- Current inflation is expected to abate within the next 12 to 18 months
- Normalcy expected soon if there are no major policy shifts
Economics is the most relevant subject for society because none is out of its gambit. From household kitchen to the budget of a nation, everything comes under the premises of economics. That’s why it has been a subject of serious discussions among politicians, economists, industrialists, and even housewives. When taught in school, Economics is one of the toughest subjects, requiring students to pay attention to each definition and explanation so that they can come up with solutions using their problem-solving skills. But, when a student is engrossed in this subject, society witnesses young proponents of Economics like Sarvadh.
Just like any other teenager of his age, Sarvadh also enjoys playing indoor and outdoor games, watching cartoon shows, and more. But, what sets him apart from the rest is his unique understanding and acuteness towards ‘Economics’. While Economics is often not the favourite subject for lots of children of his age, this boy has Economics ingrained in him. He has represented India at the World Economics Cup - WEC 2020, World Future Business Leaders Cup (WFBL), and International Business Olympiad (IBO) at the tender age of 15.
Sarvadh Sathiaram, a Grade 11 student of the Akshar Arbol International School (Chennai) belongs to a traditional South Indian family with a strong value system and willingness to participate in nation-building activities. Carrying forward the legacy, Sarvadh is determined to serve the country with his aptitude and knowledge of Economics. His goal is to improve the quality of life for individuals and at a macro level for communities and countries. As per his understanding and foresight, current inflation is expected to abate within the next 12 to 18 months. Businesses can possibly weather a transient shock and return to normal if there are no major policy shifts from the RBI or Centre.
He claims that a sharp increase in commodity prices, upward pressure on wages and dealing with cost increases are really making the decision map very interesting for companies. Similar to what happened in the 1970s, workers expect sharp wage rises. “Suppliers expect persistent inflation and prefer it to be a regular feature of their negotiations. Simultaneously, inflation often entails complacent consumers who are ready to accept price increases. That, in turn, can allow companies to easily boost profit margins by raising prices and not be compelled to invest in greater efficiency. These are very interesting times and as a society, it is important for us to make the right trade-offs without pushing people into poverty. I am optimistic that India will do well,” Sarvadh says.
When asked what attracts him towards such a complex subject, Sarvadh asserted, “Economics is an integral part of our lives. It affects our lives – subtly and obviously. When it comes to making choices such as leisure, work, consumption, savings, etc., Economics helps us choose better options and make wise and informed decisions. Growth, inflation, interest rates, and other macro and micro-economic trends have a direct or indirect impact on our daily lives. It cloud be a principal lever to bring about positive change in the quality of life. This is what attracts me towards Economics.”
Sarvadh has won multiple titles and medals in economics and business. He has represented India at the World Economics Cup - WEC 2020 and won the silver medal in Individual Economics (Aggregate) award category after competing with hundreds of international high school students from 33 different countries. He also won 16th place in the Deep Comprehension category, and “Global Top 10 Award” in the Thinking and Innovation category at WEC 2020.
Sarvadh’s international achievements only grew further. In early 2021, he represented India and competed at the World Future Business Leaders Cup (WFBL), an international competition for high school students in the areas of business and finance. In this competition, he secured “Global 4th Place” in International Business while competing with many high school students 2-3 years older than him. This finish in the Top 5 in the world also gained him a direct entry to represent India at the International Business Olympiad (IBO) which just finished on August 15, 2021. In addition to the various international achievements, he has also won several other competitions in the areas of economics, finance and business over the years.
