Our Dipankarda by Sanjib Roy

18 Regent Estate, Kolkata-70009 

I came in touch with Dr. Dipankar Ray, our Dipankarda when I was a student of class VII  i.e. probably in the year 1969. As young school student, our meetings used to be sitting with him and practising Quiz. It was mostly the name of the country, their capital, name of the president of those countries etc. It included United Nations. He sometimes joined football also in the early morning not as a coach but simply as one of us. He was practically our Dipankarda for each one of us. When I was in class IX, the subject of mathematics included trigonometry. I learnt Sin(A+B) = SinACosB + CosASinB with the help of graphical evaluation. He would say always to try again and again till he made me achieve the solution. Now, this although looks very simple but later only I learnt that I have done trigonometry of class XI at Class IX. He knew how to take out the best result from a student. 

During his stay at Kolkata, as I found him, taking a group of boys to other groups at nearby places for quiz purposes. He introduced us to Birla Industrial and Technological Museum, a very special kind of technological museum where many theories of physics could be learnt easily on an experimental basis. It was his endeavour only that we have seen celestial bodies like Saturn, its ring with the help of telescope at BITM for the first time. 

Making models used to be our hobby but spending money on the same was from his pocket only. During this time some of us joined Interact Club which was affiliated with Rotary club. We attended some meetings at Children’s Little Theatre (CLT) building adjacent to flyover Dhakuria bridge along with him. Dipankarda took me at Hobby Centre which used to be at the ground floor of Rabindra Sarovar Stadium.

Days with Dipankarda was most beautiful by every means. Dipankarda's close associates were many, some were near Regent Estate. Out of them Manasda (Manas Das), Dipankarda (Late Dipankar Bhattacharya), Dilipda (Dilip Saha of Roopniketan), Bikashda (Bikash Bhattacharya) and Rocket (Biswajit De) were some of the prominent persons whom I knew well. The list is certainly very big and beyond my imagination. I would see many of them in various meetings.  Countless meetings took place at Manasda’s residence and Roopniketan (Dilipda’s residence). I can name only those meetings where I was present. It is indeed that a large number of these meetings took place at various places which I could not attend. Dipankarda was indeed part and parcel of every meeting. 

There used to be science club meetings at various places. Some of them took place at 13 Regent Estate. I remember that I met many people from abroad. Amongst the visitor Father Furlow was most astonishing that being a Belgian origin, he could speak Bengali fluently. There were probably Father Daniel also amongst the speakers. I have seen African students in the meeting as speaker.. All these speakers were organised by Dipankarda. He would talk to them briefly and they would largely agree to speak about their country, their system, culture and anything that we would like to know.   

Science club meetings used to be one of the most favourite things. He would organise these meetings with slightest of possibility. I still wonder where on the earth he would get so much courage and energy to organise a meeting with even least of the population. His enthusiasm in organising these meetings was always to the full extent. There were countless groups of such science clubs where he would participate as an integral member of their system. The nicest part is each of them prevailed that is, he is "Our Dipankarda" at every place and gathering. This is some kind of elder brotherly attitude he would bestow to the students, probably always trying to understand their problem putting himself in their position. 

He lived at New York for several years following his Ph.D. work and during this time apartheid movement of South Africa started. He had a vast knowledge about South Africa and apartheid movement. Nelson Mandela was still in prison. His wife Winnie Mandela was raising voice everywhere and political pressure was mounted up around the globe which finally succeeded in liberation of South Africa. Nelson Mandela became the first president.  Incidentally, our friend Rocket got extremely interested in South Africa and apartheid movement, consequently, he acquired and possessed substantial knowledge on the same. I believe, this interest in him was probably due to Dipankarda.    

In the meantime he completed his doctoral research from New York University and also worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Trieste, Italy.  On my query Dipankarda revealed that he met Peter Higgs there and had some general discussion on what kind of work he is doing over there. After Higgs-Boson became very famous due to experimental results at CERN confirming the actual presence of Higgs-Boson, there were lectures at Jadavpur University particularly on “God Particle” which became talk of the town those days. I saw him there as real hero. All young scientists would look at him with reverence, but Dipankarda was as usual very simple and asked me if Rocket (Biswajit De) is also coming to hear the talk, in reply I said affirmatively that he is on his way. I found this remarkable aspect of Dipankarda that he was always trying to find out whether his close associates are also getting involved with latest scientific developments.   

