Our Events

We had the honour of hosting Lord Meghnad Desai for a distinguished guest lecture on ‘The Poverty of Political Economy’. The two-hour interactive session brought students and faculty together for a sharp, wide-ranging conversation on the political and economic currents shaping India today.

Lord Desai touched on everything from the state of Indian agriculture and the farmers’ rights movement to socialism, the contemporary relevance of the Indian Left, and the limits of dominant economic theories in explaining India’s growth story. The lecture wrapped up with an engaging Q&A, reflecting the community’s curiosity and enthusiasm.

Guest Lecture by Lord Meghnad Desai on ‘The Poverty of Political Economy’ | April 10, 2023

Guest Lecture on “Indian Cities: History and Path Ahead” by Devashish Dhar | August 23, 2023

On August 23, 2023, Soch Foundation, in collaboration with the Centre for Law and Urban Development (CLUD), hosted an engaging guest lecture by Devashish Dhar on “Indian Cities: History and Path Ahead” at NLU Delhi.

Drawing from his book India’s Blind Spot: Understanding and Managing Our Cities, Devashish framed cities as humankind’s longest-running social experiment. He took us through his personal journey — from growing up in small-town India to working across policy spaces — reflecting on what makes Indian cities tick, and what urgently needs fixing.

The room was filled with students, faculty, and urban policy nerds alike, and the conversation moved from infrastructure gaps to urban governance to the everyday chaos of our cities. It ended, as all good sessions do, with an open, slightly over-time, and thoroughly energising discussion about how we imagine the future of Indian cities.

Soch hosted a thought-provoking guest lecture by renowned legal scholar Dr. Usha Ramanathan on “Philosophy for Technology” on March 20, 2024, at National Law University, Delhi.

Dr. Ramanathan offered a compelling exploration of the philosophical and regulatory dimensions of technology, examining how emerging technological frameworks intersect with law, society, and individual rights. Her insights highlighted the need for critical engagement with the values embedded in technology and its governance.

This event marked the third successful lecture organized by Soch, furthering its commitment to fostering interdisciplinary dialogue on pressing contemporary issues. The session drew a diverse and engaged audience, and concluded with an interactive Q&A segment.

Guest Lecture by Dr. Usha Ramanathan on “Philosophy for Technology” | March 20, 2024

Soch Foundation teamed up with Ikigai Law for a session unpacking India’s newly minted Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act. What could’ve been a dry legal breakdown turned into a genuinely fun, super relevant conversation about what the Act means for our everyday digital lives — from what happens to our data when we mindlessly click ‘Accept’ to the bigger questions around digital public infrastructure and the impact on various stakeholders.

The session saw a great mix of law students and wrapped up with a lively Q&A where no question was too basic or too wild to ask. Exactly the kind of space we like to create at Soch.

This was preceded by an extremely important and helpful online discussion with the founder of the firm, Mr. Anirudh Rastogi on careers in Law.

Session with Ikigai Law Firm

On October 19, 2024, National Law University Delhi hosted a pivotal Round Table Consultation aimed at developing a comprehensive Handbook for Sex Workers (to be released soon). This significant initiative brought together legal experts, policymakers, academicians, activists, advocates, and sex workers to collectively address the legal and social challenges faced by the community in India.

The consultation reflects NLU Delhi’s continued commitment to legal reform, rights-based discourse, and social justice. The Handbook is being developed under the guidance of Dr. Sophy K. J., with dedicated efforts from Ms. Mansha Sidhu, Ms. Ishaany, and Mr. Vatsal Jindel. The student group Soch also actively assisted in organising and facilitating the consultation.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all participants, especially the sex workers who shared their lived experiences and perspectives, for their invaluable contributions. This collaborative endeavour marks a meaningful step toward securing dignity, equality, and protection for all individuals, regardless of profession or background.

Round Table Consultation for the Handbook on Sex Workers | October 19, 2024