Jah haw

When will India become a developed country ? thiswas one question which I often revisited
a child who had just returned from a vacation abroad. From the distance between two
vehicles on road to the visible difference in the lifestyle of the people there were many things
by which I was taken aback at one glance. Although I was excited at the prospect of spending
the next few days in a spectacular country, I honestly felt that it was quite unfair that such
differences existed in the first place. Perhaps I couldn't digest the fact that the geographical
location of birth could be such an influential factor in determining the kind of lives we might
live. Discovering the reasons for such disparity is what ignited my interest in economics. Since
then I have been exposed to economics at high school as well as at the undergraduate level.

and sOcial
Studying a combination of subjects like economics, public administration
interest in developmental economics. If we had to take all the
management has sparked my
single question it
major questions that these disciplines try to address and boil it down to one
would be "How can the standard of living be improved?" and what fascinates me the most that

so many efforts being directed towards this question by

economists, public
despite
administrators and social activists, countries still struggle year after year to maintain economic

of simplicity and complexity of

stability and increase per capita income. It is the dual nature
various deveiopmentai theories
developmenta! economics that intrigues me. Reading about
sounds so simple but
that talk about increasing capital investment to break the cycle of poverty
especially in a country where millions of
isn't that the entire issue? Increasing investment
115 per day makes conversations about the future
people are living on mere Rupees
paradoxical. This goes to show how complex it is when it comes to implementation.

interest in developmental economics led me to read Amartya Sen's Develpoment as

My
Freedom. I liked the book's ambitious approach to get rid of the pervasive cynicism through the
idea of considering "freedom as an end in itself". I found it to be slightly repetitive in nature yet

nevertheless informative.

'Governance' the concept of development

helped me understand
Also, my presentation on
further. A strong government and good governance is one of the most fundamental pre-

to fulfill developmental goals. Additionally, having one complete paper dedicated

requisites
has enabled me to build a
towards this topic part of my public administration curriculum
as

to whichI have also been drawn to topics such

comprehensive understanding on this topic. Due
as digital divide and.

at the BITS Model UN and its debate on "Economic Development Vs

Participating
Fnvironmental Sustainability" encouraged
me to thoroughly read and understand the trade-off
 bet economic development and the
environment and how essential it is to examine its
implications going forward. Every time that we are
negligent about the environment we are
curtailing the chances of the future generations leading a
one of the most unfortunate things that could
healthy life, which in my opinion is
ever happen.

As a memberof my college soCial management club

(S.M.I.L.E) I have been involved in its many
activities. One of the major activities include raising funds for the
education of two [Link]
by organizing a food festival of which have been an active volunteer. Through many of the
field visits to different NGOs and orphanages as part of my curriculum I have helped raise
awareness on various issues ranging from hygiene to The Right to Education Act.

Following cross border news on a daily basis has tremendously helped me stay informed and at
the top of my class when it comes to discussing current affairs. And I have supplemented my
interest in it by reading Paul Krugman's blog, The Economics Times and economicjournals.

I have studied High Level mathematics in my high school from the CBSE board in India. In my
Quantitative Techniques paper last semester I have been able to secure distinction and aim to
do the same in my final semester.

Iyearr to learn more about the pragmatic solutions to developmental problems and further
understand other important topics and hence would like to opt for Macroeconomics,
Microeconomics and Econometrics as well as choose "Development and Growth" as my
optional course.

Ihave thoroughly enjoyed studying economics at the undergraduate level simply for the reason
that I view economics not as subject but as a part and parcel of life. Its utter relevance to
human life personally makes it the most interesting subject. My short term goal is to work for
leading international institutions like The World Bank, IMF etc to gain hands-on experience as
an economist and my long term goal is to pursue my PhD in economics and hence I believe that
a challenging Masters course at this point in time is an ideal step towards achieving my goals.

All my efforts as a student up until now were driven with a clear purpose, the purpose of
preparing myself to bag the opportunity to interact and learn from the best of faculty and
classmates. I would like to pursue my interest in economics in an academically and culturally
enriching institute like the London School of Economics. | aspire to become the best of
economists and I believe that London School of economics offers an environment that
encompasses the perfectly balanced combination of exitement and inspiration that will enable
me to my boundaries every Singie day to hignly contribute not just towards the
push
institution
hut also towards the society. London is not oniy the financial hub of the
world but also the most
pst
 a whole new world of
hub for international students and I believe it will open up
prominent
well-rounded view on important worldly
ssibilities professionally and help me develop a
London would be invaluable. Based
on my academic
issues and the experiences I would gain in
motivation to make a career in the field of economics, |
performance, my interest and self studies
up to the high demands of graduate
believe I have equipped myself well to measure

focus and dedication it deserves.

and to treat the subject of economics with the