Nirmal Kanti Majumdar Endowment Fund

Prof. Nirmal Kanti Majumdar

Professor Nirmal Kanti Majumdar was a teacher of Political Science in the erstwhile Presidency College. He had the rare distinction of being a scholar as well as teacher of high repute and his students still fondly recall with admiration, his encyclopedic grip over topics as varied as Aristotle's Politics, the French Fifth Republic or the newly drafted (in the early 1960s) Ceylonese constitution. His Bangla translation of Politics is regarded as seminal.

On retirement from the West Bengal Education Service, Professor Majumdar went on to teach at the post-graduate department of Political Science at the University of Calcutta for several more years during which time, he also served with distinction in West Bengal State Textbook Board as a senior expert. He also regularly published works of fiction in many famous contemporary Bangla literary magazines such as Prabasi, Bharatvarsha, etc.

Even though his direct involvement with the Presidency College was not very long but, his real involvement was much deeper and longer. All three of his sons were students of Presidency and the youngest, Professor Mukul Majumdar of Cornell University, USA has strengthened that bond by instituting the Nirmal Kanti Majumdar Endowment fund in Presidency University.

Conference on Issues in Economic Theory and Policy

Every second year, the Department organizes an International Conference on Issues in Economic Theory and Policy. The objective is to encourage young researchers, who are undertaking M. Phil / Doctoral research or have completed such research, to present their output before a broader audience and receive a critical feedback on their work by renowned economists.

The conference is funded by a generous endowment given by Prof. Mukul Majumdar, HT Warshow and Robert Irving Warshow Professor in the Economics Department at Cornell University, in the memory of his late father, Prof. Nirmal Kanti Majumdar, an ex-faculty in the Political Science Department, Presidency College. We are grateful to Prof. Majumdar for his support and encouragement in our endeavour.

Scholars from various parts of India (Jawaharlal Nehru University, Center for Development Studies, Delhi School of Economics, Indian Statistical Institute, Indian Institute of Management, Indian Institute of Technology, Jadavpur University, Calcutta University, Shiv Nadar University, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Viswa Bharati University, etc.) and from abroad (Massachusets Institute of Technology, University of Wyoming, Queensland University of Technology Business School, Brisbane) have responded to the call for papers, or given keynote / invited lectures.

A large part of the funding of this conference is from the Nirmal Kanti Majumdar Endowment Fund created by his illustrious son, Prof. Mukul Majumdar, HT Warshow and Robert Irving Warshow Professor of Economics, Cornell University. We are grateful to Prof. Mukul Majumdar for his support. The fund is divided between the Economics and Political Science Departments, each of whom organize an event sequentially.

The 4th International Conference on Issues in Economic Theory and Policy 2023

The 4th International Conference on Issues in Economic Theory and Policy held from December 27-28, 2023, provided a comprehensive platform for renowned economists, researchers, and scholars to delve into critical facets of India's economic landscape. Spanning over 2-days, the conference commenced with a thought-provoking pre-conference lecture by Nancy H. Chau from Cornell University on 23rd December, exploring the nuances of employer market power in India. This set the tone for subsequent discussions, which covered a wide array of topics ranging from cooking fuel choices and child mortality to the influence of welfare benefits on the rise of nationalist parties. The event was meticulously organized by the Department of Economics at Presidency University, with sessions chaired by eminent academics from institutions from India and abroad.

Throughout the conference, participants engaged in insightful dialogues during technical sessions and lightning talks, facilitating the exchange of ideas and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations. The lectures by Professors Arnab K. Basu and Lata Gangadharan, among others, provided deep insights into pressing socio-economic issues, including gender disparities in leadership roles. The event culminated with a sense of enthusiasm and a commitment to translating the knowledge shared into actionable policies for India's economic advancement. As attendees departed with newfound perspectives and strengthened networks, the conference left an indelible mark on the discourse surrounding economic dynamics and policy implications in India, promising a brighter future through informed decision-making and scholarly collaboration.

Download: Programme, Photos

Professor Nirmal Kanti Majumdar Memorial Lecture 2021

The Prof. Nirmal Kanti Majumdar Memorial Lectures in 2021 showcased a lineup of esteemed scholars who delved into critical issues shaping contemporary macroeconomics and governance. Over a series of sessions, experts from various corners of the globe shared their insights and perspectives on the evolving landscape of economic thought and its practical implications.

Kicking off the series on October 25, 2021, Amitava Krishna Dutt, hailing from the University of Notre Dame, delivered an enlightening discourse on the "Varieties of Macroeconomics in the 21st Century." This inaugural lecture, chaired by Anup Kumar Sinha from the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, provided attendees with a comprehensive overview of the diverse approaches within contemporary macroeconomic theory.

Continuing the intellectual journey, the session on October 29, 2021, featured Sudipto Dasgupta from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, who explored the intricacies of "Stakeholder Governance." Following this, Kaushik Mitra from Birmingham University delved into the realm of "Adaptive Learning in Macroeconomics" on the same day, offering fresh insights into dynamic economic modeling under the stewardship of Partha Ray, Director of the National Institute of Bank Management, Pune.

The series concluded on November 12, 2021, with Gary Dymski from Leeds University Business School shedding light on India's macroeconomic positioning amidst global dynamics in his lecture titled "Caught between the wheels of empires and the enchanted financial world? India at the global macroeconomic crossroads." Under the chairmanship of Abhirup Sarkar from the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, this session provided attendees with a nuanced understanding of India's role in the contemporary global economic landscape. Through these lectures, the Prof. Nirmal Kanti Majumdar Memorial Lecture Series served as a beacon of intellectual discourse, honoring the legacy of academic excellence and fostering meaningful dialogue on pressing economic and governance challenges.

