DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR AS A MODERN ECONOMIC THINKER

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was not only a statesman but also a visionary economist whose ideas continue to shape India’s economic landscape. With an academic foundation from Columbia University and the London School of Economics, he critically analyzed exploitative financial structures and championed policies aimed at economic inclusivity. He firmly believed that true freedom could only be achieved through economic empowerment, advocating for industrialization, fair wages, labor rights, land reforms, and monetary stability. His groundbreaking work, The Problem of the Rupee (1923), dissected the weaknesses of India's currency policies, while his labor and land reform proposals sought to uplift the marginalized. Ambedkar’s economic philosophy was rooted in justice and democracy, emphasizing the need for state intervention to dismantle socio-economic inequalities. His legacy remains a beacon of progress, offering enduring solutions for achieving equitable and sustainable economic growth. This paper explores his transformative economic thought, asserting his place not only as a nation-builder but as one of modern India’s most influential economic thinkers.