Bikalpa Biplab

• Author: Abhijit Binayak Bandyopadhyay & Swati Bhattacharya
• Publisher: Ananda Publisher
• Language: Bengali
• ISBN: 9789350407578
• Pages: 168
• Format: Hardcover
• Weight: 283 grams

Description:
Bikalpa Biplab explores the significant but often overlooked small-scale changes that can have a large impact on the lives of the poor.

• The authors challenge the notion that only large-scale revolutions and reforms can bring about change, emphasizing that even seemingly minor questions can lead to significant improvements in daily life.
• The book highlights how small shifts, such as better education and water management, have already been transforming lives, particularly in impoverished communities.
• By posing questions like "Why doesn't digging ponds result in more water?" and "Why do children fail to learn even after years in school?", the authors stress the importance of addressing these issues rather than seeking quick fixes.
• Through a combination of economics and social insights, Bikalpa Biplab advocates for a deeper understanding of how small actions can create a big impact.

Why Read This Book:

• It offers an alternative perspective on poverty alleviation and societal change.
• The book emphasizes that real change starts with answering the small, everyday questions that often go unnoticed.
• Provides a detailed account of how the smallest reforms can bring about broader, systemic transformations.

About the Authors:

• Abhijit Binayak Bandyopadhyay: A Ford Foundation Professor of Economics at MIT, co-founder of the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab. He has studied at Presidency College, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and Harvard University. He was awarded the Infosys Prize in 2009, and his co-authored book Poor Economics won the Financial Times-McKinsey Business Book of the Year Award in 2011. He was also named "Sera Bangaali" (Best Bengali) in 2012 by Anandabazar Patrika.
• Swati Bhattacharya: A journalist and editor at Anandabazar Patrika, with a background from Jadavpur University, Sterling University, and Tata Institute of Social Sciences. She has done research at the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab as a Fulbright Fellow. She is also a founding member and secretary of the South Asian Women in Media (India) branch.

Unique Aspects:

• Focuses on practical, small-scale actions and their ability to effect systemic change.
• Combines academic insight with journalistic perspectives to reach a wider audience.
• Discusses the relationship between economics, policy, and social impact in an accessible manner