All Management Events

The Department of Economics hosted a talk titled “Class and Inequality in China and India” by Prof. Vamsi Vakulabharanam, Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst on June 17th. Prof. Vakulabharanam, a former faculty member at the University of Hyderabad and City University of New York, has been associated with research institutions such as the Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET) and the India China Institute.  He is a renowned scholar in the field of political economy, inequality and development studies with a focus on India, global capitalism and class-caste dynamics.

In his talk, Prof. Vakulabharanam presented key ideas from his recent book Class and Inequality in India (1950–2010), offering a comparative political economy perspective on India and China. His lecture offered critical comparative insights into the evolution of class structures and inequalities in China and India, two of the world’s largest emerging economies.

Drawing on empirical evidence and theoretical perspectives, the speaker examined the socio- economic trajectories of both countries and highlighted the implications of rising disparities for long- term development and social stability. He traced two distinct phases in the post-independence period:1950–1980, marked by low economic growth but a decline in inequality (forming the lower part of a U-shape), and 1980–2010, characterised by rapid growth under neoliberal reforms and policies but a simultaneous rise in inequality.

The lecture highlighted three main contributions of the book:

1. A class-based analysis of inequality, especially novel in the context of China.
2. An exploration of how India and China have transformed the world economy post-1950, and how global economic dynamics have, in turn, reshaped these countries.
3. A theoretical framework for understanding within-country inequality.

Prof. Vakulabharanam also engaged with frameworks such as varieties of capitalism, French regulation theory, and comparative urban inequality (e.g., urban Gini coefficient analysis in Beijing and Delhi), offering a nuanced critique on ideas from thinkers like Thomas Piketty and Simon Kuznets and of global inequality discourse.

Concluding his talk, Prof. Vakulabharanam emphasised, “If China and India genuinely want to add something novel to the world order, they have to break free from the European model and find their own way of addressing inequality, climate change, and technological innovation.”

The session witnessed active participation from faculty members and research scholars from the Easwari School. Followed by a lively Q&A session, engaging participants in discussions around development policy, economic reforms, and the political economy of inequality. This academic event marked a valuable opportunity for the university community to interact with an international expert and gain deeper understanding of comparative development challenges in Asia.

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Vishnu Group of Institutions, a prominent name in the educational society in the West Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh visited SRM University-AP, exploring for a collaboration across multiple domains.

The Vishnu Group of Institutions presently comprises nine constituent colleges, serving over 20,000 students across a diverse range of programs, including Engineering, Dental Studies, Pharmacy, BSc, MCA, Polytechnic, and K-12 education. The Group operates with a profound sense of purpose and unwavering commitment, dedicated to fostering engaging learning experiences in the rural regions of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

The event saw the presence of SRM University-AP‘s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Manoj K Arora; Pro-Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ch Satish Kumar; Dean-SEAS, Prof. C V Tomy; Dean -Research, Prof. Ranjit Thapa, among other members of the faculty and Staff, alongside the staff and faculty from Vishnu Group of Institutions.

On the occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof. Manoj K Arora outlined the university’s growth trajectory, stating that the faculty has been a key factor contributing to the varsity’s success. Our faculty has been hired from some of the most-premier institutions of the country and world, fostering a multi-cultural nucleus of learning. “We, as a university, place a lot of emphasis on faculty and their training.” He also stressed the need to advocate for knowledge dissemination.

Prof. Arora highlighted the incredible support that the SRM University Management exerts towards fortifying the research acumen, and the SEED Grant is one such instance. Speaking of the Research prowess of the varsity, Prof. Arora also stated that the research at the varsity is predominantly interdisciplinary in nature. He echoed the words of the Pro-Chancellor, who believes – “Think Big, Do Big” thereby emphasising the importance of learning over teaching.

Prof. Arora also mentioned the landmark collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University. “Our ambitions are high; we will continue to grow,” stated the Vice Chancellor. Speaking on the occasion, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ch Satish Kumar, added, “At SRM University-AP, we don’t just encourage the faculty but also the students to focus on Research.” He also quoted the NEP, stating the emphasis the policy places on student-based research at all levels of learning.

