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Business Standard
a day ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Obituary: Meghnad Desai was true gadfly in the best sense of the word
Lord Meghnad Desai St Clement Danes, the Vadodara-born British academic-politician, who died yesterday at the age of 85, is often described as an economist. He was doubtless a renowned practitioner of the dismal science, but to call him a mere economist is to do injustice to his multi-faceted personality. His long-running weekly column in the Sunday Express covered his forthright thoughts on politics, governance, culture, and whatever else was happening in the world at large besides economics. His oeuvre of more than 20 volumes contains two novels and Nehru's Hero: Dilip Kumar in the Life of India (2004). He called this biography of the thespian, whom he called the best actor not just in India but in the world, his most satisfying work. For the record, his other books covered Marxian economics, econometrics, development economics, among others. Although an atheist, he wrote a well-received volume called Who Wrote the Bhagavadgita? A secular enquiry into a sacred text (2014). Lord Desai took his bachelor's and master's degrees from what was then the University of Bombay. He went on to do post-graduate work in econometrics at the University of Pennsylvania and obtained his doctorate at the young age of 23. He spent most of his academic career at the London School of Economics. Besides teaching, he held various administrative responsibilities at that Mecca of studies of economics. In the United Kingdom, he joined the Labour Party and was an active participant in its policy formations for three decades after 1980. He was made a life peer in 1991. He once ran, unsuccessfully, for the position of the Lord Speaker of the House of Lords. He became gradually disenchanted with the party and resigned his membership in 2020 after nearly 50 years, citing the Labour's increasing drift towards antisemitism, especially under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, as the reason. Although an early admirer of Marxian thought, he was not a doctrinaire Marxist. He was particularly critical of the statist version of socialism in Britain as well as in India. He held Jawaharlal Nehru in high esteem, but thought that the socialistic pattern of society ushered in after the 1963 Avadi session of the Congress held India back and was the main reason for its falling behind on the development curve post the mid-1960s. The title of his 2002 book, Marx's Revenge: The Resurgence of Capitalism and the Death of Statist Socialism, succinctly sums up his position. He was also increasingly critical of monetarists. After the 2014 crisis affecting many advanced economies, he wrote a volume Hubris: Why Economists Failed to Predict the Crisis and How to Avoid the Next One. He was no blind admirer of what happened in India post liberalisation either. His 2010 interview with Sucheta Dalal and Debasish Basu of Moneylife was entitled 'If only bureaucrats and the politicians got out of the way, people would do fine.' Interestingly, he called KYC Kick Your Customer, a term which most accurately describes the process as it is practiced even today!\ He met Kishwar Ahluwalia in the course of writing his biography of Dilip Kumar. She was his editor. They married, both for the second time, in 2004. Lord and Lady Desai were very prominent in the social circles of London, Delhi and Mumbai. Given his widespread interests in politics, food, films and sometimes even cricket, he was a frequent guest on numerous talk shows. He made quite an impression with his distinguished appearance with a halo of hair and his sonorous voice. He wore his scholarship lightly in these discussions and was immensely popular. For decades, critics and biographers have claimed that W Somerset Maugham described himself as 'in the very first row of the second-raters.' This has no authentication on record. He was most likely a writer keenly aware of his strengths and limitations, but never self-deprecating to the point of dismissing his own work. Like Maugham, Lord Desai never took himself too seriously, but never doubted his contributions. He used his sharp wit and varied interests to provoke others into action, the mark of a true gadfly in the best sense of the word.
