Sunday, June 1, 2025

Dr Bibek Debroy: A Scholar, an Economist and a Custodian of Indian Wisdom

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On November 1, 2024, India lost Dr. Bibek Debroy, a prominent intellectual and devoted public servant who championed Indiaโ€™s economic reforms and cultural heritage. Bibek Debroy, who passed away at 69 due to complications from an intestinal obstruction, served as the Chairman of the Prime Ministerโ€™s Economic Advisory Council (EAC-PM) and devoted much of his life to translating Indiaโ€™s revered texts. His lifeโ€™s work exemplified a unique blend of intellectual prowess, reverence for Indiaโ€™s traditions, and an unwavering commitment to advancing knowledge.

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Shaping Indiaโ€™s Economic Landscape Through an Illustrious Career

After studying at Presidency College, the Delhi School of Economics, and Trinity College, Cambridge, Bibek Debroy used his extensive expertise to influence economic policy across India. In his early career, Bibek Debroy pushed for reforms through roles at the Ministry of Finance, the National Council of Applied Economic Research, and as a director on UNDP-backed legal projects. His positions within various institutions, including NITI Aayog, allowed him to steer national economic strategies, helping shape a globally engaged India. At the EAC-PM, he actively advanced discussions on Indiaโ€™s role in the global supply chain and balanced growth strategies that embraced both manufacturing and servicesโ€‹

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Bridging Ancient and Modern Through Sanskrit Translations

Debroyโ€™s passion for Indian heritage extended beyond economics, driving him to translate foundational Sanskrit texts like the Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Bhagavata Purana. These translations, celebrated for their accessibility, connected young Indians to spiritual wisdom while enriching contemporary understanding of ancient texts. Through his translations, Debroy bridged the past with the present, highlighting the relevance of Indian epics for modern life. His work, rooted in both scholarship and cultural appreciation, continues to inspire readers to explore Indiaโ€™s classical heritageโ€‹

Tributes Pour In For Bibek Debroy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored Debroy as a โ€œtowering scholarโ€ with diverse expertise, noting his impact on Indiaโ€™s intellectual legacy. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh also praised Debroyโ€™s unique blend of economic insight and Sanskrit scholarship, noting his influence on a wide range of disciplines. Political leaders and scholars alike reflected on Debroyโ€™s legacy with deep admiration, highlighting the unity his work fostered across Indiaโ€™s intellectual landscapeโ€‹

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Carrying Forward The Legacy of Bibek Debroy

India grieves Dr. Bibek Debroyโ€™s passing, recognizing his monumental contributions to both economic policy and cultural preservation. His legacy inspires future generations to embrace both economic progress and Indiaโ€™s rich heritage, embodying a spirit of growth rooted in wisdom and tradition.

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