New Delhi, Oct 03: Academic Gita Gopinath, who has been appointed Chief Economist of the IMF, had castigated the Modi government for demonetisation.

Academic and economic adviser to the Kerala government, Gita Gopinath, was on Monday, October 1 appointed as Director of the International Monetary Fund's Research Department.

Gopinath, who received her MA degree from the Delhi School of Economics and Bachelors from Lady Shri Ram College in New Delhi, is the John Zwaanstra Professor of International Studies and Economics at Harvard University. She is concurrently the economic adviser to the Chief Minister of Kerala and, according to her bio at Harvard, was appointed in 2016 to the honorary position with the rank of principal secretary.

The director of the IMF's Research Department oversees the World Economic Outlook Report that is considered a major survey of the global economy, as well as several other reports and research projects that determine the financial and economic statuses of countries.

IMF’s Managing Director Christine Lagarde called Gopinath "an outstanding economist with impeccable academic credentials, a proven track record of intellectual leadership and extensive international experience,” when announcing the appointment on Twitter. "All this makes her exceptionally well-placed to lead our Research Department at this important juncture. I am delighted to name such a talented figure as our Chief Economist," said Lagarde.

Courtesy: www.nationalheraldindia.com

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Bengaluru: In a formal appeal to the Union Minister for Railways, V. Somanna, Dr. Rammanohar Lohia Samata Vidyalaya, under the leadership of Managing Trustee Prof. Ravivarma Kumar, has requested the renaming of Shivamogga or Sagar Railway Station in honour of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, the founder of the Socialist Movement of India. The appeal aims to commemorate Lohia’s 115th birth anniversary on 23 March 2025.

In the letter, Prof. Ravivarma Kumar highlighted Dr. Lohia’s significant contributions as a freedom fighter, advocate for social justice, and champion of land reforms. The letter recalls Dr. Lohia's pivotal role in the Kagodu Satyagraha, a landmark agitation in Shivamogga district demanding land reforms. Prof. Kumar noted that Lohia’s efforts inspired widespread land reform movements across India, culminating in Karnataka's landmark land reforms under the leadership of former Chief Minister D. Devaraj Urs, which benefitted over 15 lakh tenants.

The letter also touched upon Dr. Lohia's role in shaping Indian politics, including his advocacy for non-Congressism, which eventually led to the formation of non-Congress governments in nine states in 1967 and the first non-Congress central government in 1977. His efforts to promote social justice, including reservation for backward classes and women, and his advocacy for gender equality, were also highlighted.

Prof. Kumar emphasised the historical significance of Shivamogga, where Dr. Lohia was arrested at Sagar Railway Station in 1951 during the Kagodu Satyagraha, making it a fitting tribute to name the station after him.

The letter concludes with a plea to Minister Somanna to honour Dr. Lohia’s legacy by renaming either Shivamogga or Sagar Railway Station as "Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Railway Station" on his birth anniversary.