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Ignoring Ambedkar’s economic thoughts unjust: Book
New Delhi: Indian society has done great injustice to itself by ignoring the economic thoughts of national icon B.R. Ambedkar, a new book says.
“After all, his economic thoughts were not parochial,” says scholar Narendra Jadhav in his latest book, “Ambedkar: An Economist Extraordinaire” (Konark).
“What Ambedkar always had in mind was in the best interest of the nation as a whole,” the author says. “To brand him only as a leader of the downtrodden in India is an insult to this great patriot.”
The 270-page book adds: “What is equally disheartening is depriving the Indian society of the benefit of his (Ambedkar’s) economic thoughts, an act which is self-defeating for India as a nation.”
Ambedkar’s basic training was as an economist, Jadhav points out.
Ambedkar (1891-1956) was awarded the degrees of M.A. and PhD in economics by Columbia University in the US in 1915 and 1917 respectively.
The degree of doctor of science (DSc), which the London of School of Economics conferred on him in 1923, was also for research in economics.
Ambedkar’s PhD dissertation, “The Evolution of Provincial Finance in British India”, is considered a seminal contribution to the field of public finance. It analysed the evolution of the centre-state financial relations in British India.
His DSc dissertation, “The Problem of the Rupee: Its Origin and Its Solution”, is a magnum opus and seen as a major contribution to the field of monetary economics.
“Ambedkar’s professional career bears a distinct imprint of an economist,” the book says.
“Various memoranda and statements that he submitted to the government (under British rule as well as in independent India) are indicative of his deep insights into India’s economic problems.
“His speeches are replete with stimulating economic thoughts. He is probably the first thinker to analyse economic dimensions of social maladies in India, such as the caste system and untouchability.”
Jadhav says that not many economists are even aware that on the currency question, Ambedkar crossed swords with influential economic thinkers such as John Maynard Keynes.
The book says that Ambedkar — who later embraced Buddhism — presented a perceptive critique of Marxism in his essay, “Buddha or Karl Marx”.
He also spelt out his views on the ideal strategy for India’s economic development in his Memorandum, “States and Minorities” (1947).
The book says that the widespread ignorance regarding Ambedkar’s contribution as an economist was “shocking and unfortunate”.
Jadhav says that due honour had been given to the contributions of Dadabhai Nauroji and Mahadev Govind Ranade both as freedom fighters and as economists.
“But the same, unfortunately, has not happened in the case of Ambedkar although his contribution to economics was no less important, to say the least.”
Jadhav, an economist, educationist and administrator, has been a member of the Planning Commission and chief economist of the Reserve Bank of India.
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.
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