Another Future for Asia: A Useless and Doomed Analysis of an Idea

Speaker: Ashis Nandy
Discussant: Kumar Ketkar
The Future of Asia Series | Edition One: Migrations
In collaboration with Asia Society India Centre, Mumbai

September 8, 2011 | 6.30 pm
Rangswar Hall, Y. B. Chavan Centre, Mumbai

Ashis Nandy will trace how the ideas of an Asian future–note the singular–and that of the diverse but compatible futures of Asian societies during colonial times have gradually given way to a uniform, steamrolled future created through a globalized idea of development where even isolated, impotent, symbolic dissent from such a future is feared as dangerous threat and a security hazard. The example and success of Japan has prompted China and India to opt for a similar model of development and they too have been conspicuously successful in their efforts in recent times. But the success have given them rather limited self-confidence—limited by the standardised vision of a post-Westphalian nation-state. Can we be ourselves in our official idea of a future world? Can the deepening of democracy be a protection, at least in India? Do cultures exist for States or States exist for cultures? Is there life beyond strategic studies and comparative economic growth?

Ashis Nandy is a political psychologist, a social theorist, and a contemporary cultural and political critic. His body of work covers a variety of topics, including public conscience, mass violence, and dialogues of civilizations. He was Senior Fellow and Director of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), New Delhi for several years. Today, he is a Senior Honorary Fellow at CSDS and the Chairperson of the Committee for Cultural Choices and Global Futures, New Delhi. He has been also a Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center, Fellow of the Institute for Advanced Study, Berlin, and Regent’s Fellow, University of California, Los Angeles.

Kumar Ketkar is the Chief Editor of Dainik Divya Marathi of DNA Group. Earlier, he served as the Chief Editor of Loksatta, the leading Marathi Daily of the Indian Express Group. He also served as the Editor-In-Chief, Lokmat and Maharashtra Times and is the recipient of many prestigious awards. He is known for his social and cultural concerns and has personally been engaged in theatre, literature and environmental activities. Ketkar has a keen interest in history and anthropology; particularly in music, cinema, painting, architecture and language.

The Future of Asia series, co-produced by Mohile Parikh Center and Asia Society India Centre, brings together a diverse group of speakers from across the world to explore the Future of Asia from a multidisciplinary perspective. Each speaker addresses this theme through a distinct lens provided from his or her discipline, offering unique insights into what we can expect for Asia, and how we can shape a positive, sustainable future for the continent.