Poet, writer Shyamadas Bhattacharjee passes away

FROM OUR Correspondent

Silchar, Jan 4: New Year, it seems, has started on a sad note, especially for Barak Valley. Shyamadas Bhattacharjee, noted poet, playwright, writer, social worker and former professor and head of the department of History, of Lady Keane College, Shillong, left for heavenly abode at 1.05pm at Sundari Mohan Seva Bhawan, last Tuesday. He died due to old age illness and was 86. He spent almost a decade in Kolkata. Shyamadas Bhattacharjee was also associated with the examition department of the prestigious Vishwa Bharati University and was an examiner and setter of question papers. He also wrote a book on the Bengalis of Shillong. He was receiving treatment from Dr Kumar Kanti Das.

Late Professor Shyamadas Bhattacharjee was a renowned, cheerful and colourful persolity of Shillong. Giving love and serving the humanity was the main principle of this educationist. He was attached with North-eastern Hill Universities and Secondary and Higher Secondary School Council. He was excellent in the various fields of history, culture and literature. The late Professor was the founder-member of the North-east Indian History organization and also a permanent member of Bangio Sahitya Parished, Shillong branch. In addition to this, he was also the vice president of Shillong Film Society, President of Drama Federation and Marseist Centre, Secretary of Arobindo Library and a regular speaker and composer of Shillong Radio Centre.

His most remarkable contribution was the setting up of Nongtalang College which helped students from hilly students of the Jaintia Hills to come and study. Shyamadas Bhattacharjee was also honoured as the ‘Bharat Jyoti’ which is most the prestigious award from the government of Delhi, in 2001 for his numerous contributions and remarkable roles for the State of Meghalaya. During his long stay in Shillong, he used to bear deep pain for the suffering and humiliation of his own community in Shillong. He wrote ‘Shillonger Bengali’ while he was ill and the book continues to in circulation. This is a highly popular book and includes the significant descriptions of travelling and the activities in Shillong of the many great persolities of Bengal. The book also features an important chapter ‘Bangla Sahitye Shillong’. He was a recipient of Best Citizen of India Award, Vijay-sree Award and Lifetime Achievement Award.