Can community survive amidst placelessness in risk society: Impact of dwindling trust among anonymous neighbors on community at the St Damian Conference Between Needing Roots and Respecting Difference’, held at the American College – KU Leuven, on 28 – 30 April 2023. Dr Kalpita Bhar Paul delved into the impact of placelessness and living among anonymous neighbours in a risk society, specifically on community bonding and marginalised individuals. By examining case studies from India, she illustrated how dwindling trust in risk society is fundamentally challenging community formation, turning it into a cognitive ideology rather than a pragmatic solution to cope with vulnerability.

The students of Environmental Communication put together an exhibition titled — Aftermath: Place, Nature and Life in the Anthropocene — on 9 May 2023. The curatorial statement and digital artwork for the exhibition were done by students. The exhibition captured the themes of changing nature, places, and people’s history of the Anthropocene. Each individual curator illustrated a different perspective of life — both human and non-human — in a time of climate change. The exhibition, using mixed media, interactive installations, and visual narratives, encouraged visitors to reflect on their part in defining the Anthropocene and think about how to promote sustainability and conservation.

Dr Soumyajit Bhar, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies at SIAS was a panelist at the South Asia Forum, organised by the South Asian student organisations at the Graduate Schools of Public Policy, Law, and Business at the University of Chicago. The panel discussion which took place on 4 May 2023, also included representatives from the Ministries of Climate of Bhutan and the Maldives.

Dr Bhar discussed environmental and humanitarian crisis strategies, highlighting that countries with long coastlines, like India, are also at risk. He stressed the importance of considering the impact on cultural practices and marginalised populations, beyond just economic loss.

The farewell for the cohort of 2023 at SIAS was an unforgettable two-day celebration that included a faculty dinner, captivating performances, and a mesmerising starry night-themed party. The event was a fitting tribute to the students' academic achievements and allowed them to express their gratitude towards the faculty members who had played an instrumental role in shaping their academic journey. The highlight of the farewell was the talented students who showcased their diverse skills through music, dance, theatre, and various artistic expressions, while the starry night-themed party transformed the campus into a magical wonderland. The event forged lasting memories, celebrated friendships, and bid farewell to the graduating batches as they embarked on the next chapter of their lives.

Dr Rahul Muralidharan, Visiting Faculty, SIAS and Senior Manager, Environment Hub was part of an insightful webinar discussion titled Mammals in Aquatic Habitats — Fishing Cats and Humpback Dolphins: Ecological Significance & Conservation hosted by the South Asia Consortium for Interdisciplinary Water Resources Studies (Saciwaters). The discussion centered around the ecological importance and conservation of two fascinating mammalian species — Fishing Cats and Humpback Dolphins — both of which are intricately linked to the health and well-being of aquatic habitats.

Why should you watch: This video describes the journey of Abigail Thorn (a trans woman) as she goes through the British healthcare system to try to get care while finding out how the systemic issues within it propagate problems in the trans community in the UK.
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