Bibek Debroy, esteemed economist and chairman of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Economic Advisory Council, passed away on Friday at the age of 69. Known for his extensive contributions to India’s economic landscape, Debroy played a pivotal role in shaping key economic policies throughout his career.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on social media, stating, “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.”
A recipient of the Padma Shri, Debroy served as chancellor of Pune’s Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics and was a member of the NITI Aayog until 2019. He was a prolific author and editor, contributing numerous articles and books on topics ranging from economic reforms to public finance and governance. His in-depth knowledge of macroeconomics and public finance informed his work on India’s railway reforms and governance structures.
In addition to his economic expertise, Debroy was celebrated for his translations of classical Sanskrit texts, notably the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita, making these ancient works accessible to a modern audience.
Debroy’s academic journey began at Presidency College, Kolkata, where he lectured from 1979 to 1984. He then moved to the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics in Pune, followed by the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade in Delhi. In 1993, he was appointed director of a Ministry of Finance and UNDP project on legal reforms, later holding roles at the Department of Economic Affairs, the National Council of Applied Economic Research and the Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Contemporary Studies.
Debroy continued his career at the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry and later joined the Centre for Policy Research, where he worked from 2007 until 2015 before leading PM Modi’s Economic Advisory Council.
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