New Delhi: Chairman of Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council and Economist Bibek Debroy passed away at 69, news agency ANI reported. In September, Debroy resigned as the chancellor of the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE) in Pune, following the Bombay High Court’s extension of interim relief to Vice-Chancellor Ajit Ranade, who had previously been removed from his position.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled Debroy's passing and called him 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," he said in a post on X.
Who Was Bibek Debroy?
Debroy, a well-renowned economist was instrumental in shaping key economic strategies and reforms in recent years. One of the key men who played a vital role in assisting the government with valuable insights on macroeconomic issues, including fiscal policy, employment, and public sector management.
Debroy (69) was educated in 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 a Member of NITI Aayog up to June 5, 2019. He has authored/edited several books, papers and popular articles and has also been a Consulting/Contributing Editor with several newspapers.
Debroy was well respected for his knowledge and contributions not just in India but at the global stage where he was known for his commitment to fostering economic growth and stability.
In addition to his economic expertise, Debroy was a prolific writer and scholar of Indian epics, known for his translations and works that highlighted India’s rich cultural heritage.
(With inputs from PTI)