Patna: 11 October 2022 :: The inaugural session of the Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN) course on the Indian Economy and Society, funded by the Ministry of Education, was organized by the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Patna on October 10, 2022. The session was attended by eminent economists and academicians from India and abroad. Among the speakers were, Professor Raghbendra Jha (Professor Emeritus of Economics, Australian National University), Professor Alakh N Sharma (Director, IHD New Delhi), Professor Sanjeev Kumar (Professor and Dean, Rishihood University, Sonipat), Professor Sanjay Kumar Singh (Professor, IIM Lucknow).
The session witnessed informative exchange of novel ideas in the context of Indian Economy and Society. Professor Nalin Bharti, the convener of the course, discussed the three objectives of this GIAN course to explore the past, present and future of the Indian economy. In his introductory note, he has mentioned the 3-India i.e India, New India and Self-Reliant India. Professor Raghabendra Jha outlined his lectures for the course and talked about looking at Indian Economy from various perspectives, such as, gender, health, and education, especially when India is celebrating Azadi ka Amrit mahotsav. Professor Alakh N Sharma talked about the normal labors’ per capita income which is 120 times less than the government employees in India. Through many other examples, he highlighted the growing income inequality in India. Professor Sanjeev Kumar followed up the discussion with his insights on the changes in Indian economy post globalization, and focused on the shift from agrarian to service sector-based economy. He also communicated about the relationship between health and economics and the need for India to focus on both. Professor Sanjay Kumar Singh talked of the emerging trends in economy and presented a comparative study of India in relation to the global economy.
The course was set in motion by Dr. Ashwani Assam, Professor-in-Charge GIAN. Dr. Priyanka Tripathi, Head, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences talked of the various changes that the department is bringing through courses like these. Professor Manabendra Pathak, Dean, Faculty Affairs talked about the various significant contributions that IIT Patna has made since its inception in 2008. Professor A.K. Thakur, Dean, Academics elaborated upon the academic contributions made by the IIT Patna community. The session was closed with a vote of thanks by Professor Smriti Singh, Associate Dean, Student Affairs, who thanked the participants and attendees for making the inaugural ceremony a success. The session was hosted by Madhuri Kumari and Aditi, Ph.D. scholars, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Patna. This GIAN course on the Indian Economy and Society would be held from October 10, 2022 to October 16, 2022.
