Bibek Debroy dies at 69: Know legacy of renowned economist and scholar

Renowned economist Bibek Debroy, who passed away at 69, was a key figure in India's economic policy.

Published on: Nov 1, 2024, 11:56:35 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Renowned economist Bibek Debroy, chairman of the economic advisory council to the Prime Minister, passed away at the age of 69 on Friday.

NITI Aayog member Bibek Debroy headed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Economic Advisory Council. (PTI File Photo)

Who was Bibek Debroy?

• Born in a Bengali family in Shillong, Bibek Debroy studied at prestigious institutions, including Ramakrishna Mission School (Narendrapur), Presidency College (Calcutta), Delhi School of Economics, and Trinity College, Cambridge.

• He has held influential roles such as director of the Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Contemporary Studies, chancellor of Pune’s Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, consultant to the finance ministry, secretary general of PHD Chamber of Commerce, and director of the project LARGE, focusing on economic and legal reforms.

Also read : Gokhale Institute appoints Sanjeev Sanyal as chairman after Bibek Debroy’s exit

• Debroy has taught at several esteemed institutions, authored numerous books and articles, and served as Consulting Editor for major financial newspapers.

• He is best known for his acclaimed translations of the Mahabharata in ten volumes and the Valmiki Ramayana in three volumes.

• In 2015, Debroy was appointed a permanent member of NITI Aayog, India’s top policy think tank, and received the Padma Shri for his contributions to public policy and economics.

Debroy leaves behind a legacy as a thought leader who profoundly impacted India's intellectual and economic landscape.

Expressing his grief, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on X: “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."

Senior Congress leader and RS MP Jairam Ramesh also mourned the passing away of Bibek Debroy.

"A man of unusually wide-ranging interests, 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. Over the years, he has had numerous institutional affiliations and he left his mark everywhere. Bibek was also a very prolific, and always thought-provoking, commentator in the media on public issues going well beyond economics, "Ramesh said in a post on X.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.