Manipal: Dr Montek Ahluwalia to address Manipal Varsity Convocation
Divvy Kant Upadhyay, Manipal for Daijiworld Media Network

Manipal, Oct 27: The University town of Manipal is putting its act together for its biggest annual event – the University Convocation which is scheduled for November 2nd. According to a notice on the Manipal University (MU) website, Deputy Chairman of the Government’s Planning Commission – the expert who is literally considered to be India’s Chief Economic Advisor, Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia is expected to be the Chief Guest at the function. Known for his eloquence, Dr Ahluwalia is a globally recognized expert in Economics. The Chairperson of the Board of Governors of the New Delhi based ICRIER - Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations, Dr Isher Judge Ahluwalia is expected to be the Guest of Honour for the function.

Speaking to Daijiworld, MU Pro Chancellor, Dr HS Ballal said that the University Convocation at Manipal is the most important event at the University. “Majority of students in this convocation are Engineering graduates of the Manipal Institute of Technology(MIT), Manipal” he said. More than 1520 graduates from the 20 constituent colleges of the University have registered for the Convocation already. Close to 4000 guests are expected on the Convocation day which witnesses the entire campus brightly lit up and decorated.

“Dr Montek and Dr Isher are highly regarded Economic Policy experts and we are glad they have accepted the invitation to our Convocation” said Dr Ballal. Last year renowned Author and Management Guru– Dr Gurcharan Das was the Chief Guest at the University Convocation.

While MU Chancellor Dr Ramdas Pai would be present, MU Vice Chancellor Dr Raj P Warrier is expected to give a brief overview of the University during the last academic year.

Manipal University also holds a summer convocation annually at Mangalore to cater to the large number of health sciences students studying at different medical and allied health colleges of the University.

Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia is often credited with being the co-architect of the great Indian Liberalisation move in early 90’s along with current Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. Abroad, he has worked at senior positions in the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) for more than 14 years and while in the country he has occupied every important chair in the administration of commerce and economic affairs within the Government of India.

He was Special Secretary to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in late 80’s and later Chief Finance Secretary during the politically turbulent years from 1993 to 1998. During the NDA’s Vajpayee government he was also a member of the Planning Commission – a commission that he has now been heading since 2004 with the UPA government at the Centre. A Technocrat who is known for the expertise in his field, his capabilities to streamline the economy were evident when post 2009 election-results, media reports speculated him to take over as the Finance Minister of the country. Prime time debates on English TV News Channels were abuzz discussing if Dr Montek’s elevation to the Finance Minister’s post could bring a welcome change in Indian polity where technocrats rather than politicians were given a chance to lead crucial sectors of the Govt.

‘Economic growth alone cannot solve country’s problems’

Renowned Indian Economist Dr Isher Judge Ahluwalia is currently the Chairperson of the Board of Governors of the New Delhi based Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) - an institute that promotes policy oriented research and debate concentrating significantly on India’s Global Economic position. Addressing Manipal University students in April, Dr Isher Judge Ahluwalia opined that the problems in India’s civil society could not be solved by economic growth alone.

Citing the example of Punjab, on which she has done extensive research work, she said “Despite the state being one of the richest states of the country, its achievements in primary education and record in gender equality are abysmal. This cannot be a development pattern for India as it would be politically unsustainable in a democracy. The challenge is to ensure that benefits of growth reach every section of society.”

She said that this generation has an ‘enviable opportunity’ to contribute and benefit from India’s transition from a low-income country to a middle income country.