Jaipur- The Institute of Development Studies (IDS), Jaipur, organised a public lecture on 9^th September on the theme “Revri Ya Haq: Samajik Suraksha Par Ek Nazaria”, taking its title from the recent book by Dr. Reetika Khera, Professor of Economics at IIT Delhi, who delivered the address.

The programme, attended by academicians, research scholars, students from Jaipur’s higher education institutions, representatives of civil society and members of the press, opened with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony and formal welcomes. Dr. Varinder Jain, Assistant Professor at IDSJ, introduced the speaker and framed the topic for the audience. Prof. Sanjay Lodha, Director-in-Charge of IDSJ, offered brief remarks on institute’s work and introduced the session chair, Prof. Sangeeta Sharma, former Head (Department of History), University of Rajasthan and member, IDSJ governing board.

Dr. Arvind Mayaram, chairperson (IDSJ governing board), shared observations on macroeconomic factors driving growth. He highlighted MGNREGA’s role in strengthening bargaining power of the poorest rural households.

Dr. Reetika Khera, in her lecture, examined several dimensions of social security in India and challenged common narratives that trivialise entitlement as mere handouts (Revri). Drawing on themes from her book, she unpacked the policy debates around COVID-era disruptions to health and education, emerging risks of a “data blackhole”, politics and practice of cash transfers, problem of corporate concentration, and tensions between technocracy and technology — with Aadhaar as a central case study. She also highlighted the broader implications of growing inequality in designing social protection.

Dr. Khera’s talk was followed by an engaging Q&A on policy trade-offs, implementation challenges and ways to strengthen rights-based social protection. The session concluded with a presidential address by Prof. Sangeeta Sharma, who praised Dr. Khera’s book for its clarity of language, evocative title and a strong reminder of the Constitution’s commitment to social justice. She said the book effectively makes complex policy debates accessible to a wider readership while insisting on normative foundations of social security.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks from Dr. Motilal Mahamallik, Assistant Professor at IDSJ. The lecture brought together scholars and practitioners for a thoughtful conversation on rights, policy and the future of social protection, highlighting the pivotal role of welfare measures in driving inclusive and sustainable economic growth.