'Good work by Centre for Policy Research'

Prof. Ramaswamy R. Iyer, visiting Professor, Centre for Policy Research, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, writes:

In recent months, there have been a number of newspaper reports relating to the Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi. Being concerned about the possible impact that those reports and others that follow may have on the general public and its perceptions regarding the CPR, we, as members (past and present) of the CPR faculty, wish to make the following statement.

The CPR is a fine institution, one of the finest of the kind not merely in India but also in the world. It is held in high respect and has excellent working relationships with many academic and research institutions and `think tanks' both within the country and internationally. It has also enjoyed a good, constructive relationship with the Government of India as well as the Governments of neighbouring and other countries, and with international institutions. At the same time, it has maintained its independence and respected the intellectual autonomy of its faculty.

In the two decades and more of its existence, CPR has carried out several valuable studies in areas of national importance and brought out many publications.

It has played an important role in what has come to be known as `Track II' activities, promoting good relations between India and other countries, removing misperceptions, and making the tasks of the Governments a bit easier through its informal efforts in the non- governmental sphere. We deem it a privilege to have been associated with CPR for varying periods of time, running into a decade or more in some cases. Most of us have worked in a purely honorary capacity.

Institutions do not come into existence and grow into prominence on their own; there is always an institution-builder in each case. Dr. V. A. Pai-Panandiker, the Director of CPR since its inception in 1973, has carefully built it up over the years to its present stature.

If CPR enjoys an international standing today, much of the credit must go to his untiring and dedicated efforts over the last 27 years.

In making the above statement, we express no opinions on the issues that are before the court in a case filed by member of the faculty. We are only anxious to ensure that the institution is not diminished in the public eye, and that its ability to continue to function effectively, independently and with distinction is not in any way impaired.

Those who have signed the statement apart from Prof. Ramaswamy R. Iyer are: Messrs. P. V. Indiresan, Lt. Gen. V. K. Nayar, Pran Chopra, Arjun Sengupta, G. Parthasarathy, B. G. Verghese, Sanjoy Hazarika, Subhash Kashyap and Ajit Mozoomdar.

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