The Bigger Picture: Recent Episodes
Ecospire
Join us on this exciting journey to the bottom of the unknowns and of unravelling the unexplored economic aspects of the world. We look at these economic matters with a lens in our hand and indulge in deciphering even the most intricate details. A one stop shop for all you people out there, from beginners to economic enthusiasts, as each episode will start off with the very basics and then go on to scrutinise the complexities as well. We have something in store for everyone!
M. V Lee Badgett is a renowned economist and expert in the field of LGBTQ+ economics. She is currently a Distinguished Professor of Economics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and serves as the founding director of the University's School of Public Policy. Badgett has spent her career conducting research and providing policy recommendations on a wide range of topics related to LGBTQ+ issues, including employment discrimination, same-sex marriage, and poverty. Her work has been published in numerous academic journals and she has authored several books, including "When Gay People Get Married" and "The Public Professor: How to Use Your Research to Change the World". In addition to her academic work, Badgett has served as a consultant to various organizations and governments on LGBTQ+ issues and has testified before the U.S. Congress on discrimination and inequality. She is a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and her work has had a significant impact on public policy and social attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community.
We are back with another episode of our podcast – The Bigger Picture! The past few years have given way to the emergence of blockchain based technology and shown us the potential for its pervasive impact on the economy, specifically in our monetary systems.
Tune in as we are joined by Mr Mustafa Bedawala who has extensive experience working in such fields, to gain a better understanding of basic applications of blockchain & DeFi in commerce and allied issues.
About the Topic
Cryptocurrencies, dApps, DeFi are terms that are thrown around everywhere nowadays. The youth in particular has been very inclined towards using such products instead of traditional financial services. Despite the hype, not everyone necessarily understands the working behind this extensive system.
So, in this episode we get a detailed understanding of the history of Blockchain, how it could replace traditional finance, whether blockchain can get a valuation as an asset and what measures are being taken by governments worldwide.
About the Speaker
Mr Mustafa Bedawala, who has completed his graduation from HL College of Commerce and is a qualified Chartered Accountant as well as an associate member of ICSI. He has given multiple speeches and written various articles on topics relating to Blockchain, Defi, Cryptocurrencies and Behavioral finance while boasting ample experience in similar fields. To name a few, He has worked as a research analyst for one of the largest investment banking business units, which provides a blockchain-based platform for transaction facilitation and has represented India as a professional delegate on an invitation by Harvard for talks on a variety of topics such as blockchain, AI, etc. He is currently a Product Manager in VISA, specialising in Crypto payments.
We are back with another episode of our podcast show- The Bigger Picture!
In light of the concept and importance of care economy ,We are in conversations with Ms Mitali Nikore to discuss her views on the same and its social, political and economic effects on society along with her suggestions on some policy recommendations to formalise this sector .
Tune in to this episode, for some interesting insights about care work, its impact on the Indian and world economy.
About the Topic
Care Economy is a system that consists of activities and relationships involved in meeting the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of care . It remains an integral but undervalued component of economies all over the world, ensuring the welfare of communities. care-at its core is an exceptionally essential human need. More specifically, it involves child care, elder care, education, healthcare, and personal social and domestic services that are provided in both paid and unpaid forms and within formal and informal sectors.
Care work is important because it is important work that sustains life. It is also important now in particular because it is one of the fastest expanding economic sectors and a major driver of employment growth and economic development around the world.
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We are back with another episode of our podcast show - The Bigger Picture!
In light of the recent announcement of Budget FY22 in India, we are in conversation with Mr. Subhash Garg to discuss his views on the same and its social, political and economic effects on society.
Tune in to this episode, for some interesting insights about the future of cryptocurrency, private investment, and personal income tax structure in India.
About the Speaker:
Mr. Subhash Chandra Garg was a 1983 Batch IAS officer of Rajasthan Cadre. He served as the Economic Affairs Secretary and Finance Secretary of India from 2017 to 2019. He has also served as an executive director in the World Bank. Mr. Garg has graduate degrees in Law (LLB) and Commerce (B.Com.) from Rajasthan University, Government College, Ajmer. Garg is a professionally qualified Cost & Management Accountant. In addition, Mr. Garg is a qualified Company Secretary and received a gold medal in 1990.
Despite progress, even today India is wildly skewed in favour of people belonging to a dominant caste. 30 years after recommendations of the Mandal Commission and 75 years after the Indian Constitution mandated reservations for marginalised castes, caste inequality and reservations continue to remain contentious issues in Indian politics. Tune in to this episode, as we speak with our guest for today about the issue of caste inequality and its relation with class and the political economy!
