Economics Rocks!

Economics rocks
Posted On Saturday, December 27, 2008 at 12:54:13 PM Times of India

By Sujatha Subraman
Adi Godrej, Chairman of Godrej group of companies, inaugurated the inter collegiate economics festival at Chembur recently. Arth Manthan the annual economics festival was held at Chembur Trombay Education Society’s NG Acharya and DK Marathe College. The main highlights of this unique festival based on economics included a two-day Maha Debate competition on leadership and a global leaders meet on the topic of how to save our planet.

Director of Godrej group of companies, Adi Godrej being felicitated at the economics festival
Besides elocution on the agrarian crisis, the festival also included an exhibition of the latest books on economics and business management. Songs and skits based on economics were novel attempts aimed at enhancing students’ interest in economics by bringing the subject to life.

Speaking to CG Plus, Prof Amita Lal said, “This festival was started in 2001, when the concept was unheard of. This year, keeping the recent terror attack in mind, we settled on a low key affair avoiding entertainment elements like dance and music shows. We didn’t even erect a pandal for this year’s event.”

Speaking on the occasion, chief guest Adi Godrej remarked, “I have heard of music and other festivals, but a festival based on economics is something new. Economics plays a crucial role in shaping political and civil society. Therefore understanding the subject is a pre-requisite for the electoral process.”

He also touched upon India’s strengths in the various sectors from agriculture to industries which propel the country to march towards economic development despite the meltdown. Speaking about the need for changes in certain areas, he expressed his concern over the plight of primary education. “Most of the children from the rural areas do not study beyond class five; this situation needs to be rectified,” he stressed.

Dr D M Muley, the college principal, while addressing the gathering termed the festival as a forum for industry-academia interaction. “During this annual event several eminent personalities have spoken on various economic issues. Over the years Arth Manthan has inspired many other colleges to introduce similar festivals. Arth Manthan was presented to eminent academicians, university administrators and authors at the International Developments in Economics Education (DEE) conference organised by the Higher Education Academy (UK) in Cambridge on September 6-7, 2007,” said Muley.

Prof Shashi Panicker, the brain behind this festival stated, “We often complain of drawbacks in the education system like large and overcrowded classrooms but little is being done to improve the situation. This festival was introduced to enable the students to think like economists. We have also formed Economics Clubs in the colleges so that students can debate and discuss current economic issues.