July 8, 1914: Born Jyotirindra Basu in Calcutta to N.K. Basu a leading doctor of his time. He was the third of three siblings.;
1920-24: Studied at Loreto Convent, Dharamtala, in Kolkata. It was here that his father shortened his name to Jyoti.
1925-32: Studied at St Xavier’s Collegiate School, Kolkata.
1935-40: Qualified as a barrister-at-law from Middle Temple, London. Came under the influence of socialist philosopher Harold Joseph Laski and Communist Party of Great Britain general secretary Rajani Palme Dutt and embraced communism.
1937-40: Became a member of the India League, the Federation of Indian Students in Great Britain and secretary of the London Majlis, all organizations of Indian students in England. Was dissuaded from joining CPGB by Harry Pollitt, then general secretary of the party.