Pune University Hosts Budget Exhibition to Decode Union Budget 2025
Reported by Niketan Kadam
Pune, 7th February 2025: The Department of Economics, Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), organized its annual Union Budget Exhibition 2025, where students presented key highlights of the Union Budget tabled on 1st February 2025. This initiative, held since 2007, aims to create awareness about various aspects of the Union Budget while training students to explain these aspects to visitors.
Speaking to Punekar News, Prof. Surabhi Jain, Head of the Department of Economics, emphasized the importance of making budgetary concepts accessible to the common public. “It is crucial for the common man to understand the budget, how the government earns and spends money. The budget, being full of technical jargon, needs to be simplified so that people can grasp its significance. This exhibition plays an essential role in decoding the budget for the general public,” she stated.
Engaging and Interactive Budget Awareness
The exhibition was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Parag Kalkar, Pro Vice-Chancellor of SPPU, at 11 AM and remained open to students of the university and affiliated colleges until 6 PM. Students from the department presented budget highlights across 10 categories, including gender budgeting, public expenditure, public debt, government schemes, green budget, and social sectors.
To ensure broader accessibility, all posters were displayed in both English and Marathi, allowing students from various disciplines to grasp the intricacies of the budget. The event also introduced interactive elements, such as selfie points to attract student engagement and an audio-visual segment showcasing the history of the Indian budget.
Hands-On Learning Under New Education Policy (NEP)
Prof. Dr. Mansi Gore, Coordinator of the Budget Exhibition, highlighted the significance of such initiatives under the New Education Policy (NEP). In an interview with Punekar News, she said, “The NEP emphasizes practical knowledge and experiential learning. This exhibition aligns with that vision by enabling students to simplify complex economic concepts for the public. It fosters a hands-on approach to understanding day-to-day financial matters.”
She further added that the exhibition has been integrated into the academic curriculum, with first-year students being graded for their participation and second-year students assigned as project guides for different categories.
Budget Insights and the Role of Future Economists
In an interview with Punekar News, Prof. Surabhi Jain underlined the significance of budget awareness for students, stating, “Understanding the budget helps individuals plan their finances wisely. Today’s students will be tomorrow’s primary earners, and it is essential for them to grasp economic concepts effortlessly. This exhibition serves that purpose.”
When asked about her personal views on the Union Budget 2025, she highlighted the government’s focus on technological advancements in agriculture, particularly the use of nanotechnology to boost farm productivity. She also stressed the importance of continued investment in social welfare programs to support marginalized communities.
Looking ahead, Prof. Jain expressed her desire to introduce a hybrid model for next year’s exhibition, where online posters will be showcased alongside handmade ones.
Student Perspectives on the Exhibition
Students actively participated in the event, with Nikhil Patil, a first-year MA student, presenting a poster on India’s position in the global economic landscape. He shared his experience, stating, “This exercise is incredibly helpful in clarifying economic concepts and enhancing our understanding of global economic trends.”
Similarly, Omkar Londhe, another student from the department, remarked, “The exhibition serves as an excellent revision tool for micro and macroeconomics while strengthening our analytical skills.”
The Union Budget Exhibition 2025 successfully fostered financial literacy, encouraged student engagement, and reinforced the importance of simplifying complex economic ideas for the broader community.