Prof. Satish cited the old education system, which was based on the concepts of ‘Bhay’ and ‘Bhakti’ (fear and devotion) towards teachers. He stated, “today, the education system cannot run on this ideology. The present system requires us to mentor the students, eliminating the concepts of ‘Bhay’ (fear towards teachers) Mentoring is the key to our system of teaching and learning here at SRM University-AP.”

The event also witnessed Deans and Directors briefing the delegation from Vishnu Group of Institutions on the functioning of the various Departments and Directorates at SRM AP.

 

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The Department of Mathematics at SRM University-AP, Amaravati, successfully conducted a three-day summer programme, Chetna 2.0: Awakening Mathematical Minds, from May 26th to May 28th, 2025. The programme aimed to inspire and deepen mathematical understanding among students nationwide. A total of 84 enthusiastic participants joined from various states, including Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh.

The curriculum was thoughtfully designed to cover a broad spectrum of mathematical topics. Faculty members from the Department of Mathematics led sessions on various subjects, offering a rich and engaging learning experience that ignited a more profound passion for mathematics among the attendees.

 

Varadha from Kerala shared, “I was able to build on my knowledge from my BSc and learn entirely new concepts. Each faculty member brought their own unique teaching style, which helped boost our confidence, curiosity, and understanding.”

Dr Kalyan Banerjee, Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics, noted, “At SRM-AP, we have a thriving mathematics department. We hope that during this three-day programme, students will gain valuable insights from our faculty and be introduced to advanced concepts in higher mathematics such as geo-mathematics, applied mathematics, and data science—all trending areas in today’s mathematical landscape. We aim to highlight mathematics’s crucial role in science and technology.”

Speakers List

Prof. Kalyan Chakraborty

Dr Shilpa Garai

Dr Krishanu Roy

Dr Vijayakrishna Rowthu

Dr Animesh Bhandari

Dr Kalyan Banerjee

Dr Priyabrata Mandal

Dr Prakash Chandra

Dr Jayasree Subramanian

Conclusion:
Chetna 2.0: Awakening Mathematical Minds was a resounding success, offering students valuable knowledge and a deeper appreciation for mathematics. The blend of participants from diverse backgrounds and the expertise of the faculty created a dynamic and stimulating environment. The Department of Mathematics at SRM University-AP looks forward to hosting similar initiatives in the future to continue nurturing young mathematical talent across the nation.

 

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The Directorate of International Relations & Higher Studies (IR&HS) welcomed the students and faculty from Keio University and Forum Engineering, Japan, for the “Discover India 2025” programme.

Inaugurated by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Manoj K Arora in the presence of Dean – School of Engineering and Sciences, Prof. C V Tomy, alongside Dean – Easwari School of Liberal Arts, Prof. Vishnupad; Assistant Dean-Research, Dr Mahesh Kumar Ravva; and Assistant Professor-Department of Civil Engineering, Dr Pranav R T Peddinti, among others. “Discover India 2025” is a flagship initiative of the university to promote India’s cultural and knowledge traditions.

Mr Lakshmi Narasimhan, Director and Dr Sudeshna Saha, Assistant Director of International Relations and Higher Studies, received the international students at the grand inaugural ceremony. Students participated in various short courses on Research Area Introduction, Mechanical Engineering Labs and Centre Visits at Electronic Cooling & Gold Centre. Presentations on Robotics, Additive Manufacturing & Bio Printing Materials. Keio University professors and students interacted with PhD Research Scholars and faculty from the Deaprtment of Mechanical Engineering regarding their projects and other research works.

