Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), the School of Economics, organized ARTHA 2020:Mega Fest of Economics. The festival was inaugurated by India's foremost research economist, Dr. Arvind Virmani, the former Chief Economic Advisor to the Govt of India and India's representative to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Washington DC.

An abstract painting of Goddess Durga, painted by student of Economics, was presented to the guest. Dr. Arvind Virmani shared his views on spells of economic growth since liberalization. He also highlighted how the entire policy measures focused remodeling of the planning to avoid the subprime lending crisis in 2008 which hit most parts of the world. The noted Economist also focused on the growth stagnation scenario of India. However, he was optimistic about the entire economic situation prevailing in the country because of the policy measures taken will reap the benefits in the long run. Further, Prof D Mukhopadhyay, Dean Faculty of Management, also addressed the audience, while posing a good picture of the basic and steep concepts of Economics.

Dr. Kakali Majumdar, Head, School of Economics and Dean of Students Welfare, Dr. Yougal Khajuria also spoke on the occasion. Briefing about ARTHA and vote of thanks were delivered by Dr. D P Priyadarshi Joshi and Dr. Meenakshi Gupta, Faculty Coordinators of the event, respectively. More than 200 young aspirant students of Economics participated in the Mega Fest from different schools, institutions, and colleges of Jammu & Kashmir UT.

In the series of Mega Talk, Sandeep Mittal, General Manager of Human Resource Management Department, Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Jammu Branch, was guest of honor. He acquainted the audience with the recently released bi-monthly RBI monetary policy statements and about different issues that challenge day to day life like monetary policy, inflation, exports and the way forward for Industrialists to improve growth.

The festival moved further with the cultural evening with mesmerizing dance and music performances by the students that helped to lighten the soul.