Sambandh: Driving Progress through Research - A chat with Dan Banik

How are we to understand the development trajectory of India, and how does it matter to the world?  Why does research matter in the relationship between Norway and India? And what can we do to deepen partnerships in science, innovation and higher education? Internationally renowned academic Professor Dan Banik left India in 1991 and has spent 35 years in Norway, teaching and researching development at the University of Oslo and travelling and working widely in Africa and Asia. Banik is one of the leading scholars on global development, poverty reduction, governance, and sustainable development. He serves as Director of the Oslo SDG Initiative and Academic Director of the Democracy Hub within Circle U. He is also the host of the globally popular podcast In Pursuit of Development. That vantage point shapes this conversation, which begins with a question from a recent episode of his own show: Why is hope essential in a world beset by complex global problems?  From there we turn to India, with the resilience of its democracy, the reforms of 1991, and its role as the world's pharmacy. We will also be looking at why Norwegian universities are increasingly interested in Indian ones, as every university in Norway now has a substantial partnership with an Indian institution. Host: Norway's Deputy Chief of Mission to India Arvinn Gadgil Guest: Dan Banik Producer: Hedda Anie Hylen  Follow us for more updates on the podcast and Norway-India relations: Instagram: @norwayinindia Linkedin: Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi X: @norwayinindia Facebook: Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi Youtube: @norwayinindia4961