Dr. Jati Kumar Sengupta was born on January 4, 1934, in Rampurhat, India. He lost his mother at the age of two and was lovingly raised by his father. This early hardship gave him strength and resilience that shaped his entire life. A brilliant student, he pursued economics with deep passion and earned his PhD in Economics in 1962.

In 1965, he married Krishna Majumdar. Their marriage was filled with love, warmth, and faith, lasting 56 years until Krishna’s passing in 2021. Their partnership was the foundation of his personal and professional life.

Dr. Sengupta’s academic journey began at Iowa State University. Later, he returned to India and became a founding member and Managing Director of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIM Joka). His vision helped establish one of Asia’s most respected management schools.

In 1976, he moved back to the United States and joined the University of California, Santa Barbara. He taught there for 31 years, mentoring many PhD students. Over his career, he wrote 27 books and more than 300 research papers. His work covered areas such as econometrics, stochastic programming, Data Envelopment Analysis, economic growth, and quantitative policy. He was known for applying rigorous mathematics to real-world economic problems.

Beyond academics, Dr. Sengupta was a devoted follower of Vedanta and a disciple of Swami Swahananda. His faith in Sri Ramakrishna guided his life and gave him spiritual strength.

He is survived by his son, Ajeen Sengupta; his daughter, Rimita S. Bewtra; and four grandchildren Jayen and Shiven Bewtra, and Aria and Myra Sengupta. His curiosity, warmth, and love of learning live on in them.

Dr. Jati Kumar Sengupta devoted his life to education, research, institution building, and spiritual values. From humble beginnings, he rose to become an internationally respected economist and scholar. His contributions to academia, his service to institutions, and his dedication to his family and faith will continue to inspire future generations.

Dr. Sengupta passed away peacefully on 29 March 2026 in Thousand Oaks, California, USA, at the age of 92, surrounded by the love of his family. He will be remembered with great respect, admiration, and affection.