A MIND BEYOND MEASURE— CELEBRATING BIBEK DA'S LEGACY

While his economic insights shaped public policy discourse over the decades, his intellectual legacy extended into realms of harboured passion

- Amit Kapoor

ONLY A FEW INDIVIDUALS leave an expansive and enduring legacy like Dr Bibek Debroy's. Some will remember him as a Padma Shri recipient, an exceptional columnist, and an economist who shared a deep knowledge of classical Sanskrit and ancient texts. For others, those of us who had the privilege of learning from him, Bibek da was not just a chairman or an advisor; he was a true guru, a guiding light. Reflecting on my guru's extraordinary contributions to India's growth and cultural landscape, I feel profound grief in his absence-a weight I will carry forever. Along with this grief, I will hold onto his insights and inspiring call to action, urging us to envision a better future for India's growth and development.

As an economist, he played a key role in shaping current policy dynamics, having served as the Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council of the Prime Minister's Office from 2017 until his passing. His words invoked wisdom in those he interacted with, and he shared his profound perspectives with everyone he met, especially the young minds who were always motivated by his words. His economic insights transcended India's growth and development trajectory, a theme he consistently emphasized by highlighting the crucial role of state governments in driving progress. He believed a focused approach at the state level was indispensable for effectively addressing developmental challenges and seizing India's path towards a developed economy.