Tamil-Speaking Shaktikanta Das Surprises Arun Jaitley At Press Conference

Shaktikanta Das, Former RBI Governor, holds a unique place in India’s economic history, not just for his policy leadership but also for his multilingual skills. At the 2016 Economic Editors’ Conference, then-Economic Affairs Secretary Das amazed everyone, including then Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, by fluently responding to a reporter’s question in Tamil—a language not native to him. Born in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, Das mastered Tamil during his tenure as an IAS officer in Tamil Nadu, where he served in key roles like Principal Secretary (Industries) and District Magistrate of Dindigul and Kancheepuram. In his farewell message, Das fondly recalled Arun Jaitley’s trust and mentorship, expressing heartfelt gratitude through a social media post. He credited Jaitley for placing unwavering confidence in him during crucial phases of his career, especially in his early days as RBI Governor and previously as Secretary of Revenue and Economic Affairs.Das, accompanied by his wife Lopa Mudra Das, bid an emotional farewell to RBI staff after completing six years at the helm. He thanked ‘Team RBI’ for their unwavering support, highlighting their collective efforts in navigating global economic challenges. His departure marked the end of a remarkable chapter in India’s financial governance.