Download: Brochure

The Third International Conference on Issues in Economic Theory and Policy 2019

Third International Conference on Issues in Economic Theory and Policy was held during 26 -27 December, 2019.

The conference commenced with a registration and working lunch session, fostering networking opportunities among attendees. Following this, the esteemed Prof. Maitreesh Ghatak from the London School of Economics delivered the Nirmal Kanti Majumdar Memorial Lecture 1 on "Why do People Stay Poor? Evidence from a Randomized Capital Transfer Programme in Bangladesh." This enlightening session, chaired by Prof. Soumyen Sikdar from the Indian Institute of Management Kolkata, laid the groundwork for insightful discussions on poverty dynamics.

Parallel sessions commenced, covering diverse topics such as Trade & Services, Education, Manufacturing & Employment, and Health. Notable presentations included analyses of trade policies, educational interventions, employment patterns, and healthcare perceptions. The sessions facilitated rigorous academic exchanges and provided valuable insights into pressing socio-economic issues.

The second day began with the Nirmal Kanti Majumdar Memorial Lecture 2 by Prof. Debraj Ray from New York University, USA, exploring "Growth, automation and the long run share of labour." This lecture, chaired by Prof. Anup Kumar Sinha from the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, stimulated discussions on the implications of technological advancements on labor dynamics.

Parallel sessions continued, covering Industrial Organization, Socio-economic Vulnerability, Gendering Development, and Micro-institutions and development. Presentations ranged from analyses of market structures to studies on inequality, gender dynamics, and institutional frameworks. The sessions facilitated interdisciplinary dialogues and provided a holistic understanding of contemporary economic challenges.

The conference concluded with a Nirmal Kanti Majumdar Memorial Lecture 3 by Prof. Amartya Lahiri from the University of British Columbia, shedding light on banking efficiency in India. The sessions were followed by presentations on various sectoral issues, including agriculture, environment, consumption, and sector-specific policy implications. The conference wrapped up with certificate distribution, marking the successful culmination of two days of rigorous academic discourse and knowledge sharing.

Download: Programme

The Second International Conference on Issues in Economic Theory and Policy 2017

The Department of Economics, Presidency University organised a one-day conference on “Issues in Economic Theory and Policy” on 14 December 2017. The Second International Conference on Issues in Economic Theory and Policy commenced with a structured agenda, starting with registration and an inaugural ceremony. Renowned economist Professor Abhijit Vinayak Banerjee from MIT delivered the keynote address during the plenary session, setting the tone for the conference's discussions. Following the plenary session, attendees participated in technical sessions, each chaired by distinguished academics, covering a wide range of topics from experimental economics to health policy and market dynamics. These sessions provided a platform for researchers to present their findings, engage in scholarly discourse, and foster collaborations among peers.

After a brief tea break, attendees reconvened for more technical sessions, exploring diverse themes such as corruption control strategies, maternal healthcare utilization, and market risks. With each session chaired by experts in their respective fields, participants gained insights into cutting-edge research and emerging trends in economic theory and policy. The conference also featured a plenary session by Professor A. Damodaran from IIM Bangalore, stimulating discussions on the role of technology in shaping economic paradigms. The day concluded with a closing session, allowing attendees to reflect on the day's discussions and chart the course for future research endeavors and policy implications in the field of economics.

Download: brochure , proceedings , programme

The First International Conference on Issues in Economic Theory and Policy 2015

The Department of Economics, Presidency University organised a one-day conference on “Issues in Economic Theory and Policy” on 02 November 2015. The conference began with an inaugural address by Prof. Anuradha Lohia, the Vice Chancellor of Presidency University, Kolkata, followed by the N.K. Majumdar Memorial Lecture delivered by Prof. Shamnad Basheer on "The End of Exclusivity: Investing in a Compulsory Commons." This session was chaired by Prof. Partha Ray from the Indian Institute of Management, Kolkata. After a brief tea break, the conference split into technical sessions IA and IB.

In session IA, chaired by Dipankar Coondoo, researchers presented papers on policy issues such as electricity consumption in West Bengal, the role of elderly workers in Indian households, fiscal imbalances in Indian states, and productivity spill-overs from Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Indian manufacturing firms. Session IB, chaired by Prof. Achin Chakrabarty, focused on human development topics, including inequalities in maternal healthcare utilization among different caste groups, gender parity in primary education in rural districts of West Bengal, returns to education in India, and the efficiency of primary schools in West Bengal.

After lunch, the conference continued with technical sessions IIA and IIB. Session IIA, chaired by Prof. Abhirup Sarkar, discussed economic theory and applications, featuring papers on product versioning, devolution from the Union Government, migration's impact on occupational choice, toilet construction and usage, and gender segregation in the Indian labor market. Session IIB, chaired by Prof. Sarmila Banerjee, focused on challenges in development, covering topics such as status-seeking behavior, overconfidence and environmental risk, transport costs' effect on firm location decisions, and a rethinking of India's Public Distribution System.

The conference concluded with technical sessions IIIA and IIIB, chaired by Prof. Basabi Bhattacharya and Amitava Sarkar, respectively. Session IIIA delved into risk, volatility, and global crisis issues, including exchange rate exposure, risk management in lending portfolios, volatility spill-over, and the impact of the global economic crisis on trade margins. Session IIIB, on finance and derivatives, covered topics like Chinese bank capital determinants, mutual fund performance evaluation, the Samuelson Hypothesis in the Indian soybean market, and financial contagion in Indian commodity derivative markets. The event ended with a closing lecture on "Econometrics in the era of big data" by Prof. Pulak Ghosh from the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, followed by a vote of thanks from the Head of the Economics Department.

Download: proceedings

Google Sites

Report abuse