Rising Star

Jairam Ramesh (HNZ’77) is using his analytical skills and the expertise in government and public policy he developed at Carnegie Mellon to represent the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha, a region that has a population one-fourth that of the United States. Ramesh has been a dedicated and integral part of the Congress Party. As a sherpa he focused on policy-making, drafting speeches and preparing manifestos. He was also an office-bearer for six years before being appointed to the upper house by party leadership.

As a present Congress Member of Parliament, his responsibilities vary from participating on the Public Accounts Committee, the Standing Committee on Finance and the Committee on Government Assurances, to being a member of the Court of JNU, New Delhi. Given a $3 million grant for his term of six years, Ramesh can direct funds to specific development projects of his choice. He also speaks in Parliament on behalf of his party and the government.

He credits Carnegie Mellon with giving him the discipline and the tools he needs to be successful.

"The focus on techniques and the emphasis on quantitative methods directly instills a sense of rigor in thinking," said Ramesh. "My government career has given me a large canvas and numerous challenges to develop my capabilities."

Ramesh writes a widely read column on economics and public policy in "The Times of India" and has authored a book, "Kautilya today." He has also anchored a number of popular television programs on business and the economy, including "Business Breakfast" and "Crossfire."

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