Meghnad Desai Age, Wiki and Bio

Meghnad Desai

Quick Info

ProfessionEconomist, Politician
NationalityEnglish
Date of Birth10/07/1940
Age85 years (died on 29, Jul, 2025)
BirthplaceVadodara, Baroda State, India
Date of Death29/07/2025

Bio/Wiki

Full NameMeghnad Jagdishchandra Desai
Other NameBaron Desai
Zodiac SignVirgo
ReligionAtheist

Physical Stats & More

Eye ColorBlack
Hair ColorGray

Educational Qualification(s)

College/Universities
  • Ramnarain Ruia College (University of Mumbai)
  • Department of Economics (now Mumbai School of Economics and Public Policy), University of Mumbai
Degrees
  • Bachelor's Degree in Economics
  • Master's Degree in Economics
  • PhD in Economics

Relationships & More

Marital StatusMarried
Details
  • First wife: Gail Wilson
  • Second wife: Kishwar Ahluwalia

Family

FatherJagdish Chandra (Civil Servant)
MotherMandakini Desai (Homemaker)
Siblings3
SpouseKishwar Ahluwalia
Children
  • Daughter - Tanvi
  • Sons - Nuala and Sven

Career

OverviewMeghnad Desai had a distinguished academic and political career.
Early CareerHe began as an associate specialist in Agricultural Economics at the University of California, Berkeley, where he developed left-leaning political views and participated in protests.
LSEHe joined the London School of Economics in 1965 as a lecturer, eventually becoming a professor in 1983.
ContributionsDesai contributed significantly to the field of economics by helping create the Human Development Index and founding the Development Studies Programme at LSE.
PublicationsHe authored over 200 academic articles and books including titles like 'Marxian Economic Theory' and 'Marx's Revenge'. He also wrote columns for various publications.
Political InvolvementDesai joined the Labour Party in 1971, became a life peer in 1991, and was known for his vocal criticisms of contemporary politics.

Some Lesser Known Facts

Desai was born into a middle-class family and completed secondary school by age 14.
He was awarded a scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania, where he completed his PhD in 1963.
An incident from his childhood where he was locked in a bathroom influenced his decision to move abroad.
He has published works that critique various economic theories and engaged in significant political commentary throughout his life.
Desai's commentary on India and its history sparked controversies, including his remarks on the Bhagavad Gita.