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EconundrumFest: Celebrating and learning economics through events.
St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai is known not only for catering to excellent education but also for promoting college culture through a variety of departmental fests. Econundrum is a 2-day fest Indigenous to the Economic Department of St. Xavier’s College, attracting participants and students across Mumbai as well as India.
This year, Econundrum was enthusiastically conducted on the 29th and the 30th of January with the collective efforts of students from multiple departments, and the current year included 11 dynamic events relevant to various economic issues and businesses, challenging young minds. The participants were shortlisted and adjudicated by business tycoons, banking professionals, and C-suite executives.
Highlights of Day 1
The few highlighting events from Day 1 start with the most awaited Lalit Doshi Debate, which was efficiently examined by (CA, CFA) Judge Parsh Chokshi, and highly talented (MA) Lorraine Vaz who provided insightful critiques and feedback, pushing participants to elevate their arguments. The debate is inspired by the Asian Parliamentary Debate format, further demanding the participants to debate topics primarily related to economic policies.
Another interesting event saw the contingents from different colleges competing to come up with innovative and cost-efficient solutions to various economic and business problems. The judge was Raghav Vohra, (the founder and CEO of Crizzen and a management consultant).
Concluding the day with a groundbreaking conclave session, where discussions took place on the idea of intersections of public policy, business, and government by expert speakers Ms. Alexian Wines(COO of Bower Group Asia); Mr. Vaman Desia(the senior director of the Bowers Group Asia); and Ms. Ttacheenee Munusamy(the payroll and compliance manager). The session sparked insightful discussions, offering students a real-world perspective on the complex relationships between these key sectors.
Highlights of Day 2
The next day was a combination of learning, competitions, and excitement. It was commenced by the most important segment of the fest ‘The Lalit Doshi Speaker Session’ featuring IAS Mr. Parveen Pardeshi as the guest speaker. His words of wisdom and inspiring insights motivated the students to pursue excellence in their respective fields. It was followed by the inauguration of the annual journal of the economic department ‘Arthniti’.
One of the flagship events, Biz Blitz, was the most awaited. Here young entrepreneurs pitched their business ideas using creativity, numbers, and spreadsheets and drove to strategic expert investors. The event demanded a blend of skills of negotiation, creativity, and business practicality. The event not only challenged participants but also engaged the audience, making it the spotlight of the fest.
The second conclave session was held on the dynamic topic of harnessing policy, industry, and innovation in decision-making. The key speakers consisted of Mr. Chandra Deo (the retired Welfare and Cess Commissioner at the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Govt. of India), Mr. Aishwarya Gupta (Deputy VP of marketing at Angel One), Mr. Kinjal Shah (CTO of Yes Securities), and Mrs. Sunita Ajay Ramanathan (VP of IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry). The discussion provided diverse insights from different industries, offering valuable takeaways on how policies and innovations drive economic progress.
Through engaging competitions, thought-provoking debates, and insightful conclave sessions, Econundrum 2025 successfully upheld the Economics Department’s tradition of educating and challenging students beyond the classroom. The fest not only tested participants’ knowledge but also instilled in them a deeper understanding of economic principles and their real-world applications.
The enthusiastic participation and the presence of distinguished speakers made this year’s Econundrum a grand success. The fest has once again proven that economics is not just a subject—it is a dynamic, evolving field that shapes societies and businesses alike.
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