India Today
20-07-2025
- Science
- India Today
Science, Maths may get a two-level system in Classes 11-12: CBSE
In a move that could reshape senior secondary education, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is preparing to roll out a two-tier system for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects for students in Classes 11 and plan as learned by Sunday Express is an extension of the model already introduced in Classes 9 and 10, where science is being taught at two levels, basic and standard, to accommodate different student new proposal is part of the wider education reforms under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises flexibility, relevance, and multidisciplinary learning.A STEP TOWARDS FLEXIBILITY The main idea behind the two-tier model is to give students the option to study STEM subjects at different levels of difficulty, depending on their career instance, a student aspiring to pursue engineering might opt for the advanced version of physics or mathematics, while another interested in humanities or commerce could choose a simpler version that covers the basics without going too deep into technical a structure allows for a more tailored learning experience. It also seeks to reduce stress among students who are often compelled to take subjects at a level that doesn't match their interest or future FROM THE EARLIER MODELCBSE has already experimented with this model in the past. In Class 10 mathematics, students have been allowed to pick between standard and basic levels during board board noted that this helped students who were not planning to continue maths in higher classes but still wanted to pass with confidence.A similar approach is now being considered for science and maths in Classes 11 and IT COULD MEAN FOR SCHOOLSIf approved, this change would require adjustments in school teaching methods, resources, and training. Schools may have to schedule separate classes for the two levels and ensure that teachers are equipped to deliver both assessments, and board exam patterns would also need to be revised a system where one-size-fits-all often leads to undue pressure, CBSE's plan offers a chance to make science and maths more accessible, without lowering the bar.- Ends
Daily Mirror
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
PM makes Germany small boat demand as he takes another swipe at Nigel Farage
Keir Starmer will meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the UK this week, and will discuss ways to 'go further' on tackling illegal migration following the new returns agreement with France Keir Starmer will this week push German Chancellor Friedrich Merz for tougher action on small boat smugglers. The German leader will travel to the UK on Thursday, his first visit since taking office in May. The leaders will discuss ways to "go further" to prosecute trafficking gangs, Mr Starmer said. It comes days after the UK reached a breakthrough returns deal with France - the first since the UK lost legal powers to send people back after Brexit. Writing in the Sunday Express, the PM described illegal migration as a "global problem" - saying the only way to solve it was to work with neighbours. Germany is widely thought to be a key part of smuggling routes. Last year a large number of inflatable boats were found in a German warehouse after a suspected people trafficker was arrested in the Netherlands. The 44-year-old Turkish national is accused of shipping engines and boats from Turkey to Germany before they were moved to northern France. Mr Starmer has stepped up co-operation with EU nations to target gangs responsible for tens of thousands of small boat crossings each year. He said: "When Chancellor Merz of Germany visits the UK this week, we'll discuss what more we can do together to prosecute criminal networks and prevent people smuggling to the UK." The PM continued: "We'll go further to tackle this shared issue together." And he took a brutal swipe at Nigel Farage, claiming the Reform leader will "fade into irrelevance" if progress is made on tackling small boats. He said: "Farage is terrified of this government succeeding at stopping illegal migration. He doesn't want the numbers to go down, because he knows that when they do, he'll fade into irrelevance." On Thursday Mr Starmer announced a "one-in-one-out" returns deal with France. This will see people who come in small boats sent back to Europe in exchange for people with legitimate claims to settle in the UK. Border Security minister Dame Angela Eagle told The Mirror that those sent to the UK will be "fully documented and subject to security and biometric checks". She said: "This is a historic step-forward. No government has got the level of co-operation needed to take forward new and bold measures like this." Home Secretary Yvette Cooper last week confirmed that small boat arrivals will be detained after arrival. It is thought around 50 migrants will be deported to France every week under a new pilot scheme, which the Government hopes it can scale up in future.
