C.T. Kurien, distinguished economist, no more

C.T. Kurien, economist and author, dedicated his life to understanding and fighting poverty through his writings and teachings.

C.T. Kurien, distinguished economist and former professor of Madras Christian College, is no more. He died due to age related ailments at 11 pm on July 23, 2024. He was 93.

Also read: Poverty has been the dominant theme in my writings: economist C.T. Kurien

Kurien had got his Master’s Degree in Economics from Madras Christian College in 1953. He had pursued economics as major field of study in College with the hope that through the study of economics he would be able to understand the causes of poverty and contribute to its eradication.

But Kurien was disappointed with mainstream economics as there was no serious discussion on poverty and decided to pursue higher studies in economics.

He secured Ph.D. from Stanford University (1958-1963) on the topic Factor Market Structure and Technological Characteristics of an Underdeveloped Country: An Indian Case Study.

Kurien was a Visiting Fellow at Yale University in 1968-69.  He was Professor at Madras Christian College between 1962-1978. He served as professor at Madras Institute of Development Studies from 1978-1991 and served as its Director from 1978-1988. 

He also had stints as a National Fellow at  University Grants Commission and Indian Council of Social Science Research.