A Nand & Jeet Khemka Distinguished Lecture
This Khemka Distinguished Lecture is also the Opening Keynote Address of the Dalit Studies Conference, a Penn School of Arts and Sciences conference organized by The Center for the Advanced Study of India, the Department of South Asia Studies, the South Asia Center, and the center for Africana Studies, December 3-5, 2008
Dr. Narendra Jadhavis a renowned economist and policy maker, leading educationist, best selling author, and celebrated public speaker.He is presently the Vice Chancellor of the University of Pune, a premier institution in India with more than 500,000 students, 433 affiliated Graduate Colleges and 232 Recognized Institutes.
Dr. Jadhav has served in the Reserve Bank of India for nearly 30 years.As its Principal Advisor and Chief Economist (Executive Director), Dr. Jadhav steered a team of over 120 career economists and played an important role in managing India’s macroeconomic policy.Dr. Jadhav represented India at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and has worked as Senior Economic Advisor to various governments in India, Ethiopia, and Afghanistan.
A prolific writer, Dr. Jadhav has written 11 books mainly on economic and social issues.These include Amcha Baap Aan Amhi (nominated for an award from the Sahitya Academy, India’s national literary academy)and Untouchables: My Family’s Triumphant Journey Out of the Caste System in Modern India (Simon & Schuster, 2005), as well as over 100 research papers which have appeared in reputable national and international journals.A celebrated public figure and leading intellectual, Dr. Jadhav has been associated with many social organizations and has delivered over 100 lectures a year for the last several years.
Dr. Jadhav has received numerous awards and honors for his contribution to the fields of economics, banking, education, literature, and social work, most recently the“Nyayamurthi M.G. Ranade Puruskar” by Rashtriya Samajik Parishad and the“Yashwantrao ChavanPuruskar” by Ahmednagar District Central Co-operative Bank.Dr. Jadhav earned his doctorate in economics from Indiana University.
*As of June 2009, Dr. Jadhav has stepped down as Vice Chancellor of the University of Pune to become a Member of the Planning Commission, Government of India