Tributes come /from across the political spectrum and beyond for departed chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister
Dr. Bibek Debroy, an economist who served as chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, died on Friday at age 69.
Debroy was an alumnus of Ramakrishna Mission School, Narendrapur; Presidency College, Kolkata; Delhi School of Economics; and Trinity College, Cambridge.
He had worked in Presidency College, Kolkata; Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune; Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Delhi; and also as the director of a ministry of finance/UNDP project on legal reforms.
He was also an accomplished writer whose knowledge went beyond economics.
A host of personalities paid tributes to him on his passing.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Bibek Debroy as a towering scholar. “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,” Modi wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, with a photograph of him with Debroy.
President Droupadi Murmu mourned Bibek Debroy’s death as the loss of an eminent public intellectual.
“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. For his extraordinary contributions, he was honoured with Padma Shri. I convey my condolences to his family, friends and admirers,” the President wrote on her X handle.
Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said she was saddened by Debroy’s sudden demise.
“Saddened by the news of 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. Condolences to the bereaved family and friends,” she wrote on X.
Amitabh Kant, fellow economist, India’s G20 sherpa and former CEO of NITI Aayog, said Bibek Debroy’s insights into economics shaped policy and inspired many.
“I’m deeply saddened by the passing of Bibek Debroy. His insights into economics shaped policy and inspired many. He was a brilliant mind, and an incredibly kind soul who genuinely cared for the betterment of society. I fondly remember working with him and being struck by his patience, and ability to articulate complex issues with unmatched clarity. You will be dearly missed Bibek. We have lost one of India’s brightest minds today,” Kant posted.
Minister of external affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar writes.
“Deeply grieved at the passing away of Dr. Bibek Debroy. His contributions to governance and policy making were enormous. Equally, his exceptional talents were harnessed to make our culture, history and traditions accessible to many generations. Remembering a dedicated reformer, great nationalist, an erudite scholar and a wonderful friend. Om Shanti,”
Union finance minister Nirmala Siutharaman wrote: “It is with profound grief that I condole the demise of Shri. @bibekdebroy. As Chairman of PM Economic Advisory Council, he profusely participated in policy making. His interests, inter alia, were—ancient texts, Vedic and classical Sanskrit, Devi, Railways. He was prolific in translating Sanskrit to English- our epics and puranas. His book Sarama and Her Children showed his uncanny knack in extracting nuggets from our ancient texts. Bibek, you had so much more to do and to complete— for all our sake! Farewell! Om Shanti.”
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh remembered him as…
“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,” Ramesh wrote.
Amitabh Kant, fellow economist, India’s G20 sherpa and former CEO of NITI Aayog, said Bibek Debroy’s insights into economics shaped policy and inspired many.
“I’m deeply saddened by the passing of Bibek Debroy. His insights into economics shaped policy and inspired many. He was a brilliant mind, and an incredibly kind soul who genuinely cared for the betterment of society. I fondly remember working with him and being struck by his patience, and ability to articulate complex issues with unmatched clarity. You will be dearly missed Bibek. We have lost one of India’s brightest minds today,” Kant posted.
Popular writer Amish Tripathi said Debroy was like an elder brother to him.
“Bibek Debroy – Bibek da to me – was a brilliant scholar, a committed patriot and a noble man. He advised me, not just on our texts & philosophies, but also on life skills. He was an elder brother to me, whenever I needed his guidance. I stayed often at his house in Delhi when I visited there, and his pearls of wisdom every evening, when we chatted over dinner, will always remain with me. I feel orphaned. You went too early, Bibek da… Too early…
“Sincere condolences to Suparna bhabhi and the rest of his family,” Tripathi wrote.