Tapan Kumar Chatterjee – A Tribute

Tapan Kumar Chatterjee, a leading citizen, an established businessman, sportsman and an active member of Bengali Amateur Theatre Society died on May 19 at a Guwahati hospital, due to protracted illness. That, about a week ago before his death, early in the morning, while he was returning from yoga, he suddenly fell down from his scooter. In an unconscious condition he was rushed to a local hospital, but as his condition was critical he was taken to Guwahati where he continued treatment for a week, but suddenly on 19th of May early in the morning Late Chatterjee died. His death news brought a wave of shock at Tezpur and on arrival of his mortal remains at his residence at Ranu Singh Road, hundreds of his friends, well-wishers, businessmen rushed to his house to pay their last tribute.

Late Chatterjee was born in the year 1948 and had his early education at Man Mohan Lahiri Memorial LP School and thereafter he joined Bengali Boys High School and passed HSLC examination with brilliant results. Late Chatterjee than joined the Darrang College and completed his graduation in the year 1970. Thereafter he started a newspaper business and has became one of the leading newspaper agent of Tezpur. As a businessman, he was very hard working, honest and well behaved for which he was very popular amongst the business circle. Late Chatterjee was actively connected with cultural activities of Tezpur Bengali Theatre Hall, Durga Puja Celebration Committee, Jagadhatri Puja, etc. He relentlessly worked for the development of Bengali Theatre Amateur Party and served as its treasurer.

Late Chatterjee propagated for yoga therapy and impressed hundreds of people to take up yoga for disease-free life. Late Chatterjee was also connected with Tezpur Bengali Boys Higher Secondary School, Bengali Girls High School many Charitable Organizations, where he donated regularly. He was actively connected with Gouria Math Rama Krishna Sevashram, Missionaries of Charity, Sahitya Sabha, Vivekananda Kendra etc. Whenever any person approached him for any help in connection with the education of the children, marriage of the daughter of the poor parents, Late Chatterjee was in the forefront to solve the problem in co-operation with his friends.

Being a newspaper agent, he always used to carry books to read without spoiling any time. He could cite the poems of Tagore from Gitanjali one after another. His recitation was excellent and he could spell bound the audiences for hours together. He was a good sportsman and used to play badminton regularly.

Many organisations of Tezpur condoled his death. Late Chatterjee was loved and respected by all for his amiable nature. He was 70 and is survived by wife and two daughters, besides host of relatives on the occasion of Sraddha ceremony.

I pay my homage to his departed soul. May his soul rest in peace

— Subhash Ch Biswas