Wit and charm were traits of Dr. Abid Hussain, one of India's first practitioners of economic reforms

On June 21, 2012, precisely a year to the day after Suresh Tendulkar passed away, India lost another of its leading light of economic reforms, Dr Abid Hussain.

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On June 21, 2012, precisely a year to the day after Suresh Tendulkar passed away, India lost another of its leading light of economic reforms, Dr Abid Hussain.

Affectionately known to his friends as Abid Bhai or Abid Sahib, he was a warm, wise and witty gentleman. His conversations and speeches were peppered with humour and memorable anecdotes.

Those who came into contact with him or heard him speak invariably came away with interesting material for future conversations.

My own first substantive interaction with Abid Sahibfollowed a brilliant speech he delivered at the World Bank in 1990, soon after his arrival in the United States as India’s ambassador. The speech narrated how protectionism and licensing had hurt India.