My Letters
1)My name in print:
The Hindu:Op-ed:August 21, 2006
That was a high philosophical tone. Mr. Alex M. Thomas of Kottayam, Kerala, strikes a practical note about what he calls “unarguably, the best daily in India”: “Even if it has to make space for advertisement, it is understood by readers. Moreover there has been no compromise in the content. The journalistic capabilities need to be appreciated. It gives less importance to gossip, unlike other dailies.”
(Its not Kottayam but Kottiyam.)
2)My name In the Blogophere:
“First, Alex pointed me to Marcia Angell, a Senior Lecturer in Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Her book, The Truth About the Drug Companies: How They Deceive Us and What to Do About It, should provide interesting reading, perhaps with some hyperbole.”
Dweep Chanana’s blog.
3)My name In the Blogophere:
“Alex says: It depends on what connotation one gives to Globalisation. The middle class tend to gain from this integration. Creative destruction is an inevitable by product of this phenomenon. National identities are compromised with. It results in a dilution of identities.”
Vibha Iyer’s blog.
4)My name in the blogosphere:
“Alex pointed me to a recent working paper on the Indian pharma industry: The Sectoral System of Innovation of Indian Pharmaceutical Industry by the CDS.”
Dweep Chanana’s Blog.
5)My name in the blogosphere:
“Undergraduate Economist Alex pointed me to a recent working paper on the Indian pharma industry: The Sectoral System of Innovation of Indian Pharmaceutical Industry by the CDS.
6)My letter in print
The Hindu: Create awareness of health hazards
Health risks
Self-medication and misuse of drugs pose serious health risks. This happens owing to unregulated pharmacies. In their bid to earn more profit, the pharmacies endanger the lives of the people. An awareness campaign will prove beneficial to just a few. Prescriptions from the doctors should be made mandatory and proper checks conducted to ascertain the credibility of such prescriptions.
Alex M. Thomas
Kollam
7) My letter in print
Frontline: Prisons
Prisons
IT is necessary for India to take adequate steps to tackle the overcrowding of prison and also provide better opportunities for the rehabilitation of prisoners (”Prisons as agents of change”, August 25). Prisons should bring about a transformation in the minds of the criminals.
Alex M. Thomas,
Kollam, Kerala
8] My letter in print
The Hindu: On quality of education
Cover topics
The Government’s plan to reduce the total marks in the SSLC examination will definitely not lead to a reduction in educational standards and competitiveness, provided adequate care is taken to cover the required topics. The aim of SSLC examination should not only be to provide adequate base for students to pursue higher studies, but also to make them more competent in learning by themselves.
Alex M. Thomas
Kollam
9) My letter in print
Frontline: Capitalism
Capitalism
I liked the arguments for and against globalisation in the article “Capitalism recycled” (December 1).
In various discussions I had on the subject, I overlooked the need for `public good’, which is almost non-existent in a market economy. This certainty is a valid argument and perhaps is the most significant of all.
What the authors say about `creative destruction’ happens in any kind of `progressive society’ albeit the rate of destruction is faster in a rapidly advancing and globalising economy.
`Free markets’ necessarily contribute to the widening of inequalities. But if they do not worsen the situation of the “have-nots” is it not Pareto efficient (Pareto efficiency cannot be used as an argument for globalisation though)? I am more concerned about the `absolute’ poverty prevalent rather than `relative’ poverty.
What needs to be done is to increase and improve infrastructure that will contribute to developing the backward sectors. Moreover, significant government intervention (planned economy) is required.
Alex Thomas
Kollam, Kerala
10) My letter in print
Frontline: Inflation
Inflation
Jayati Ghosh’s column has brought out the real causes of inflation. There is a high mismatch between supply and demand of essential food grains in the market.
This is due to economic mismanagement. Foreign investors are allowed to buy out food grains at prices that are higher than the government offers. This adversely affects foodgrain supply in the country. With the sanctioning of more special economic zones (SEZs), the pressure on land will increase, pushing up real estate prices.
