Asoke K. Ghosh, the founder of PHI Learning, is known for improving educational access in India and internationally. According to FIP (Federation of Indian Publishers), his vision focused on providing affordable and high-quality educational resources to students. He aimed to internationalize higher education publications and support academic growth globally.

Through PHI Learning, he pioneered the publication of affordable editions of foreign books under the company’s own Eastern Economy Editions (EEE) imprint, making university-level textbooks more accessible.

Personal Life

Family and Relationships

Ghosh was described by his colleagues as being committed to improving the quality of education in India and globally. He was known as a competent orator and frequently spoke at events within the academic publishing community. He often expressed his belief in making high-quality education accessible to all Indian students.

While dedicated to uplifting Indian students, he also expressed a belief in educating girls to provide them with better opportunities in a country where the education of girls was not always prioritized.

Ghosh was involved in philanthropy through the Rimjhim Ghosh Foundation. He was an active Rotarian for nearly five decades, having served as District Governor.

His wife, Sagarika Ghosh, his daughter, Pushpita Ghosh, and his two granddaughters, Pallavi and Aditi Ghosh, are involved in PHI Learning and continuing his legacy.

Philanthropic Efforts

Service in Rotary

As a Rotarian since 1973, Ghosh served as District Governor of the Rotary Club of India in 2000-2001. Rotary presented him with several awards, including the 'Citation for Meritorious Service,' 'Service Above Self Award,' and 'Distinguished Service Award'. Ghosh has also served Rotary International as Rotary Foundation Programs Advisor.

PolioPlus

Ghosh was actively involved in Rotary International's efforts to eradicate polio through organizing and participating in vaccination campaigns and advocating for global eradication efforts. He contributed USD 187,290.88 towards the polio eradication efforts by Rotary.

He was a Rotary Foundation Major Donor Level IV, a Benefactor of the Permanent Fund, and a Paul Harris Fellow. Additionally, he established an Endowment Fund in his and his wife Sagarika’s name.

Rimjhim Ghosh Foundation

Established in memory of his daughter, Ipshita Ghosh, the Rimjhim Ghosh Foundation focuses on providing free education and healthcare services to underprivileged girl children. Beyond publishing, Asoke K. Ghosh’s Rimjhim Ghosh Foundation supports education and healthcare for underprivileged girls, reflecting his commitment to humanitarian causes. Ghosh has also promoted girl child literacy and education as a trustee of several charitable organizations.

Contributions to Academic Publishing

Contributions to Indian Academia through PHI Learning

Asoke K. Ghosh founded PHI Learning, one of the oldest academic publishing houses in India, in the early 1960s. His company published affordable editions of expensive foreign books, making them accessible to university students in India and other developing countries. PHI Learning published over 5000 titles under their Eastern Economy Editions imprint and established international publishing partnerships with Microsoft Press and MIT Press.

He was instrumental in introducing the first computer science book in India, "Principles of Computer Programming," by Prof. V. Rajaraman.

Contributions to the Federation of Indian Publishers (FIP)

As a founder-member of the Federation of Indian Publishers (FIP), Asoke K. Ghosh served as its President Emeritus.

He edited the commemorative volume "75 Years of Book Publishing in India (1947-2022)" and was involved in organizing and promoting the Federation of Indian Publishers' activities.

His efforts contributed to Delhi being declared the World Book Capital for 2003 by UNESCO. He received several awards from the Federation of Indian Publishers (FIP), including the 'Most Distinguished Publisher Award,' and the 'Lifetime Achievement Award'. for his services to Indian and international book publishing.

International Reach

Asoke K. Ghosh has held significant positions in international publishing organizations, including being the first Indian and the sole Asian to serve as Vice-President of the International Publishers Association (IPA). He played a key role in organizing the IPA Congress in 1992 and again in 2018.

Awards

Rotary Awards

Rotary presented him with numerous awards for his selfless, dedicated services to the society. The most prominent awards received by him are:

References

Draft:Asoke K Ghosh