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The AI in Health, Humanities, and Indian Culture Symposium, was held between August 23rd to August 25th, 2024, at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati. Richa Gautam presented on AI and the Art of Decoding Narratives while Abhijit Bagal spoke about Healthcare and AI. The National conference explored the transformative impact of artificial intelligence across diverse domains.

Topics such as AI In Healthcare: Revolutionizing Patient Care and Medical Practices, Humanities In AI: Ethical Considerations and Creative Frontiers, and the Impact of AI on Culture and Preserving Heritage Through Advanced Technologies were discussed in depth. The symposium attracted a diverse audience and provided a platform for meaningful discussions on the intersection of AI with health, humanities, and Indian cultural heritage, fostering innovation and collaborative growth in these fields. 

In a comprehensive analysis, Richa Gautam, Abhinav Pandya, and Asra Nomani presented a detailed account of how Radical groups have strategically infiltrated mainstream media, civil society, and global charity organizations. Their study highlighted the use of progressive terminologies and platforms to normalize radical narratives, subtly embedding them within public discourse.

The experts further examined the decentralized tactics employed by Jihadist networks in the Indian subcontinent, shedding light on their adaptability and the challenges they pose to regional stability. Focusing on India's unique position, the analysis underscored the nation's potential as a pivotal force in countering radical extremism and fostering a robust framework to mitigate the influence of such groups. This discourse provides critical insights for policymakers, academics, and global stakeholders to recognize and address the complexities of combating ideological extremism in today's interconnected world.

See full Video https://youtu.be/5ySM0gwIh1E

The Conference on Colorism, held online on August 22–23, 2024, brought together academics and researchers from around the globe to explore the theme "Exploring the Psychological, Emotional, Physical, and Social Impact of Global Colorism."

Nandini Patwardhans dispelled the identification of Color and Caste with respect to Indian ethnography. Her arguments on "Colorism and Caste: Deconstructing the Misunderstood Link. " were well received. Drawing on Pew survey data and analysis of current discussions on social media—garnering millions of views and tens of thousands of comments—Ms. Patwardhan demonstrated that the connection between caste and colorism is tenuous at best. For the first time, empirical methods such as observational studies and natural experiments were applied to this complex topic, breaking new ground in the academic discourse.

In her presentation, Ms. Patwardhan emphasized to Western researchers and academics that equating caste with colorism is both misguided and unproductive. She highlighted evidence that modern Indians are actively rejecting the remnants of these outdated preferences and belief systems, underscoring the importance of nuanced understanding and culturally informed approaches to global colorism issues.

In a curated special edition of New Indian Abroad, marking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, Ms. Richa Gautam delved into the nuanced history of the Indian diaspora’s persecution and the emerging concept of Black adjacency within the context of Indian Americans.

Ms. Gautam traced the evolution of Indian society, highlighting its intricate organizational frameworks such as kula, gotra, varna, jati, sampradaya, and dharma. She argued that these systems, deeply rooted in India’s cultural and spiritual heritage, were oversimplified by colonial powers into the homogenized and often misunderstood concept of "caste." Along with caste, coolie and several colonial labels, she discusses the misrepresentation and distorted historical narratives about Indian social structures.

Further, she explored the paradox of Indian Americans—recognized as one of the wealthiest and most skilled ethnic minorities in the United States. Despite their contributions and strong family values, their historical struggles with colonization and persecution remain largely unacknowledged. Instead, Indian Americans have been labeled as “White Adjacent” within Critical Theory paradigms, a reductive framework that categorizes them as oppressors in a binary view of societal dynamics. 

The ICHRRF Forgotten Genocides Conference II, held in September 2024, provided a platform for scholars and experts to shed light on underreported atrocities worldwide. Among the key presentations, Richa Gautam delivered a compelling white paper titled “Global Implications of the Sexual Violence Against Minor Girls in Pakistan – A History of Theocratic Radicalism.”

Ms. Gautam's research focused on the systemic issue of sexual violence in Pakistan, where an estimated 1,000 non-Muslim minor girls are forcibly abducted and converted to Islam each year. Her paper traced the roots of this alarming trend to a history of theocratic radicalism, revealing its devastating impact on vulnerable communities and the broader implications for global human rights.

The presentation underscored the urgency of addressing such atrocities and called for international awareness and intervention to protect minority groups. By spotlighting these harrowing realities, Gautam contributed to the ongoing global discourse on safeguarding human dignity and preventing further injustices and married off to older Muslim men as 3rd or 4th wives. Worse still they are sold off for prostitution. This egregious human rights violation and medieval treatment of women as bounty by radical extremist men in Pakistan in the 21st century is a blot on humanity.

