Waterscapes: Seeking Nature and Justice along Indian Rivers
Dr. Amita Baviskar
Ustler Hall Atrium
3 to 5 pm, Wednesday, March 5th, 2008

Indian rivers have been the locus of projects both spiritual and
secular. Diverse practices, ranging from devotion to dam-building, have
radically transformed how different social groups relate to rivers. This
lecture will discuss the various cultural meanings that rivers embody in
contemporary India, and how these meanings are contested in ongoing
struggles over the place of rivers in nature and culture. In particular,
it will focus on the conflicts around the Narmada river in central India
and on the Yamuna river in the city of Delhi.

Dr. Amita Baviskar is affiliated with The Institute of Economic Growth
(IEG). Established in 1958 with a focus on economics, demography and
sociology, IEG is one of India's leading research institutions in the
fields of economic and social development. More information on Dr.
Baviskar can be found at  <http://www.iegindia.org/baviskarcv.htm>
www.iegindia.org/baviskarcv.htm.

Sponsored by the Water Institute, the Center for Women's Studies and
Gender Research, the Department of Religion, and the Center for the
Study of Hindu Traditions (CHiTra)