Alex M. Thomas
Kerala
11) My letter in print
Frontline: Carbon Trading
Carbon trading
PRAFUL Bidwai’s column (”Carbon trading fraud”, January 12) raises serious concerns. It is alarming that Indian economists argued against “binding emission cuts” because “these will adversely affect gross domestic product growth”. As Bidwai writes, trading in carbon credits is big money. It acts as a disincentive to reduce carbon emission. Trading in carbon credits widens the income gap between the rich and the poor. It is time the government realised the need for environmental protection.
Alex M. Thomas
Kollam, Kerala
12) My letter in print
Frontline: ‘Decent’ Work
`Decent’ work
JAYATI Ghosh argues for more public expenditure in the social sector (”In pursuit of `decent’ work”, February 9). With the growth of technology permeating only the services sector and to an extent the industrial sector, the agricultural sector is adversely affected. This is not only because of low productivity but also because the sector provides employment to about 60 per cent of the Indian working population.
This leads to a situation where one section enjoys the benefits of high productivity and high salaries while the other is forced to put up with low productivity and meagre wages.
The case for generating remunerative employment along with a decent work atmosphere is crucial.
Alex M. Thomas
Kollam, Kerala
13) My letter in print
Frontline: Empty rhetoric
Empty rhetoric
Though the Economic Survey celebrates three years of “high growth” and repeats the rhetoric of “inclusive” growth, the distribution of income is still skewed and opportunities are not equal.
Alex M. Thomas
Kollam, Kerala
14) My letter in print
Frontline: Our cities
Our cities
Bhaskar Ghose excellently brought out the shortcomings in governments’ policies (“The worlds in our cities”, July 27).
The policymaker and the common man have very little in common. Unless the former is able to understand the needs and hardships of the latter, no fruitful policy can be formulated and implemented.
Alex M. Thomas
Hyderabad
15) My letter in print
Frontline: Economy
Economy
C.P. Chandrasekhar concludes in his column that the current growth as portrayed by economic indicators is fragile (“New Growth Story”, February 29).
He cites the exclusion of commodity-producing sectors as a major reason for this. These sectors form the backbone of any economy; moreover, they cater to the needs of a large number of people. Growth in these sectors would increase consumption levels and produce a multiplier effect benefiting the service sector also. Another cause for worry is that the growth that is taking place does not ‘trickle down’ as it happens in the services sector only. Players within this sector benefit tremendously though.
Alex M. Thomas
Hyderabad
September 6, 2006 at 9:09 pm
We have a unique festval on Economics and Finance at Mumbai.We call it Arthmanthan.This year the festival will be held on 8th and 9th of September and about 60 colleges are expected to participate in various events.Through this festival we try to create awareness on the need to change our college curriculum, books and out dated teaching techniques.Please visit our site http://www.arth-manthan.com for details.
Prof.Panikar
September 9, 2006 at 6:17 pm
By any chance are u the Alex M Thomas who used to conduct quizzes at Calicut ( Navatharangam and all .. ) ???
September 9, 2006 at 10:21 pm
Ajith,
No, i am not the one .
September 12, 2006 at 7:35 pm
Hi Alex,
I couldn’t find your email address in your blog. So i’ll just post here. I’m wondering whether you would be interested in exchanging links ?
it’s at http://econoverse.blogspot.com
I hope you would consider it. Thanks !
September 13, 2006 at 12:27 am
Hey Alex,
This is a very informative blog for neophytes like myself. You are actually quite modest to call your self an “Undergraduate Economist”. I was wondering if wouldn’t mind giving me a academic advice: I am a software engg working in Los Angeles. I wanted to a pursue a career in Economics. I have a masters in computer science and have taken some basic econ courses (Micro, Macro - Mankiw). How easy or difficult would it be for me to get a masters in Econ? And how about from London School of Economics?
I appreciate your response.
