Videos

Most people talk about the drug crisis as a law-and-order problem. This session doesn’t stop there—it asks how technology can actually change outcomes. In this discussion, T.S. Krishnamurthy, Premanand Narasimhan, and P. Aravindhan, IPS, explore how AI can be used to detect patterns, predict networks, and strengthen enforcement against drug trafficking, while also confronting the limits, risks, and ethical questions that come with it. From data-driven policing to real-world challenges on the ground, this conversation looks at whether AI is truly a game-changer—or just another buzzword—in the fight against the drug menace.
Using AI to Combat the Drug Menace
As Tamil Nadu heads toward the 2026 Assembly elections, what really lies beneath the headlines? In this thought-provoking discussion, leading voices—Sumanth Raman, Rangaraj Pandey, and R.K. Radhakrishnan—cut through the noise to examine the deeper political currents shaping the state. From shifting voter behavior and leadership dynamics to welfare politics, identity narratives, and the role of national influence, this conversation goes beyond surface-level analysis. What will truly decide Tamil Nadu 2026? What are we missing when we only follow headlines? This session offers sharp, grounded insights into the road ahead—rooted in experience, perspective, and honest debate.
Tamil Nadu 2026: Way Ahead?
Chennai International Centre presents “Manifesting Auroville: The City of Dawn”, featuring Jayanti S. Ravi, IAS, Secretary of the Auroville Foundation. In this insightful talk, she explores the vision behind Auroville as a global experiment in human unity, sustainable living, and conscious community-building, while also addressing the practical challenges of governance, development, and implementation. Moving beyond idealism, the session examines what it truly takes to translate a utopian idea into a functioning city in today’s world. This discussion is essential viewing for anyone interested in urban futures, public policy, sustainability, and alternative models of living.
Manifesting Auroville: The City of Dawn
Chennai International Centre hosted an engaging talk titled “Management Guru Thiruvalluvar” by Soma Veerappan, exploring how the timeless wisdom of Thiruvalluvar and the Thirukkural continues to hold powerful relevance for modern leadership and management. Drawing parallels between the guidance Valluvar offered to kings and ministers over 2000 years ago and the challenges faced by today’s CEOs and executives, the session examined themes such as planning, execution, accountability, communication, and ethical leadership. The discussion highlighted how classical Tamil wisdom can serve as a practical framework for contemporary management and decision-making.
Management Guru Thiruvalluvar
This event brings together leading voices to discuss some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, spanning wildlife conservation, ecological awareness, and the future of our planet. Mr. Ravi Chellam speaks about the remarkable story of the endangered Asiatic Lion, tracing its historical distribution across Asia, its recovery from near extinction to a population of around 900 today, and the conservation challenges posed by the species being largely restricted to the Gir landscape in Gujarat. Mr. Mahesh Rangarajan reflects on the larger question of whether the Earth is in balance, examining how human population growth, economic expansion, and technological transformation have reshaped the environment and what responsibility governments, societies, and citizens must take to repair and sustain ecological systems. Ms. Jomi Jose discusses local nature-based learning initiatives in Chennai, highlighting how reconnecting children with biodiversity in their neighbourhoods—through parks, wetlands, and school campuses—can foster curiosity, ecological awareness, and long-term conservation attitudes. Together, the talks underline the importance of science, education, and public engagement in shaping a more sustainable relationship between people and nature.
Biodiversity & Us
Chennai International Centre hosted a compelling discussion on Vaadivaasal: The Arena, the celebrated Tamil novella by C. S. Chellappa, translated into English by N. Kalyan Raman. Set against the charged backdrop of a jallikattu contest in rural Tamil Nadu, Vaadivaasal follows Picchi’s gripping confrontation with the Kari bull — a story of courage, vengeance, power, and pride that transcends sport to explore deeper social hierarchies. In this session, N. Kalyan Raman, in conversation with Krupa Ge, also reflects on the pleasures and challenges of literary translation, and what it means to carry a Tamil classic across languages and generations. Recorded live at Tagore Auditorium, R.A. Puram, Chennai, this discussion is a must-watch for lovers of literature, culture, and translation.
Vaadivaasal - The Arena
Chennai International Centre hosted a compelling discussion on RARE: Investing the Rakesh Jhunjhunwala Way by Nandini Vijayaraghavan, in conversation with L. V. Navaneeth. The session explored the investment philosophy of Rakesh Jhunjhunwala — his conviction-led bets, long-term approach, cross-asset investing strategy, and the mindset that helped him build enduring wealth. Drawing from research and exclusive interviews featured in the book, the discussion offered insights into discipline, risk-taking, and capital allocation in the Indian markets. This event is a must-watch for investors, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in understanding the principles behind one of India’s most influential market leaders.
RARE INVESTING THE RAKESH JHUNJHUNWALA WAY
Chennai International Centre hosted a thought-provoking discussion on A Woman of No Consequence by Kalpana Karunakaran, a deeply moving exploration of the inner life of Pankajam (1911–2007), a Tamil Brahmin housewife whose quiet pursuit of reading and writing became an act of resistance against twentieth-century social orthodoxies. Drawing on letters, autobiographical writing, and semi-fictional stories, the session examined gender, memory, power, and women’s invisibility in history, while also reflecting on how ordinary lives carry extraordinary courage. Recorded live at Tagore Auditorium, R.A. Puram, Chennai, this conversation invites viewers to rethink whose stories get told — and why they matter.
A Woman of No Consequence
This seminar on Panchayati Raj, Rural Development & Sustainability, organized by CIC at Ethiraj College for Women, brought together three visionary voices. Shri Elango Rangasamy shared his transformative journey of building Kuthambakkam as a model village through bottom-up planning, community ownership, and the powerful symbolism of the crow—representing sharing and collective well-being. Shri S. M. Vijayanand illuminated the critical synergy between community organizations like Kudumbashree and political institutions, highlighting how over 65% of elected women representatives in Panchayats now emerge from such grassroots movements—turning community leadership into political power. Dr. R. Sujatha anchored the conversation in Tamil Nadu's SDG localization journey, emphasizing data-driven governance, gender equity through education and safe spaces, and the indispensable role of citizen participation in sustainable consumption. Together, the speakers reinforced a singular truth: lasting change begins where community meets governance, and democracy becomes visible, everyday, and human.
Panchayat Raj, Rural Development and Sustainability
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