New Delhi, 1 November 2024: Bibek Debroy, esteemed economist and chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, passed away Friday morning at 69.
Known for his scholarly range and public service, Debroy was celebrated for his expertise across disciplines such as economics, culture, and spirituality. He was also recognized with the Padma Shri and previously held the position of Chancellor at Pune’s Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences on X, stating, “Dr. Bibek Debroy Ji was a towering scholar, well-versed in diverse domains like economics, history, culture, politics, spirituality and more. Through his works, he left an indelible mark on India’s intellectual landscape. Beyond his contributions to public policy, he enjoyed working on our ancient texts, making them accessible to the youth.”
Debroy’s educational journey began at Ramakrishna Mission School in Narendrapur, followed by studies at Presidency College, Kolkata; the Delhi School of Economics; and Trinity College, Cambridge. His academic and professional career spanned several prominent institutions, including Presidency College, Gokhale Institute, and the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade. He also directed a Ministry of Finance/UNDP project on legal reforms and served as a member of NITI Aayog until 2019.
An influential figure in economic theory and policy, Debroy was noted for his contributions to game theory, legal reforms, and poverty alleviation.
His intellectual pursuits extended to Indology, with translations of Sanskrit texts such as the Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Bhagavad Gita aimed at making ancient works accessible. Most recently, he chaired the Finance Ministry’s ‘Expert Committee for Infrastructure Classification and Financing Framework for Amrit Kaal,’ shaping long-term strategies for India’s growth.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh offered his tribute, recalling Debroy’s breadth of knowledge and his ability to clarify complex issues for general audiences.
“Bibek Debroy was first and foremost a fine theoretical and empirical economist who worked and wrote on various aspects of the Indian economy. He also had a special skill for lucid exposition, in a manner that would make laypersons easily understand complex economic issues,” Ramesh said on X.
He praised Debroy’s “prolific, thought-provoking commentary” and his devotion to Sanskrit literature, including translations of works like the Bhagavata Purana and Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay’s essay “Samya.”
“More than that, he will be remembered as a genuine Sanskritist of great erudition… he will be missed for his scholarship as well as for his dry sense of humor,” Ramesh added.
Debroy’s legacy as a scholar and public intellectual spans multiple domains, leaving a lasting impact on India’s intellectual and cultural fabric.
