Desai, Lord Meghnad (b.1940): Professor of Economics at London school of Economics. British peer.

Desai, Morarji Ranchodji (1896-1995): Indian politician who was prime minister from Mar. ’77 to July ’79. Staunch Gandhian. Chief minister of Bombay (1952-’56). Union minister, 1956-63. Deputy P.M & finance minister, 1967-69. Bharat Ratna.

Descartes, Rene (1596-1650): French mathematician, pioneer of modern philosophy.

Deshpande, Purushottam Lakshman (1919-2000): Veteran Marathi writer and performer known as Pu La.

Deve Gowda, Hardanahalli Dodde gowda (b.1933): Janata Dal leader. India’s PM June,’ 96 to Apr. ’96. Formerly CM of Karnataka.

Dewey, Melvil (1852-1931): American library pioneer, originator of Dewey decimal system of book, originator of Dewey decimal systems of book classification.

Dhawan, Satish (1920-2002): Scientist, director of IIS, B’lore, chairman of ISRO. Padma Vibhushan 1981.

Dhyam Chand (1906-’79): Hockey wizard. Olympic golf in Amsterdam 1928, Los Angeles 1932, Berlin 1936. Padmabhushan.

Diana, Princess of Wales (1961-’97): Born Diana Spencer, married prince Charles of Britain (1981), separated (1992), divorced (1996). Mother of prince William and prince Henry. Killed in a car crash.

Dickens, Charles (1812-’70): Popular English novelist of the 19th century. David Copperfield, Pickwick papers, Oliver Twist.