Akash Kumar is currently in his final semester of his Integrated Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Development Studies with a specialization in Economics from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras in Chennai, India. Born and brought up a stone’s throw away from Orwell’s birthplace in Champaran, Bihar, Akash claims to have inherited his skepticism of authority and concern for the poor but not his democratic socialism (whatever that means).
Akash was introduced to libertarianism when he was gifted a copy of Ayn Rand’s Anthem by his teacher while on a high school exchange in the United States. Akash’s belief in classical liberalism is firmly rooted in natural rights and Indic multiculturalism; although he considers himself to be a consequentialist libertarian in the mold of Milton Friedman. He finds his views close to that of the State Capacity Libertarians who believe in a strong but limited government. This view comes from his passion for contextualizing the liberty movement to suit the realities of South Asia where the state capacity remains low and the state authority high.
Akash has a career interest in entrepreneurship and public policy. He has worked with startups, incubators and governments on strategy, growth and product management. He has represented India at various international fora including a Commonwealth Summit in Malaysia, Govt. of India’s Delegation to China and at an entrepreneurship summit at Stanford University.
Akash likes to read in English as well as in Hindi and loves to hang out with people who treat him in exchange for his cribbing and chatter, mostly things political. He has been published in two of India’s leading English dailies, Hindustan Times and Deccan Herald and co-hosts the Arth Unearth fortnightly podcast that deconstructs themes from movies and TV shows to discuss the economics, politics and science behind it.
Akash, along with Sougandhi, conceptualized and co-founded the Freedom Fellowship as a South Asia Students for Liberty initiative. He looks after the academic, editorial and fellowship experience component of the program.
Published Work:
A case for shutting down BSNL | Deccan Herald
Testing Deregulation Can Help Fight COVID-19 | Mises Wire
Taking the United Nations SDGs to Indian Schools | YES Programs
Remembering C. Rajagopalachari On His 45th Death Anniversary | Youth Ki Awaaz
