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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Ashoka University
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TZID:Asia/Kolkata
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TZOFFSETFROM:+0530
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DTSTART:20230101T000000
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20240919T183000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20241125T193000
DTSTAMP:20240829T035302Z
CREATED:20240829T035302Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240829T035302Z
UID:61866-1726770600-1732563000@www.ashoka.edu.in
SUMMARY:SOA Colloquium Series
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://www.ashoka.edu.in/event/soa-colloquium-series/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20241120T132000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20241120T150000
DTSTAMP:20241119T004540Z
CREATED:20241119T004540Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241119T004540Z
UID:67465-1732108800-1732114800@www.ashoka.edu.in
SUMMARY:CS Colloquium
DESCRIPTION:Abstract: We find that feature selection on high-dimensional datasets\, such as gene expression in classification tasks\, is not useful as a certain size set of randomly selected features is nearly as good as “important’" features. We perform our experiments with multiple high-dimensional datasets across a variety of domains. Our results show that \n(1) a model trained on a "typical" size set of randomly selected genes provides comparable accuracy to a model trained on top-k selected genes from a published study (on feature selection) and  \n(2) a model trained on randomly selected genes achieves comparable accuracy to one trained on all genes.  \nThus\, our work calls into question many results in computational genomics\, and this is crucial as some of these published results suggest drug design or targeted interventions based on the selected genes.  \nAbout the Speaker: Bhavesh is a graduate student at Ashoka University\, mentored and supervised by Dr. Debayan Gupta. He works on ensemble methods within machine learning on tabular data\, focusing on applications in disease and genetics. His research interests include Ensemble Methods\, Computational Genetics\, Synthetic Populations\, and Evolutionary Machine Learning. Previously\, he was a software engineer with Citrix R&D (India)\, Bangalore\, where he worked with the Network Hardware team. He also served as an assistant professor\, teaching various undergraduate computer science courses at Presidency University\, Bangalore. He holds an undergraduate degree in Computer Science from BITS\, Pilani\, and a master’s degree from the same institution\, with a thesis on Ad-Hoc wireless networks.
URL:https://www.ashoka.edu.in/event/cs-colloquium/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20241120T133000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20241120T145000
DTSTAMP:20241114T231040Z
CREATED:20241114T231040Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241114T231040Z
UID:67273-1732109400-1732114200@www.ashoka.edu.in
SUMMARY:Fifth Lecture in Ashoka History Monsoon Seminar 2024
DESCRIPTION:Abstract: The paper shows that clothing is a visible marker of caste through various historical narratives during the early twentieth century.  It especially focuses on the changes in the style of dress of the Dalit community as signifiers of caste social subjectivities of the Dalit men and women. It analyses the complex relationship between a Dalit identity\, rules of untouchability\, and their dress. In Indian society\, during much of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century\, it was vital for groups to show their status through their apparel and to be able to recognize other groups through theirs as well. Negotiations around clothing were often articulated as a dilemma over choice. However\, for specific groups such as the Scheduled Castes\, especially among the Dalit community\, the choice over clothing was far more complicated. Control of clothing of the lower caste was seen as an exercise of power to the extent that it often resulted in the prohibition of certain items of clothing and materials to specific caste groups in colonial India. Within the ‘lower caste’ cultural universe\, clothing was seen as forming one of a series of patriarchal/upper caste constraints on untouchable bodies\, ranging from strict codes of dressing to the imperative to cast off clothes.  \nSpeaker's bio: Dr. Anupama is an assistant professor in the Department of History\, Mahanth Mahadevananda Mahila College at the Veer Kunwar Singh University\, Ara\, Bihar. She completed her M.A.\, M.Phil. and PhD from the Centre for Historical Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University\, New Delhi. She has had a teaching experience of six years\, having taught at various colleges under the University of Delhi before joining the M M Mahila College\, Ara. Her article on the sartorial history of Dalits\, and caste in colonial India is under the process of publication for Dalit Studies Volume II\, Permanent Black\, edited by Ramnarayan Rawat and K.Satyanarayana. Her research interests include social\, political and cultural history of dress\, caste\, gender\, and cinema studies. Dr Anupama has been awarded the position of a Visiting Scholar at South Asia Center\, University of Pennsylvania\, for the duration of March-April 2025\, and she will be working on her book project\, 'Caste\, Class and Clothing: North India in the First Half of the Twentieth Century.'
