International Women’s Day Special
Looking at Dr. Anukriti, one might not imagine that this ordinary-looking young woman is the prestigious Dr. S. Anukriti, holding the important position of Senior Economist at the World Bank, Washington, D.C. (USA). But it’s true. Upon joining the World Bank as an economist, Dr. Anukriti also became a member of the ten-member Human Resources Committee of this apex banking institution that regulates the global economy. Currently, she is co-chair of the World Bank’s Center for Research on Women and Jobs, a member of the Technical Advisory Group of the PF-Impact Consortium, an active contributor to the Development Impact Blog, and a member of two committees, “We-Define” and “We-Connect,” of the Bangladesh-based social science research institute, the Brac Institute of Governance and Development. Earlier, Dr. Anukriti’s husband Siddharth Ramalingam, who was a professor of economics at BC University, Boston (USA) for seven years, has also been a professor at Harvard University and a senior consultant at the World Bank and is currently working as a strategic and planning manager in a multinational company based in Washington DC (USA).
Dr. Anukriti is extraordinary despite being ordinary. Her outstanding achievements have made her a role model and source of inspiration for young people, especially women. Dr. Anukriti has been incredibly talented and extraordinary since childhood. She never took a single rupee as pocket money from her parents, nor did she ever stand on the street and buy anything from a street vendor. She never attended a single day of tuition, yet she set a record by scoring 94.6 percent in the CBSE 10+2 (non-medical) exam. Dr. Anukriti was born in Narnaul, Haryana, but spent eighteen years in Hisar and seven in Delhi. Now, for twenty years, she has lived in America, one of the world’s most developed and prosperous countries. Yet, she has never been touched by ostentation or ostentation. Whether it’s summer or winter, she adapts to the Indian environment as soon as she arrives. She has been travelling by air for two decades, has visited more than twenty countries, and even travels locally by metro or AC bus, but apart from a bicycle, she does not even know how to ride an Activa.
The beloved daughter of senior literary figure and educationist Dr. Ram Niwas ‘Manav’ and former economics lecturer Dr. Kanta Bharti, and a gifted individual with exceptional talent, Dr. Anukriti has achieved world-class achievements. After earning a BA in Economics (Hons) from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, and an MA (Economics) from the Delhi School of Economics, she simultaneously received three degrees: an MA (Economics), an MPhil, and a PhD from Columbia University, Manhattan (USA), one of the world’s leading universities.
Dr. Anukriti, who always excelled in her studies, has received an education from world-class institutions, but unlike other students, she never faced any difficulty in getting admission. After completing her 10+2 education in schools in Hisar, she completed her BA Economics (Hons) from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi. She then applied for an MA (International Relations) at Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi, an MA (Economics) at the Delhi School of Economics, and an MA (Mathematics) at the Indian Statistical Institute, and was selected for all three. Of these, she chose the Delhi School of Economics. Furthermore, after completing her MA (Economics) from the Delhi School of Economics, she applied for a PhD at six leading US universities: Rochester, Brown University, Wisconsin-Madison, Columbia University, New York, and Maryland, and was selected by all six. Anukriti chose Columbia University, Manhattan (New York), and earned three degrees: an MA (Economics), an MPhil, and a PhD. But even more remarkable is that after earning her PhD, she was appointed to seventeen universities or equivalent institutions in six countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Australia, and India, of which she joined BC University. Dr. Anukriti was never a financial burden on her parents. During her education and research, she received awards such as the GE Fund Scholarship in the United States, the Vickrey and Harris Awards, and the Columbia University Research Scholarship. During her six-year PhD program at Columbia University, she did not have to rely on even a single rupee of financial assistance from her parents.
Dr. Anukriti says, “I wouldn’t call my journey difficult, but looking back, I realize that few people can make the journey from a small, backward town in Haryana to the World Bank. It’s especially difficult for girls and women to prioritize their education and career in many states of India. However, thanks to the support and encouragement of my family, I didn’t face any such difficulties. My parents raised my brother (who became an Indian Police Service officer) in a way that never limited our goals or aspirations to our city, state, or country. Initially, moving from a small town in Haryana to St. Stephen’s College in Delhi felt like a significant difference, and it took some time to adjust. However, the journey forward wasn’t too difficult for me. Therefore, I would like to urge parents and guardians to carefully consider their children’s early education, as it impacts their entire lives and careers.” Don’t impose your interests on your children; consider their own interests; let them decide their own path and destination. Parental interests are the biggest obstacle to children’s personality development. All parents want their children to become doctors or engineers, which is not appropriate. There are many other fields where, if children are allowed to pursue their own desires and interests, they too can achieve outstanding success. Yes, parental guidance and encouragement are essential for children. I don’t think I would have achieved so much without my parents’ guidance. My parents and other family members never discriminated between my brother and me, nor did they pressure me to marry young or focus less on my career. As a child, I was always encouraged to study and pursue the highest education; I was never burdened with household chores. Now, I also have the full support of my husband, Professor Siddharth Ramalingam; we both support each other’s decisions and careers equally. We have a little daughter, Mili (Mrinalini), who has filled our lives with happiness.
All of India is truly proud of its capable and brilliant daughter, Dr. S. Anukriti. Today’s young generation can learn a lot from her, drawing inspiration from her to not only shape their futures but also to raise their reputations both domestically and internationally.
