In an era where economic discourse often revolves around AI-driven innovations, a 17-year-old from Mumbai is turning heads by drawing parallels between ancient Indian philosophy and contemporary policy dilemmas. Aaditya Sengupta Dhar, a bestselling author and high school student, has created Vedanomics, a bi-weekly column in BW Businessworld and a popular Spotify podcast that bridges millennia-old philosophies with today’s volatile business landscape.
Aaditya’s journey into this intellectual fusion began early. At eight, he penned a handwritten encyclopaedia on ancient civilizations, which was proudly displayed in his school library. By the age of 17, he had already authored six books, including the Amazon bestseller Kaalchakra (2024), a fantasy novel steeped in Indian mythology that earned acclaim from the reputed Kirkus Reviews as “an immersive mythological yarn with a YA twist” and Publishers Weekly for its “spirited, swaggering” characters. His non-fiction The Teen’s Guide to Saving the World (2023) won three international awards, including Silver at the US Non-Fiction Book Awards and a Top 3 spot at the Teen Readers’ Choice Awards, the only US national literary honour voted on by teens. Earlier works like Underdogs (2020) raised funds for Save the Children India, while Back from the Brink (2021), backed by an MIT Solv[ED] micro-grant, addressed urban animal extinction. These efforts culminated in the 2024 Young Achievers Award from the India Achievers Forum, recognizing his social impact through writing.
Vedanomics emerged from Aaditya’s passion for learning about history and applying its lessons to the present day. “I’ve always believed history isn’t just about dates; it’s about people’s lives and choices,” Aaditya says. He pitched the concept to BW Businessworld’s editorial team, drawing from texts like the Arthashastra, Puranas, Ramayana, and Mahabharata. Since its launch, he has authored 23 Vedanomics articles, blending rigorous research with accessible storytelling. Titles like “Nudgeshastra: Ancient India’s Contribution To Behavioural Economics” examine how Kautilya’s theories predate modern nudges in initiatives like Swachh Bharat. “Ahimsa As Strategy: Doing Good Being Good For Business” applies ancient concepts of tolerance to corporate sustainability. Noor Warsia, Group Editorial Director at BW Businessworld, praises Aaditya’s “breadth and depth of thinking” and his ability to make “insightful connections with unwavering passion.”
Complementing the written series is the Vedanomics podcast, whose popularity is attested to by its nearly 200,000 Spotify streams, making ancient ideas accessible to a modern, digital-first generation. Aaditya hosts in-depth conversations with Indian CXOs, exploring how ancient values like dharma and being a karmayogi influence contemporary leaders, creating a uniquely Indian approach to global challenges. The Vedanomics podcast has garnered global attention, being selected as a Finalist in the People’s Choice Podcast Awards in the category of podcasts hosted by Asians.
Despite the accolades he has won at a young age, Aaditya remains humble, saying he draws inspiration from his favourite author, J.R.R. Tolkien, who said, “Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.” Through Vedanomics, he’s doing just that, inspiring India’s youth to see their cultural roots not as an anachronism in a modern, globalised world, but as a source of timeless wisdom and pride.
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