Bazm-e-Sukhan is nurtured under A-CODE (Art & Collective for Digital Empowerment), an initiative led by Centre for Development Policy & Practice (CDPP) in partnership with the Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) that foregrounds community knowledge systems, cultural agency, and ethical digital inclusion.
The seventh anniversary of Bazm-e-Sukhan, held on January 14, 2026, at Lamakaan, Hyderabad, brought together literature, music, and critical dialogue to explore the intersection of culture, technology, and community knowledge systems.
Rooted in the ethos of A-CODE, the event moved beyond celebration to create a reflective space on how digital transformation must remain grounded in cultural continuity, ethics, and lived realities. Inspired by the spirit of Kuchh Ishq Kiya and the legacy of Faiz Ahmed Faiz, the evening emphasized dignity, justice, and responsibility as essential values in shaping inclusive digital futures.
The Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) presented a compelling visual storytelling session that highlighted real-life narratives of artisans, folk practitioners, and grassroots entrepreneurs navigating the digital ecosystem. Rather than positioning technology as disruptive, the session illustrated how communities are thoughtfully integrating digital tools to enhance livelihoods, expand market access, and preserve cultural authorship—emphasizing that meaningful digital empowerment lies in agency, choice, and context.
Complementing this, the Museum of Digital Society (MoDS) curated an immersive exhibition on Fana-e-Haq & Rights in the Age of AI, offering a critical lens on the ethical implications of emerging technologies. The exhibition questioned extractive digital models that often strip culture and labour of context and meaning, and instead advocated for a more humane, reflective approach to technology—one that prioritizes consent, dignity, and the safeguarding of cultural memory. Together, DEF and MoDS reinforced a vision of digital inclusion that is not only accessible, but also ethical, community-driven, and deeply connected to lived realities.