Dr. Bibek Debroy : The Final Note

As I read Anu Lall 's heartfelt tribute to Dr. Bibek Debroy , I was deeply moved by the profound insights shared and the reverence with which he was remembered. In her closing lines, Anu beautifully captured the sentiment of a world that has lost a luminary: "Farewell, Bibek Sir. Please come back to complete the Purana Project, or maybe not. Perhaps you have already ventured to a better world. You will be remembered, always, with reverence and gratitude. Om Shanti." These words encapsulate the essence of Dr. Debroy's life—his intellectual legacy, his humility, and the impact he had on those who encountered his work.

Dr. Bibek Debroy, known for his extraordinary research interest and intellectual brilliance, was a true beacon in the field of economics, literature, and history. His immense body of work, which spanned across more than 60,000 published pages, was a testament to his tireless dedication to knowledge and his commitment to making complex subjects accessible to the masses. He was not just a scholar but a passionate writer who delved into diverse subjects, including the history of the fountain pen, the Indian Railways, and, most notably, the ancient Indian epics—the Ramayana and Mahabharata. His translations and commentaries, such as the Markandeya Purana, revealed his deep reverence for India's rich cultural and literary heritage.

Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Debroy encouraged new ideas and nurtured fresh talent, always urging young writers and thinkers to challenge conventional boundaries and explore new avenues of knowledge. His ability to write across such varied fields—economics, history, culture, and literature—demonstrated not only his vast intellect but also his incredible versatility as a writer and thinker. His works have inspired countless readers and scholars alike, and he has left an indelible mark on the intellectual landscape of India.

His passing on November 1 was a profound loss to the academic world and beyond. I personally had the honor of reading Dr. Debroy’s works especially “The Bhagavad Gita For Millennials” and finding great inspiration in his writing... I had always hoped that Dr. Debroy would attend our Orange City Literature Festival (OCLF), as I believed his insights and intellectual presence would greatly enrich the event. It was a dream to have him share his knowledge with our audience, to hear him speak about his work and his views on literature, history, and the evolving world we live in.

Though that dream has not come to fruition, his legacy continues to inspire. As I reflect on his obituary, written by him just days before his passing, I am struck by his humility and foresight. He writes, “There is a world outside that exists. What if I am not there?” These words, profound in their simplicity, echo a deep understanding of the impermanence of life, yet a recognition that one’s ideas and work can live on long after their time. Dr. Debroy seemed to know that his work, especially the unfinished Purana Project, would remain incomplete in his lifetime, but that did not diminish its value. In his words, “I will be reborn. But I hope not for this,” there is a sense of acceptance of the unfinished nature of life, of the inevitability of death, and yet, a belief in the continuity of intellectual legacy.

Dr. Debroy’s reflections on mortality and his recognition of the fragility of life were particularly poignant in his final days. In one of his most personal statements, he described the narrowing of his world during his hospitalization: “My external world is restricted to a thin sliver of a window. It is restricted to counting the IV drops as they pass through the cannula. Drip, drip, drip.” These lines, stark in their honesty, reminded us all of the human fragility we all face, no matter how grand our achievements or how vast our intellectual contributions.

As Dr. Debroy himself stated in his obituary, “Perhaps only 2-3 people will make it to the final moment. That’s it!” Yet, despite the inevitability of death, his intellectual contributions will live on, inspiring generations of thinkers, writers, and scholars.

Dr. Bibek Debroy will be remembered not just for the breadth of his scholarship, but also for the quality of his work and the kindness with which he shared his knowledge. His legacy is one of humility, intellectual curiosity, and a deep love for his country’s history and culture. As we bid farewell to this great scholar, we are reminded of the lasting impact he has made on all of us, and the continued relevance of his work.

May his soul find peace, and may his words continue to guide us toward a deeper understanding of life, death, and the quiet impact each one of us leaves behind.

?(Note: Help of AI technology is taken in refining the final draft)

?