A gamut of academic lectures, cultural events and field visits helped the participants from diverse backgrounds explore India in its varied forms.
Yet another set of students from California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) underwent a programme which enables them to understand and appreciate the multiple facets that form this country. India ki Khoj (IKK) 2019, a week-long India immersion programme designed by IITGN, concluded on December 22 this year. The eighth edition of this unique, first-of-its-kind programme had 22 students, including 10 from Caltech and 12 from IITGN who participated enthusiastically to discover the idea of India together.

IKK 2019 painted a vast canvass for its participants. From Mahatma Gandhi to architectural landscapes of India, from history of India to Bollywood dance, from contemporary stand-up comedy to classical music traditions, from Odissi classical and folk dance to queer movement, from Science in ancient India and to modern art, it formed a comprehensive picture of the past and present-day India through a range of academic lectures, cultural events and activities by distinguished doyens from the respective fields.

The students also visited the Gandhi Ashram, Lothal, Kasturbhai Lalbhai Museum of Modern Art, Manek Chowk and a village near IITGN. They took a heritage walk in the old city of Ahmedabad and also had a ride in Ahmedabad BRTS public transport bus. They also enjoyed traditional Gujarati delicacies at Vishala. All through this one week, the students got to know India and its social, cultural and political fabric.

Started in 2011, IKK is designed and led by faculty members of the Humanities and Social Sciences discipline at IITGN to help foreign as well as Indian students relate with and comprehend the many layers that form India.

Participants Speak
I thoroughly enjoyed my experience here. This trip opened my eyes to the intricacies and richness of India, its culture and everything else about it. I learnt a lot and really enjoyed the heritage walk, food and my interactions with the students and people here. I am now more interested in knowing about Indian apparels and their design. Caltech student

This programme made me notice the things I had always taken for granted, in a different way. It was like looking at them from an outsider’s perspective. To explore a diverse country like India in such a short span of time is difficult but the lectures, presentations, field visits, events and activities made it as good as a hands-on experience. IITGN student

Visit to Gandhi Ashram
Cutural Performance - By Prof Raj Srinivasan
Cultural Performance - Classical denace by P. Sudha and troupe
Visit to Lothal
Dinner at Vishala
During a lecture at IKK 2019

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