Blogs

Samvaad - the Literary Discussion Circle of Essenzia, the Economics Society of Ramanujan College, organized a Movie Screening event on July 1, 2022, from 01:00 PM. Initially, it was planned to host the event at the Ghalib Hall of the College, but due to some technical reasons, it was shifted to the Teaching and Learning Centre Room (Room No. 306). Based on many great movie suggestions received through a Google Form, circulated among the faculty and students of the College College, the organizing team selected Parasite (2019) to screen at the event. Parasite is a South Korean movie which has won several international awards, including the first foreign-language film to win the Best Picture Award at the 92^nd Academy Awards in 2020 and Palme D’Or at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival.

The main motive behind the selection of this movie was to offer a learning opportunity to students, teaching and non-teaching staff of the College on class inequality in the contemporary world. The event commenced with a cordial welcome address by Mr. Sonu Kumar (Convenor, Samvaad). He talked about different forms of inequality, i.e., income, wealth, capabilities, and opportunities. He also highlighted the current status of inequality in our country according to Oxfam and discussed a few remedial measures that can be taken. The movie screening was followed by a round of enriching debate and discussion, which was moderated by Dr. Anjali Prashad (Teacher-In-Charge, Economics Department, and Convenor, Essenzia). Students from different departments participated in the event and boosted the discussion, which was based on the issues highlighted in the movie, e.g., class inequality; the divide between the urban rich and poor and their attitude towards each other; income inequality; aspirations of poor people; ethics and morality; the obsession of countries towards western developed countries; urban infrastructure, etc. Economics theories and policy perspectives were also discussed, e.g., the Lewis Model's relevance, ways to formalize the urban informal sector, etc. Participants also presented their views on the significance of the title of the movie "Parasite" and its association with the two prominent lead role-playing families.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Chandan Kumar Sharma (Co-convenor, Samvaad). The efforts put in by Mr. Lakshit Soni (Working Head, Samvaad), Ms. Tanushree Kannan (Working Deputy-Head, Samvaad), and Volunteers for the event (Ms. Aliza Alvi, Ms. Khushi Manchanda, and Mr. Om Pathak) for successfully organizing the event were much appreciated. He also thanked the audience for attending the event and participating in the discussion. The event ended with high tea and an informal discussion among students and faculty members.

• Mr. Lakshit Soni (B.A. Economics, I Year, Department of Economics, Ramanujan College, University of Delhi)

Samvaad - the Literary Discussion Circle of Essenzia organised Meet the Author, a first of its kind interactive series event that provides students and authors a common platform to interact. The guest for the first event in this series was Professor Jayan Jose Thomas, an illustrious academician who has authored a paper on labour market titled “Labour Market Changes in India - 2005-18: Missing the Demographic Window of Opportunity?” The paper is also a part of BA Hons. Economics Indian Economy I course, which made this event all the more enriching for undergraduate students studying the subject.

The event commenced with the Teacher-in-Charge of the Department of Economics - Dr. Anjali Prashad and Convenor of Samvaad - Mr Chandan Kumar Sharma addressing students about the importance of asking questions and inculcating inquisitiveness as a virtue; being students of a subject that connects us to the practical world, it becomes even more important to keep pace with the changing dynamics in the subject field. This was followed by the Host - Priyanka Pandey and Dr Prashad welcoming Professor Thomas as the guest for the day. Professor Thomas presented his paper on labour economics and answered questions asked by students pertaining to the Indian economy and Indian labour market. Students were enlightened by the resource person’s insightful answers and

enriching words.

The event followed by a felicitation ceremony of the winners of the previous event - Ecovaad as they were awarded certificates of achievement by the Head of Samvaad - Ms. Ishita Singhal. The event concluded with Mr Sharma addressing students with a concluding note and thanking the faculty members and organising team for their efforts to make this event a reality.

• Vrinda Mehta (B.A. Economics, II Year, Department of Economics, Ramanujan College, University of Delhi)