Breaking Through: The Extraordinary Journey of Isher Judge Ahluwalia

From a modest upbringing in a family of eleven children to becoming one of India’s most influential policy economists, Isher Judge Ahluwalia’s life is a testament to perseverance, intellect, and groundbreaking contributions to economic thought. Breaking Through is the candid and inspiring story of a woman who not only defied the odds but also helped shape India’s economic landscape.

Her journey took her from Presidency College to the Delhi School of Economics and then to the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she honed her sharp analytical mind. As a young economist, she fought against the entrenched orthodoxy of the license-permit-quota Raj, championing policies that would later contribute to India’s economic liberalization. As the driving force behind the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), she transformed it into one of the country’s most respected economic think tanks. Her later work on urbanization shed light on one of India’s most pressing challenges, further cementing her legacy as a thought leader.

Beyond policy and economics, this memoir is a deeply personal narrative of balancing career and family. Married for five decades to Montek Singh Ahluwalia, a fellow economist and policymaker, she navigated the power corridors of New Delhi while staying deeply connected to her roots.

Insightful, honest, and engaging, Breaking Through is more than just the story of an economist—it is the story of a trailblazer, a woman who broke barriers, and a life that witnessed and influenced India’s transformation.