On November 1, 2024, India mourned the passing of Dr. Bibek Debroy, a prominent economist, Sanskrit scholar, and the Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM). Dr. Debroy’s remarkable contributions to India’s economic policy, intellectual heritage, and cultural discourse have left an indelible mark on the nation.
Born in 1955, Debroy was a brilliant academic, educated at Ramakrishna Mission School in Narendrapur, Presidency College, Kolkata, the Delhi School of Economics, and Trinity College, Cambridge. He initially held teaching positions in economics at several prestigious institutions, including the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics in Pune, the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade in Delhi, and the National Council of Applied Economic Research. Over his career, he undertook pivotal roles, including a directorial position on legal reforms with the Ministry of Finance and the UNDP. He later joined the Centre for Policy Research and served as a member of the NITI Aayog, India’s public policy think tank, until 2019.
Dr. Debroy’s tenure as Chairman of the EAC-PM brought substantial contributions to India’s economic discourse. He championed several reforms targeting economic inclusivity, addressing macroeconomic stability, and enhancing rural livelihoods. His advocacy for policy research at NITI Aayog and EAC-PM emphasized the need for innovative solutions to drive sustainable growth, infrastructure development, and social equity. His work on the Bee-Keeping Development Committee, for instance, aimed to boost rural income and employment through beekeeping initiatives, an effort to aid agriculture-dependent communities in India.
In addition to his economic expertise, Dr. Debroy was a revered translator of Sanskrit texts, including the Mahabharata, the Puranas, and the Bhagavad Gita. His translations have been celebrated for making these complex texts accessible to a modern audience, bridging ancient Indian philosophies with contemporary thought. His works on the Mahabharata, in particular, are hailed as monumental contributions that brought the ancient epic into a readable, multi-volume format, appealing to both scholars and lay readers. His translation of the Shiva Purana captured the intricate spiritual nuances and philosophies of Hindu thought, offering readers a gateway into India’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage.
A recipient of the Padma Shri in 2015, Dr. Debroy was not only a scholar and policy advisor but also a prolific author with over 100 books to his name, spanning subjects from economics and public policy to literature and religion. His recent works on spiritual texts and classical Indian philosophy have added to his legacy as a versatile intellect, deeply committed to India’s cultural and spiritual resurgence. His thoughtful contributions to newspapers and journals ensured that his influence extended beyond academia into the public sphere, where he engaged diverse audiences on economic and social issues.
Dr. Bibek Debroy leaves behind a legacy of profound impact on India’s economic policies and its cultural awakening. His intellectual prowess, advocacy for reforms, and passion for classical Indian texts have cemented his place as one of India’s most influential thinkers and policymakers.
