Ecospire: The Economics Society

Movie Screening – Roger & Me

Ecospire, the Economics Society of the college, organized a screening of the documentary Roger & Me on 13th November 2024. Directed by Michael Moore, the film examines the economic decline of Flint, Michigan, following General Motors’ decision to close eleven manufacturing plants—resulting in approximately 30,000 job losses. The documentary explores themes of deindustrialisation, unemployment, globalisation, and economic inequality, while also portraying the resilience and determination of the affected former workers and local residents.

Workshop on the Gender Lens: Approaches & Praxis

Ecospire also conducted a workshop on ‘Gender Lens: Approaches & Praxis’ with Dr. Nupar Ray from Kamla Nehru College as the guest speaker. The event demonstrated how we unconsciously view society through a gendered lens and how to overcome our lack of awareness of the same. The seminar was a remarkable success and brought forth a forum for discussion of a vital and sensitive topic which is still left untouched by some sections of our society.

Economics Conundrums – A Battle of Perspectives

A workshop titled ‘Gender Lens: Approaches & Praxis’ was organised, featuring Dr Nupur Ray from Kamala Nehru College as the guest speaker. The session examined how individuals often perceive society through an unconscious gendered lens and discussed approaches to addressing this lack of awareness. The seminar was highly successful, providing a meaningful forum for the discussion of a vital and sensitive issue that remains underexplored in certain segments of society.

Special Lecture on the Union Budget

A special lecture on the Union Budget 2025–26 was organised on 12th February 2025. Dr Surajit Das, Assistant Professor at the Centre for Economic Studies and Planning, Jawaharlal Nehru University, delivered the session, which provided a comprehensive overview of key economic principles and budgetary policies. The lecture proved to be highly insightful, offering a clear understanding of the Union Budget and its broader economic implications. The session effectively connected theoretical concepts such as fiscal deficits and government expenditure to real-world applications, enabling students to better appreciate the significance of budgetary measures in shaping the national economy.

Lecture on Migration in 20th Century India: The Colonial and Post-Colonial Experiences

A lecture on migration in 20th-century India was delivered on 19th March 2025 by Dr Camille Buat, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Centre for Modern Indian Studies, University of Göttingen, Germany.

ECONOTIZE: The Annual fest of Ecospire

Ecospire organised its annual fest ECONOTIZE on 29th March 2025, commencing with an inaugural lecture titled “Urban Water and the Right to the City”, delivered by Professor Marie- Hélène Zérah, Senior Researcher at the Institute of Research for Development, Paris. The fest included engaging competitions such as ECONOX (the case study competition) and ECONOBID (the auction competition), both judged by faculty members from Shaheed Bhagat Singh College and other institutions.

The concluding event of the day was a panel discussion on “Decoding the Budget: Insights and Implications”, led by two eminent scholars—Professor Arun Kumar, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, and Professor (Retd.) Pinaki Chakraborty, Centre for Economic Studies and Planning, Jawaharlal Nehru University. The discussion provided critical perspectives on the Union Budget, contributing significantly to the intellectual engagement of the audience.

Arthshodh: The Economics Research Cell

Arthshodh, the Economics Research Cell, had an eventful academic year in 2024–25, actively promoting research aptitude and analytical skills among students through a series of workshops, activities, and research-based engagements. The Cell provided a platform for students to delve into economic inquiry, data interpretation, and academic writing. Key highlights from the year are as follows:

The academic year commenced with an Orientation Programme on 25th September 2024, aimed at introducing new members to the objectives and functioning of the Research Cell. During the session, the previous year’s research projects were presented by the former Principal Investigator, providing a foundation and motivation for aspiring researchers. The session familiarised students with core components of research such as methodology, data collection, analysis, and report writing, encouraging active participation in upcoming projects.

On 10th February 2025, Data Quest was organised as a team-based analytical event. Participants, working in pairs, were assigned economic variables such as unemployment, inflation, GDP, demand, price levels, population, or related goods pricing. Each team collected data from credible sources spanning the past ten years, compiled it in tabular form, and presented notable trends and events linked to their assigned variable. The activity significantly enhanced students’ data interpretation skills and real-world economic understanding.

A One-Day Online Workshop on Research Methodology was held on 22nd March 2025 for undergraduate and postgraduate students. The workshop covered essential components of the research process, including hypothesis development, data collection methods, the use of statistical tools, and academic report writing. The session aimed to strengthen the foundational research capabilities of the participants and better prepare them for future scholarly endeavours.

The Paper Presentation Event held on 5th April 2025 welcomed student participants from various colleges across India, who presented their research findings. A total of 56 research abstracts had been received, reflecting a wide spectrum of economic perspectives and intellectual inquiry. The event served as an academic platform for emerging researchers to showcase their work, engage in critical discussions, and receive feedback from experts in the field.

In addition to this event, the research divisions of Arthshodh—Micro and Macro—actively engaged in sponsored research projects in collaboration with St. Xavier’s College, Jaipur. These projects were scheduled for completion by April 2025, with publication in the institution’s academic journal forthcoming.

The Micro division examined how perceived quality, brand popularity, and social status influence students’ preferences for branded smartphones in Delhi University colleges. Using survey data and statistical analysis, the study found battery life, branding, and social image as key factors, with price also significant due to students’ financial constraints. It recommended that domestic manufacturers focus on brand value and affordability.

The Macro division studied the impact of automation on employment in India’s manufacturing sector. Despite low robot density, sectors like textiles and electronics showed rising automation effects, particularly affecting informal workers. The research highlighted declining low-skilled jobs, rising demand for technical roles, and widening wage gaps. It proposed a policy framework focused on reskilling, education reform, and inclusive strategies to balance technological advancement with social equity.

The Department of Economics had a productive year, fostering academic excellence through lectures, workshops, competitions, and research activities. These initiatives enabled students to enhance their critical thinking, analytical skills, and intellectual engagement.