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Alchemy of Development | Politics of Well-Being

Alchemy of Development | Politics of Well-Being

Thomas Varghese
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What if happiness is not a private pursuit, but a collective, political project?

Alchemy of Development centres transformation through new ways of seeing, being, and doing. Bridging development studies with diverse religio-philosophical worldviews, it reimagines well-being as interconnected and public. The result is a shift: from addressing the visible manifestations of a faulty growth paradigm – inequality, conflicts, and ecological collapse – to understanding the deeper causes that sustain these crises.

Exposing the deep-seated logic of separation and othering that normalizes exploitation of people and the planet, the book highlights interdependent, relational worldviews in which well-being is realized in the collective. Building on Bhutan’s development trajectory and drawing insights from across cultures, it advances a new politics of well-being.

Ultimately, Alchemy of Development is a call to rethink how we live, govern, and relate to one another and to the world.

Imprint: India Penguin Enterprise

Published: Jul/2026

ISBN: 9789377300173 (Paperback)

Length : 200 Pages

MRP : ₹399.00

Alchemy of Development | Politics of Well-Being

Thomas Varghese

What if happiness is not a private pursuit, but a collective, political project?

Alchemy of Development centres transformation through new ways of seeing, being, and doing. Bridging development studies with diverse religio-philosophical worldviews, it reimagines well-being as interconnected and public. The result is a shift: from addressing the visible manifestations of a faulty growth paradigm – inequality, conflicts, and ecological collapse – to understanding the deeper causes that sustain these crises.

Exposing the deep-seated logic of separation and othering that normalizes exploitation of people and the planet, the book highlights interdependent, relational worldviews in which well-being is realized in the collective. Building on Bhutan’s development trajectory and drawing insights from across cultures, it advances a new politics of well-being.

Ultimately, Alchemy of Development is a call to rethink how we live, govern, and relate to one another and to the world.

Buying Options
Paperback / Hardback

Thomas Varghese

Thomas Varghese works across sustainability, culture and management. His career features extensive work in the development sector, including with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia-Pacific, Bangkok. His academic background spans history, development, and religion at St. Stephen’s College, Erasmus University and Harvard University. This multifaceted background shapes his holistic and interdisciplinary leadership in fostering cultural and social progress. He is currently the CEO of the Kochi Biennale Foundation, known for hosting South Asia’s largest contemporary arts festival—Kochi-Muziris Biennale.

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