'Professor Muzaffar's works inspired many'

Eminent economist and former Governor of Bangladesh Bank, Professor Dr Atiur Rahman considers Professor Muzaffar Ahmed as a pioneer of independent and pragmatic economic thinking.

He said, "Profesor Muzaffar's thoughts and works have inspired many and still has been guiding us in socioeconomic development planning and policy formulation in a pragmatic manner that prioritizes long-term national interest above all."

He said this while delivering the memorial speech titled "Contributions of Professor Muzaffar Ahmed to our Economic Thoughts" yesterday at an event organized on the occasion of 7th death anniversary of the death of Professor Muzaffar Ahmed.

The event was organized by Professor Muzaffar Ahmed Smriti Sangshad at the EMK Center, Dhanmondi, Dhaka. Other speakers at the event were Professor Rehman Sobhan, National  Professor Anisuzzaman, Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud, Khondker Ibrahim Khaled and wife of late Professor Muzaffar, Rowshan Jahan.

Professor Rehman Sobhan said Professor Muzaffar Ahmed lived a fulfilling life and this should be celebrated. Professor Wahiduddin also recalled his multifaceted life. Khandker Ibrahim Khaled and National Professor Anisuzzaman pointed his honesty, steadfastness and patriotic zeal of Professor Muzaffar.

Dr Atiur further said that Professor Muzaffar was always aware of the sociopolitical realities. And hence, despite being closely tied with the free market supporting Chicago school, he was conscious about the down sides of free market capitalism.

Similarly, he was very kin about how the larger economies usually exploit the peripheral ones in the name of free market, but still did not become a full-fledged Marxist. Dr Muzaffar was a true Nationalist Economist. He always advocated for giving protection to national industry and a strong role of the state to regulate the market.

"Professor Muzaffar was much more than a theoretical economist. He always worked hard to apply his knowledge while serving in different capacities at different government and non-government bodies.

He also made valuable contributions in different social, environmental and civil society movements."- said Dr Atiur. He then concluded saying that Dr Muzaffar's life and works will continue to be a great source of inspiration for economists, development thinkers and practitioners not only in Bangladesh but also for those in other countries.