At what age was K. N. Raj invited by Jawaharlal Nehru to draft India's first Five Year Plan?

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A30

B26

C35

D40

Answer:

Dr. K.N. Raj (Kakkadan Nandanath Raj) was a distinguished Indian economist who played a pivotal role in shaping India's economic policies during its nascent years of independence.
He was invited by India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, at the remarkably young age of 26 to contribute to the drafting of India's inaugural First Five Year Plan.
This plan was operational from 1951 to 1956.

The First Five Year Plan was primarily focused on agriculture, irrigation, and power projects, aiming to address the pressing issues of food shortages and to lay a strong foundation for industrial growth.
It was largely based on the Harrod-Domar growth model, emphasizing capital accumulation and investment for economic growth.
Key projects like the Bhakra Nangal Dam were initiated during this period to boost agricultural productivity.

The Planning Commission of India was established on March 15, 1950, by a resolution of the Union Cabinet. Jawaharlal Nehru was its first Chairman.
Nehru, deeply influenced by the Soviet model of centralized planning, envisioned a planned economy for India to achieve rapid and equitable development.
The Five Year Plans were conceived as a tool to realize this vision and direct national resources towards specific development goals.

K.N. Raj's expertise was also instrumental in the establishment of the Delhi School of Economics.
He later founded the Centre for Development Studies (CDS) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, a renowned research institution, which significantly contributed to the understanding and formulation of the "Kerala Model of Development".
His association with CDS and his work on Kerala's development path directly link him to the subject of "Kerala Model Development" mentioned in the question's context.
He also served as an economic advisor to various Prime Ministers.

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