September 13, 2006 at 10:29 am
Mohit,
Thank you for your comments. You could pursue any career at any time provided you are mentally prepared. Since your majored in computer science, i am sure you would have done quite a few math courses too. Apart from the econ course, math courses offer you more weightage. Have you taken up the GRE?
LSE’s MSc Econ is a rigorous course and they admit only about 30 students. So its competitive and their criterion for admitting a candidate would be his academic performance, GRE quant score, reference letter and the SOP.
Since you are currently in US, you could take up your masters there itself. And what is it that you eventually want to do?
This forum will help you find more informed and specialised answers for your queries.
Feel free to write to me.
I appreciate your interest.
September 13, 2006 at 9:23 pm
ALex,
I wish I could answer that one question: What is that I really want? I am not sure. But I am certain that Economics has engaged my mind beyond any field out there. I don’t want to bore you with details like how I got into it by reading End of Poverty by Jeffrey Sachs and how much I want to help the world etc. etc…Most economists or aspirants would not give a “sh*” for such idiosyncrasies.
However, having said that, I would really like to learn the subject in its purity and being an Engineer, I am not afraid of Math either. Ofcourse what I will loose is a 6 figure job and peace of mind for a couple of years, which I am ready to take on. Afterall, its all about maximising your utility…;). I do however, that is if I graduate from a good school like LSE, intend to work in the field of developmental economics, but that is still far fetched.
Hope you got an idea of where I am coming from.
Mohit
September 13, 2006 at 9:48 pm
Mohit,
I too have read the book and definitely we all would want to see changes around us. There are good schools other than LSE. Since you are well acquainted with math, it would not pose much of a problem to you.
Money doesnt matter much. I feel the present studies in economics are so influenced by mathematics that concerns of the people are ignored.
I definitely admire your courage to take up such a challenging subject.
November 29, 2006 at 1:45 am
hey alex…
stumbled upon ur site by chance…
very nicely done.
well,i’m from calcutta university,st xaviers college pursuing economics hons(undergrad).
can u giv me som good book references on:
1.GAME THEORY
2.INDIAS ECONOMIC PLANS BOTH PRIOR TO REFORMS AND AFTER THAT
3.RECENT MODELS IN INFLATION AND UNEMPLOYMENT(mayb som journals or somthin)
any help wud be appreciated coz wat we get in our syllabus is not very standardised(my thoughts)
anywaz thanx et al.ciao
November 29, 2006 at 11:41 am
Yudhajeet,
Thank you for your kind words.
One good reference for Game Theory is this site and the books they suggest are here.
This book edited by Terence J. Byres will give you a picture of what all happened during the reforms and planning.
And The Economic and Political weekly will help you in understanding the recent developments in Inflation and unemployment with reference to the Indian Economy.
Feel free to write to me if you have any more queries @ alexmthomas@gmail.com
November 30, 2006 at 1:23 am
hey man thanx for the prompt reply…ya i hav been goin thru EPW for the past few months….real nice and systematic representation of how captivating economics can be.
Also thanx for t.j Byres referral….will try to scope it in the library..
Ok do i reply further over here or on ur forum in pagalguy?
i’m also lookin for a masters preferably isi or igidr…lesee if it takes me to som conclusiv understandin of math eco applications like OLS estimation and da like..coz thats wr my heart is…
OK,,,which part of economics r u more intersted in? i mean public finance or trade or math eco or devt eco?jus askin….
November 30, 2006 at 7:44 am
Yudhajeet,
Great to know you have been going through EPW.
You can reply here itself or mail me, which ever is convenient. [Not the forum, as i dont check it regularly]
So you plan to do more of math and want to specialise in mathematical economics and econometrics. That is great.
I am interested in Development Economics, but i enjoy the whole of Economics and the impact of other social sciences on Economics too.
December 1, 2006 at 12:27 am
alex,
i’ll contact you thru mail actualy..
so wat do you think of rudra?u heard of his papers on indian agriculture?
