In 2024, UC San Diego faculty member Mohan Trivedi, his wife Nayana and family established the ‘Gulistan’ (meaning land of flowers) South Asia Endowment Fund. The fund supports a forum bringing speakers of international stature to UC San Diego, amplifying diverse perspectives and fostering greater understanding of the South Asia region.
Trivedi, distinguished professor of electrical and computer engineering at UC San Diego’s Jacobs School of Engineering, has been a member of the university’s faculty for three decades. He is the founding director of the Computer Vision and Robotics Research Laboratory and the Laboratory for Intelligent and Safe Automobiles (LISA). He is also a faculty affiliate of the Qualcomm Institute, and his career reflects a longstanding commitment to interdisciplinary efforts across UC San Diego. “Engagements with collaborators from disciplines other than my own have been the most significant element in my professional and personal growth, starting from my graduate studies until today,” Trivedi said.
The Trivedi family’s generous gift honors Ashis Nandy, the renowned Indian author, social theorist and political psychologist, and his wife Uma. Nandy has written extensively on colonialism and the psychology of politics and culture and has lectured at universities around the world. He is also the recipient of the Fukuoka Grand Prize honoring individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the fields of Asian studies, Asian art and Asian culture.
This year’s forum, “Laughing through the Lens: Satire as Resistance in India Media Critique,” was presented by UC San Diego’s South Asia Initiative on June 4 at the Great Hall. The guest speaker, Manisha Pande, a leading voice in Indian journalism, is managing editor of Newslaundry, an independent news media company. She is also the recipient of the Ramnath Goenka Award for Investigative Journalism. Pande spoke to a packed house about the power of satire to expose media bias, challenge misinformation and reframe political narratives. During her visit, she also led a graduate student roundtable discussion touching on topics such as the state of journalism, power and the future of independent media.
Community events like this bring people together to learn about ideas that spark debate. “Our family has participated in and enjoyed various events organized by the South Asia Initiative,” Trivedi said. “We are delighted to offer the Gulistan South Asia Endowment Fund as a token of our deep appreciation for the UC San Diego community.”
“We are delighted to offer the Gulistan South Asia Endowment Fund as a token of our deep appreciation for the UC San Diego community.”
