Kumarappa OnlineStudy Programme
Reimagining a People’s Economy: Gandhi-Kumarappa Online Study Programme Begins May 26
Towards a People’s Economy: Kumarappa’s Relevance in the Age of Crisis
Explore the 10-day Gandhi-Kumarappa Online Study Programme (May 26–June 24) focused on decentralization, sustainability, and people-centered economic alternatives rooted in Gandhian values.
In a world increasingly dominated by global corporate giants, ecological degradation, and rising inequality, the time has come to ask: Whose economy is it anyway? The search for alternatives to the exploitative models of growth has brought renewed attention to the idea of a People’s Economy—a system where people, not profits, are at the center of economic planning and practice.
One of the most insightful and underappreciated contributors to this vision was J.C. Kumarappa, a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi and a pioneering economist. His philosophy offers a blueprint for a decentralized, ethical, and sustainable economy, rooted in the principles of non-violence, self-reliance, and ecological balance.
To bring these vital ideas into public discourse, the Gandhian Collective, in collaboration with the Library and Research Centre for Gandhian Studies, Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan, Wardha, is organizing a 10-day online study programme on Kumarappa’s economic thought from May 26 to June 24, 2025.
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📚 A Syllabus for the Future: Rethinking Economics from the Ground Up
Held every Monday and Tuesday, the course explores how to transition from an extractive, top-down economic model to a bottom-up, community-led development framework. The sessions are designed for both activists and academics, policy thinkers and students—anyone concerned about the fate of people and the planet.
✅ Key Themes Include:
1. Evolution of the Capitalist Economic System
2. Trump’s Second Coming and the Crisis of Globalization
3. Public Finance and India’s Poverty under Corporate Rule
4. Building a Sustainable Production System
5. Rethinking Modern Technology in Service of the People
6. Economics and Democratic Values
7. Rural Economy and Ethical Frameworks
8. Environmental Sustainability through Local Economies
9. Nationalism Rooted in Village Self-Sufficiency
10. Swadeshi and Swaraj: Tools for a Second Freedom Struggle
Dr. S. Muralidharan, an accomplished economics professor with deep insight into both modern theory and Kumarappa’s philosophy, will serve as the Programme Director.
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🌍 From Kerala to Wardha: A Grassroots Academic Movement
Although initiated by the Gandhian Collective Kerala, this programme has seen nationwide participation from:
• Social and environmental activists
• University faculty across disciplines
• Young professionals and students seeking meaningful alternatives
The course will be conducted in Malayalam and English, making it accessible yet regionally grounded.
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🎓 Learning, Reflection, and Recognition
Participants will receive:
• Access to original writings of J.C. Kumarappa
• Optional tutorial sessions on key topics
• A Certificate of Appreciation upon completing 75% of the sessions and submitting short reflection assignments
“This is not just about learning economics—it’s about reclaiming the economy for the people and the planet,” says Dr. Siby K. Joseph, Director of the Library and Research Centre at Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan.
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💡 Why a Decentralized Economy Matters Today
The world is witnessing a deepening ecological and social crisis—fueled by centralized systems that concentrate wealth, power, and pollution. In contrast, Kumarappa’s vision promotes local self-reliance, ecological stewardship, and moral accountability. These values form the cornerstone of what can truly be called a People’s Economy.
A decentralized approach is not just nostalgic—it’s strategic. It offers a viable, just, and sustainable path forward in the face of climate collapse, jobless growth, and the erosion of democratic institutions.
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🔗 Join the Movement. Learn. Reflect. Act.
Whether you are working in policy, teaching in classrooms, mobilizing communities, or simply reflecting on your role in shaping a better world, this programme offers you the intellectual and moral grounding to contribute meaningfully.
📅 Dates: May 26 – June 24, 2025 (Every Monday and Tuesday)
🗣️ Languages: Malayalam and English
📍 Mode: Online
📜 Certificate upon completion
📚 Reference Material provided
👉 [Register Now – Limited Slots Available]
For details, contact Gandhian Collective Kerala or visit the Sevagram Ashram website.
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🕊️ Let’s Build a People’s Economy—One Session at a Time
The seeds of a better economy already exist. All we need is the courage to nurture them—and the wisdom of thinkers like J.C. Kumarappa to guide us.
Key Words
People’s economy, sustainable economy, Gandhian economics, J.C. Kumarappa, decentralized development, ethical economics, climate justice, Gandhi, Swaraj, Swadeshi, online economic course
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