The International Conference held on October 26, 2024, at the Church of Scientology, brought together speakers from Bangladesh, France, Pakistan, India, and the USA to discuss the pressing issues faced by Bangladeshi minorities. The conference served as a platform to highlight the challenges of marginalized groups and advocate for greater global attention to their plight.

Among the key speakers was Richa Gautam, who presented a powerful address titled “Genocide of Minority Hindus, Buddhists, and Adivasi Tribals in Bangladesh.” Her presentation illuminated the systemic persecution and violence faced by these communities, underscoring the cultural, religious, and ethnic vulnerabilities that have led to widespread displacement, violence, and loss of heritage.

The conference facilitated critical dialogue among international experts and activists, fostering a deeper understanding of the issues and emphasizing the need for coordinated global action to protect and preserve the rights of Bangladeshi minorities.

Richa Gautam and Abhijit Bagal have made significant contributions to the study of social inequality through four peer-reviewed research papers, recently published in the anthology “Social Inequality: Past, Present and Future,” edited by Medani P. Bhandari, Ph.D. These insightful papers delve into the complex histories and global dynamics of caste and social stratification. Additionally, a talk by Ms. Gautam, hosted by Sangam Talks, offered an engaging discussion on one of the topics, bringing clarity to the nuances of caste and colonization.

Key research contributions include:

• Clarifying Caste as a Marker of Blood Purity and Social Inequality: Co-authored by Medani P. Bhandari, Abhijit Bagal, and Richa Gautam, this paper compares the South Asian caste system and the Sistema de Casta, exploring their shared roots in European colonization and the racialization of global populations. Ms. Gautam's talk at Sangam Talks provided an accessible overview of this research, highlighting its critical insights.
• Caste: South Asian to Global Flip Flops: Co-authored by Abhijit Bagal and Richa Gautam, this paper examines the evolving interpretations and applications of caste across different global contexts, emphasizing its shifting socio-political implications.
• Untouchability in Non-Hindu Cultures: Authored by Richa Gautam and Abhijit Bagal, this paper investigates the concept of untouchability in non-Hindu societies, challenging prevalent assumptions and revealing its manifestations in diverse cultural and historical settings.

These research efforts collectively offer a robust exploration of caste and social inequality, shedding light on their origins, transformations, and implications for modern societies. This anthology and accompanying discussions are invaluable resources for academics, policymakers, and global audiences seeking a deeper understanding of these critical issues.

CHINGARI and CARESGLOBAL issued a joint appeal to the UN at The Hague session, [ Atrocities against Girl Child and minorities in Pakistan]. Hindu, Christian, and Sikh girls are reportedly being abducted, forcibly converted, and subjected to sexual violence, with more than 1,000 minority girls allegedly forced into conversion annually. The situation has drastically worsened over the decades, with Pakistan’s minority population shrinking from 23% in 1947 to just 3% today.

Victims, many of whom are minors, endure lifelong trauma, losing their autonomy, family connections, and basic freedoms. CHINGARI and CARESGLOBAL are calling for international intervention to enforce protective laws and ensure the safety and dignity of these communities, especially young girls. They emphasize the need for global awareness and coordinated action to hold perpetrators accountable, safeguard religious minorities, and ensure that these vulnerable individuals can live with dignity and autonomy, free from violence and oppression.

At the Forgotten Genocides Convention hosted by the International Commission for Human Rights and Religious Freedom (ICHRRF) at George Washington University, Washington, DC, Richa Gautam presented a poignant discussion on the Bengal Famine of 1943-44, shedding light on its devastating impact on the Bengali population during British colonial rule. The event, dedicated to commemorating the often-overlooked annihilation of indigenous communities worldwide, sought to bring global attention to historical atrocities that have yet to receive adequate redress.

Dr. Gautam emphasized that the famine was not an isolated tragedy but part of a broader pattern of systemic violence and neglect inflicted upon indigenous and colonized populations under imperial rule. With millions of lives lost and countless others left in unimaginable suffering, the Bengal Famine stands as a stark reminder of the destructive consequences of colonial policies.

Her presentation called for a more comprehensive global recognition of such historical injustices and the need for reparative actions. As the UN has acknowledged these atrocities, Dr. Gautam underscored the urgent need for meaningful redress to prevent further marginalization of these communities. The convention served as a critical platform for raising awareness and advocating for justice, urging policymakers and global leaders to take definitive steps in addressing these historical wrongs.

Featured Press Releases

CasteFiles Files Title VI Complaint Against Rutgers University and Professor Audrey Truschke

CasteFiles, an advocacy Thinktank committed to protecting civil rights, has filed a Title VI complaint against Rutgers University and Professor Audrey Truschke, citing failure by Rutgers to implement measures to protect its students, thus depriving them of their right to an education free from harassment and discrimination, as guaranteed by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

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