Prof. S. N. Gupta: Born on Jan 23, 1941, received his M. Tech (1964) and Ph.D. (1969) degrees from Calcutta University. He was a research fellow at the University of Glasgow, U.K.; Institute of Polymer Science, Akron, USA; and Bowling Green State University, USA. Presently he is a professor in the department of Polymer Science and Technology, University of Calcutta.
T. K. Banerjee: After graduating from Calcutta University in 1964, he joined Durgapur Steel Plant and worked there for 6 years. Thereafter he served as a Metallurgical and Engineering Consultant for 28 years until his retirement as Deputy General Manager in 1999.
Maharaja with some old classmates of the Applied Chemistry Department, at a recent alumni function, Calcutta University
My Friend Thoudam Damodar Singh
It was the latter part of 1961, we were moving from one classroom to another. “Which way to go?”, a question in broken Bengali made me turn back. I saw a smiling face with bright eyes radiating coolness, joy and simplicity. That was the first time I met Thoudam Damodar Singh, whom we later called only Thoudam.
We were admitted to the post graduate class in Applied Chemistry, a flourishing department of Calcutta University. As this kind of education was not available at that time in many parts of India, there were seats reserved for students from various parts of the country including North Eastern States, Eastern States and states even as far as Kashmir. Thoudam Damodar came from Manipur. The bubbling proud young students that we were then, we did not care much for the handful of students from the other states. But soon, Thoudam’s superb mental faculty, especially his simplicity, his direct approach, honesty and friendliness placed him in a very important position among us. We became more familiar with him during our educational tour in late 1961 that covered a large part of southern India. He made a great impression on me by his uncomplaining, selfless attitude. He was happy with what was available, always ready to share everything, pleasure or sufferings, at the same time infusing peace and happiness in all his friends.
After college we were separated and for some time there was no contact. But, when I came back to Calcutta and joined the Calcutta University as a Professor our contact was reestablished. I was surprised to find that by then he had become a great spiritual leader and his work was spread all over the world. However, to us he remained the same old friend
‘Thoudam’. I still remember his first inquiry, “Which way to go?”, but in reality I still do not know which way to go, but probably he knows the answer.
Flash Back (1961-64)
I met Thoudam Damodar Singh nearly four decades ago when we were students at the University College of Science and Technology, Calcutta. It was a pleasant surprise for me when I recently saw him in saffron robes, as one who has renounced this worldly life and dedicated himself on the altar of sacrifice under his spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.
When I first met him in the year 1961, he enchanted me by his innocent smile. Such was his nature, pure and sacred, that he was loved by all his teachers and colleagues and in fact, all were his well-wishers.
Rarely do we find people who are born to live for others. Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami is a member of that rare family. I have all faith in his will to contribute towards promoting religious wisdom for the welfare of the human society at large.
May the Almighty Lord Sri Krishna shower His choicest blessings on him.70