URL:https://www.ashoka.edu.in/event/fifth-lecture-in-ashoka-history-monsoon-seminar-2024/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20241120T133000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20241120T150000
DTSTAMP:20241118T001921Z
CREATED:20241118T001921Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241118T001921Z
UID:67285-1732109400-1732114800@www.ashoka.edu.in
SUMMARY:Economics Department | Weekly Seminars
DESCRIPTION:Dear All\, \nThe Department of Economics invites you to their weekly seminar on Wednesday\, November 20th\, 2024. \nTime: 1:40 PM to 2:50 PM \nVenue: AC04-301 \nSpeaker: Kalyani Raghunathan \nTitle: "Leveraging the MGNREGA for resilient livelihoods for women: mixed methods evidence from five states" \nAbstract: Globally\, there is increasing recognition of the potential of social protection programs to support sustainable livelihoods and build resilience to climatic and economic shocks\, especially for women. Yet the extent to which this transformative promise can materialize depends on the design and implementation of these programs. Evidence suggests that we cannot presume that public interventions will be inclusive of women\, even if they are community driven\, and that complementary efforts must be made to ensure women can access and benefit from these programs. We focus on these themes in the context of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) program in India. By design\, the MGNREGA shows considerable potential to address multiple goals: the program is inclusive of women and explicitly aims to build durable assets that can contribute to augmenting natural resources while enabling sustainable livelihoods. We first present mixed methods evidence from four states on the ability of MGNREGA assets to catalyze value chain activities\, build climate resilience and enhance household incomes. We show that these assets can be particularly valuable for women\, but that women beneficiaries do not always receive the assets they desire. We then present evidence from a three-arm field experiment with close to 2\,600 women in Odisha on the impact of interventions to improve women’s voice and agency in demanding assets under the program. We find that role models alone have limited impact\, but when combined with a brief skills training\, there are strong positive impacts on women’s aspirations and asset demands. Our results suggest that offering women a light-touch training in “mapping” their individual and community needs for public works\, in framing their demands and articulating them in public can generate significant benefits for their voice and agency in village decision-making. \nWe look forward to having you with us. \nThanks & Regards \n– \nRegards \nDepartment of Economics \nAshoka University \nWeb: www.ashoka.edu.in \n 
URL:https://www.ashoka.edu.in/event/economics-department-weekly-seminars/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20241120T134500
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20241120T150000
DTSTAMP:20241119T055601Z
CREATED:20241119T055601Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241119T055601Z
UID:67535-1732110300-1732114800@www.ashoka.edu.in
SUMMARY:How The World Sees India And China Now
DESCRIPTION:Abstract: In September 2014\, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited India for a historic meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad\, signaling a new phase in Sino-Indian relations. Their discussions focused on boosting trade\, with China agreeing to invest $20 billion in India's infrastructure over five years. The visit was marked by friendly gestures\, such as a tour of Mahatma Gandhi’s ashram. However\, tensions soon emerged\, notably over India's exclusion from the Nuclear Suppliers Group and its rejection of China's Belt and Road Initiative. Relations hit a low in 2020 after deadly border clashes in the Galwan Valley\, escalating nationalist sentiments in India\, leading to economic retaliations against China.\nDespite these conflicts\, trade between the two nations flourished\, with China becoming India’s largest trade partner. By 2024\, efforts were made to stabilize ties\, including a new border patrol agreement. The relationship between China and India\, both emerging superpowers\, is marked by competition\, cooperation\, and shared interests\, such as their close ties with Russia and resistance to Western criticism of their domestic policies. The author’s personal experiences with both countries\, spanning decades in business\, politics\, and research\, provide insight into their evolving roles on the global stage. The book explores their past\, present\, and future influence in world affairs. \nBio: Sir John Vincent Cable\, a prominent British politician\, economist\, and author\, served as Secretary of State for Business\, Innovation\, and Skills (2010–2015) and led the Liberal Democrat Party (2017–2019). Renowned for his economic expertise\, he gained national respect during the 2008 financial crisis for his sharp analysis and pragmatic solutions. \nBefore entering Parliament in 1997 as MP for Twickenham\, Cable held key roles\, including Chief Economist at Shell and positions in the Commonwealth Secretariat. He has authored influential books like The Storm and Money and Power\, offering insights into global financial systems. \nA strong advocate for social justice\, sustainability\, and balanced growth\, Cable remains an influential voice in public debates and policy innovation. \n 
URL:https://www.ashoka.edu.in/event/how-the-world-sees-india-and-china-now/
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