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India ranks 53rd among 117 countries according to IBP in budget transparency. Even after timely publishment of relevant information and audit reports, a low transparency score can be attributed to the lack of Pre-Budget Statement and failure to release the mid-year review in 2018-19.
We present to you the 17th Episode of 'The Bigger Picture', where our guest, Ms. Samriddhi talks about the transparency in government budgeting and the need for improvement. Tune in to know more about the budget technicalities and allocations!
We present you the 16th episode of our podcast series: The Bigger Picture, where our guest, Ms. Dhairya Gangwani unearths the technological advancements behind management consulting and their role in forthcoming decades. Tune in, as she also throws light upon primary domains growing in the business and the employment opportunities for us young hustlers!
We present to you the 15th episode of our podcast series: The Bigger Picture, where our guest, Ms. Nalini Gulati explains what gender responsive budgeting means, its relevance and dissects the Union budget of 2021-22 by looking at the intended policy measures through a gender lens. The deliberation also involves the speaker's advice for students who look to make a career in public policy and development economics.
While India’s rich demographic dividend makes it a young country, it is also ageing with each passing day, where persons above the age of 60 would increase from 8.9% of the population now to 19.4% by 2050. Continuously declining inter-generational support within families makes it imperative to have a well-developed, self-sustaining pension system in the country. The promotion and development of a pension system is also vital to the growth of the Indian economy as it serves the twin objectives of providing income security to a vast multitude of our ageing population, including in the unorganised sector, and garnering long-term funds for critical, growth-driving sectors of the economy. A developed pension sector not only reduces the fiscal burden on the exchequer, but also has a stabilising effect on the economy by promoting long-term savings combined with long-term investments. Amid the unfolding pandemic, the government had recently announced pension schemes and insurance benefits for those affected by COVID-19 under the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), executing efforts in this direction.
We present to you the 14th Episode of The Bigger Picture, where our guest, Ms. Sumeet Kaur Kapoor, unravels the necessity for a robust pension sector in the Indian economic scenario and elaborates the significance of pension fund investments, which can drive economic expansion, as well as deepen financial and capital markets.
While the pre-pandemic world ensured unrestricted trade supplies across borders, the post pandemic world paints an altogether different picture. While there have been some world-changing events taking place such as ASEAN joining RCEP, the international trade is still marred by the previous pre pandemic Tariff and Non Tariff concerns. Moreover, there seems to be an open window when it comes to the exploration of new trade opportunities that were previously territorial to the host country only. With China's drastic measures to re- shape the economic geography of Asia- Pacific has largely met with international criticism, India at this time has emerged to be a great trading partner.
We present to you the 13th Episode of The Bigger Picture where our chief guest Prof. Arpita Mukherjee demystifies the macro perspectives of the Trade agreements that India has in the status quo, and that India could explore in the coming times. The deliberation also focuses on the structural and soft power ramifications we might see in Asia-Pacific due to the changes in the Global goods traffic.
From a macro perspective, finance is the mainstay for any economy, on the face of the earth, but even at its micro counterpart, personal finance has a very imperative role to play which has connotations to our survival. Making financial decisions is indeed a daunting task, and this formidable activity turns hefty when youngsters are taking their decisions. On that account, it becomes exigent that the youth is well aware and au courant about the instruments of personal finance, investment risks, rewards and the tips and tricks revolving around the same.
This is where we took the call to delve in. We present to you the 12th episode of ‘The Bigger Picture’, where our hosts engage in a weighty talk with Mr. Balasubramanya R, a banking, finance and tech expert, entailing the nuts and bolts of personal finance for youngsters which will indeed play a decisive role for the young investors in taking the right call and transform their modus operandi of managing their finances. Head On!
Conventionally, the fundamental axis of Economic growth is widely followed in elimination of poverty. China, an east Asian country battled the poverty through some unconventional approaches and unfastidious policies.
The Question that follows now is whether a full fledged poverty elimination is feasible or not. Is the Chinese precedence an unrealistic benchmark in the aspect of reforms? Or can India also take the note of the extremely idealistic policies to achieve the feat?
With another episode of the Bigger Picture, let's plunge deeper into an untapped subject of political and economic history of Asia and the lessons which stems out of this chapter.
As the globe is literally heating up everyday, so is the debate on what is probably the biggest topic of our times: Climate Change. And complacency in this issue is tantamount to moths running toward a flame. At the same time, it becomes imperative that discussions around it remain rooted in its academics and realities.
