Webinar on “Covid-19 and the Indian Economy” by Professor Charan Singh, CEO and Director of EGROW Foundation and Dr Poornima Varma, IIMA

As we enter into the unchartered territory of online education a lot of efforts are being made by CHRIST, Lavasa to educate students through online classes and webinars. The students are equally receptive and open to learn, unlearn and relearn every day. Amidst the ongoing efforts, Christ (Deemed to be University), Lavasa was honoured to welcome erudite professors from IIM, Ahemdabad. Professor Charan Singh and Dr Poornima Varma conducted an extremely informative webinar on 18th May 2020 and addressed a diverse group of audience on `Covid-19 and the Indian Economy’. Director & Dean, Dr Fr Jossy George, extended a hearty welcome to both the guests highlighting the importance of conducting a webinar in the current scenario on a topic which has gripped the entire world.

Professor Charan has been the RBI Chair Professor of Economics at IIM Bangalore, a senior economist at the IMF and Research Director of Internal Debt Management at RBI, Mumbai. He is currently posted as CEO and Director of EGROW Foundation. Dr Poornima Varma is a faculty in Centre for Management in Agriculture, IIM, Ahemdabad. The webinar was mainly advocated to discuss the current status of Indian economy during pandemic and to impart knowledge about the present-day circumstances.

The webinar was attended by more than 25 institutions and university students and researchers from different parts of the world including USA, Paris and Dubai.  The session began with Dr Poornima Varma’s talk about the situation of agrarian sector in Indian economy. She gave a practical explanation and articulated that the current pandemic has led to reverse migration in our country. The migrant workers are facing difficulties, which would eventually culminate in a long-standing problem. She rightly pointed out that this turbulence has shaken the entire economy and caused agricultural distress and tension. The core of economics was aptly covered when she pointed out innumerable factors that were affected by pandemic namely; wages, employment, migration, job uncertainty, dwindling bank balance etc. Dr Poornima concluded her presentation by mentioning numerous remedies to recover and regain the agrarian sector.

After her session, Professor Charan Singh took over the webinar by giving a very practical and rational approach towards this current wave. At the outset he categorically mentioned that even if India is expected to grow at a lower rate post pandemic, yet he is hopeful that `India is a hard-working country’ and will come out of this adversity in future. He inspired the audience by mentioning all the positive factors that are likely to emerge post such crisis, for instance, different mask industries that would get business. The situation will also bring about a radical change in the outlook of people in general towards handling a medical emergency, nature, extending medical help etc. and be more compassionate towards the less privileged section of the society.

Professor Charan rightly pointed out how such a situation will affect our lives and how we need to be optimistic in near future. His overall candid approach was note-worthy and was well received by the audience. Such an approach will have a positive impact in the thinking process of the citizens and facilitate the effective measures to be adopted during quarantine process. At the end of his session he inspired everyone by stating that `the worst will bring out the best in us’, which had an indelible impact in the minds of the audience.

The participants were highly interactive and asked questions related to the topic and which were answered by Professor Charan Singh and Dr Poornima Varma convincingly. The entire session was quite engaging and informative. The attendees gained immense knowledge about the current pandemic and eventually they shall develop an optimistic approach in handling this crisis, which is the need of the hour. The highlight of the event was the presence of people from different parts of the world and institutions and their enthusiasm while asking pertinent questions. The entire webinar very well organised by the Department of Economics and efficiently coordinated by Dr Kedar Vishnu. The vote of thank was given by Dr Ginish Cheruparambil.