Wales Online
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Abbey Clancy says she'd 'have ten kids' as Peter Crouch threatens to 'leave her'
Abbey Clancy says she'd 'have ten kids' as Peter Crouch threatens to 'leave her' Former Britain's Next Top Model star Abbey Clancy has revealed that she has welcomed a new 'baby' into her life - but husband Peter Crouch is not on board with the idea of expanding their brood Abbey Clancy revealed that her husband Peter Crouch has put his foot down on expanding their brood (Image: Dave Benett,for Agent Provocateur ) Between juggling a successful podcast and frequent TV appearances, Abbey Clancy's life is anything but quiet. Yet despite the busy pace, her desire to expand her family hasn't faded. "I'd have 10 kids if I could," she recently revealed to Sunday Express magazine. However, she recognises that her husband, ex-England striker Peter Crouch, thinks their family of six is quite enough. "I think he said he'll leave me if I bring another living thing into the house," Abbey joked, noting that with all the children in school, she's got space for a new baby. But Peter has put his foot down with a firm "no way." At 39, Abbey concedes that while she often gets her way, convincing Peter to agree to a fifth child seems a tall order - no pun intended. Instead, she's turned her attention to a different kind of baby. "I've actually just got a lovely new baby who's 18 hands," she said, introducing Enzo, her horse. Abbey dreams of having Enzo closer, ideally in her garden or sharing a bed with her and Peter, though she knows it's not practical, reports Bristol Live. While more kids may not be in the cards, Abbey shared that Peter's commitment to their children Sophia Ruby, Liberty Rose, Johnny, and Jack is as strong as hers. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter Article continues below The pair treasure their alone time, whether on a date night or a short break, but invariably end up "complaining the whole time that we're missing them!" Abbey has been vocal about her efforts to keep her children humble, irrespective of the perks that come from having celebrity and well-off parents. Speaking with the Daily Mail, she remarked: "I'm conscious of them becoming spoilt brats – I couldn't bear that." She's acutely aware of the hazards associated with rearing kids in affluence and is intent on instilling in them the value of hard work. "It's hard to completely keep them away from it: I've got a nice house, a nice car, we go on nice holidays. But I'd like them to work hard and know it doesn't come easily," Abbey said. Abbey attributes her personal upbringing and career path as the foundation of her principles today. She reflected: "Their dad has worked hard since he was a kid to be a top footballer and I've worked hard to have what I have." Article continues below Originally hailing from Liverpool, Abbey set her sights on fame early on, leaving school at 16 to delve into the entertainment world, starting with a brief stint in the girl band Genie Queen, under the management of Andy McCluskey from Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark and Atomic Kitten's renowned manager. Abbey has openly confessed to her childhood dreams, saying: "I always wanted to be a singer, dancer, model and actress, I was such a poser."
Daily Mirror
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Loose Women star's husband begged her to quit show over serious 'worries'
After starring as a panellist on Loose Women for four years, the singer said her husband begged her to quit A former Loose Women panellist has spilled the beans on why she left the hit ITV show, revealing her husband's plea for her to step down. Celebrated opera singer Lesley Garrett, who has serenaded royalty including King Charles and the late Queen during her impressive 45-year career, is also known for her stints on television favourites like Strictly Come Dancing and Loose Women. After sharing her views on the daytime talk show for four years, Lesley has now disclosed that it was her husband, Peter Christian, a GP by profession, who influenced her decision to leave. "[It's] the only time he's ever asked me to stop doing something," she told the Daily Mail. "He said, 'At the surgery I've got ten minutes with each patient. And eight minutes is taken up with what you've said the day before. I'm worried I'm going to misdiagnose somebody, so please could you stop?'" It is not the first time Lesley expressed her family's fears about her time on the topical programme. In 2011, she said her parents asked her to "give it a rest" for a while. "My mum and dad said, 'Do you think you could just give it a rest for a bit because we can't go down the shops at the moment without somebody saying, 'What have you been up to?'" Despite the pressure, Lesley admitted, "But I enjoy it so much on the show. It's the best fun you can ever have." Now at 70, Lesley is gearing up for her summer concert, leaving fans to wonder if this performance might be the last chance for fans to see her. Speaking to the Sunday Express, Lesley hinted at hanging up her microphone soon to enjoy a quieter life with her partner in the south of France. On the topic of retirement, she remarked: "I do think about retiring, because I don't want to go on when I'm not as good as I was." Lesley said: "I want to quit while I'm ahead. I don't want to carry on past my sell-by date. My voice is changing, as voices do. It's still beautiful in the middle, but I can't get as high as I used to." She explained: "Every season I think could be my last. This one I seriously think could be my last year, because I am 70 and it seems like a very round number – I've been doing this for exactly 45 years." If Lesley decides to retire, she acknowledges that members of the Royal Family might miss her performances. Reflecting on Royal engagements, the South Yorkshire-born vocalist shared: "I have sung for King Charles and met him several times. I sang for both the King and Queen recently. "I really enjoy it, I think they do a great job. Their duty to the country is something that is very important to them. The King is very knowledgeable about opera and classical music in general, and the Duchess of Gloucester is very interested too. I've sung for her several times."
