PM Modi mourns death of renowned economist Bibek Debroy

Distinguished economist and chairman of the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council (EAC-PM) Bibek Debroy passed away Friday morning in New Delhi. His death marks the end of a remarkable career spanning economics, policy-making, and Sanskrit scholarship.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered Debroy as "a towering scholar" whose work left an enduring impact on India's intellectual landscape. "Through his works, he left an indelible mark on India's intellectual landscape," Modi wrote on social media.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar praised Debroy's substantial contributions to governance and policy-making, calling him "a dedicated reformer, great nationalist, and erudite scholar."

Debroy's academic journey began at Ramakrishna Mission School, Narendrapur, followed by studies at Presidency College, Kolkata, Delhi School of Economics, and Trinity College, Cambridge. His professional career included teaching positions at prestigious institutions like Presidency College and the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics.

As EAC-PM chairman and former NITI Aayog member, Debroy played a pivotal role in shaping India's economic policies. His expertise spanned macroeconomics, public finance, and infrastructure development.

Beyond economics, Debroy gained recognition for translating classical Sanskrit texts, including the complete Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita, making ancient Indian literature accessible to contemporary readers.

His career also included roles as a consulting editor for various newspapers and director of a Ministry of Finance/UNDP project on legal reforms, demonstrating his wide-ranging influence on Indian public policy and intellectual discourse.