Afterwards, he returned to India. By the time he was awarded D.Sc. from Calcutta University and he joined as pool officer. When I asked him why he joined as pool officer, his simple answer was that he need not be in a hurry for a job. He joined later at Jadavpur University and taught mathematics. I am not entering in the vast area of his research work with my little and limited knowledge, but it certainly included a wide area. Researchers who worked under his supervision may tell those things much in detail. 

Days were passing nicely when we met again after my completion of engineering. It was probably his motivation that I took interest in setting up two Science Clubs at Varanasi in the year 1981 at Banaras Hindu University. A magazine "Zoom" was started during this time but couldn't generate more than two issues due to some administrative problem. I gave him the copies of these magazines which were the output of cyclostyle machine. Later on, I had to go to New Delhi to join BHEL and naturally meeting with Dipankarda became a rare occasion. Whenever I arrived at Calcutta even on short duration, he would fix up a Science Club meeting and now sometimes me as a speaker. I enjoyed those moments of sharing my little knowledge and experience of thermal power plants with modest groups. Dipankarda, as usual, was in full fledge devotion in organising every single meeting even with ordinary people like me as a speaker. At this point, I learnt one greatest lesson of my life. It is an art to be mastered to be a simple man even though you have reached the pinnacle of achievements. Allowing me as a speaker in the meetings has helped me in organising my topic to put it interestingly before an audience. Dipankarda planted this seed of public speaking in many of us. 

His favourite areas of meetings were "budget" or more specifically fiscal budget. He would definitely find an economist to discuss the fiscal budget of that year as declared by the central government and its implications to the society. It is necessary to mention here that students of economics were regular visitors to him for understanding and clarity on economics as a subject. When Prof. Amartya Sen was awarded the prize in memory of Alfred Noble, I asked him what this welfare economics is about and more specifically what choice theory is. Dipankarda gave me his two publications on choice theory to read the next day. I was wondering how many people on this earth is actually available who has a contribution to quantum mechanics, the theory of relativity, cosmology, chaos and choice theory in economics at the same time. In this respect, he is certainly the rarest of rare. 

Once there was an invitation from BHEL Bhopal where Dipankarda delivered a talk on a voting system. The audience appreciated first his simplicity of most ordinary clothing and then the vastness of his knowledge. During tea time my boss particularly mentioned this and he was wondering that such kind of person still exists in the world. 

I got interested in Astronomy and joined a course at Birla Planetarium. This motivated me to buy a telescope and as I expressed my desire of having a telescope, Dipankarda took me to a manufacturer. A four-inch diameter Galilean telescope was bought with a lot of enthusiasm. He was always with me in organising people to watch Moon, Jupiter, Saturn and many other stars and constellations in the telescope. When he went to BHEL Bhopal, the telescope was with him along with a young student who operated the telescope there. I think thousands of people watched celestial bodies through this telescope and Dipankarda was always in the forefront in organising the events.  

There used to be slide show by Dr. Shankar Chakraborty mainly on celestial bodies including moon and landing of Apollo 11 on Moon’s surface. Dipankarda was always behind every show and as usual very silently. 

Occasionally we would meet at Rocket’s house and there would be a discussion on various topics. One topic we discussed amply is on Eastern India Science Club Association (EISCA). Those days probably there were some management problems surfaced in EISCA. He studied and analysed deeply those problems. Later on, I have found him correlating many social and other problems as similar as EISCA problem. I remember that he took me at a gala science club exhibition organised at Nabagram, Konnagar. The exhibition was extremely well organised and had huge participation as well. At every science exhibition, Dipankarda used to be an integral part.   

A trend once appeared that during Durga Puja festival, there used to be some stalls at one corner of puja premises. Some people took interest in organising science exhibition at these stalls. Unfortunately sometimes in the evening heavy rain poured and disrupted the event. But as the rain was over, he noticed that people visited exhibition stalls which made him happy. He told me that although due to rain overall puja evening got disrupted, but a lot of visitors were available in the science exhibition stalls which can be considered as a success. 

