Bibek Debroy, eminent economist and PM’s advisor, passes away at 69

Bibek Debroy, chairman of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (EAC-PM) and an influential figure in Indian economic policy, has passed away at 69. Known for his extensive work across economic reform, governance, and cultural studies, Debroy’s death occurred after he was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). His contributions to India’s economic policies and intellectual landscape spanned multiple decades, shaping the foundation of modern governance strategies.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Debroy, describing him as a “towering scholar” with expertise across a range of fields, including economics, history, culture, politics, and spirituality. Modi highlighted Debroy’s commitment to making ancient Indian texts accessible to younger generations. Modi shared a personal photo with Debroy on social media platform X, emphasizing his respect and recognition of Debroy’s contributions to India’s economic and cultural fabric.

Debroy’s academic journey began with his education at the Ramakrishna Mission School in Narendrapur, followed by Presidency College in Kolkata, the Delhi School of Economics, and finally Trinity College, Cambridge. Over the years, he held several key academic and administrative positions, including teaching roles at Presidency College, Kolkata, and Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune. He later served at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Delhi, and led a Ministry of Finance-UNDP project focused on legal reforms. In 2015, he joined the EAC-PM and served on the NITI Aayog up until June 2019, playing an instrumental role in strategic economic advisories.

Apart from his economic and policy contributions, Debroy was known for his work in translating classical Sanskrit texts. His translations of the Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita were widely acclaimed for making ancient wisdom accessible to modern readers. Debroy authored and edited numerous books on subjects such as economic reforms, public finance, and Indian railways, earning recognition in both academic and policy-making spheres. His passing marks a notable loss to India’s economic and cultural domains, with his work continuing to influence both areas extensively.