Virendra Pandit
New Delhi: In the last 10 years, when he shone like the sun at noon, Dr. Bibek Debroy (1955-2024), eminent economist and author, became the voice of a rising India’s ongoing economic reforms and its future.
In his passing away on Friday, India has lost one of its most outspoken and visionary economists. Dr. Debroy, as Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (PMEAC), and a leading advocate for bold reforms in India’s economic landscape became as famous as Dr. Manmohan Singh during the Narasimha Rao era of the 1990s.
Bibek Debroy, born on January 25, 1955, was known for his prolific work across economics, culture, and history. His untimely death drew condolences and tributes from across India, including heartfelt messages from President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and prominent leaders.
President Droupadi Murmu noted that Dr. Debroy was an “eminent public intellectual” who enriched India’s policy, culture, and knowledge through his diverse contributions.
“In the demise of Dr. Bibek Debroy, the country has lost an eminent public intellectual who enriched diverse fields, from policy making to translating our great scriptures. His understanding of India’s social, cultural, and economic landscape was exceptional,” she said, as she extended condolences to Dr. Debroy’s family, friends, and admirers.
Recalling his association, PM Modi expressed deep sorrow over Dr. Debroy’s demise, describing him as a “towering scholar”, and highlighting his influence on India’s intellectual landscape. He noted his work extended beyond policy into translating ancient texts, making them accessible to young audiences.
“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,” PM Modi wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“Beyond his contributions to public policy, he enjoyed working on our ancient texts, making them accessible to the youth,” he added.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also paid rich tributes, reflecting on Dr. Debroy’s role in policy and his passion for ancient texts and Sanskrit translations.
“It is with profound grief that I condole the demise of Shri Bibek Debroy. As Chairman of the PM’s Economic Advisory Council, he profusely participated in policymaking. His interests, inter alia, were — ancient texts, Vedic and classical Sanskrit, Devi, Railways,” she wrote.
“Bibek, you had so much more to do and to complete — for all our sake!” she added.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah called Dr. Debroy’s contributions to the country’s development “prolific”, emphasizing his intellectual versatility across economics, history, and philosophy.
“Deeply pained by the demise of Bibek Debroy Ji, Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the PM. Debroy Ji was a scholar with unparalleled versatility who made prolific contributions to the fields of economics, history, and philosophy,” he said.
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh recognized Dr. Debroy’s clarity in communicating complex issues, calling him “thought-provoking” and “unusually wide-ranging” in his interests.
“A man of unusually wide-ranging interests, Bibek Debroy was first and foremost a fine theoretical and empirical economist. His skill for lucid exposition made complex economic issues accessible,” he said, appreciating Dr. Debroy’s contributions to public discourse.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee paid tribute to Dr. Debroy as a “brilliant son of Bengal and a scholar of repute,” emphasizing his deep intellectual roots and contributions.
“Saddened by the sudden demise of Bibek Debroy, noted economist and Chairman of PM’s Economic Advisory Council. A brilliant son of Bengal and a scholar of repute, he will be remembered by us,” she wrote on X.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha expressed his condolences, honoring Dr. Debroy as one of India’s most respected scholars.
“He was among the most respected scholars of the country & contributed greatly to the fields of economics & spirituality. My sincerest condolences to his family & friends. Om Shanti,” Sinha posted on X.