A Philosopher And A Wonderful Friend

I know Amartya for more than 40 years. There are so many things which I can recall of my association with him with gratitude. In fact, it was he and his former wife Nabaneeta who introduced my wife Yashodhara to me in 1963. It is therefore quite obvious that I am delighted to know that he has got the Nobel Prize this year.

Though we, who are following his work with keen interest, have waited for this moment for a long 10 years, we also had some doubts that followers of market economics may not allow this to happen and may stand in the way of his getting the Prize.

Amartya is the champion of the poor and the downtrodden and has been so from his childhood. Even when he was in the seventh standard at Shantiniketan, he wrote a wonderful article on the social economy of Santhals based on a survey on Santhal families located around Shantiniketan. He wrote this in Bengali. His Bengali writing was, incidentally, as lucid as his English.

During the time when he was in Presidency College, he wrote an article in Bengali on the economics of advertising, which can still be considered a valuable reference material for those who are interested in the subject. Welfare economics can be said to be in his blood. He always believed that only market mechanisms cannot deliver the goods for the welfare of a country. In his writings on rational fools, he clearly showed that the welfare of a society cannot be left only to market mechanism. So, the Nobel committee has rightly honoured his views on welfare economics.

Amartya is not only an economist but also a philosopher. At Harvard he held the chair of economics and philosophy. As a philosopher he understands the inherent fallacy of economics and throughout his works he tried to understand the economic realities with a philosophical tinge.

He has a number of wonderful qualities. He is very fond of Indian music, and in particular, Rabindra Sangeet. In 1974, when Rajeshwari Datta, a famous Rabindra Sangeet singer, appeared in an informal performance in London, he sat through the entire programme in spite of his pressing schedule. I happened to be present at that function.

Amartya is a wonderful friend too. During the period 1959 to 1963, he went through all my writings and commented on them to enrich them. Even in my writings on the choice of optimal techniques, he helped me to a great extent. Just a few months ago, I spoke to him about my idea of establishing an institute of relevant economics. He became so interested in it that he wrote to the director-general of Unesco recommending my idea.

So, I have several reasons to be happy. Not only because he is an old friend of mine. Unlike others, he retained his Indian citizenship besides being a true Bengali. Even now we keep in touch and whenever I need his help he extends his hand without reservation.