Learning from the Best

While growing up, we often heard that stature does not come with capability alone, rather there are various other factors (or invisible hands), such as caste, class, place of birth, networking, and information that play a significant role in the elevation of a person. However, I always reckon that knowledge, capability, honesty, integrity, and other life traits are crucial to be a leader across different fields of action. I held these notions when I met Abhijit Sen, who was at that time a member of the Planning Commission.

He not only strengthened my belief in my capacities but also gave me the lesson of diligence, honesty, integrity, and simplicity without uttering a word while just being on the job. The world of economics is shattered by his untimely demise, particularly the academic circles, policymaking and implementing agencies of the nation. His contribution in the field of Indian agriculture is well established, be it introducing the agricultural scheme called “Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana” to analysing the public distribution system’s (PDS) effect on poverty reduction, the role of public expenditure on rural non-farm growth, etc. He was a proponent of universal PDS. However, the presence of a stalwart like Sen will constantly be felt in the form of his noble thoughts and innovative ideas as a source of guidance and pathway for the betterment of the Indian masses.