EMINENT SOCIAL SCIENTIST SHAIBAL GUPTA DIES AT 67, POLITICAL LEADERS PAY TRIBUTES

PATNA: Eminent social scientist and commentator Dr Shaibal Gupta, member-secretary of the Asian Development Research Institute (ADRI), breathed his last on Thursday. He was 67. The last rites will be performed in Patna on Friday. He is survived by his wife, daughter, son-in-law and grand- daughter.

Dr Gupta had been suffering from chronic health problems for some time and was hospitalised a couple of days back. However, his condition deteriorated.

Besides being a renowned social scientist, he was widely known as an institution-builder and for establishing ADRI, a think-tank on economic, education, health, politics, environment and social issues. Gupta was also member of the finance commission, government of Bihar and member of the expert group of the erstwhile Planning Commission on development issues to deal with causes of discontent, unrest and extremism.

Condoling his death, chief minister Nitish Kumar said, “It is an irreparable loss. He has left a big void in the economic, social and political fields. I had personal relation with him and I will always feel his absence,” he added.

Rajya Sabha MP and former deputy CM of Bihar, Sushil Kumar Modi said, “Shaibal Da was an intellectual who always felt for Bihar’s growth and worked for it. The Economic Survey report every year was made by ADRI, which made a mark for itself at the national and international level,” he added.