Breaking Out and Through: An Essay on the First Women in Indian Liberal Economics

Summary: This essay highlights the pioneering roles of India’s first women economists in the field of liberal economics, namely Padma Desai, Sudha Shenoy, and Isher Judge Ahluwalia. It focuses on their academic and professional journeys, the barriers they faced, and their significant yet often overlooked contributions to economic theory and policy. The essay reflects on how these women’s work shaped both academic discourse and policymaking in India.

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