The First International Conference on Religions in the Indic Civilisation was held in New Delhi from 18-21 December 2003. The Conference brought together more than 350 scholars and social scientists from across the globe and provided a forum for vibrant debate and discussion, opened up new avenues of thought and led to the creation of the Indic Studies Network. A brief overview of the Conference can be had from the programme that is given below. Inaugural Day Schedule 18 December, 2003 (Thursday) Inaugural Day Functions conducted by Ramakant Agnihotri at Chinmaya Mission, Lodhi Estate. 2:00 - 2:30 PM Multi Denominational Musical Invocation conceived by Shanno Khurana and Welcome Dance by Sanchita Bhattacharya 2:30 - 2:45 PM Welcome and Introductory Speech by Madhu Kishwar 2:45 - 3:00 PM Welcome by Raman Srivastava, Director CSDS and Peter Antes, President IAHR 3:00 - 3:15 PM Academic Structure of the Conference by Wagish Shukla 3:15 - 5:00 PM Inaugural Session - Chair: T.N. Madan, Speakers: Bhikhu Parekh and Ashis Nandy 5:00 - 5:30 PM Tea Break 5:30 - 7:30 PM Cultural Programme: Nirgun Bhajans by Madhup Mudgal and Bharatnatyam Dance by Pratibha Prahalad 7:30 - 8:45 PM Awards Function: Infinity Awards presented to Dharampalji and Mehbooba Mufti by Samdhong Rinpoche followed by Sufi Music by Madan Gopal Singh 8:45 PM Dinner Workshop Panels at a Glance Plenary Sessions will be at Chinmaya Mission and Workshop Sessions will be at India International Centre 19 December, 2003 (Friday) Time Events 9:00 - 11:00 PM Workshop Session I   1 Buddhism and Dalits   2 Reading Canonical Texts   3 Religious Conversions   4 Contributions of Indic Religions & Philosophical Thought & Speculation to Modern Science 1   5 Fissure, Ferment, Fusion: Fabricating Boundaries in the Context of Religious Conversion   6 Sacred Places: Pilgirmage and Cultural Heritage 1   7 Women in Religion   8 Secularism, Religion and Globalisation   9 Conceptualisation of Self and Religious Identity   10 Technology - Religion Interface (Audio-Visual Shows) 11:00 - 11:30 AM   Tea Break 11:30 - 1:30 PM   Plenary Session 1:The Language of Religion and Symbols of Enlightenment   1:30 - 2:15 PM Lunch Break 2:30 - 4:30 PM Workshop Session II   11 Contributions of Indic Religions & Philosophical Thought & Speculation to Modern Science   12 Universes of Indian Islam   13 Mystical Experiences   14 Promoting Study of Religion in Indian Universitites   15 Folk and Classical   16 Buddhism and Dalits 2   17 Textualising Yoga: Patanjali's Yogasutras in Tradition and Modernity   18 Functions of Role Models for Hindu Women   19 Challenges Facing Hindus in America   20 Re-visiting Personal Laws and Unified Common Code Debates   21 Formation of Religion, Cultures of Dissent   22 Academic Study of Religion   5:00 - 5:15 PM Tea Break 5:15 - 7:15 PM Plenary Session II: Religious and Cultural Confluences 7:15 - 7:45 PM Sundar Kand by Sita Behan 8:00 - 9:30 PM IsNew Dinner Meeting 20 December, 2003 (Saturday) 9:00 - 11:00 PM Workshop Session I   23 Religion Nationalism and Modern Identities   24 Indic Religions and the Diaspora 1   25 Unity and Heterogeneity in Religious and national Traditions of Asia   26 Discourse and Practice in the Communal Politics of Contemporary India   27 Sacred Places, Pilgirmage and Cultural Heritage 2   28 Hinduism in The West   29 Syncretic Discourse 1   30 Sikh Identity Discourse   31 Buddhism and South Asian Diversity   32 Dharma, Religion and Secularism   33 Religion, Philosophy and Institutions of Knowledge 11:00 - 11:30 AM   Tea Break 11:30 - 1:30 PM   Plenary Session 1: Protest, Dissent and Accommodation     1:30 - 2:15 PM Lunch Break 2:30 - 4:30 PM Workshop Session II   34 Religious Conversions 2   35 Contemporary Religious Communities and Identities in India   36 Passing Religious Traditions to The Younger Generation: Case Studies in South Asian Christian and Hindu Communities   37 Language, Religion and Society   38 Indic Religions and the Diaspora [Symposium 2]   39 Crossing Religious Boundaries: Conversions & Conversations   40 Pilgrimage, Places and Iconic Symbols   41 Religion and The Crafts   42 Religion, Reform & Tradition   43 Round Table: Freedom of Religion and Conversions     5:00 - 5:15 PM Tea Break 5:15 - 7:15 PM Plenary Session II: Law, Philosophy and Religion 7:15 - 7:45 PM Dalit Christian Music from Tamil Nadu 7:45 PM onwards Business Meet of International Association for the History of Religions 21 December, 2003 (Sunday) 9:00 - 11:00 PM Workshop Session I   44 Nature and Tribal Religiosity   45 Bioethics and Religious Implications [Symposium 1]   46 Tribals, Community and Religion   47 Religion and Ethical Commitment   48 Religion, Identity and The Performing Arts in South India   49 Gandhi, Non Violence, Secularism   50 Communities, Caste and Religion   51 Islam, Local and Global Religions   52 Reading Canonical Texts 11:00 - 11:30 AM   Tea Break 11:30-1:30 PM   Plenary Session I : Religious and Cultural Confluences     1:30 - 2:15 PM Lunch Break 2:30 - 4:30 PM Workshop Session I   53 Representation of Hinduism in Western Academia   54 How Did Bhakti Become A Movement - From the South   55 Bioethics and Religious Implications [Symposium 2]   56 Women and Mysticism   57 Reflections on Tantra   58 Portrayal of Inter Community Relations in Bollywood   59 Brahmanic & Shramanic     5:00 - 5:15 PM Tea Break 5:15 - 7:15 PM Plenary Session II: Hinduism, Hindutva and the Idea of Dharma 7:15 PM onwards Cultural Programme & Dinner (Shubha Mudgal Concert)