This is where we decided to step in. We present to you the 10th episode of The Bigger Picture, where our hosts talk to Mr. Alasdair Mullins-Smith, Senior manager at PwC, a qualified actuary and fellow of the IFoA, about the risks associated with climate change and the trajectory we must adopt for the future.
Have you ever wondered how RBI controls money circulation and creation in India or how do interest rates affect the Economy of a country?
The central bank of any country tries to control the economy by adjusting its interest rates.
Ecospire brings to you an all new episode of The Bigger Picture on the topic 'Interest Rate Policies of India' with a brief discussion on Budget 2021.
You know what we absolutely love? Questioning the existing beliefs and discussing ideas. Ideas like Public Schools in Kerela using television to teach children in rural areas, ideas like the tremendous job opportunities arising in the health sector and the proposal of minimum age requirement of women being raised to 21. Join us on this journey of discovery and self development where we question everything that surrounds us and affects us in some manner.
With every new decade, a new generation establishes a new set of societal norms, redefining what's normally accepted and what's not. Millennials are establishing themselves as the most progressive generation, and the question is, 'how will the leaders of tomorrow engage professionally? '
Ecospire brings to you a brand new episode of 'The Bigger Picture' where we are in conversation with Mr. Jitendra Arora, talking about 'Millenials in Workspace'
In the year 2020 alone, the government has brought in a lot of economic policy changes, keeping their political interests aside. These policies have been pretty controversial as questions have rounded up on the foundation functioning of the economy. Over years, with several shocks such as Demonetization and GST ousting every iota of economic recovery, the Pandemic just adds one more feather to this cap of economic misery.
Ecospire brings to you the sixth episode of The Bigger Picture. Our hosts, in conversation with Prof. Surajit Mazumdar discuss the effects of past economic policies in shaping up the current state of Indian macro economy. Join us in this wonderful deliberation of facts as Prof. Mazumdar presents to us valuable arguments on unemployment and GDP.
No matter how much economists clamor about free markets, one thing is for sure; the general government is here to stay which means that it has to fill its revenue coffers to be able to make a difference in the economy and find out the best way to do it.
Ecospire brings to you the fifth episode of 'The Bigger Picture', where our hosts engage in a discussion with Mr. Siddharth Kohli, on the taxation scenario in India.
From psychology to statistics, from academics to experiments, from public policies to common surveys and from students to even the older generation, behavioral economics has been a phenomenal breakthrough in the way the subject of economics sees the world. In the process, it has not only helped us understand a lot of phenomenons and concepts from an economic point of view but also helped us in formulating effective public policy, plans and imperatives.
Ecospire brings to you, the next episode of 'The Bigger Picture' featuring Dr. Shagata Mukherjee - one of India's finest in the behavioral economics cohort. We talk about public policy, the role of nudges in implementing and communicating government policy and programmes for the masses and how it plays a role in evaluating happiness in our day to day lives. The episode also briefly talks about Bhutan, a country that has made a successful attempt at changing the way it looks at the welfare of its people.
The term 'Black Economy' is all too familiar now. Only that its ramifications, its impact on the formal economy, and how to mitigate its ill effects is known to a few. Now we are making it a common knowledge.
Ecospire is back with the third episode of 'The Bigger Picture' with our guest speaker, Prof. Arun Kumar, former Senior Economist at NIPFP. Listen on as he demystifies the idea of black economy.
The Bigger Picture by Ecospire proudly presents its second episode "Integration, not summation- The Path to five trillion Dollar Economy" with a very eminent personality 'Dr. Subhodh Mathur'.
Dr. Mathur laid some strong points on how a united action of state governments is important to achieve good economic growth. He talked how central government should focus on prominent key parameters like role of MSME's, digitalization in beuracracy, education and ease of business in India.
The podcast is a great mix that talks about current trends in Economy addreses the Global Pandemic and the future of Indian Economy in the long run.
More than half this year has gone by, and dreaded would be too soft a word for describing the same. There is no doubt about the fact that the worst hit has been our economy and hence, in our very first episode, we scrutinise the road that our economy took this year and the relevance of DEBT MONETISATION to the same with, our guest speaker onboard, MS. HARSHITA KAIN. Plug in your earphones, and jam out for once, to knowledge, we guarantee you'll want more.
In the preview episode of "The Bigger Picture - Elaborating Rational Perspective" the hosts manifest what this new show of economics is about.