Talks on various mobility programmes, including Student and Faculty Exchange, Transfer Programmes, Joint Research initiatives, and opportunities for mutual collaboration between Keio University and SRM University AP were held. An interactive session was organised for Destination Japan students currently learning Japanese at SRM University-AP, supported by SRM Global. Professors Miki Norihisa & Prof. Hasegawa AI delivered an engaging presentation on Keio University, highlighting the job and internship opportunities in Japan. The session provided a platform for Destination Japan students to interact with peers learning Japanese. Over 52 students actively participated, making the event a resounding success.

As part of the 3-day “Discover India” programme, SRM University-AP organised an industrial visit to Tech Mahindra in Vijayawada, on March 20, 2025. A total of 15 participants, including professors, staff, and students from Keio University, Forum Engineering, and SRM University-AP, attended.

The Japanese delegation had an enriching experience, interacting with Tech Mahindra Operation team and the Head of Training and Recruitment team. Participants visited landmark locations such as the Dhyana Buddha statue, Amaravati Temple and the Kanaka Durga Temple in Vijayawada, deepening their appreciation of Indian culture.

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As a significant contribution to science, Assistant Professor Dr Amit Chakroborty and his Doctoral Scholar, Arindam Basu, from the Department of Physics have published a groundbreaking paper titled, Viability of boosted light dark matter in a two-component scenario in the Physics Review D (Nature Index ) Journal. The research explores a two-component dark matter model and addresses the theoretical challenges in hopes of improving our understanding and painting a complete picture of dark matter.

Abstract

We study the boosted dark matter (BDM) scenario in a two-component model. We consider a neutrinophilic two-Higgs doublet model (ν2HDM), which consists of one extra Higgs doublet and a light right-handed neutrino. This model is extended with a light (∼ 10 MeV) singlet scalar DM ϕ3, which is stabilized under an extra dark ZDM symmetry and can only effectively annihilate through the CP even scalar H. Although the presence of a light scalar H modify the oblique parameters to put tight constraints on the model, the introduction of vectorlike leptons (VLL) can potentially salvage the issue. The vectorlike doublet N and singlet χ are also stabilized through dark ZDM symmetry. The lightest vectorlike mass eigenstate (χ1 ∼ 100 GeV) is the second DM component of the model. Individual scalar and fermionic DM candidates have Higgs/Z mediated annihilation, restricting the fermion DM in a narrow mass region while a somewhat broader mass region is allowed for the scalar DM. However, when two DM sectors are coupled, the annihilation channel χ1χ1 → ϕ3ϕ3 opens up. As a result, the fermionic relic density decreases, and paves way for broader fermionic DM mass region with under-abundant relic: a region of [30 − 65] GeV compared to a narrower [40 − 50] GeV window for the single component case. On the other hand, the light DM ϕ3 acquires significant boost from the annihilation of χ1, causing a dilution in the resonant annihilation of ϕ3. This in turn increases the scalar DM relic, allowing for a smaller mass region compared to the individual case. The exact and underabundant relic is achievable in a significant parameter space of the two-component model where the total DM relic is mainly dominated by the fermionic DM contribution. The scalar DM is found to be sub-dominant or equally dominant

Practical Implementation/ Social Implications of the Research:

This research explores a new idea in the search for dark matter, the invisible substance that makes up most of the matter in our universe. Instead of assuming dark matter is made of just one kind of particle, this study investigates a two-component model, where a heavier dark matter particle can decay or interact to produce a lighter, faster one. These “boosted” light dark matter particles could leave detectable traces in experiments here on Earth. The study carefully examines how this model fits with current cosmological observations and what conditions are needed for it to work.

While the work is theoretical, it has strong practical implications: it can guide ongoing and future experiments in detecting dark matter more effectively. Understanding dark matter is one of the most important unsolved problems in physics, and progress here could lead to understanding more about the picture of the universe. In the broader sense, such deep-space research inspires innovation, sharpens technology, and fuels curiosity-driven science that ultimately benefits society.

Collaborations:

This work has been done in collaboration with Mr Arindam Basu, PhD Scholar, the Department of Physics, SRM University-AP.

