PM's economic advisory council chief, Bibek Debroy, dies

Bibek Debroy, the renowned Indian economist and chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to Prime Minister (EAC-PM), died on Friday morning, aged 69.

He died at  All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, "due to intestinal obstruction,”  an AIIMS note said.

A Padma Shri awardee, Mr. Debroyi was widely respected for his contributions to economic policy, and his efforts in translating ancient Sanskrit texts.

Mr Debroy studied at Presidency College, Kolkata; Delhi School of Economics; and, Trinity College, Cambridge. He later taught at several prestigious institutions, including the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE), Pune, and Presidency College, Kolkata.

Helped shape India's economic landscape

Throughout his career, Bibek Debroy held several significant roles that shaped India's economic landscape. He served at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, the Department of Economic Affairs, the National Council of Applied Economic Research, the Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Contemporary Studies, and the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Notably, he was a member of NITI Aayog until June 5, 2019.

With a wealth of expertise in macroeconomics, public finance, and infrastructure, Mr Debroy published extensively on various subjects, including economic reforms and governance. Mr Debroy's insights into the Indian Railways were particularly noteworthy, reflecting his deep understanding of the nation's economic framework.

In addition to his contributions to economics, Mr Debroy was celebrated for his literary achievements, particularly his translations of classical Sanskrit texts. His work on the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita helped make these ancient texts accessible to contemporary readers.

(By arrangement with livemint.com)