New Delhi, November 1, 2024: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Economic Advisory Council Chief Bibek Debroy passed away at 69 on Friday.
Debroy was a Padma Shri awardee who previously served as the chancellor of the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics in Pune. He was also a member of the NITI Aayog till June 5, 2019. He was the author and editor of various books, and articles and was also a consulting/contributing editor with several newspapers.
PM Modi condoles demise
The Prime Minister expressed condolences on the demise of his Economic Advisory Council Chief and recalled his insights and passion in various domains.
“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. I have known Dr. Debroy for many years. I will fondly remember his insights and passion for academic discourse. Saddened by his passing away. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti," PM Modi posted 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… pic.twitter.com/E3DETgajLr
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 1, 2024
Congress expresses condolences
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, while expressing condolences, remembered his life and achievements stating that he was a “thought-provoking commentator" in the public.
“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. He will be missed for his scholarship as well for his dry sense of humour," Jairam tweeted.
His education and career
Debroy studied at some reputed institutes in the country and the world including Ramakrishna Mission School, Narendrapur, Presidency College, Kolkata, Delhi School of Economics, and Trinity College, Cambridge.
He also worked at Kolkata’s Presidency College for a brief period from 1979 to 1984. He then worked at the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics in Pune till 1987, followed by the Institute of Foreign Trade in Delhi till 1993.