New vice chairman of NITI Aayog is an LU alumni
LUCKNOW: The union government appointed economist Rajiv Kumar as the new vice chairman of NITI Aayog on Saturday . Kumar, a Lucknow University alumni, replaces Arvind Panagariya who had resigned on August 1.
Kumar is expected to take charge after August 31 when Panagariya vacates the position.
His classmate Prof Mohd Muzammil, his teacher Prof Yashvir Tyagi and his junior Prof Khan Masood Ahmad praised Rajiv Kumar and wished him good luck on his new assignment. Kumar’s classmate Prof Mohd Muzammil, former vice chancellor of Rohilkhand University, Bareilly, said Rajiv had the unique ability to prove his worth in whatever responsibility he assumed in life.
Prof Muzammil recalled when they were about to complete MA final year, a friend asked Kumar about what he intended to do in life. Kumar instantly replied, “To move on is the motto of my life.” And he proved it again. After completing PhD from LU on non capitalist part of economic development, Kumar went to Oxford University for DPhil on coal industry in India.
His teacher Prof Yashvir Tyagi, former head of the economics department ,who taught Kumar between 1972-74 said, “I found Kumar a brilliant student, always very articulate . He was very active in class.” Tygai recalled he became faculty in 1971 and Kumar was a student of his early batch. Prof Tyagi posted on facebook, “Friends it is a matter of great pleasure and pride that the newly appointed vice-chairman of the NITI Aayog Dr Rajiv Kumar happens to be an alumnus of the department of economics, Lucknow. University. Dr Rajiv Kumar completed his PG. in economics in 1974. Later on, he also completed his PhDin economics from LU under the guidance of late Prof VBSingh, a renowned labour economist and also a member of the Rajya Sabha.
“I am glad that I was a member of the faculty in economics at that time. As a student I found Rajiv Kumar very bright, brilliant and articulate . My best wishes to him.” Khan Masood Ahmad, professor in Jamia Millia and an alumni of Lucknow University was a year junior to Kumar. “On Saturday, I received a message that my friend in Linkedin was in the news. I quickly checked it and saw Rajiv Kumar named as vice chairman of Niti Aayog. I called him on phone to congratulate him. It is proud moment for everyone who knows Kumar.”
I am glad that I was a member of the faculty in economics at that time. As a student I found Rajiv Kumar very bright, brilliant and articulate . My best wishes to him PROF YASHVIR TYAGI, former HoD, Economics