Distinguished Economist Prof. Kaushik Basu from Cornell University Visits IIM Calcutta

Distinguished Economist Prof. Kaushik Basu from Cornell University Visits IIM Calcutta

It was an evening of heightened intellectual activity at the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta as Prof. Kaushik Basu, eminent economist and C. Marks Professor of International Studies and Professor of Economics at Cornell University delivered a talk on the path ahead for Indian economy.

The event was organized by Colloquia Cell, an entirely student run body at IIMC that has been organizing talks and lectures by renowned personalities across a wide spectrum of fields for many many years.

Speaking to more than a hundred strong audience, Prof. Basu expressed his optimism on the globalization of Indian economy and the prospects and challenges facing the Indian economy as it emerges into one of the fastest growing economies of the world. While applauding India's efforts for development of professional education, he expressed his concern for the lack of emphasis on basic sciences and arts streams in India. He also emphasized the importance of a trustworthy culture in development of a nation's economy.

In addition, he conducted a special session on career options available to economics students in corporate, academia and international organizations. Holding the audience spellbound by his insights into Indian economy, he enlightened the students with his valuable and enriching experience in the field of economics and what it means to be an economist of international repute. Despite his best efforts, Prof. Basu couldn't dodge explaining how an economist can be an excellent playwright as well.

The enthusiasm apparent among the students standing in the packed lecture theatre was equally matched by the faculty members of IIM Calcutta with the likes of renowned Economics professors Prof. Amitava Bose, Prof. Anindya Sen being present on the occasion among a host of other faculty members. Prof. Basu with his usual combination of poise and intellect answered a host of flocking students' queries during tea-break.

Prof. Basu is the recipient of prestigious national Mahalanobis Memorial Medal for contribution to economics and a regular columnist for the BBC Online column wherein he writes on a wide range of topics ranging from economic inequality in Indian society to problem of child labour and role of international organizations in setting up a new economic world order. Having completed his doctoral thesis under the supervision of Nobel Laureate Prof. Amartya Sen at London School of Economics, Prof. Basu has been a visiting faculty at MIT, Harvard and LSE during his academic career spanning three decades.

Concluded.

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Contributed by -
Abhishek Saha & Mihir Kulkarni,
External Relations Cell,
Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta.

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