Once, I have taken him to my Professor Dr. N. K. Das Talukder who was Ex-Director (IIT-BHU). They were discussing on Stephen Hawking and theory of relativity which was one of his pet area. I had a feeling that day that I have witnessed a discussion between two scientific giants. 

Every time we met, his natural question was if I have time to visit some exhibition somewhere. On asking he would immediately reveal where science exhibition is going on. He was always ready reckoner in this. Sometimes, I have accompanied him and the very distinct feature always would be noticed that all organisers considered him as their closest person. His interest in science exhibitions was intact until he became ill.  

Last few years since his shifting from Regent Estate was probably not good. I have visited him at old age home along with Rocket every time I have visited Kolkata. Rocket would carry sometimes a mathematical problem also during the visit. Dipankarda used top surface of his suitcase as a table to solve the problem. I have never seen him complaining on lack of infrastructure and taking that as alibi of not performing. There was no table but he found the suitcase could be used as table. He practically started solving the mathematical problem brought by Rocket. I never found him as a tiring individual.  He was always ready to accompany to a needy fellow even on a rainy day.  

While the whole world keeps chasing on professional growth and aspiring for higher designation in their working space, Dipankarda always walked in his path without ever bothering on such issues. The most significant feature in him is having so much knowledge in various areas but would never reveal to anyone for the purpose of augmenting his personal image. Recently at a TV show, I have seen veteran parliamentarian Dr. Subramanian Swamy mentioning and defining the word “Brahmin”. He explained in his simple words that a Brahmin is he, who is “Gyani” and “Tyagi”. In our system if anyone tries to fit, probably Dipankarda certainly fits wholly in this definition.  I would rather say that I am lucky to have seen him in my lifetime. In our Indian philosophy of “Karmayoga”, it is taught that working with devotion but to remain unattached with its results. He was probably a masterpiece in that art.  

Trying to help needy individuals by way of guiding became his lifestyle. Many received financial help regularly. Occasionally some people supported him in this noble cause. He understood that real happiness is in giving selflessly and he has practiced this throughout his life. To help individual student, it was not necessary for him to buy first, rather to arrange from someone. One morning he came to me asking if I have calculus books with me which is required by a student. Fortunately I had both Differential and Integral Calculus by Das & Mukherjee which I have gladly given him. He would take pain of arranging such things for needy someone. I have often dreamt that if his legacy could be forwarded the way he did even to a small extent, I would consider myself achieved greatest success in my life.  

It may look like that beside advanced academic affairs, Dipankarda had interest in science clubs, budget discussions, meeting only where grown up people would participate. He was equally liberal and totally accessible to young kids. The fact is he maintained same attitude with the young kids as well. Once I was trying to set up the telescope and Rupali Shome, a school going student at our neighbour, was assisting me in setting up. Her youngest brother, probably a primary school student addressed Dipankarda as “Dadu” means grandfather.  He smiled at him and asked him how he distinguishes him as grandfather. The kid was indeed perplexed as what to say.  Dipankarda knew well that child psychology is very important if someone wants to be their friend. 

My youngest brother died an untimely death at a very young age of 25.  To keep his memory alive, our family thought to conduct next year a sit and draw programme for the school going children at Regent Estate Durga Puja premises. Children of other places were welcome to participate. Dipankarda appreciated this initiative very much and had been with me during the programme.  Prizes were distributed to the participants based on their performances. After some years of organising the same thing, it was becoming difficult as time and organising hassle became prime constraint as programme used to be on some Durga puja day, preferably Mahastami or Mahanavami Tithi. When Dipankarda came to know that there is a possibility of likely interruption in the continuance of the event, he immediately talked to me and urged me to continue as I have been already doing it for several years. To reckon the event “Anjan Roy Memorial Sit & Draw Contest” took place for last thirty years uninterrupted till last year and he had always been part and parcel of each and every event till he was extremely sick. This kind of continued interest and dedicated participation in such small events was possible by him only. 

At a later date, it used to be always a sad scene watching him bedridden since Dipankarda was such a dynamic person all throughout. A sense of helplessness could always be read on his face. I think it pained deeply to all of us.  I have seen several WhatsApp messages which clearly reads the pain of individuals seeing him in bed for a long time. Now a days, life is so fast for everyone, despite that many people came in support in various forms which indicates their sincere love and respect towards him. I have doubt, if the next ultra-modern generations would ever believe that such a man in real life ever existed.   

