Deshkal Society

23/04/2026

We are pleased to share the article titled "From Lalu to Nitish to Samrat: OBC politics consolidates power in Bihar" published in the Deccan Herald, written by Sanjay Kumar (Deshkal Society) and Dr. Shruti Bhushan (MRIIRS), for your kind reading and review. We look forward to your feedback. 🙏🏻

Link to the article:

Bihar politics: OBC consolidation reshapes power as BJP backs Samrat Chaudhary, linking identity, caste survey data and legacy of Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar, while governance faces pressure to deliver jobs, growth and social equity in a poor state

10/04/2026

We are happy to announce that the book "On the Buddha's Trial in Bangladesh" by Sunita Dwivedi and published by Rupa Publications is now available for pre-order!!

This book traces ancient Buddhist routes from Kushinagar across Asia and back to Bengal, paths that carried not just trade but also thought, belief, and culture. It journeys through Buddhist Bangladesh, where the past lingers in ruins, archeology, and quiet memory, long after the monuments have disappeared.
Because even when the monuments fade, the journey is remembered.

Pre-order the book!!

02/04/2026

We are happy to share the book launch of "On the Buddha's trial in Bangladesh" by renowned Silk Road traveller and author Sunita Dwivedi, and published by Rupa Publications!
We warmly invite you to the book launch on 20 April 2026 at 6:00 pm at the India International Centre, New Delhi.

Nava Nalanda Mahavihara Nalanda India-Bhutan Foundation, Thimphu Secretariat Bihar Museum Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts Dr Ambedkar International Centre Uday Sahay Kavita Dwibedi

01/04/2026

Greetings!

We are pleased to share the article titled "After Nitish Kumar: Who will script Bihar's next chapter?" published in the Deccan Herald, written by Sanjay Kumar (Deshkal Society) and Dr. Shruti (MRIIRS), for your kind reading and review. We look forward to your feedback on it. 🙏🏻

Shruti Bhushan Kavita Dwibedi Uday Sahay

Link to the article:

Nitish Kumar exit: As the Bihar CM signals a transition, focus shifts to BJP leadership choices, caste equations, EBC and OBC dynamics, and the state’s growth challenges, with the next leader set to redefine governance, social justice and development trajectory.

20/03/2026

It was a pleasure to present the books "𝑩𝒖𝒅𝒅𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒎 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑩𝒐𝒅𝒉 𝑮𝒂𝒚𝒂" and "𝑩𝒖𝒅𝒅𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒎 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑩𝒖𝒅𝒅𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒕 𝑯𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒆" to 𝐒𝐡𝐫𝐢 𝐑𝐚𝐦 𝐁𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐫 𝐑𝐚𝐢, 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. Both the books are edited by Rahul Ghai and Sanjay Kumar and published by Aakar Books.

Bihar Museum ICWA New Delhi India-Bhutan Foundation, Thimphu Secretariat Dr Ambedkar International Centre Nava Nalanda Mahavihara Nalanda Anugrah Narayan College, Patna

16/03/2026

We are glad to share that two books on Buddhism and Bodh Gaya published by Aakar Books were launched at the 8th edition of the Bodh Gaya Global Dialogues 2026!

The books were released by Shri Anjani Kumar Singh, DG, Bihar Museum, and former Chief Secretary; Shri Shyam Saran, President, India International Centre, Delhi; Dr. Harish Khare, veteran journalist; Dr. D. M. Mulay, distinguished diplomat; Shri Neeraj Kumar, Hon'ble MLC and former minister, Govt. of Bihar; Shri Arvind Mohan, author and journalist; Dr. Subodh C Bharti, representative of ICWA New Delhi.

Book Titles:
"Buddhism and Buddhist Heritage: Philosophy, Culture and Conservation"

"Buddhism and Bodh Gaya: Percept, Heritage and Sustainability"

Both books are edited by Rahul Ghai and Sanjay Kumar!!

15/03/2026

Day 2 came to an end with the Valedictory Session and thus the 8th edition of the Bodh Gaya Global Dialogues 2026 concluded with new learnings, new insights, and the prospects of a bigger 9th edition!!

Bihar Museum India-Bhutan Foundation, Thimphu Secretariat ICWA New Delhi Dr Ambedkar International Centre Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts Nava Nalanda Mahavihara Nalanda Anugrah Narayan College, Patna

15/03/2026

Snapshots from the Special Session on Bhutan focusing on India Bhutan relations!

Subodh C Bharti Mathew Joseph Chengalavan

Bihar Museum India-Bhutan Foundation, Thimphu Secretariat ICWA New Delhi Dr Ambedkar International Centre Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts Nava Nalanda Mahavihara Nalanda Anugrah Narayan College, Patna

15/03/2026

Session 3 of Day 2 discussed Buddhism and Buddhist philosophy, love and lust through literary texts!!

Shruti Bhushan

Bihar Museum ICWA New Delhi India-Bhutan Foundation, Thimphu Secretariat Dr Ambedkar International Centre Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts Nava Nalanda Mahavihara Nalanda Anugrah Narayan College, Patna

15/03/2026

Session 2 of Day 2 brings a discussion on Buddhist heritage conservation and the role of technology, science, documentation, and the local community of major and minor Buddhist sites!

Uday Sahay

Bihar Museum ICWA New Delhi India-Bhutan Foundation, Thimphu Secretariat Dr Ambedkar International Centre Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts Nava Nalanda Mahavihara Nalanda Anugrah Narayan College, Patna

15/03/2026

Snapshots from Session 1 of Day 2!!
Avanindra Nath Thakur Shikha Jain

Bihar Museum India-Bhutan Foundation, Thimphu Secretariat ICWA New Delhi Dr Ambedkar International Centre Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts Nava Nalanda Mahavihara Nalanda Anugrah Narayan College, Patna