Legendary India Actor, Rishi Kapoor, attends Press Conference and Inauguration Ceremony for LSE SU India Week 2012

Legendary Indian actor, Rishi Kapoor; CEO, LSE SU India Week, Sanam Arora; and Co-Director, India Observatory, LSE, Dr. Ruth Kattumuri last night attended the Press Conference to announce the launch of LSE SU India Week 2012, at the LSE Campus’s Old Building, London WC2.

LSE SU India Week 2012 is a series of events including panel discussions, debates, cultural activities and workshops, which seek to celebrate the successes of India and discuss areas for improvement across all sectors. LSE SU India Week has been the flagship event of the academic institution’s India Society for some years now. The aim of India Week is to celebrate the various successes of India and realise areas for improvement, seen particularly through the eyes of Indian students studying at LSE, both from India and elsewhere globally.

Speaking at the event, Indian film actor Rishi Kapoor said, "Now I can say to my family, I too have been to LSE! We can create an awareness of what students are studying here, by teaming up with LSE. Whatever work you do, I feel you must have a sense of serenity and passion for it. We hope to spread smiles all in the name of education. I have been invited to create an awareness of Indian culture and cinema, and hope we are successful in doing so."

CEO, LSE SU India Week, Sanam Arora, said, “This week brings an interesting, unique mix of cinema and economics. India Week this year is celebrating all factors of India – film, economics, culture and much more.”

Co-Director, India Observatory, LSE, Dr. Ruth Kattumuri, said, "I've been involved with India Week since 2007. This year, India Week at LSE is of a scale which is unprecedented to previous years, the interest in India is growing. This is a whole week where Indian students and students with an interest in India engage, learn and have fun."

The Press Conference was followed by the LSE SU India Week 2012 Inauguration Ceremony at Old Theatre, Old Building, LSE, conducted by Mr. Kapoor who was felicitated by students from the world renowned academic institution, and a discussion and entertaining retrospective of the actor’s career led by Professor Rachel Dwyer, SOAS. British Asian actor, Armaan Kirmaani, was also in attendance. 

Highlights of LSE SU India Week include a ‘Philanthropy in India’ panel discussion on Tuesday 21st February. Founder of HCL technologies, Shiv Nadar, and Managing Director, TATA Ltd, Anwar Hasan, will discuss Creative Philanthropy and the Tata Model of Philanthropy respectively. Wednesday 22nd February will bring the concepts of Female Entrepreneurship and Microfinance to the LSE in the context of India. Keynote speakers will include Gita Patel, Director, Trapezia and Emilie Goodall, UNPI. Thursday 23rd February will present a panel discussion on the Indian Economy with a number of high-profile speakers including Executive Director, Micromax, Rahul Sharma. Bollywood choreographer Shiamak Dawar’s Dance Workshop will spice up campus that evening. On Sunday 26th February, Lords Cricket Ground will host renowned Indian cricketer, Ajay Jadeja, as he speaks on the Economics of the Indian Premier League and how it has changed the dynamics of cricket, before witnessing one of the finest university cricket matches – between the LSE’s India and Pakistan cricket teams. The week concludes with a Bollywood night hosted by Raj&Pablo, featuring a performance by British Asian artist Arjun.

An India-centric, student-led event of this scale has never before taken place in the EU. LSE SU India Week will address successes and concerns in different fields, providing something for all tastes and interests. From politics and economics to Bollywood and food, LSE SU India Week 2012 will unite key issues and experts at the LSE, thereby offering a unique ensemble to both students and the general public. Furthermore, students will have the opportunity of networking with both global and Indian firms such as Accenture, ArcelorMittal, TATA, Infosys and Herbert Smith to name a few.

For event tickets please visit the website: www.indiasociety.co.uk or telephone:  07585 801 365; 07771 994 681; 07952 802 854; or 07540 349 922.

For full LSE SU India Week 2012 itinerary, timings and location details, please visit the website: www.indiasociety.co.uk