Ashoka Reflections_MARCH 2024

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Ashish Dhawan, Founding Chairperson, introduced Ashoka’s newest founders, including the Harish and Bina

Shah Foundation (HBSF). As part of a panel discussion that had Harish, Bina and Amira Shah in conversation

with Ashish, they spoke about building the School of Humanities and establishing Ashoka as a world-class

university.

The evening concluded with a session where some faculty members presented the research they conducted

at the University. The speakers included Ashwini Deshpande, Founding Director, Centre for Economic Data

and Analysis (CEDA) and Professor of Economics; Anurag Agrawal, Dean Biosciences and Health Research,

Trivedi School of Biosciences; Nayanjot Lahiri, Professor of History; and Pavan Mamidi, Director, Centre for

Social and Behaviour Change.

Day 2 of Founders’ Day was held on the main university campus. The day commenced with a panel discussion

with alumni and students, moderated by Aniha Brar, Dean, Young India Fellowship and Vice Chancellor’s

Office, who talked to alumni-turned-founders, Jairaj Bhattacharya and Mahesh Jakhotia, about their Ashoka

experience and the spirit of giving back. Raghvi Garg, Ashoka's first Ph.D. graduate, spoke about how the

University prepared her to overcome challenges. At the same time, Anulya P, a current master's student

talked about finding a home away from home here.

The highlight of the day was Ashoka Rasa. Students from different cohorts and programmes put together a

captivating performance based on the nine rasas mentioned in the Natyashastra. The performances also

focused on various disciplines housed under the School of Humanities. They included a mix of Indian classical

and folk dances, ghazals and classical music recitals.

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