I have heard of Aristotle, Socrates, Diogenes and many such famous historical personalities. I often wondered how they would be in person? After seeing him so closely, I started feeling that they were probably of the same class as Dipankarda. Many people may react to this as over-exaggeration, but I am certainly very happy with this. I am sure like me there are many who have created their bright future based on the light he has shown.

A tribute to a close friend from Rajkumar Roychoudhury

June 28, 2020

Dipankar studied in Scottish Church School and I studied in the Central Collegiate School, a school near by. But the academic distance between the two schools was far greater than the geographical distance. However, Dipankar was my class mate from I. Sc. to M. Sc. in the same institutions through out. We both graduated from Presidency College (now Presidency University) with Mathematics (HON) and studied Applied Mathematics in Rajabazar Science College, Calcutta.

After obtaining my M. Sc. degree I went to England for higher studies and came back to Kolkata in 1970. After my return to India I taught at a few Government Colleges for more than six years before I joined Indian Statistical Institute. Dipankar and I were very close during the college days. But after my return from England though we kept in touch but could not meet frequently. I was tied up with teaching and research and learned that Dipankar was very busy with Science Club and Science Education. At the same time he was doing research and guiding research students, It goes without saying that he was terribly busy.

Later on he went to USA to get his PhD from New York University. He stayed in USA for about seven years. He was also a post doctoral fellow in Queen Mary College, London (now jointly with Westfield college it is a Public University). Subsequently he obtained D. Sc. degree from Calcutta University in 1981.  

I gathered from Dipankar that he initially worked under Professor Amal K. Raychaudhuri, famous for "Raychaudhuri Equation", but Dipankar was not very happy then. According to him Prof Raychaudhuri at that time did not keep himself abreast of the then current researches in his field. Some of the problems which he asked Dipankar to solve were already solved and published in reputed journals. I don’t know how long he worked under Professor Raychaudhuri. Later on Dipankar worked in various subjects in Physics like Cosmplogy, GTR, High Energy Physics and Plasma Physics among others.

I noticed a common theme in almost all his works: he attempted to solve mainly the non linear differential equations arising in different fields of Physics which remained unsolved and showed remarkable skill in solving them. Unfortunately he did not pursue any particular topic for a considerable time. I wished he had because then he could have made more significant contributions in Theoretical Physics. I say this because his head was full of new ideas even when he was just an undergraduate student. When he was studying for I. Sc. in Maulana Azad college he wrote a paper on Graviton. I think it was not published. I Guess he was so preoccupied with his other activities he did not have time to parsue a particular topic for a long time. Dipankar had a great thirst for knowledge.

I remember during his post graduate years he studied Economics deeply and many students of Economics used to consult him for furthering their knowledge. During the later years of his career he was interested in the Election processing of various democracies around the world. He wanted to go to USA to pursue PhD course on this topic but some how it did not materialize.

Here, if I may, add some other facts which would reveal another side of his personality. Dipankar was a founder member of "Young Intellect". I was also a founder member. We used to publish a Bengali magazine called "Dhee". The name was given by Father Fallon ( Pierre Fallon;1912-1985). Our meetings took place in Father's house in North Calcutta. Dipankar took initiative to arrange talks by distinguished persons on topics ranging from science to Berlin Wall.

Dipankar saw Professor Satyen Bose from close quarters. His father Dr. S. Ray was a good friend of Professor Bose. Once he took me along to Professor Bose's house. Incidentally Professor Bose' was very busy in doing some calculations on probably GTR and I did not have any chance to interact with him. However, I had the chance to meet Professor Bose again when he came to attend a slide show presented by Shri Shankar Chakraborty. This programme was also arranged by Dipankar.

In this age, when everybody is beating his or her own drum loudly in social media, one can’t believe that a man with profound knowledge in many subjects was so self-effacing. He was a simple man wearing always a very ordinary old style Pajama, cotton Punjabi and a cheap pair of Sandals. Life did not treat him kindly. But he never complained. His death was a great loss to his friends and numerous students and we can only grieve the passing away of a man who reminded me of the great teachers in the years gone by who avoided publicity and lived a simple life.