Economic Growth in India Past 1000 years and Present: In the early centuries up to the age of Greater Cholas of 9th century, India was the richest country. This magnet attracted the Romans, Greeks, Mongols and Europeans till the recent centuries. Out of the worlds wealth not less than 50% was produced by India and China. Indian Economic History, like the rest of sub disciplines of Indian Economics is a neglected subject under the glamour for money-making disciplines of medicine, engineering etc. and calculated neglect of government planners and people. Developed countries allot equal share of resources for social sciences, languages, history and career oriented technology and medicine. Economic illiteracy is the cause of faulty government policies and illogical demands by the public, to the detriment of orderly democratic evolution of India. Economic growth, income distribution, reduction of social injustice, balance between long term and short term goals would be effective by proper Economics Education.

The Nobel Laureates Gunnar Myrdal (1898-1987) and Alva Myrdal(1902-1986); Kalaignar and Murasoli Maran. Gunnar Myrdal taught Economics and Sociology in Stockholm University (1933-67), later served as Minister of Commerce, international diplomat. A frequent visitor to India and many of us Economists had much of his time and discussions. His wife also Nobel Laureate(Peace) Sociologist and UN administrator was a reputed antiwar activist. They had the rich heritage of Swedish welfare state from which J M Keynes learnt many of his pet theories. Their family included the legendary President of Harvard University Dr Derek Bok, who had record term of office and was invited again to step into the breach. There is much history in common between the Myrdals, Kalaignar and Marans. This is what I know of their social philosophy in varying degrees of familiarity.

Nobel recipients and Nominated Nobels: Some receive and many more are nominated. Eligible but not awarded include Mahatma Gandhi, Jayaprakash Narain, R.K.Narain (English) Jagdish Bhagwathi (Economics) and Dr. M.Varadarajanar(Tamil). Dr. Mu Va’s Tirukkural has world record in sales. He refused to get Padma award in Linguistic protest in 1960s against Hindi domination.

Pandit Nehru and Kalaignar –Social Justice Leaders: During the near 70 years of revolutionary public life, Kalaignar had in common with Pandit Nehru - political agitation, jail incarceration, prolific writing, trusted academics and activists as colleagues. Anna, Kalaingar, Navalar Nedunchezian, Prof K Anbhazhagan. Era Sezhian, Nanjil Manoharan etc are the reputed scholars among political leaders. In his Will and Testament Pandit Nehru declares that apart from inherited Anand Bhavan, his income was from Royalties for his publications, managed in Britain by V K Krishna Menon. Similarly the writings in Murasoli, books, articles, speeches built the Dravidian movement since 1940s. Kalaignar and Murasoli Maran were brilliant journalists, writers of screen plays, stories, social, economic and political tracts, with has lessons for India and many nations and nationalities.

Democratic Leadership of Nehrus; Murasoli Maran and M K Stalin apprentices of Kalaignar. Heritage, Environment and Professionalism is a great combination. Orator of the Congress Party Late T Chengalvaroyan, Mayor of Madras, was a close friend of Arignar Anna. Both lead the youth Congress and the Dravida Kazhagam respectively, as opponents in politics but friends all their lives. Mayor Chengalvaroyan’s tribute to Kalaignar family likens it to William Pitt, Pitt the Elder (1708-78) and William Pitt, the Younger(1759-1806), father and son, both Prime Ministers of Britain. Leadership in a Democracy requires long apprenticeship, careful nurturing and testing in the crucible of sacrifice, struggle against odds and admirable service to fellowmen. The Pitts, Churchills, Kennedys, Clintons, Nehrus have walked on fire and brimstone, saw success and defeats alike, and had a policy and social philosophy which the Leadership demands. The late Hon.Minister Murasoli Maran has a place of honour in the history of political and economic thought of 20th century India. He was trained by Kalaignar and he was loyal to him to the end of his life. This is credit alike to the teacher and taught.