December 1, 2006 at 11:15 am
Yudhajeet,
I have heard of Ashok Rudra, but have not read any articles by him, yet. Relating to agriculture, i have read A. Vaidyanathan’s book on indian agriculture.
If you are able to find any of Rudra’s articles online, please do let me know.
January 8, 2007 at 4:14 pm
Hi,
I’m a final year B.Tech (computer science) engineer 72%
I’m keen to join MA Eco. (Delhi school of economics) / M.SC Eco from IGIDR.
What are the books I should refer to?
Can I get previous years paper? Does DSE admit engineers? What is the level of entrance exam (option B) for DSE?
Please help …
Pranjal
January 8, 2007 at 6:23 pm
Pranjal,
According to the DSE handbook of 2003, these are the books you need to refer to:
1)Lang. S., Analysis, Addision Wesley,
2)Apostol, TM., Calculus, Blaisdell,
3)Finkbeiner, D.T, Linear Transformations and Matrices,
4)Hogg, R. and Craig, C., Introduction to Mathematical Statistics,
Macmillan.
“The candidates should have some familiarity with (i) current economic problems with special reference to the Indian economy and (ii) mathematics/statistics”
This link provides some of the kind of questions asked for the option B of the exam. The question paper is available at the university.
I believe that DSE does not take into account their background, so engineers can apply. A graduation degree appears to be the only criteria. About the age limit, i am not sure. The handbook for 2006 is available here.
January 8, 2007 at 6:33 pm
Pranjal,
The handbook 2006 comes with the following books.
1)Bartle, R.G., The Elements of Real Analysis, Wiley
2)Coddington, E.A. and N. Levinson, Theory of Ordinary 3)Differential Equations, McGraw-Hill
4)Feller, W., An Introduction to Probability Theory and its applications, Wiley
5)Finkbeiner, D.T., Introduction to Matrices and Linear Transformations, W.H. Freeman and Co. (reprinted in India by D.B. Taraporevala Sons & Co.)
6)Hoffman, K. and R. Kunze, Linear Algebra, Prentice-Hall
7)Hogg, R.V., Introduction to Mathematical Statistics, Prentice-Hall
8)Rudin, W., Principles of Mathematical Analysis, McGraw-Hill
January 15, 2007 at 3:31 pm
Hi Alex ,
From where can I get DSE M.A Eco. Entrance (option B) question paper (location in DU) ? I am not a resident of Delhi. I will have to go to DU for that particular reason ?
Please reply quickly !!
Priya Mehta
January 15, 2007 at 7:35 pm
Hi,
Plz answer the following in ‘true’ or ‘False’-
1. The GoI owns majority of shares of SBI.
2. LIC are presently required to invest 25% of their controlled fund in government securitie.
3. NHB is owned by RBI & GoI.
Plz try to give me the solution as soon as possible.
January 15, 2007 at 7:39 pm
What are the reference book needed to for IGIDR entrance exam for M.Sc. in ECONOMICS. Plz tell me.
January 16, 2007 at 9:06 am
Priya,
You need to contact someone in Delhi. I don’t think that you get the question papers anywhere else. [I too am not a resident of Delhi]
Sunny,
For the IGIDR entrance, they don’t ask economics. The question paper is similar to that of the CAT. [I will give you the solution, if i find them]
January 16, 2007 at 9:24 am
Sunny,
I think the answers are.
1)RBI holds 59 per cent in SBI.[Link]
2)LIC has to allocate 60% of its annual incremental investments to Government Securities.[Link]
3)NHB is fully owned by the RBI.[Link]
February 3, 2007 at 1:44 pm
Hi Alex,
I happened to come across your site. The organisation and the information available on the site is commendable.
I am planning to take the entrance test for the Madras School of Economics and IGIDR this year and am currently pursuing a BSc in Economics, Mathematics and Statistics. Could you possibly reccomend some books i could refer to prepare for these entrances.
Thanks
Rythm Aggarwal
February 5, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Rythm,
The following books will aid you in preparing for the entrances in general.
