Quick Info
| Profession | Economist, Politician |
|---|---|
| Nationality | English |
| Date of Birth | 10/07/1940 |
| Age | 85 years (died on 29, Jul, 2025) |
| Birthplace | Vadodara, Baroda State, India |
| Date of Death | 29/07/2025 |
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Bio/Wiki
| Full Name | Meghnad Jagdishchandra Desai |
|---|---|
| Other Name | Baron Desai |
| Religion | Atheist |
Physical Stats & More
| Eye Color | Black |
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| Hair Color | Gray |
Educational Qualification(s)
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| Degrees |
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Relationships & More
| Marital Status | Married |
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Family
| Father | Jagdish Chandra (Civil Servant) |
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| Mother | Mandakini Desai (Homemaker) |
| Siblings | 3 |
| Spouse | Kishwar Ahluwalia |
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Career
| Overview | Meghnad Desai had a distinguished academic and political career. |
|---|---|
| Early Career | He 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. |
| LSE | He joined the London School of Economics in 1965 as a lecturer, eventually becoming a professor in 1983. He served as Convenor of the Economics Department (1987–1990), founded the Centre for the Study of Global Governance (1992), and led the Development Studies Institute (1990–1995). Upon retirement in 2003, he became Emeritus Professor. |
| Contributions | Desai contributed significantly to the field of economics by helping create the Human Development Index and founding the Development Studies Programme at LSE. |
| Publications | He 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 Involvement | Desai joined the Labour Party in 1971, became a life peer in 1991, and was known for his vocal criticisms of contemporary politics. Created Baron Desai of St Clement Danes, he served as opposition whip and economic spokesperson in the House of Lords. |
Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. Desai was born into a middle-class family and completed secondary school by age 14. | |
| 2. He was awarded a scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania, where he completed his PhD in 1963. | |
| 3. An incident from his childhood where he was locked in a bathroom influenced his decision to move abroad. | |
| 4. He has published works that critique various economic theories and engaged in significant political commentary throughout his life. | |
| 5. Desai's commentary on India and its history sparked controversies, including his remarks on the Bhagavad Gita. | |
| 6. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award, in 2008. |