Walk in past the quiet, almost ancient lanes of Ballard Estate, and the black basalt building of Kamani House stands out. Hidden almost out of sight behind it, is a newer, more modernist structure that will now house the New Acropolis community. Walk in, and the workers are still busy putting up the finishing touches before the opening today. “As you can see, we are all hands-on deck before the opening,” shares Janki Shah Mehta, instructor and national image head for the Centre.

The 4000-sq ft space houses three classrooms, a library and an open convention centre with a kitchen. Busts of Greco-Roman, Persian, Indian and Hellenic art aesthetically interrupt the space. But these sophisticated elements are part of a continued effort to simplify and make philosophy accessible in a city better known for its ambitious commerce.

Janki Shah Mehta at the new cultural centre. Pics/Ashish Raje