Eminent Economist Meghnad Desai Passes at 85

Eminent Economist Meghnad Desai Passes Away at 85

Why in News ?

Meghnad Desai, India-born British economist and House of Lords member, passed away at 85. A renowned academic, columnist, and political thinker, Desai significantly contributed to economic policy, India-UK ties, and public discourse on economics, society, and politics.

Eminent Economist Meghnad Desai Passes at 85

About Life and Academic Journey of Meghnad Desai:

  • Born in 1940 in Vadodara, Gujarat.
  • Earned BA (1958) and MA (1960) in Economics from University of Bombay.
  • Completed PhD in Economics (1963) from University of Pennsylvania.
  • Joined London School of Economics (LSE) in 1965, became Professor of Economics in 1983.
  • Headed LSE’s Development Studies Institute and founded its Centre for Global Governance.
  • Conferred Padma Bhushan in 2008, India’s third-highest civilian award.

Career, Writings and Contributions:

  • Authored 25+ books and over 200 academic articles.
  • Known for interdisciplinary work across economics, political economy, sociology, and even cinema.
  • Some key works include:

○ The Rediscovery of India

○ Marx’s Revenge

○ Rethinking Islamism

○ The Poverty of Political Economy (2022)

  • Passionate about old Hindi films and cooking.
  • Considered his book on Dilip Kumar a personal favourite.

Public Life and Legacy of Meghnad Desai :
● Joined British Labour Party (1971), became a life peer in House of Lords (1991).
● Left Labour in 2020 over concerns of anti-Semitism.
● Chaired Gandhi Memorial Statue Trust, helped install Gandhi’s statue in London’s Parliament Square.
● Prime Minister Narendra Modi and economist Sanjeev Sanyal expressed deep condolences.