J. N. Bhagwati

Born On: 26 July 1934
Born In: Mumbai, India
Career: Economist/Professor

J. N. Bhagwati is a famous Indian economist, best f�ted for his research work on International Trade and his advocacy of free trade. His contributions in the field of economics have been very substantial. An economic expert and a member on the advisory board for the United Nations and WTO, J. N Bhagwati's feats in the realms of International Trade have been profound. Better known as Professor Jagdish, he owns the distinction of teaching in several noted universities across the globe. Apart from this, Bhagwati has also authored several books and is an active columnist in several news dailies. He is known for his unautocratic approach towards capitalistic economy and his strong dislike of state interference. For his humongous contribution in the field of Economics, he has been felicitated with six Festschrifts, several honorary degrees and a slew of awards like Freedom Prize, the Bernhard Harms Prize, the Thomas Schelling Award, and Padma Vibhushan.

Early Life
Jagdish Bhagwati was born in Mumbai in the year 1934. He was born in a Gujarati family where his parents always encouraged his academic interests. After doing well in school, he joined Sydenham College in Mumbai and obtained his bachelor's degree from there. Later in 1956, he went to St. John's College in Cambridge to study economics. He completed his PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the year 1967.

Career
J. N. Bhagwati started off his career began as a lecturer, teaching in several universities across India, England and America. In 1991, he was appointed to the panel of advisors for international economic organizations. He served as the economics policy advisor to the Director-General of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and assisted the United Nations counsel with his viewpoints on the economic affairs regarding globalization. He also provided his services as an independent counselor to the director of generals of the WTO. In 2004, he became a part of the Copenhagen Consensus project. In the year 2010, he was appointed as the counseling member for Academic Advisory Board of Human Rights Watch, Centre for Civil Society and a fellow member of Council on Foreign Relations. He wrote all his democratic views and standpoints in his books and journals. 'In Defence of Globalisation', 'Free Trade Today', 'The Wind of the Hundred Days', 'A Stream of Windows', 'India in Transition', 'World Trading System at Risk', 'Protectionism', 'Economics & Politics', 'The Journal of International Economics' etc. are some his best publications.

Jagdish Bhagwati is a partisan whose contribution towards global economic welfare has been enormous. He has worked under various economic conditions, from some of the richest economies to the poorest countries like Africa and Asia, helping nations to bring about a change in their situation. Jagdish has managed to bring about a productive change in these provinces.

Achievements and Awards

Personal Life
Jagdish is married to Padma Desai, a well-known Columbian economist and the couple has a daughter.

Time Line
1934: He was born in Mumbai city.
1956: He graduated from St. John's University in Cambridge.
1961: After completing his PhD, he returned to India to teach for a few years.
1968: Jagdish returned to America to teach at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
1974: Indian Econometric Society's Mahalanobis Memorial Medal was granted to him.
1998: Seidman Distinguished Award in International Political Economy.
2000: He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan.
2001: Served as an advisor to the United Nations on globalization.
2004: He published "In Defense of Globalization".
2010: Appointed as the counselor for migrant rights in Indonesia.