InNor Consultancy

While Thursday 19th is marked in calendar as the premiere of Dhurandhar 2, it is also the evening when Jhansi ki Rani Lakshmibai amongst others is on the agenda at Deichman Bjørvika at 19:00.

History is full of powerful queens. Learn more about six of them – and vote for your favourite!

Which queen would you bring with you to meet Trump, and which one would you most like to be yourself? Many queens have lived extraordinary and adventurous lives. In this light-hearted scholarly tournament, you will hear about six of them.

Empress Theodora (500–548)
presented by Christine Amadou, Professor of the History of Ideas

Empress Wu Zetian (624–705)
presented by Rune Svarverud, Professor of China Studies

Æthelflæd (c. 870–918)
presented by Kristin Bech, Professor of English Language

Gunnhild, Mother of Kings (c. 950)
presented by Jon Vidar Sigurdsson, Professor of History

Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122–1204)
presented by Christine Meklenborg Nilsen, Professor of French Language

Lakshmibai, Rani (Queen) of Jhansi (1828–1858)
presented by Kathinka Frøystad, Professor of South Asian Studies

After the presentations, there will be a Q&A session and a vote, moderated by Agnete Haaland.
Participation is free of charge, but to secure a seat you must have a ticket. Unused tickets will be released five minutes before the event begins. Doors open 15 minutes prior to the start of the event.

Forskerturnering: Mektige dronninger du bør vite mer om - 19.03.2026 | Deichman Bjørvika | Kjøp billetter | Hoopla Historien er full av mektige dronninger. Lær mer om seks av dem, og stem på din favoritt! Arrangementet er en del av "Makt - Humaniorafestivalen 2026". BILLETTER Billettene blir tilgjengelig én uke før samtalen, torsdag 12. mars kl. 08:00. Det er helt gratis å være med, men vil du være sikret...

Being among the strongest of the strong only begins to describe the experience of spending time with the Icelandic-Indian Business Association (IIBA) delegation, led by Mr. Prasoon Dewan, during their EFTA visit to Reykjavík, Oslo, and Zürich. The delegation consists of 30 brilliant representatives from diverse SME sectors across Northern India.

Amongst them, permit me especially to highlight a true pioneer from the late 1980s among India’s leading female ski jumpers: the national champion Ms. Kiran Bhat Todaria, whom I had the pleasure of accompanying to Holmenkollen today; on International Women’s Day.

For many years, Ms. Todaria has also led the Uttarakhand chapter of FICCI FLO, the women’s wing of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), an organization dedicated to empowering and advancing women entrepreneurs and professionals across India.

A meaningful Women’s Day moment celebrating leadership, resilience, and the bridges being built between India and the Nordic region.

History, Identity and Democratic Maturity

Today I reflect on how societies relate to their own history, both what is easy to celebrate and what is more difficult to confront.

I was inspired by the seminar “Skeletons in the Closet: Whaling Stations as Norwegian Informal Imperialism,” where PhD candidate Erlend Lunde Colleuille examines how parts of Norway’s whaling history and its presence in the Arctic can be understood as forms of informal imperialism. Such perspectives challenge comfortable national narratives and invite more nuanced interpretations of the past.

This resonates with developments in India today, where there is a growing willingness to explore pre-colonial identities, complex historical roots and cultural narratives on their own terms. This is not simply an academic exercise, but part of a broader democratic process through which a society seeks to understand itself beyond earlier, often colonially framed, interpretations.

Engaging with identity history, including aspects that create discomfort, is not a sign of weakness. On the contrary, it reflects a healthy democracy that allows for reflection, self-critique and historical complexity.

All this on a day when a historically significant new public consultation was presented by Norway’s Minister of Labour and Social Inclusion, signalling a new direction in integration policy.

Have a good weekend.

Inspired by recent electoral events in NY:

How has Indians influenced USA´s Local communities?

Kashmir Gill of Yuba City, California, was celebrated for his courage and pioneering spirit as one of the first Sikh mayors in the United States, bridging tradition and public service. Was re-elected in 2013.

Satish Hiremath of Oro Valley, Arizona, became known for his visionary leadership, fostering collaboration between local business, residents, and government to strengthen both the economy and the cultural life of the community.

Gopal Lalmalani of Oak Brook, Illinois, embodied prudence and fiscal responsibility, focusing on reducing the tax burden and building a stronger economic base for his town.

Sonny Dhaliwal of Lathrop, California, distinguished himself through his decisive action, notably by establishing the city’s own police department to enhance safety and local accountability.

Preet Didbal of Yuba City became a symbol of resilience and gender equality, as the first Sikh woman ever elected mayor in the United States.

Bobbie Singh-Allen of Elk Grove is recognized for her inclusive leadership, combining advocacy for women, transportation, and sustainability with a deep commitment to community building.

Swaranjit Singh Khalsa of Norwich, Connecticut, has been noted for his integrity and sense of community, as the first Sikh mayor in the state and a strong voice for diversity and representation.

Finally, Zohran Mamdani, elected mayor of New York City in 2025, stands out for his commitment to justice and social conscience, leading with a platform centered on affordability, collective care, and the city’s rich diversity of voices.

Why this matters in Norway?
Democracy thrives when more voters are able to understand and influence the political process. Norwegian-Indians contribute strongly in work and education - yet vote less than the population overall:

Norwegian citizens with Indian background Participation:
Parliamentary elections:~55–60%
Local elections:~50–55%

With Lokalvalg and Stortingsvalg på Engelsk, we work to make this easier by lowering language barriers and building political confidence. A democracy grows stronger when new voices are trusted to lead.

(Source: Statistics Norway, various newspapers)