1) Fundamental Methods of Mathematical Economics- AC Chiang
2) Macroeconomics- Dornbusch and Fischer
3) Microeconomics- Hal Varian
4) Statistics- Check out Schaums series
These are the books which DSE prescribes for their entrance, but it will aid in other exams too.
IDIDR entrance is analogous to the CAT. And they do not ask economics for their written test.
Feel free to visit the comments section in the blog or you can mail me if you have more queries.
February 16, 2007 at 12:35 am
Hi Alex,
Could u help me with this one?
“More than 80% of growth during the Modern Economic Growth was a result of growth in productivity and only less than 20% was accounted for by the growth of inputs” Discuss.
February 18, 2007 at 9:11 pm
Rahul,
Increase in productivity essentially resulted from ‘improvements in methods of production’. This productivity is also called ‘technical progress’. Robert Solow concluded that over 80% of growth in output per labour hour in the US from 1909-1949 was due to technical progress. [Dornbusch, Fischer and Startz 2004]
You could read up on more of Solow’s works to answer this question.
February 21, 2007 at 7:02 pm
Simon Kuznets, in his book ‘Modern Economic Growth: rate, structure & spread (1966)’ talks about the explanations for MEG & brings the same point which we are discussing here. (Refer to page no. 31-40).
The Nobel laureate has explained this point quite lucidly there.
February 26, 2007 at 7:13 pm
my! i think i’ve a really really long way to go before even thinking of getting in2 the schools i’m trying for.
please tell me some websites that offer standard material on economics. and Alex, you r definitely not an “undergraduate economist”!
February 26, 2007 at 7:40 pm
Chetana,
Some of the links i found beneficial are given in the sidebar of this blog under the label ‘Economics Links’. You could go through them.
And learn, keeping in mind Economics, but focus on the entrance type of questions. Try to source their previous question papers and learn accordingly.
All the best!
April 8, 2007 at 11:52 am
Dear Alex,
First ofall,a sincere appreciation to your painful endavour for pleasure of others…..
I am now working as guest faculty inICFAI uni.,done M.A. Eco. from Calicut Uni.,& qualified UGC-NET. I had my U.G. & P.G. through private registration of University of Calicut, and so I donot have a Guru in Economics.
Now Iam aboutto start prep. for Mphil entrance of JNU & I have previous years Q.P. with me. I am looking for addl. study materials on problems on macroeco.. I am aiso wish to prepare research proposal for CDS admi.Could you help me please…
Regards,
Satheesh Menon
thinksatheesh@gmail.com
April 10, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Alex,
from wer d’u completed your BA Degree in Economics????
from kerala or somewhere else?????
ajesh
April 10, 2007 at 7:31 pm
Ajesh,
I did my BA Economics from Loyola College, Chennai.
April 11, 2007 at 10:27 am
Alex,
On April 6th-Frontline Magazine,you scholarly claimed that “despite of the rhetoric of ‘inclusive growth’,the distribution of income is still skewwd and opportunities are not equal”……
Can you please elaborate this??? Mention the measures,that our govt needed to take to achive ‘equal distribution’of opportunities????
Is this concept achievable for a developing country like India with huge masses..more than 1.6 billion????
ajesh.
April 11, 2007 at 1:19 pm
Ajesh,
Doyou think that the distribution of income in India is not skewed? Is it not because of the lack of opportunties?
It is not only the Government which can help but also the people who have benefited from the opportunties.
The public delivery systems are highly ineffecient and that is why, implementation of policies is difficlut.
A perfectly equal society will not and cannot exist. But, trying for that will help the country and the people in the process.
April 12, 2007 at 3:23 pm
Alex…,
U r right…but that’s not really an answer to my question…What can our UPA Govt do for improving the efficiency
of PDS???……without forgetting,India as a nation with highly corrupted Politicians and Beureaucrats???How can we blame Dr:Manmohan Sing and Chidambaram for that??
and…Alex,
What you mean by this opportunities????
Ajesh.
