Ashoka Reflections_JUNE 2023
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Here is how Raghvi Garg describes her Ashokan journey:
“In my dissertation, titled “Normative constraints and behavior”, I explore how norms constrain individual
behavior and influence aggregate outcomes in the presence of interaction. These norms could be internally
determined moral standards or externally stipulated social standards to which they feel the need to
conform. I am deeply indebted to my advisor, Professor Abhinash Borah, for his support and
encouragement during these years. He inspired me to pursue Ph.D. and believed in me, before and more
than anyone else. His relentlessness, drive for perfection and foresight continues to shape me into a better
version of myself.
I had known Professor Borah since my Master’s days, and it was his field of work that had a direct bearing
on my interest in pursuing a Ph.D. thereafter. Professor Bhaskar Dutta headed the Economics Department
when I had to decide on joining Ashoka and interacting with him at that stage helped me gain clarity. Both
Professor Dutta’s and Borah’s presence in Ashoka was a certain reassurance.
Ashoka also had a very strong pool of faculty members, and I was particularly looking forward to exploring
different areas of research. Given the alignment of my area of interest, I felt very confident and motivated
towards the pursuit. For me, the decision was about following my heart, even if that meant going against
the conventions.
It was also Ashoka’s Visitors Programme that stood out for me. Some of the leading researchers from
across the globe visited Ashoka to conduct workshops over three to four days which offered me an
opportunity to discuss my work with them. Professor Yoram Halevy visited Ashoka during my first year of
PhD and my interaction with him has had a significant influence on my work. Recently, I had the opportunity
to discuss my work in great detail with Professor Sanjeev Goyal, who visited Ashoka for the programme.
Ashoka’s Visitors Programme provides immense learning opportunities for young researchers and is
instrumental in their growth as intellectuals.
Having no cohort of fellow researchers is a big drawback for any Ph.D. student. However, Ashoka enabled
an environment for collaborative research among students who were enrolled in Masters’s and
Undergraduate programmes. With the vision and support of my advisor, Professor Abhinash Borah, we
were able to build a group of enthusiastic students who would pursue research in Decision Theory, an
important yet neglected field of research in Economics in India.
Ashoka gave me the freedom to pursue research in an unimposing way, helping me build a strong
foundation for the trailing batches.”
Abhinash Borah, Assistant Professor of Economics, at Ashoka University and Raghvi’s supervisor, says,
“Raghvi has grown tremendously during her time at Ashoka and, as she graduates, is on the cusp of an
exciting research career. I will forever be indebted to her for her leading role in the growth of my research
group at Ashoka. Our research group’s core focus is Decision Theory. This field is a bedrock of modern
economic theory. Still, it has historically not been at the forefront of research in India. Raghvi deserves great
credit not only for the quality of her work but for her leadership in facilitating this research agenda to grow
at Ashoka.
Ashoka Reflections | Page 02
Ashoka University proudly announces its first Ph.D.
graduate Raghvi Garg at the Convocation ceremony
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