In memory of Pritam, Keshav Smarak Fund created
SILCHAR, August 12: It was a moment, both sad and sweet, when at a solemn function held in the auditorium of Guru Charan College here on Sunday evening, a fund under the nomenclature of “Keshav Smarak Samiti” was created in order to perpetuate the memory of Pritam Bhattacharjee, a meritorious student and research scholar of this town, who was waylaid by some goons while on his way to Delhi in Bihar by train and brutally murdered.
The function began with the lighting of lamp by Prof. Somnath Das Gupta, Vice–Chancellor of Assam University, in the presence of other dignitaries and before the packed distinguished assembly, followed by chanting of Veda–Mantra. At the outset, Pranab Kumar Paul Choudhury, secretary, Keshav Smarak Samiti, in his welcome address said that the Samiti dedicated to the memory of Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgawar, founder of RSS, had been engaged in various social and humanitarian works not only in Barak Valley but also beyond.
Pranab Kumar Paul Choudhury added to say that the fund was enriched with the donation of Rs 16 lakh by Sankar Bhattacharjee, father of Pritam, which he got as insurance claim of his son. With the fund so created that would be further increased with donations from him as well as from other willing donors, meritorious, poor and needy students would be helped in pursuit of their knowledge and higher studies.
Dr Sankar Bhattacharjee choked with emotions described his son Pritam as a boy with his love for man and animal, amiable in nature, dedicated to his studies with great ambition to shine in life as a scientist and with his deep quest for knowledge of physics, particularly his specialization, astro physics. Prof. Apratim Nag, lecturer in the Department of Physics of G C College, was all appreciative of his student whom he found as an epitome of empowered youth, brilliant, vibrant, jovial, adventurous, unique conglomeration of heart and head, passion for fundamental research in physics and longing for creative as well as explorative works.
Dipak Bhattacharjee, ex MLA and President, “Justice for Pritam Forum”, who was the guest of honour, recounted how there was nationwide protest against the killing of Pritam and all joined in a chorus to demand CBI inquiry notwithstanding the arrest of 9 criminals, now on trial in Bhagalpur Court. He was hopeful of justice for him. His loss, according to him, was a national loss as the life of a scientist of potentiality was extinguished forever.
Prof. Somnath Das Gupta, Chief–Guest, described his presence at the memorial function as one of “mixed experience.” It was a tragic event, though, it was a noble effort also to keep his memory alive. He could not comprehend how man could be so cruel and inhuman to take away the life of a boy of promise with bright academic career. However painful and sad, it was no doubt also an extraordinary step by Keshav Smarak Samiti to extend helping hand to the students achieving brilliant results in their examination. It was also a recognition of the talent and hard work of students and to make them more conscious of their social responsibility.
Dr N C Malakar, Principal in charge, G C College, guest of honour, was optimistic that the ‘Justice for Pritam Forum’ would achieve the ultimate goal of having justice for Pritam. Atin Das, well known poet, journalist and litterateur, who presided over the function, said life is short and death is inevitable and the destiny is predestined. Pritam Bhattcharjee too met the cruel fate despite all his qualities of being a person of compassion and love. It was indeed heartening that through this memorial event, the greater cause of “Gyan Yagna” was taken up and in it “lies our happiness”, he pointed out.
On this occasion, Sarmistha Paul, a student of Karimganj College, who secured best result in physics, was awarded a gold medal along with cheque of Rs 5,000. Anulekha Paul, a student of Guru Charan College, with her best result in physics, was also awarded a gold medal and a cheque of Rs 5,000. Rustina Suchiang, former student of Saraswati Vidya Niketan, Dolu, and presently studying in Vivekananda Commerce College, received a gold medal and a cheque of Rs 3,000 for her excellent performance in National Level Science Exhibition. From next year three more prizes would be awarded. One would be in memory of the Sanskrit teacher of Sankar Bhattacharjee, Khitish Paul Choudhury. A student securing highest marks in Sanskrit honours would get a gold medal and cash prize.
Two more awards would go to the highest marks scorers in arts and commerce streams of Women’s College in memory of the grandmother of Pritam, Kamala Bhattacharjee. Another award dedicated to the memory of Pritam’s aunt, Bithika Bhattacharjee, would be for poor and needy students as well as those calling for financial help in their sickness and hospitalization.
Source: The Sentinel 13.08.2013
