Economist and ex-Union minister Yoginder K Alagh passes away at 86

AHMEDABAD: Yoginder K Alagh wore many hats — a former Union minister, member of the Planning Commission of India, internationally acclaimed development economist, and teacher and activist.
But Alagh, the 86-year-old ‘jamaai (son-in-law) of Gujarat’ who passed away on Tuesday, is best remembered by his family, and friends as a ‘centrist’ who avoided extremes and exemplified humility.
Son Munish Alagh said his father was active till his last breath. Munish is a member of the economics faculty in Ahmedabad’s Sardar Patel Institute of Economic and Social Research (SPIESR) where Alagh was professor emeritus.
PM Modi tweeted, “Professor Y K Alagh was a distinguished scholar who was passionate about various aspects of public policy, particularly rural development, environment and economics. Pained by his demise. I will cherish our interactions. My thoughts are with his family and friends...”