The University's Office of Global Affairs recently disclosed its initiative to increase Brandeis' connection with India through an expansion of the South Asian Studies course offerings, a greater array of Indian academic and cultural events and an initiative to establish educational partnerships with universities and institutions in India in collaboration with Indian alumni. "Brandeis has long-standing ties to India, mostly through an outstanding group of students and alumni. But in relation to India's place as the world's largest democracy, its expanding economy and its rich culture and history, Brandeis needs to do more. The Brandeis-India initiative is designed to fulfill our research and education potential in one of the most dynamic countries in the world," said Associate Vice President for Global Affairs Daniel Terris.

Terris expressed that both professors and students alike have petitioned over the years for this academic expansion into Indian history and culture.

Prof. Sarah Lamb (ANTH), co-chair of the new South Asian Studies department, wrote in an e-mail to the Justice, "Co-Chair Prof. Harleen Singh (GRAL) and I have been working to develop the curriculum in South Asia at Brandeis for many years, and finally we are thrilled that there are just enough faculty on campus (with the inclusion of some visiting professors, like Prof. [Smita Tewari] Jassal [ANTH]) with expertise in the region to offer our modest minor. It's terrific that the Global Affairs Office is concentrating on India just now, because it helps bolster our academic program."

She cited the recent Shubha Mudgal Hindustani music concert Oct. 18; a talk by the Madeleine Haas Russell Visiting Professor of Anthropology and South Asian Studies, Smita Jassal, on lower-class agricultural women in northern India; and the "Tiger by the Tail" art exhibit last fall, which presented culturally expressive contemporary female Indian art, as examples of Brandeis' recent engagement with aspects of Indian culture.

Students interested in Indian culture and courses in South Asian Studies have responded with enthusiasm to the new course offerings and cultural events that Brandeis now offers.

Hillary Bender '11 said, "I would love if the South Asian Studies program would become more like [the Near Eastern and Judaic Studies department] in terms of its diversity and breadth, but I am very happy that Brandeis has started to expand [South Asian Studies] and is providing more Indian events and academic offerings."

The large scope of the Office of Global Affairs' "India Initiative" allows for students to immerse themselves in the aspects of India that fall within their personal interests.

"I'm very interested in Indian arts and novels, although I'm not so interested in Indian history," Karan Ranji '11 said.

Ranji said he is in the "Bollywood: Popular Film, Genre, and Society" class and has "really enjoyed it" and plans to take "The Novel in India" next semester. He said the University "should be concerned with classes that students want to take and not just offer courses on India just for the sake of diversity."

Members of the Brandeis faculty are also involved at developing opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students to study abroad in India. Prof. Bulbul Chakroborty (PHYS) wrote in an e-mail to the Justice, "I am in the process of exploring the establishment of a two-way exchange program between Brandeis and the newly founded Indian Institute of Science Education and Research in Kolkata, India."

On a broader level, students have expressed approval at Brandeis' progressive engagement with up-and-coming nations like India. "It is vital for such a campus to look at the new Asian hemisphere and to learn about it and engage it on different levels, whether academic, social or cultural, and Brandeis has been very proactive in establishing this connection," said Naman Pugalia '09, who has attended many Indian events both on campus and in the Boston area.