Consulate to host talk on "India and the Strength of its Diversity" by Mr. M.J. Akbar on 18th November, 2007
25 October, 2007

The Consulate General of India will host a talk on “India and the Strength of its Diversity” by Mr. M.J. Akbar, eminent journalist, author of several books, scholar and Editor of the Asian Age and Deccan Chronicle. The talk is part of celebrations of the 60th Anniversary of India’s Independence organized by the Consulate. The function will be held at the Indian Consulate Auditorium on 18th November, 2007 and will start at 7.30 pm.

Admission to the talk is free. Persons interested in attending are requested to contact the Consulate by email (indianconsulate@gmail.com) or fax: 04 3970453 to reserve your seats.

Mr. M.J. Akbar was born in Calcutta in 1951, and completed his education in Calcutta. His career in journalism began in 1971, when he joined Times of India and continued with Illustrated Weekly of India till 1973 and later moved to Onlooker as its Editor. In 1976 he joined the Ananda Bazar Patrika group as Editor of Sunday and thereby established major trends in journalism. In 1982 he conceived, designed and edited the daily newspaper, The Telegraph, which also had a major impact on journalism in India.

Mr. M.J. Akbar, has authored six books which include: India: The Siege Within, Challenges to a Nation’s Unity (1984) which was included in University Courses in South Asia, Riot After Riot, a collection of studies in intercaste violence (1987), Nehru: The Making of India (1989), a substantive biography of Jawaharlal Nehru Kashmir: Behind the veil (1991), the story of Kashmir crisis, The Shade of Swords: Jihad and the conflict between Islam and Christianity, traces the centuries-long history of the conflict between Islam and Christianity, Byline, compendium of Shri Akbar’s best ways spanning travel, history, cricket and politics (2003) and Blood Brothers (2006) an amazing story of three generations of his own family dealing with the fluctuating contours of Hindu - Muslim relations.

Shri Akbar joined Indian politics for a brief stint in 1989 and served in Lok Sabha (Parliament) till 1991. He was appointed as advisor in Ministry of Human Resources, Govt. of India and in that position also helped in the National Literacy Mission and protection of India’s heritage. In 1992 he returned to journalism and launched ‘The Asian Age’ India’s first global newspaper.

In September 2005, Shri M.J. Akbar was invited by King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al – Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to become a member of the Forum of Islamic Scholars and Intellectuals, held in Makkah al – Mukarammah. He joined The Brookings Institution, Washington, as a Visiting Fellow in the Brookings Project on U.S.Policy towards the Islamic World.

The function will be supported by Al Maya Group of Company and Borders.