Towards socialist transformation of Indian economy

This significant volume, second in the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Series, aims at fostering Jawaharlal Nehru's ideals of democratic socialism, and at the same time reviews more interesting achieve ments in different sectors of the Indian economy and seeks to indicate a general line of solutions to a range of problems by eminent economists. The contri butors are: Jan Tinbergen, A. M. Khusro, Julius Silverman, Lord Sorensen, Margaret Digby, B. K. Sinha, C. D. Datey, K. Madhava Das, E. C. de Silva, V. R. Mutalik Desai, S. K. Belsare, T. J. Byres, Khub Chand, J. M. Hunck, D. M. Nanjundappa, P. T. Dalal, Ursula Hicks, B. D. Ghonasgi, Ashok V. Bhuleshkar, Mansoor Ali and Vasudevan. A.

The articles have been grouped in four sections, covering the following topics: (1) Indian Economic Thought (2) Agri culture and Economic Development (3) Industry and Economic Development (4) Monetary Policy and Economic Development.

In his Foreword, Apa B. Pant, High Commissioner for India in London, re marks that Pandit Nehru laid the foundation for modern, scientifically oriented India in a planned, and dedicat ed way. Lord Edward Boyle, Vice Chancellor of University of Leeds, opin es in the Introduction that the success of the Indian democratic experiment is one of the most crucial issues which faces the entire world. The idea of publishing books on the progress on Indian economic develop. ment in honour of Jawaharlal Nehru has received enthusiastic support from all quarters. Shri Y. B. Chavan, the Finance Minister of India, while com mending this Publication says, "I wel come your effort not only because the publication is being brought out as a mark of our everlasting affection and regard for Jawaharlalji's memory, but also because I think that the articles therein will explain our achievements, problems, aspirations and thinking to the outside world in a more effective manner."

Momentous changes have taken place in the economic and political life of the Indian nation over the last twenty-five years and it is contended that despite the progress made all around, the gap between the rich and the poor is still too large. The fault can be attributed to ineffective organisational power within the planning system. No policy can succeed unless in all sectors of Indian society there is an derstanding of how the parts add to the whole. This, in turn, requires the greater awakening of national unity which only mass com munication can achieve.

This volume is a collection of thought provoking essays and should provide stimulus to the readers to further study the economic development taking place in India.