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1945 and worked with the
World University Service in Geneva. In
1948, he joined UNESCO and retired as
Deputy Director in 1970. His 22-year
stint with UNESCO was the highpoint of
an illustrious career in which he
planned and executed many projects of
great cultural and social importance
throughout the world.
On his retirement from
UNESCO in 1970, he returned to India and
settled in Tamil Nadu and determined to
devote the rest of his life in the
service of his country, especially in
the spheres of economic development and
education. In 1971, Dr. Malcolm S
Adiseshiah and his wife Elizabeth
founded the Madras Institute of
Development Studies (MIDS) and later it
was reconstituted in 1977 as National
Institute jointly sponsored by the
Indian Council of Social Science
Research, New Delhi and the Government
of Tamil Nadu.
He served the Tamil Nadu
Planning Commission for many years. As
its Vice-Chairman during 1971-76, he was
instrumental in the preparation of
Perspective Plans for Tamil Nadu,
including one on education. He was also
a member of the Steering Committee to
the Union Planning Commission during
this period. From then on, he was
associated with the planning process in
various capacities both in Tamil Nadu
and at the Centre.
In 1975, Dr. Adiseshiah
became the Vice Chancellor of the
University of Madras. In his tenure
(1975-78) he started new departments
such as econometrics, education, adult
education, area studies, molecular
biology, polymer sciences and defense
studies. Recognising his outstanding
contributions, the Government of India
conferred on him the Padma Bhusan in
1976. Adiseshiah was also nominated to
the Rajya Sabha in 1978 for a six year
term. He had been decorated by some 40
countries and has had honorary
doctorates conferred on him by 15 Indian
and Foreign Universities.
Dr. Adiseshiah was also
associated with a number of professional
bodies both in India and abroad. He was
the Chairman of the Centre for
Development Studies, Trivandrum, Council
for Social Development, New Delhi;
Institute of Social Science, New Delhi;
Tata Institute of Social Sciences,
Mumbai; International Association of
Social Science Institutions, New Delhi;
Bharat Gyan Gigyan Samithi, New Delhi;
International Literacy Jury, Paris;
International Institute of Educational
Planning, Paris.
Dr. Adiseshiah was also
the President of International Council
of Adult Education; Indian Adult
Education Association; Tamil Nadu Board
of Continuing Education and State
Resource Centre. He also served as
President of the Tamil Nadu Council for
Science and Technology from 1984 till
his death.
Dr. Adiseshiah was
instrumental for the setting up of Asian
Social Science Research Council in New
Delhi and became its first President. He
was the founder of Tamil Nadu Board of
Continuing Education in 1976 and was its
President for four terms. In 1988, he
became the Advisor to National Literacy
Mission, Government of India.
Despite his associations
and contributions to many institutions,
MIDS was his favourite child. He built
MIDS almost single-handedly and created
a vibrant, rigorous and liberal
atmosphere for advanced research in the
economy, society and polity. He gave the
entire part of his later life to MIDS
and ultimately bequeathed his estate to
its growth and well-being. He was the
Chairman of the Madras Institute of
Development Studies from its inception
till his death in 1994.
MIDS now stands as a
fitting memorial to Dr Malcolm S
Adiseshiah. Madras Institute of
Development Studies is celebrating the
Centenary of Professor Malcolm S.
Adiseshiah during April 2009 - April
2010. Throughout this Centenary year,
MIDS plans for several events and
publications to celebrate the memory of
Professor Malcolm Adiseshiah.
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