20th Annual Indian Political Economy Association (IPEA) Conference concluded at GNDU

Amritsar, November 6 (Punjab Post Bureau)-  A three day 20th Annual Indian Political Economy Association (IPEA) Conference was concluded here today at Auditorium Hall, Guru Granth Sahib Bhawan of the Guru Nanak Dev University.  Punjab School of Economics of the University hosted this Conference. A large number of scholars from various parts of country were participated and presented their research papers.  The key-note address in the Valedictory Session was delivered by Prof. Pradeep Bhargava from G.B. Pant Social Science Institute, Allahabad. He emphasized that there is a need to rethink the paradigm of development. He recited a poem in Hindi ‘Niti Ayog Kee Ajab Gajab Antrang Katha’ depicting the current political framework concerning the demise of the Planning Commission and the emergence of Niti Aayog. He emphasized that the contemporary economic structure is based on the close proximity between private entities and the public institutes. He again discussed very sarcastically the problems engulfed in the financial capital and multinational corporations. By citing a poem by Nasir Akbarabadi he raised the problem of poverty and depreviation in the country. Prof. Kamal Kabra, Former Professor, IIPA, New Delhi talked about the themes of the Conference and he enouraged the delegates to rethink the relationship beteween between Livelihood and Citizenship. He said that the distinction between Aam Aadmi and Aham Aadmi should be vanished. He further emphasized that there is a need to revisit the relationship between the level of GDP and the level of development. Prof. Surinder Kumar, Director, Giri Institute, Lucknow summed up the conference and emphasized the need to interlink the theory with the empirics. Prof. Balwinder Singh Tiwana, Punjabi University, Patiala emphasized that there is a need to simplify the economic theory and economic-socio-political complexities. Prof. S.P. Singh, IIT, Roorkee applauded the success of the Conference while presenting the Vote of Thanks. Dr. Paramjit Nanda, Head of School gave details about the conference. Prof. Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Registrar thanked all the delegates for the success of the Conference.