April 12, 2007 at 7:22 pm
Ajesh,
First of all step up the allocation in the educational and health sectors. I am being highy general here, because i am not aware of the specific process of how these funds get allocated. We need to see a revolution in the agricultural sector. Efficiency of the delivery system largely depends on the people involved. If they are corrupt, the system will remain corrupt.
The Govt. cannot be blamed for everything. We as citizens are responsible too.
By opportunities i mainly mean ‘required purchasing power’ and also ’symmetric information’. Example: There are people who do not know about certain colleges and so dont apply. There are people who do not get adequate health care beacuse of lack of money, etc.
May 8, 2007 at 1:11 pm
hello Alex,
I am an commerce graduate from Mumbai university , at Mumbai university there is no such thing as B.com (hons).
I would like to apply to DSE, currently i am pursuing Masters of Management Studies from Mumbai univesity.
Would i be eligible to apply to DSE?
Thanking you in anticipation.
May 8, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Tarun,
I think you are eligible to apply to DSE; though am not sure about their eligibility criterion. You could check their site regarding information on admissions.
June 27, 2007 at 11:55 am
hi alex,
an article by mihir rakshit gives quite a clear insight on the food policy in india…impact of open economy on the food policy and various perceptions on PDS as to how it is very imp in the short-run and how it shud desirably be made redundant in the long run,ie,less of government intervention(abve is not exhaustive).
i have this article in PDF…thot it mite jst help u.jst giv me ur email add so dat i cud forward the same.
July 6, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Hello Alex,
I Have completed B.Sc In Economics(Major)with pass course Maths & Com.Sc from Cotton College ,Guwahati. I am Interested to enroll myself in Post graduate course in DSE.But ,the problem is that our course is different from DU.So, plz give information about reference books for the entrance exam of DSE. Is any coaching facility available for the entrance exam.
Thanking you,
debananda
July 6, 2007 at 3:05 pm
http://www.economicsentrance.com/
Maths Hammond and Chiang.
Macro Stanley, Fisher, and William.H.Branson
Micro Varian( Intermediate Micro) and Workouts of Intermediate Micro.
July 6, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Please refer Akshay’s posts at IGIDR page
August 24, 2007 at 11:02 pm
Hi alex,
First of all hats off…u r doing a commendable job. I have completed my grads in B.A. Eco(H)in 2006 and now planning for Masters. I am very confused about how should i go abt my preperation. when to start where to start etc… plz help me. I want to give enterence which is not CAT based.
August 30, 2007 at 4:47 pm
hey Alex, good i visited this site or else i would have missed on something really good…u doing a damn good job…am doing Ba in economics 6 papers Mumbai….and need to do a project on reserve bank of India though i have visited its site…but i need real info on how does RBI help agricultural sector..the money market,the capital market and the industrial sector.can u provide me some links on these.And also i have a project on exim bank and give a link or a book on it so that i can make my project real good.
January 27, 2008 at 8:23 pm
hi alex. i don t know how much i have missed by not visiting this website for so long but i swear that now i am going to vist this site regularly. anyways can you tell me about best collges in india for doing masters in economics
February 13, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Swayam,
Only the IGIDR entrance is CAT based. You can apply in all other institutes.
For information regarding preparation, visit this Orkut community.
Sabrina,
I cannot help you in this respect.
Dipankar,
University of Hyderabad, JNU, DSE, ISI, MSE, GIPE, Jamia Millia, Bombay University.
For a pluralistic learning experience, UoH is the best.
April 25, 2008 at 12:07 am
hey Thomas
you are doing a great work in here!
i am studying economics at du right now,however its been really hard to look for internship for me.Whenever i search on Google i only see opportunities for engineers..or MBA ca etc. Now i seems to have been put off by economics, even though i have a good interest, i opted it over other subjects..just to tell you more..i ain’t in a good college of du, i was getting law in a decent law college but i opted economics in a low rank college of du. now i feel so much demoralized.
do u have any idea about internship for economics students?