"Those 4 Years" is an amazing journey into the lives of those Chinese who came to India around the middle of the 19th century… speaking a language unknown to their neighbours when they first arrived. The film journeys across three countries and reams of colonial office records to retrace the places those people came from, the means and mode of their arrival, and how many of them ended up making India their home. It is a history of people, plants and places - as it catalogues their contributions to plantations, locates places and sites associated with their earliest arrival and stay and, more remarkably, manages to locate some of the descendants of those Chinese who arrived in India over 150 years ago. After the film screening, there will be a Q&A with the film's creator, Dr. Joe Thomas Karackattu.

With the recent developments in Ukraine and Putin's talk on restoring the Soviet aor the Russian Empire, newly independent territories and cities at the former imperial periphery are again in focus. Riga, today's capital of Latvia, belonged to the Russian Empire (1710-1917) and used to be one of imperial Russia's main ports. In the decade before World War I, Riga was the port with the highest turnover, surpassing both Odessa and the capital St. Petersburg. But Riga was never really a "Russian" city: before World War I, only 18 percent of its inhabitance were native Russian speakers. More important for its economic viability were its Latvian, German, and Jewish residents. This talk will map Riga as a port city and trading metropolis using research results obtained through GIS and archival research. It will also highlight the diversity of the people behind Riga's economic success.

For centuries, Indian culture has embraced the transformative power of yoga and mindfulness. Contrary to modern thought, yoga is not just about physical exercise. It encompasses much more. It includes four paths: jnana yoga (knowledge), bhakti yoga (universal love), karma yoga (selfless action) and hatha yoga (postures and breath control). Yoga is your ultimate gateway to Enlightenment, which is 100% mindfulness! Join Mrs. Jaya Row as she takes you on a journey through the fascinating science behind these ancient practices. In this talk, you'll discover how to achieve a profound mindbody connection, reduce stress, and uncover the secrets to unlocking your potential. Learn how to live mindfully and find the blessings every moment holds. Are you ready to embark on this journey of self-discovery and transformation? Come, join us to realise the amazing things you are capable of!

Jaya Row is the founder of Vedanta Vision. She is one of the world’s most influential speakers on Indian philosophy. She is a spiritual leader whose expositions on Vedanta touch the mind and uplift the intellect. Backed by her corporate experience and 40 years of research on Vedanta, she motivates her audiences to live successful and happy lives. Clarity, wit and zeal are the hallmarks of her presentation.

Join Brazil Nuts for their weekly Portuguese language conversation table during Spring semester, every Monday from 4:30-5:30 pm in the Global Hub!

Learn Swahili from fellow students studying the language!