Economists who have ventured into politics are essentially “techno-pols”- technicians who have been inducted into a country's
political fold because of their technical knowledge, says
economist, writer and member of the British House of the Lords Meghnad Desai.
And according to Desai, who still teaches at the London School of Economics, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is a seasoned one.
“When Manmohan was brought into politics, he was a techno-pol, but now he has become a proper politician. An economist-politician needs a lot support from the government to be able to execute his ideas. But they make good politicians,” Desai said in an informal chat at his elegant home in the capital Monday.
The economist whose thriller, “Dead on Time”, woven around British politics was released in India last week, touched upon a gamut of subjects, including politics and ties with India and Britain and his experiences as a writer and a Lord.
“I don't think the Indian electoral mandate see any major changes in India-British ties. India and Britain share very active trade and UK has a separate committee on India with Lord Karan Billimoria, me and Swaraj Paul as members. People are aware how much Britain needs India on the economic front,” Desai said.
He said Indians should not complain about the new immigration laws for non-European migrants in Britain. “The new immigration policy for South Asia which has become tighter has been fuelled by pressure. There is lot of competition for skilled jobs now. Earlier, Indians used to enjoy privileged positions in skilled jobs. India should realise that the immigration policies applies to all south Asians, not India alone,” he gently chided.
Commenting on contentious regional issues, the economist said Britain would have loved to interfere in Kashmir “but British diplomats did not understand a thing about Kashmir”.
“Had it been a part of British India, it would have gone to Pakistan like the Muslim majority provinces like Sindh and Baluchistan. Or may be, Jammu would have come to India and Kashmir would have gone to Pakistan. I was brought up to believe that India had no claim on Kashmir and human rights in the state had been grossly violated for 60 years by both the countries,” Desai said.
However, he refused to dwell on regional conflicts and politics at length, preferring instead to switch to writing, reading and movies – his
favourite pastimes.
Desai has a lot up his sleeve.
“I plan to write a serious book about the history of Indian cinema,” he said. Desai, who has written a book on the life of Bollywood thespian Dilip Kumar, has just finished reading a volume on Bimal Roy. “It is being brought out by his daughter Rinki Bhattacharya. This is Roy's centenary year,” the economist said.
A movie buff, Desai's favourite movies are “Andaz” starring Nargis, Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor, “Maltese Falcon” directed by John Houston and “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence”, by John Ford. “But my favourite stars are definitely Dilip Kumar and Marlon Brando,” he said with a laugh.
The economist, who believes in the power of best-selling authors, is full of praise for Jeffrey Archer. “It is very difficult to write something that sells. He is the pastmaster of pulp fiction though he may not win the Booker prize,” said Desai, who is busy putting finishing touches to a non-fiction about the growth of the Indian nation.
As a child Desai read almost everything. “I was brought up in Baroda and then moved to Mumbai. I strengthened my English by reading the sports page of The Times of India. I snipped out the photographs of my favouite cricketers and followed football scores,” he recalled.
Desai reads five books on an average every week. “I am currently reading a book on Europe by David Marsh and have just finished proofing a book on John Keynes (the economist). I think some Indian writers of non-fictions like Ram Guha and Ashish Nandy are very good,” he said.
Who are his favourite British politicians? The question makes him nostalgic. “I miss my good friend John Smith of the Labour Party, who died 15 years ago of a heart attack. Had he been there, I would have been a minister now. But the London mayor Boris Johnson is a very colourful character,” he said.
--Madhusree Chatterjee