Chicago University product K.L Krishna wins the maiden PJ Thomas National Award

Eminent economist and a product of Chicago University, Dr. K.L.Krishna, Chairman, Madras Institute of Development Studies, has been honoured with the maiden PJ Thomas National Award at an august function at the Kochi's Bharata Mata College at Thrikkakara on Friday.

Dr. Y. V. Reddy, former Reserve Bank of India Governor and an astute economist by his own right, presented the award while Cardinal George Alenchery, Major Archbishop the of Syro Malabar Church, presided.

"Thomas, was independent India's first economic adviser while Jawaharlal Nehru was the Prime Minister, " reminded Dr. Reddy. "He studied under Prof Meynard Keynes in Oxford and was a signatory of the Bretten Woods conference that laid the foundation for the International Monetary Fund. He also represented India in the first United Nations conference in San Francisco"

"Like Keynes, P. J. Thomas advocated for Government's infusing funds to prop up economy. He mooted the concept of sales tax while he served Madras Provincial Prime Minister C. Rajagopalachari. All the while he was a champion of the marginal farmers, the poor and the downtrodden, " pointed out Reddy. Reddy said he admired Thomas for his fundamental treatise on federalism that is the foundation of democracy.

P.C. Cyriac IAS (Retd), former Additional Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu and a member of the P.J. Thomas Foundation, who introduced PJ Thomas to the new generation, said that Thomas was the most eminent economist ever produced by Kerala after John Mathai, who served the Union Government as Finance Minister under Nehru.

Cardinal George Alenchery said that PJ Thomas legacy is all the more significant at a time when his native state of Kerala was suffering from the financial ruin of its farm sector and is on the wrong side of Kasturi Rangan recommendations for the conservation of the Western Ghats.

Dr. E.M Thomas, biographer of P.J. Thomas, introduced Dr. K.L Krishna, the winner for the first PJ Thomas Award for the Economist of the Year.  He said every one of the panel of jurors that included IITians was unanimous  in the choice of the winner. The award goes with a purse of Rs 50,000.

Dr. KL Krishna while thanking for the honour, said that he was fortunate for doing his MSc at the University of Kerala and for serving the Centre for Development Studies  instituted by Dr. K.N. Raj in Trivandrum as a visiting fellow. In Delhi School of Economics, they worked as colleagues. "Kerala is my second home, I have had many classmates from Kerala, " he said.

Mar Sebastian Adyanthrath, Auxiliary Bishop of Ernakulam-Angamali Diocese, is the chairman of the Dr. P.J. Thomas Foundation. Rev. Varghese Kalaparambath, Manager of the College, proposed a vote of thanks. Dr. PJ Thomas, born in Kuravilangadu in Kottayam district had spent the last years of his life at his estate in Marampally near Alway. A large delegation from Marampally led by vicar Rev. George Padayatty attended the function.

Principal Jose J. Puthussery presented a ponnada to Dr. Y.V. Reddy while Dr. Kochurany Thomas compeered the function.

Chicago University product K.L Krishna wins the maiden PJ Thomas National Award text, images Kurian Pampadi Eminent economist and a product of Chicago University, Dr. K.L.Krishna, Chairman, Madras Institute of Development Studies, has been honoured with the maiden PJ Thomas National Award at an august function at the Kochi's Bharata Mata College at Thrikkakara on Friday. Dr. Y. V. Reddy, former Reserve Bank of India Governor and an astute economist by his own right, presented the award while Cardinal George Alenchery, Major Archbishop the of Syro Malabar Church, presided. "Thomas, was independent India's first economic adviser while Jawaharlal Nehru was the Prime Minister, " reminded Dr. Reddy. "He studied under Prof Meynard Keynes in Oxford and was a signatory of the Bretten Woods conference that laid the foundation for the International Monetary Fund. He also represented India in the first United Nations conference in San Francisco" "Like Keynes, P. J. Thomas advocated for Government's infusing funds to prop up economy. He mooted the concept of sales tax while he served Madras Provincial Prime Minister C. Rajagopalachari. All the while he was a champion of the marginal farmers, the poor and the downtrodden, " pointed out Reddy. Reddy said he admired Thomas for his fundamental treatise on federalism that is the foundation of democracy. P.C. Cyriac IAS (Retd), former Additional Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu and a member of the P.J. Thomas Foundation, who introduced PJ Thomas to the new generation, said that Thomas was the most eminent economist ever produced by Kerala after John Mathai, who served the Union Government as Finance Minister under Nehru. Cardinal George Alenchery said that PJ Thomas legacy is all the more significant at a time when his native state of Kerala was suffering from the financial ruin of its farm sector and is on the wrong side of Kasturi Rangan recommendations for the conservation of the Western Ghats. Dr. E.M Thomas, biographer of P.J. Thomas, introduced Dr. K.L Krishna, the winner for the first PJ Thomas Award for the Economist of the Year. He said every one of the panel of jurors that included IITians was unanimous in the choice of the winner. The award goes with a purse of Rs 50,000. Dr. KL Krishna while thanking for the honour, said that he was fortunate for doing his MSc at the University of Kerala and for serving the Centre for Development Studies instituted by Dr. K.N. Raj in Trivandrum as a visiting fellow. In Delhi School of Economics, they worked as colleagues. "Kerala is my second home, I have had many classmates from Kerala, " he said. Mar Sebastian Adyanthrath, Auxiliary Bishop of Ernakulam-Angamali Diocese, is the chairman of the Dr. P.J. Thomas Foundation. Rev. Varghese Kalaparambath, Manager of the College, proposed a vote of thanks. Dr. PJ Thomas, born in Kuravilangadu in Kottayam district had spent the last years of his life at his estate in Marampally near Alway. A large delegation from Marampally led by vicar Rev. George Padayatty attended the function. Principal Jose J. Puthussery presented a ponnada to Dr. Y.V. Reddy while Dr. Kochurany Thomas compeered the function. pictures 1. PJ Thomas Award winner Prof K.L.Krishna flanked by Profs Michael Tharakan and E.M. Thomas 2. Cardinal George Alenchery with Dr. Y.V Reddy 3.Principal Jose J. Puthussery honouring Reddy 4.Delegation from PJ Thomas' village Marampally 5.P.C. Cyriac IAS (Retd) with the guest of honour 6. Professors Sister Tessy Thomas and Kochurani Thomas

Cardinal George Alenchery with Dr. Y.V Reddy

Principal Jose J. Puthussery honouring Reddy

Delegation from PJ Thomas' village Marampally

P.C. Cyriac IAS (Retd) with the guest of honour