“The economic process of recession is much bigger to be shaped by a bankrupt and inefficient government!”
Professor Pradeep Apte has worked extensively in the field of macroeconomics, public finance and agricultural economics. An expert in input-output analysis, he has played a key role in various programs targeting the development at grass root levels in Maharashtra. A consultant to the World Bank and the World Trade Centre, India, Prof. Apte also teaches Economics at Fergusson College, one of the premier educational institutes in the country.
Was making a career in Economics a conscious decision for you?
I would say partly. There were also some other factors which led me to take up this career.
Did you always want to be in the teaching line?
Yes. I always wanted to be a teacher.
As a teacher, how has been the experience so far?
My experience, as a teacher, has been quite gratifying but the profession can be also very frustrating at times.
I have had the opportunity to interact with some of your students and they all simply love your style of teaching. What are your thoughts on the same?
May be I am less systematic and more oriented towards inherent logic of the subject. I follow the people who taught and interested me. I care less about whether they like it or not and I speak my mind on most matters. This is perhaps not very common.
What according to you should be the policies in developing countries that can make globalisation work?
Globalisation is not like a ‘five year plan’ that a few people can work out. It is a complex web of numerous things and one has to be more aware of the unintended consequences than the perceived gains and threats.
Do you think the present budget has got the potential to ease the recession? If yes how? If no then what changes need to be made?
I think the economic process of recession is huge and much bigger to be shaped by a bankrupt and inefficient government!
What would you be if not an Economist?
I would have been a writer, a historian or perhaps a good all purpose statistical model builder.
How does it feel to be the advisor for the World Bank? How did you react when you were approached for the same?
Not too differently to be honest. Things come along and you have to take them in your stride.
You have authored two books, any more in the pipeline?
Yes four of them.
1) One on ‘Wine and vine grape cultivation’.
2) Newton and his contemporary mathematics
3) On food history and culture with reference to India.
4) Evolution: An introduction to Darwin and later developments
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