Pradeep Agrawal (1953–2017)

Pradeep Agrawal, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Chair Professor of Economics at the Institute of Economic Growth (IEG), passed away on 28 May 2017. His sudden and untimely death has come as a rude shock to the academic community at large and his colleagues at the IEG in particular. He was normal and healthy till the second week of May and was busy with the final touches to his forthcoming book Policies for Sustaining High Growth in India. With his sudden demise, we have lost an experienced scholar.

After finishing his graduation and masters in Physics from Delhi University, Agrawal moved to Boston University to continue his studies in physics. However, he moved to economics and completed his postgraduation and doctorate in Economics from the Stanford University in 1987. He was a recipient of many scholarships, such as the National Science Talent Fellowship, the J Watumull Fellowship, and the Ford Foundation Grant, among others. He continued his academic career in the United States till 1990 as a faculty at the University of Nebraska, Illinois State University, and Texas Tech University. In 1990, he joined the Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research as a senior faculty. In 2000, Agrawal joined the IEG as a professor and the head of the RBI unit and continued till his last breath.