Montek Singh Ahluwalia was an Indian economist and civil servant who served as Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission of India from July 6, 2004 to May 26, 2014. In 2001, he was appointed the first Director of the Independent Evaluation Office of the International Monetary Fund. fund. Montek is a distinguished fellow at the Center for Social and Economic Progress, a public policy think tank in New Delhi. He is the recipient of India’s second highest civilian award, Padma Vibhushan.
Wiki/Biography
Montek Singh Ahluwalia was born on Wednesday, November 24, 1943, in Rawalpindi, Punjab, British India (now Punjab, Pakistan) (age 79; as of 2022). His zodiac sign is Sagittarius. He attended St. Patrick’s High School, Secunderabad and Delhi Public School, Mathura Road, New Delhi. Montek studied for BA (Hons) from St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi, Delhi. He holds an MA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Magdalen College, Oxford University, UK, where he was a Rhodes Scholar. Thereafter, he pursued a Phil M.A. from St Antony’s College, Oxford. While studying at Oxford University, Montek Singer served as President of the Oxford University Union. Montek Singh Ahluwalia also holds several honorary degrees, including an honorary doctorate in civil law from the University of Oxford and an honorary doctorate in philosophy from the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee. He also received an honorary degree from Magdalen College, Oxford, England.
appearance
Height (approximately): 5′8″
Hair Color: Salt and Pepper
Eye color: brown
family
Parents and siblings
Montek Singh Ahluwalia’s father Jagmohan Singh was a clerk in the Defense Accounts Department. His mother’s name is Pushpu Kaur. His brother Sanjeev Ahluwalia is a retired IAS officer.
Sanjeev Ahluwalia, younger brother of Montek Singh Ahluwalia
wife and children
Montek Singh Ahluwalia is married to Indian economist, public policy researcher and professor Isher Judge Ahluwalia. Montek said in an interview that he first met Isher when he was working at the World Bank and Isher was studying for his Ph.D. at MIT. He said,
A friend of mine is at MIT. He knew Isher. One day, he called me and said that an excellent Indian girl is coming to the International Monetary Fund as a summer intern, so you meet him. Then I talked to Isher and invited her to lunch. It just kept growing and a year later we got married. “
Isher Judge Ahluwalia died of grade IV glioblastoma on September 26, 2020. Montek has two sons, Pavan Ahluwalia, founder and managing director of Laburnum Capital, and lawyer Aman Ahluwalia. Pavan Ahluwalia’s husband Sarah Jacob is a journalist and editor.
Montek Singh Ahluwalia and his wife Isher Judge Ahluwalia
Montek Singh Ahluwalia’s son Pawan Ahluwalia
Sarah Jacobs, daughter-in-law of Montek Singh Ahluwalia
religion
Montek Singh Ahluwalia believes in Sikhism.
sign
A rupee note signed by Montek Singh Ahluwalia
Profession
Montek Singh Ahluwalia began his career at the World Bank in 1968. In 1971, he was appointed head of the Income Distribution Division of the World Bank’s Development Research Center, becoming the youngest “division chief” in the World Bank’s bureaucracy; he was 28 years old at the time. After working at the World Bank for about ten years, Montek Singh Ahluwalia returned to India in 1979 as Economic Advisor to the Ministry of Finance, Government of India. He subsequently held a series of senior positions, including Special Secretary to the Prime Minister, Minister of Commerce, Secretary to the Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance and Minister of Finance.
Montek Singh Ahluwalia serves as Vice Chairman, Planning Commission of India 1
He subsequently served as a member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council. In 1988, Montek Singer was appointed to the Planning Commission. In 2001, he was appointed by the IMF Board of Directors as the first Director of the IMF’s Independent Evaluation Office. He took office on July 9, 2001. As Managing Director of the IMF, Montek Singer oversaw a number of studies that were critical of various aspects of the IMF’s operations. In June 2004, he resigned as director and became deputy chairman of the Planning Commission of the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government in New Delhi. Montek Singh served until 2014. While serving as Vice Chairman of India’s Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia was responsible for formulating the 11th Five-Year Plan (2008-2012) – “Towards Faster and More Inclusive” growth” and the 12th Five-Year Plan. Five-Year Plan (2013-2017) – Faster, more inclusive and more sustainable growth.
Montek Singh Ahluwalia discusses five-year plan
He has been a key figure in India’s economic policy. In January 2021, Montek Singh Ahluwalia joined the Center for Social and Economic Progress, a public policy think tank in New Delhi, as a Distinguished Fellow. He subsequently became a member of a high-level advisory group jointly established by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to address the challenges of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Montek Singh Ahluwalia at press conference
publication
Montek Singh Ahluwalia has written several articles in academic journals on various aspects of the Indian economy, which have been published in reputed Indian and international journals and books. He has also written several articles on Indian economic reforms and India’s growth process. His published work includes articles in professional journals and book contributions.
books
In 1975, Montex co-authored Redistribution and Growth: A Policy Approach, a seminal work on income distribution. The book is published by Oxford University Press. He has also written the book Backstage: The Story Behind India’s High-Growth Years, an insider’s account of policymaking from 1985 to 2014, published by Rupa Publications in February 2020. Combining personal reflections and national economic history, this book documents these ideas. Montex Ahluwalia covers issues of contemporary significance, including education, rural development and energy.
Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Manmohan Singh at the launch of his new book “Backstage: The Story Behind India’s High Growth Years”
book chapter
Montex has contributed chapters to many books written by prominent economists. These include Growth, Distribution and Inclusion: Reflections on the Indian Experience and Arguments for a Better World: Essays in Honor of Senator Amartya.
Journal articles
Montek Singh has also authored several journal articles, such as Securing a Prosperous Future (published August 1994) and Economic Reforms in India: An Assessment (published October 6, 2014).
world bank
In 1977, while working at the World Bank, Montek Singh wrote a column titled “Rural Poverty and Agricultural Performance in India.”
dispute
Accused of pursuing a pro-transnational and World Bank line
In July 1990, Montek Singh Ahluwalia was accused of influencing the thinking of the Indian government under the influence of the World Bank. He was accused of promoting a pro-TNC and World Bank line.
Awards and Honors
- PhD in Civil Law, University of Oxford (2008)
- Padma Vibhushan was honored by the then President of India, Pratibha Patil, for her outstanding contributions to economic policy and public service (2011)
Montek Singh Ahluwalia meets Padma Vibhushan
- Honorary Doctorate of Science from IIT Roorkee (2011)
- Honorary Doctorate of Science from the Indian Institute of Mines (2013)
Facts/Trivia
- When Montek Singh Ahluwalia was appointed Finance Minister on the recommendation of the then Finance Minister Manmohan Singh, most of the IAS officers were skeptical about the post. Disappointment assigned to non-IAS officers. Ahead of his appointment, several protests were organized by IAS officers.
- Montek Singh Ahluwalia is a member of the Board of Directors of the Public Health Foundation of India.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education