The Sir Naim Dangoor for Universal Monotheism had the pleasure of inviting Dr. Rohee Dasgupta of Jindal Centre for Israel Studies, Jindal Global University, to delivered a special guest lecture at our Centrre.
Dr. Rohee Dasgupta is Associate Professor and Executive Director, Centre for European Studies and Convener of the Jindal Centre for Israel Studies at Jindal School of International Affairs (JSIA), O.P. Jindal Global University, India. An anthropologist by research, she teaches courses on European Studies, Israel Studies and Academic Writing in JSIA as well as supervises related area studies based M.A. dissertations. Since 2012, she has been a fellow of the Schusterman Centre for Israel Studies at Brandeis University, USA. She is also a research fellow of the Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies, Carleton University, Canada
About two decades ago, at the same time Israel Studies centers and departments opened in Chinese universities, academic interests in India have matured, and Israel was considered worthy of specialized academic studies. In recent years, India is also putting efforts in establishing research centers which focus on Israel studies. In this respect, Dr. Gupta is one of the most outstanding pioneers in this endeavor, holding a broad knowledge of Jewish heritage and deep understanding of Israeli history enabling to translate the Israeli culture and actions to the Indian scholars.
In her talk, Dr. Dasgupta referred to several fundamental issues related to the growth of interest of Indian scholars in Israeli Studies. The motivations that lead young people in India to dedicate their time for the study to a small country like Israel. Besides personal ties and the Israeli interest in Indian religious philosophy, it seems that both people share common historical background, which includes ethnoreligious violent conflict, a legacy of partition, and an effort to keep a functioning democracy in a multi-ethnic state.
The motivations that lead young people in India to dedicate their time for the study to a small country like Israel. Besides personal ties and the Israeli interest in Indian religious philosophy, it seems that both people share common historical background, which includes ethnoreligious violent conflict, a legacy of partition, and an effort to keep a functioning democracy in a multi-ethnic state.
Dr. Rohi Dasgulpa
Dr. Dasgupta pointed out that the diverse student body in her center includes people from various Asian countries, as well as from Africa. Their interest in Judaism, she explained, is no less passionate than their interest in Israel. This and more, Dr. Dasgupta has shown that the tightening economic, diplomatic and military ties between the two countries, will necessarily call for deeper cultural understanding on both sides.
Dr. Rohee Dasgupta 
About Dr. Rohee Dasgupta
Dr. Rohee Dasgupta is Associate Professor and Executive Director, Centre for European Studies and Convener of the Jindal Centre for Israel Studies at Jindal School of International Affairs (JSIA), O.P. Jindal Global University, India. An anthropologist by research, she teaches courses on European Studies, Israel Studies and Academic Writing in JSIA as well as supervises related area studies based M.A. dissertations. Since 2012, she has been a fellow of the Schusterman Centre for Israel Studies at Brandeis University, USA. She is also a research fellow of the Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies, Carleton University, Canada. She tweets @roheedg