Future Research Plans:

• Study of the Dark Matter Direct Detection prospects.
• Study of the Dark Matter Indirect Detection prospects.
• Searching new physics at energy frontier.

The link to the article

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While the saying – ‘School time is the best time in a child’s life,’ would have been true years ago, it no longer reflects the current scenario among school-going adolescents. Today, children in school can be under just as much stress and burden as a fully grown adult. Though factors like academic pressure, social expectations, and family dynamics mattered even earlier, today these factors have developed a new-found intensity, and when topped with the hormonal changes, can adversely affect an adolescent, making their life challenging. Dr Sandra Roshni Monterio, Assistant Professor at the Department of Psychology, analyses the situation through her paper titled Psychosocial predictors of adolescent stress: insights from a school-going cohort.

Brief abstract

This study investigates the psychosocial factors influencing stress among 1,104 school-going adolescents in Telangana, India. Utilising the Adolescence Stress Scale and various psychosocial measures, hierarchical multiple regression and serial mediation analyses revealed that emotional instability, ill health experiences, conscientiousness, and psychosocial support significantly predict adolescent stress, explaining 6% of the variance. Serial mediation models highlighted family health and emotional efficacy as key mediators. The findings underscore the complex interplay of psychosocial factors in adolescent stress and suggest targeted interventions focusing on emotional regulation and family health to mitigate stress.

Explanation of the Research in Layperson’s Terms

Adolescence is a time of big changes, and while this is true globally, Indian school-going children may experience these changes differently because of our unique cultural and social expectations. This research looks at why teenagers feel stressed and what factors contribute to it. We studied over 1,100 students from schools in Telangana, India, to understand how things like their personality, family life, and social support affect their stress levels. We found that feeling emotionally unstable, having health problems, being overly responsible, and even the kind of support they get from others can increase stress. In fact, too much social support, especially when it’s uninvited or feels controlling, can make adolescents feel even more overwhelmed. This is particularly relevant in India, where family bonds are strong but can sometimes come with pressure, judgment, or expectations. Additionally, the turn to virtual dependency may be temporarily comforting but may not always translate to meaningful connection leading to greater feelings of isolation.

Together, these factors explain a small but important part of why teens feel stressed. We also discovered that a healthy family environment and the ability to manage emotions can help reduce stress. This means that helping teens cope with their emotions and supporting strong family relationships could make them feel less stressed.

Despite growing awareness about teen mental health, most Indian studies have focused only on academic stress or used Western tools that may not capture the emotional landscape of Indian adolescents. Our study fills this gap by using tools grounded in Indian cultural realities and examining the “how” and “why” behind stress, not just “how much” stress exists.

In short, Indian children face a mix of visible and invisible pressures. To truly support them, we need to look beyond grades, listen without judging, and create spaces, both online and offline, where they feel safe, heard, and understood.

Practical Implementation or Social Implications:

The findings from this study have practical implications for schools, families, and mental health professionals. By identifying emotional instability and ill health as key stress contributors, schools can implement programs teaching emotional regulation skills to help adolescents manage stress. The significant role of family health suggests that family-based interventions, like workshops promoting positive parent-child communication, could reduce teen stress. Additionally, the findings challenge the assumption that more social support is always better, suggesting the quality of support matters more than quantity, especially in cultures undergoing social transition. There is a need for tailored support that respects adolescents’ desire for independence. These insights can inform policies in educational and community settings to foster environments that reduce stress and promote mental well-being among teenagers, particularly in high-pressure cultural contexts like India.

Collaborations:

This study was a collaborative effort between SRM University-AP, GITAM University, Hyderabad Campus, and Centre for Health Psychology, University of Hyderabad

Future Research Plans:

Building on these findings, our future research will focus on practical and achievable steps to deepen our understanding of adolescent stress. We plan to develop culturally grounded interventions to improve family health and adolescent emotional efficacy, tailored to the Indian context. To address the modest explained variance, we will explore a limited set of additional factors, such as academic pressure and peer relationships.

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The Economic Times

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