Beyond Deadlines

Bibek Debroy could engage with even those who were not aligned with his politics or economics

- Satish Padmanabhan

“SURE. What’s the word count and when is the deadline?” These are the only things Bibek Debroy ever wanted to know about my briefs requesting him to write for Outlook. He must be the only columnist I have asked to write on topics ranging from politics, economics, environment, history, mythology, sacred texts, music and theatre. I went through our mail exchanges over the years and only once or twice there has been this kind of a reply to my request: “Struggling with two committees—infrastructure and NCERT. Hence, deluged and ducked. Sorry.”