INDIA HABITAT 2.0: FROM CULTURAL HUB TO A CATALYST FOR CHANGE

Prof. K.G. Suresh in conversation with Namrata Kohli on the new vision for Delhi's iconic centre—and the languages that make India speak.

- NAMRATA KOHLI

Q. You've taken charge of India Habitat Centre (IHC) at a pivotal moment and spoken about shifting IHC's identity from just a cultural venue to a think tank for socio-economic and environmental dialogue. What's exactly your vision for IHC 2.0?

A. For years, IHC has been seen as a convention centre, an office complex, a place for meeting and eating and enjoy culture. But we are much more than that—and we must become much more. My vision for India Habitat Centre 2.0 is to transform it into a think tank for India's future—a hub for critical conversations on sustainable development, urban planning, housing, and the environment.

We're already one of Delhi's premier cultural venues, a top dining destination, and a beautiful office complex. But we need to build on this and position IHC as the go-to space for ideation, for generating ideas that tackle the pressing challenges of our times. That's the future I see: an IHC that's not just a venue—but a voice.

Q. IHC has long been a space for the elite intelligentsia. Will its future also speak to the everyday citizen of Delhi?

A. Absolutely. IHC is not just for the elite. Look at our recent film festival—11,000 people attended over 10 days, watching 77 films, from features to shorts and documentaries. And they weren't just members; the general public turned up in large numbers. Yes, IHC has membership-based facilities, but we're expanding public spaces too. For instance, we're reopening a party venue near Habitaria, and spaces like Habitaria and Habitat Hub are open to everyone. The goal is to make IHC a more welcoming space for all citizens of Delhi, not just the members.

Q. You've championed regional languages across your academic and journalistic career and introduced journalism courses in Marathi, Malayalam, Urdu, Sanskrit, and even proposed Sindhi. What do you believe is lost when public discourse is limited to English and Hindi?