Indira Reader

Dr. K Venkatasubramanian, Member, Union Planning Commission, Government of India, is a renowned economist and an eminent educationist. He has done his Master of Arts (M.A.), Ph.D. (in Economics) Bachelor of Law (BL) and Bachelor of Teaching (BT) from various universities. He also studied at Columbia University, New York, USA and taught at York University, UK. He was the first Vice-Chancellor of the Pondicherry Central University. He had been a visiting fellow at York University, UK under British Council Programme. He started his career as a District Educational Officer in 1950s and rose to the current position by virtue of his academic acumen, hardwork and committment. He had headed State Council for Education Research & Training (SCERT) for a brief period. He was the convener of the High Level Task Force on Development of India as Knowledge Society as per call of the Prime Minister of India. He was the Member-Secretary of High Power Finance Enquiry Commission of Tamil Nadu. Dr. Venkatasubramanian was instrumental in introducing Plus-Two System and Vocationalisation at the higher secondary level, mid-day meals scheme in the primary education and the 11 year education perspective plan for Tamil Nadu. His other pioneering activities include developing a monograph on the "Education in the Battle against Poverty", preparation of a special curriculum on "Value Education" and computerization of Examination results by Madras University. Dr. Venkatasubramanian is also a prolific writer and an author of over twenty publications and Honorary Fellow of Authors' Guild, New Delhi. The first copy of his latest book "Transformation of India as a Knowledge Super Power - Strategies for Action" was presented to the President of India at Rashtrapathi Bhavan on December 11, 2003. He translated Hon'ble Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Hindi poems into Tamil entitled "VAJPAYEE-31" and the book was released by the Prime Minister on August 17, 2002. Dr. Venkatasubramanian has lead many Indian delegations in the world forums such as UNESCO, WHO etc. He was awarded Silver Elephant National Award for Scouting by President of India and Sri Shirdi Sai Baba National Gold Medal (2001) for Excellence in the Field of Education. He was conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) by Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya, Bhopal on April 13, 2003 for his signal contribution in the field of Education and Knowledge and the Doctor of Philosophy (honoris causa) in recognition of his vision, leadership and contribution in the field of educational planning, administration and development, poverty alleviation and upliftment of society by Sikkim Manipal University in October, 2003.