It’s typically mentioned that an incredible thoughts leaves a path of concepts that illuminates the trail for others. Bibek Debroy, whom many fondly known as Bibek Da (‘Da’ which means elder brother in Bengali), was that uncommon mind whose ideas and writings known as for greater than mere reflection. They sought to rework the very material of our society.
As I ponder his extraordinary life, I discover myself grappling with the profound weight of his absence, whilst I rejoice the outstanding richness of his contributions to India’s progress and growth.
His insights weren’t simply educational. They had been a name to motion, urging us all to have interaction with the complexities of our world and envision a greater future.
Debroy’s achievements and awards had been quite a few, from the Padma Shri to numerous honours in academia and literature. But, what I actually want to commemorate immediately is the breadth and profundity of his transformative concepts, which transcended disciplines and impressed numerous people.
Debroy not solely headed the Prime Minister’s Financial Advisory Council, his information went far past the sector of economics. His mental pursuits and endeavours encompassed historical past, tradition and spirituality, making a tapestry of insights that enriched each dialogue.
His perfectionism was legendary, a regular he held not solely himself to, however all of us lucky sufficient to work alongside him. I learnt from him the values of educational rigour, readability and the relentless pursuit of fact.
As a steering committee member for India’s Competitiveness Roadmap, Debroy made important contributions that underscored the interaction between enterprise and nationwide progress.
He articulated the purpose that financial competitiveness arises not simply from particular person corporations, but in addition from the broader institutional atmosphere formed by authorities insurance policies.
True progress for him required not simply reforms, however a nuanced understanding of India’s various regional wants. His considering was clear: To raise India’s progress trajectory, we should improve productiveness throughout all sectors whereas acknowledging the distinctive strengths of every state.
In my lengthy affiliation with Debroy, we incessantly mentioned the urgent have to make Indian cities extra habitable and inclusive.
Our exchanges on urbanization have been a possibility for profound studying, revealing his imaginative and prescient for social progress and ease of dwelling in India. I may sense his unwavering dedication to creating vibrant city areas that actually improve the standard of life for all.
In his foreword to my e book The Age of Awakening and inside the India Competitiveness Roadmap, he incessantly invoked the phrase ‘Citius, Altius, Fortius‘ (‘sooner, larger, stronger’) to underscore the urgency of progress in our nationwide journey.
His dedication to this ethos was evident in his perception that whereas we should attempt for excellence, it requires a sustained effort with strategic sprints at important junctures.
Regardless of being an economist, Debroy had a profound grasp of spiritualism and was greatest identified for his magnificent translation of the Mahabharata in 10 volumes, in addition to the three-volume Valmiki Ramayana, each revealed to large acclaim by Penguin Classics.
My final collaboration with him was on the e book Jyotirlingam, revealed and launched by Penguin in September. Although we by no means had the prospect to formally launch this work, I can solely say that the journey we shared—exchanging our concepts about Shiva and exploring our private experiences and understanding of
spirituality—was really life-changing for me. His knowledge and fervour for the topic illuminated the trail we travelled collectively whereas co-authoring this e book.
Debroy’s journey jogs my memory that dying is however a shedding of the bodily physique, and in that launch, there’s liberation. As I mourn the lack of a pricey pal, I additionally rejoice the legacy he leaves behind. I’ll miss Bibek Da’s knowledge, insights and assist.
