President conveys condolences on economist Bibek Debroy’s death
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have both expressed deep sorrow over the passing of economist Bibek Debroy, who served as chairman of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council. Debroy passed away on Friday morning at the age of 69 due to an intestinal infection. The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi confirmed that he died around 7 am.
Debroy was a distinguished figure in the field of economics. He held the position of Chancellor at Pune’s Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics and served as a member of NITI Aayog until June 5, 2019. Over his lifetime, he authored and edited numerous influential books, contributing greatly to various academic fields.
In her tribute, President Murmu took to X (formerly Twitter) to honor Debroy’s legacy. She stated, “With the demise of Bibek Debroy, the country has lost an eminent public intellectual. His work enriched diverse fields, from policy making to the translation of our great texts. His understanding of India’s social, cultural, and economic landscape was extraordinary. He was awarded the Padma Shri for his exceptional contributions. I offer my condolences to his family, friends, and admirers.”
Prime Minister Modi also shared his memories of Debroy. He posted photos of their previous meetings and wrote, “Bibek Debroy ji was a great scholar, well-versed in diverse fields such as economics, history, culture, politics, and spirituality. 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.”
In another heartfelt message, Modi reflected on their long acquaintance: “I knew Dr. Debroy for many years. I will always remember his insights and his passion for academic discourse. Saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti.”
The loss of Bibek Debroy leaves a significant void in India’s intellectual community. His contributions to economics and policy-making will continue to influence future generations.
