In Conversation with Prof. Anita Hamand (Chairperson of ECONOMICA)

To Begin with, could you share some details about when, and how Economica started, and who led the initiative?

“In 1952, the DG Ruparel College was established. During the same year, the Association of Social Sciences was established with a focus on conducting the activities of all subjects of humanities under one roof. Dr. Salvi was the head of the Association and Dr. Sule was the principal of our college at that time. I was appointed as the chairperson in 2002. 

In the later years, different departments were formed and they started conducting their activities separately. In 2005 we decided to rename our department as Economica. Department has always given students the opportunity to showcase their abilities, and every student to date has continued to contribute their efforts to make Economica one of the leading departments of our college.”

 

What are the aims/values/goals of the department?

“Our goal is to prepare and equip our students for the future challenges of the dynamic world. Our prime focus has always been to mold students in a way that they can move forward in the world very confidently. 

We want to make our students confident. I want them to be good ambassadors of the department and the college.”

Could you share some of the events and activities that Economica has conducted over the years?                                                                        

 “The department regularly conducts guest lectures where we invite notable experts in the field of economics who give students a glance at the workings of the real world.      

We have also organised field visits to several places like NSE (National Stock Exchange), the RBI Monetary Museum, and so on. We invite our remarkable alumni under the event ‘WE SPEAK’, where former students who now excel (in what they do) are invited to encourage the fresh batch of students. With the help of these activities, students gain exposure to new things according to the changes in the market.                                                                                      

 Also, I remember that, in the year 2010, a student of fyba Vinay Wakhare (presently working with RBI) prompted the idea to start an intercollegiate fest which was later named Arthotsav. Arthotsav has now completed 10 years and I feel that it is definitely going to see a lot more years in the future.”

 

Do you think that these activities conducted by Economica have strengthened the bonds between the junior and the senior batches?

“Yes, yes! I am happy that the seniors and juniors are collaborating and keeping the activities running. The seniors are a great guide and mentor for the junior batches as they are well experienced with the working of the department.” 

 

According to you, what are the strengths of the department?

“The trust that we have in the students is one of the greatest strengths of Economica. I value my relationship with my students very much which gives them the liberty to approach me freely. The freedom to showcase their talents and abilities is what makes this department strong.”

 

Looking back to the initial days of Economica, how would you describe the changes that you have seen taking place in recent years? 

“Since the last 5 years, our students have become tech-savvy which has helped our department to reach new levels. The students have inculcated necessary changes and I believe that change is a must; As Winston Churchill has rightly said, “To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.””

 

What is the one thing that you would like all the students of the department to know about Economica?

“I have always believed that economics is not only about teaching demand and supply within the four walls of a classroom. It is about learning through different activities also which are conducted by Economica.”

What are your hopes and expectations for the current as well as future batches? 

“I wish for more students to become a part of Economica as it adds more value to their degrees and also because you learn and enjoy a lot.” 

Lastly, any concluding remark/note that you would like to share?                   

“I am attached to this college; I am attached to our department and also my students because they are a source of inspiration to me. I think we are unique as a team. We are like a family.”

~ Falak Doshi, TYBA 

~ Saloni Rane, SYBA