When the Great Recession had put the world economy on the edge in the 1930s, British economist John Maynard Keynes suggested that the intervention of the state is necessary to overcome the crisis.
His theory, initially criticised, later proved correct. P J Thomas (1895-1965), the first Economic Advisor of independent India, was a friend of Keynes and the thoughts of the two economic stalwarts were on the same wavelength.
The only difference was that Keynes became a celebrated economist while P J Thomas, born in Kuravilangad near Pala in Kottayam, is not well-known even in his home state.
John Mathai, a noted economist from the state, has a centre of the Calicut University named after him. But P J Thomas rose only to the post of the principal of St Thomas College, Pala.
The book, ‘P J Thomas- Keralathinte Keynes’ written by Associate Professor of Economics at Irinjalakkuda Christ College, E M Thomas, is a welcome attempt to throw light on P J Thomas and to illustrate his remarkable achievements before the people of his home state.
Published by Sahithya Pravarthaka Cooperative Society in January this year, the crisp biography is divided into twenty chapters and takes up all of 120 pages.
P J Thomas, of Parakunnel (1895-1965) was born to Thommen Ouseph and Annama Thomas of the Pakalomattam-Parakunnel family. He studied at St Ephraim’s High School, Mannanam, did his Intermediate from CMS College, Kottayam and MA from the Department of Economics at St Joseph’s College, Trichy.
In 1920, he went to UK and completed a B.Litt from Balliol College, University of Oxford and later attained a doctorate from there. He worked as a professor at the University of Ceylon and in Madras University before going on to become a member of the Rajya Sabha.
The book gives a detailed description about the life and works of P J Thomas. Many may be surprised to know from the book that his friends include former US President John F Kennedy, writer G K Chesterton and poet Vallathol Narayana Menon.
Priced at `85, the book is a tribute to the economist and also a reminder that much more needs be done to celebrate the great economist from Kerala.
