Dr Shashanka Bhide retired as Director, Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS).
An agricultural economist who earlier served the University of Iowa, Bhide stepped up discussion programmes at MIDS on varied topics. A couple of international conferences he organised attracted wide participation, especially by senior government officials. This used to be the significant mark of MIDS founded by the famous economist Dr M S Adiseshiah. In the subsequent period, I noticed an over-concentration of focus on social topics moving away from hardcore research in development economics.
The new Director Dr P G Babu comes with rich credentials having earlier worked at the Indian Institute of Science and the Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research and has done extensive work in mathematical economics. He is expected to take charge by end of February 2019. IE sends its best wishes.
