Two briefings on Capitol Hill will focus on Indian democracy and weapons of mass destruction.

New Delhi-based journalist and activist Harsh Mander will deliver an address — sponsored by the Indian Muslim Council-USA — on “Safeguarding India’s Democracy” at 10 a.m. Friday in Room 2200 of the Rayburn House Office Building.

[IMGCAP(1)] As part of its Chesapeake Series of Briefings on Homeland Security, the University of Maryland will host a Congressional seminar on “The Realities of Chemical, Biological and Nuclear Attack” at 10 a.m. Monday in Rayburn 2168. Speakers will include: Penrose Albright, the Homeland Security Department’s director of plans, programs and budgets; Donald Henderson, chairman of the Department of Health and Human Services’ National Advisory Council on public health preparedness; and physicist and public policy expert Steven Fetter. For more information, go online at www.umd.edu/chesapeakeseries, or call Sapienza Barone at (301) 405-5790.

Family Portraits. “Families in Recovery: In Portraits and Words,” an exhibition of images and words from families recovering from substance abuse, will be on display May 19-23 in the Russell Building Rotunda. Sponsored by Sens. Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and presented by The Rebecca Project for Human Rights, the exhibit aims to highlight the struggle of families dealing with the aftermath of addiction. A reception and briefing will be held at 3:30 p.m. May 21 in the Russell Caucus Room.

— Bree Hocking