Abraham George
Abraham M. George | |
|---|---|
| Born | Trivandrum, India |
| Education | MBA in economics (1973), Ph.D. in international banking (1975), Stern School of Business, New York University |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, scholar, humanitarian |
| Years active | 1966–present |
| Known for | Founder of The George Foundation; Shanti Bhavan; Indian Institute of Journalism & New Media; Baldev Medical & Community Center |
Abraham M. George is an Indian American entrepreneur, scholar, and humanitarian. His professional journey began as an artillery officer in the Indian Army, where he was stationed at the Sela Pass near the Sino-Indian border. After completing his service with the rank of captain, George relocated to the United States to focus on finance and business ventures. He obtained an M.B.A. in economics in 1973, followed by a Ph.D. in international banking in 1975, both from the Stern School of Business at New York University.
In 1995, George returned to India to initiate programs aimed at combating social injustice and economic disparity. Among these efforts are Shanti Bhavan, a residential institution for underprivileged children, and the Indian Institute of Journalism & New Media, a postgraduate journalism academy based in Bangalore. Additionally, he founded the Baldev Medical & Community Center, which provides services to 15 villages across Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The George Foundation spearheaded a pioneering research project on the effects of leaded gasoline in India, playing a crucial role in the country's decision to eliminate leaded petrol nationwide by April 2000.
George has published five books—three focusing on international finance and two dedicated to social development issues in India. His governance experience includes board memberships at Human Rights Watch and the International Center for Journalists. He has also been honored with the Hind Rattan Award.
Early life
Born in Trivandrum, India, George is the second child among four siblings of Mathew and Aleyamma George.
At age fourteen, he gained admission to the National Defence Academy located in Khadakwasla and graduated as a second lieutenant assigned to the 34th Medium Artillery Regiment. His initial deployment in 1966 was to the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA), adjacent to China. Following an injury sustained at Sela Pass, he was transferred to the Indo-Pakistan border area, where he eventually attained the rank of captain.
Education and career
Following his military tenure, George joined his mother in Alabama during the era of segregation under Governor George Wallace, describing this cultural transition as profoundly challenging.
He completed both an MBA and a Ph.D. specializing in international finance at NYU's Stern School of Business, acquired U.S. citizenship, and began his corporate career at Chemical Bank (now JPMorgan Chase) as an officer.
In 1976, he founded Multinational Computer Models Inc. (MCM), which specialized in developing financial software solutions for multinational enterprises. MCM collaborated with Credit Suisse First Boston, where George held positions as chief consultant and managing director. The company was acquired by SunGard Data Systems in 1998, after which George served as vice-chairman for two years.
Upon returning to India in 1995, he founded The George Foundation, focusing on initiatives related to education, healthcare, women's empowerment, and rural progress. One of its early comprehensive studies revealed that 51% of children living in Indian urban areas exhibited elevated blood lead levels, significantly contributing to India's decision to ban leaded petrol in 2000.
Media and recognition
Shanti Bhavan gained international attention through its feature in the Netflix documentary series Daughters of Destiny.
Publications
- International Finance Handbook (2 volumes), John Wiley & Sons.
- Foreign Exchange Management and the Multinational Corporation, Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
- Protecting Shareholder Value: International Financial Risk Management, Prentice Hall.
- India Untouched: The Forgotten Face of Rural Poverty, Writer's Collective.
- Lead Poisoning Prevention and Treatment: Implementing a National Program in Developing Countries, distributed by the World Bank (2001).
Awards
- Stewart Satter Social Entrepreneurship Award from NYU Stern School of Business.
- The Kerala Center honored with the Lifetime Achievers Award for Philanthropy (2000).
- Community Service Award presented by the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) in 2017.
- Hind Rattan Award granted by the NRI Welfare Society of India.