Jholawala Arthaniti O Kandagyan

• Author: Jean Dreze
• ISBN: 9789350409480
• Pages: 516
• Weight: 550 gram
• Format: Hardcover

Description

In Jholawala Arthaniti O Kandagyan, Jean Dreze offers a rare and unique perspective on India's economy and its social implications, particularly focusing on the rural and underprivileged sections of society. His approach to economic and social policy debates, based on extensive fieldwork in rural India, sets him apart from most economists. This book is a powerful critique of the issues that often go unnoticed in mainstream discussions—hunger, poverty, inequality, corruption, and conflict. Dreze's reflections on these "mundane" issues provide invaluable insights into the real-life struggles of India’s marginalized communities.

The book offers a detailed examination of the evolution of India’s social policies over the past two decades, particularly in the context of historical laws and initiatives related to food security, employment rights, and the intense debates surrounding them. Dreze meticulously analyzes the policies and legal frameworks introduced in recent years, presenting an in-depth critique of the issues that arise from them. His discussions are grounded in economic theory but are deeply connected to the lived experiences of ordinary people.

Dreze also critiques the use of the term "Jholawala" by commercial media, which is often used to dismiss social activists. In this book, he reclaims that term, emphasizing the educational value of joint efforts and the deep economic analysis that goes into addressing the country's problems. Through this work, Dreze argues for an integrated approach to development economics, where social activism and economic research work hand in hand.

Jholawala Arthaniti O Kandagyan is as much a book for economists as it is for the general public, offering a thorough and readable exploration of India's economic and social issues, and an impassioned plea for a more humane and equitable society.