Prof Gobardhan Das has been appointed as a full-time member of NITI Aayog, India's premier public policy think tank. In a heartfelt message on social media, Das expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting his humble beginnings as the son of a farmer from a Dalit community in West Bengal. He emphasized that this position represents the dreams and hopes of many ordinary people. Currently serving as the Director of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Das is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for marginalized communities and contributing to the nation's development. Alongside him, the new NITI Aayog team includes senior economist Dr Ashok Lahiri as Vice Chairperson and several other distinguished members. NITI Aayog plays a crucial role in India's economic policymaking, fostering cooperative federalism and economic development.