Indian economist
Parekunnel Joseph Thomas (1895 - 1965) was the first economic advisor of independent India. He was a Member of the Madras Legislative Council and later Member of the upper house (Rajya Sabha) of the Indian Parliament.
Biography.
He was born on 25 February 1895 at Kuravilangad, near Palai, in Meenachil Taluk, Kottayam District, Kerala as the son of Thommen Ouseph and Annama Thomas of the Pakalomattam-Parekunnel family. He had his schooling at St. Ephraim's High School, Mannanam and did Intermediate at C M.S. College, Kottayam and M.A. at Department of Economics, St. Joseph's College, Trichy.
Initially he worked as a lecturer at University College, Trivandrum. In 1920 he went to UK and took B.Litt. from Balliol College, University of Oxford (1920–1922) and later D.Phil., also from University of Oxford (1922–1924). On his return he worked as professor at the University of Ceylon (1924–1927) and the University of Madras (1927–1942).
His public life started when he became a Member of the Madras Legislative Council in 1937 and continued as a Member up to 1942. In 1942 he became adviser, Department of Finance, Government of India, held that position during India's independence and continued for 6 years up to 1948. Dr Thomas signed the Bretton Woods Agreement that founded the IMF and the World Bank. He was a member of the Indian delegation that signed the United Nations Charter in 1945.
After leaving government service, he functioned as the founder-principal of St. Thomas College, Palai (1950–1952). He later became a Member of Rajya Sabha (1957–1962).
He died on 26 July 1965 and is buried at the Infant Jesus Church, South Vazhakulam which falls under the Kizhakambalam forane of Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese, at Aluva, in the district of Ernakulam, Kerala, India.
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