>Arnis at 08:57, 16 April 2021

2021-04-16T08:57:06Z

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{{Infobox building
| name = India International Centre
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| image = File:India International Centre.jpg
| image_size = 350px
| location = 40, Max Mueller Marg, [[New Delhi]] 110003
| location_country = India
| architect = [[Joseph Allen Stein]]
| parking = Available
| coordinates = {{coord|28.593383|N|77.222257|E|region:IN-DL_type:landmark_scale:50|display=inline,title}}
| former_names =
| completion_date = 1962
}}{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2016}}
The '''India International Centre''' ('''IIC''') is a non-official organisation situated in [[New Delhi]], [[India]]. Membership of the IIC includes artists, academicians, senior government officials, judges, jurists, parliamentarians, doctors, ministers, governors, social activists, journalists and persons from other domains.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/india-s-elite-stand-in-queue-for-iic-membership-113111801128_1.html|title=India's elite stand in queue for IIC membership|last=Makkar|first=Sahil|date=2013-11-19|work=Business Standard India|access-date=2020-01-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/heckles-raised-as-iic-chief-invites-president-of-india-amid-poll-process-in-cultural-centre20190309202744/|title=Heckles raised as IIC chief invites President of India amid poll process in cultural centre|website=www.aninews.in|language=en|access-date=2020-01-18}}</ref> It serves as a meeting place for cultural and intellectual offerings; while maintaining its non-official character, non-aligned motivations and remains uncommitted to any particular form of governmental, political, economic or religious affiliation.

The centre's main complex and its annex (located adjacent to [[Lodi Gardens|Lodhi Gardens]]) were designed by the architect [[Joseph Allen Stein]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/delhi/india-international-centre/ps47920756.cms|title=India International Centre|website=Times of India Travel|access-date=2020-01-18}}</ref> There are several other major institutions around the centre, which are also designed by Stein, giving the area the popular name of 'Steinabad'.

==Overview==
According to its official blurb, the centre is alluded to as 'Triveni', which in [[Sanskrit]] means 'a structure of three', as it provides three main activity streams:

* The Intellectual Stream, which is supported by a well-stocked library that helps scholars and researchers, and the continuing series of the organisation of seminars, symposia, meetings and discussions. The Publications Division brings out the ''IIC Quarterly'', the internationally known multi-disciplinary journal, and monographs known as ''Occasional Publications.''
*The Cultural Stream comprises dance and music recitals, exhibitions, film screenings and theatre.
* The Social Stream brings together people in a pleasant setting, who stay in the hostel and use the catering facilities.

The centre has remained self-reliant for nearly six decades.

==History==
The centre's foundation stone was laid in 1960 by Japanese Prince [[Akihito]], who had come to India for his honeymoon;<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-opinion/from-economic-ties-to-strategic-partnership/article5395582.ece | title=From economic ties to strategic partnership | date=27 November 2013 | newspaper=The Hindu | first=Brahma | last=Chellaney | access-date=27 August 2018 }}</ref> it was inaugurated in 1962 by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, the 2nd President of India. The founding President of the IIC was Dr. C.D. Deshmukh, Cabinet Minister and former Governor of the [[Reserve Bank of India]]. The centre's annex was inaugurated in 1996 by Dr. Karan Singh, the president of IIC.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iicdelhi.nic.in/User_Panel/UserView.aspx?TypeID=1071|title=IIC{{!}} India International Centre - Building Environment|website=www.iicdelhi.nic.in|access-date=2020-01-18}}</ref>

The centre has been known for hosting lectures and discourses by renowned international personalities which have included the [[Dalai Lama]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/national-politics/irked-by-china-india-signals-turnaround-on-dalai-lama-777246.html|title=Irked by China, India signals turnaround on Dalai Lama|date=2019-11-18|website=Deccan Herald|language=en|access-date=2020-01-18}}</ref> UN Secretary General [[Kofi Annan]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2005/04/136282-secretary-general-ends-india-visit-strong-call-un-reform|title=Secretary-General ends India visit with strong call for UN reform|date=2005-04-28|website=UN News|language=en|access-date=2020-01-18}}</ref> Archbishop [[Desmond Tutu]], Rev [[Jesse Jackson]], [[Noam Chomsky]], [[Salman Rushdie]],<ref name=":1" /> US Secretary of State [[Mike Pompeo]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mike-pompeo-in-new-delhi-religious-freedom-religious-rights-1556797-2019-06-26|title=Mike Pompeo bats for religious freedom, says world worse off when religious rights compromised|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=2020-01-18}}</ref> former Hong Kong governor [[Christopher Patten]],<ref name=":0" /> Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore and many other eminent persons.

The centre's Gandhi-King Plaza, named after [[Mahatma Gandhi]] and [[Martin Luther King Jr.]], was inaugurated on 21 January 1970 by Prime Minister [[Indira Gandhi]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iicdelhi.nic.in/User_Panel/ProgramDetails.aspx?Value=MnMbKpZavpTOj0EdLI3KLLsy16B3nLfhSoB67l4Utna+LLu82wy4QCGZsShInoniWh6uzV0KZto=|title=90th Birthday Commemoration of Dr Martin Luther King Jr|website=www.iicdelhi.nic.in|access-date=2020-01-25}}</ref>

Former chief minister of [[Bihar]], and then minister of railways [[Lalu Yadav]] was not admitted as a member in 2006, following which [[Karan Singh|Dr. Karan Singh]] resigned as a Life Trustee, in reaction to the refusal by the admissions committee.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Failing-to-admit-Lalu-Karan-quits-IIC-post/articleshow/2162169.cms|title=Failing to admit Lalu, Karan quits IIC post {{!}} Delhi News - Times of India|last=Roy|first=Bhaskar|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2020-01-18}}</ref>

In March 2019, the President of India, [[Ram Nath Kovind]], who has been conferred honorary membership, visited the IIC on the invitation of the IIC President N.N. Vohra, former governor of Jammu and Kashmir,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/heckles-raised-as-iic-chief-invites-president-of-india-amid-poll-process-in-cultural-centre20190309202744/|title=Heckles raised as IIC chief invites President of India amid poll process in cultural centre|website=www.aninews.in|language=en|access-date=2020-02-27}}</ref> to be introduced to the members of the centre's board of trustees.

==See also==
*[[India Habitat Centre]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|www.iicdelhi.nic.in}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1962 establishments in India]]
[[Category:New Delhi]]
[[Category:Culture of Delhi]]
[[Category:Organisations based in Delhi]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1962]]
[[Category:Cultural centres in India]]

India International Centre - Revision history

>Arnis at 08:57, 16 April 2021