Short Biography of Professor Baidyanath Patra

Short Biography of Professor Baidyanath Patra
Compiled during some informal talks with him by Asim Deb, 1977 Electronics & Tele Communication Engineering.

Prof. Baidyanath Patra taught us mathematics.
It never came in our mind that Kamoda Babu or Prof. S.C. Dasgupta or Prof. Basak were our teachers of non-engineering subjects. Rather they had their own places at par with our professors of engineering subjects. We could never think of becoming an engineer without learning Physics, Chemistry or Mathematics or Drawing. To be more precise, even without workshop practices.
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Today, I wish to share a short bio of Prof. Baidyanath Patra, one of the best mathematics teachers of our time (‘70s).

Prof. Baidyanath Patra was born on 10th November 1938 at Amdapal village, Midnapur district in an agricultural family. He had his primary education at Beliaberah High School and passed his matriculation (School Final; class 10) in 1956. He was the first matriculate from his village and the neighboring areas. He joined Intermediate (Science) at Jhargram Raj College and had full scholarship during the tenure. He passed Intermediate in 1958 and joined B. Sc (Mathematics Hons.) with Midnapur College with scholarships. After graduation in 1960, Prof. Patra joined M.Sc. (Applied Mathematics) with Calcutta University with scholarships and completed it in 1962.

In 1963, Prof. Patra began his teaching career, as a Lecturer of Mathematics, with Jhargram Raj College, and then joined the Shibpur B.E. College in 1968. During his tenure as Assistant Professor with B.E. College, he completed his Ph.D.in Applied Mathematics in 1977 under Prof S.C. Dasgupta, our renowned HOD of the Mathematics department.

In 1979, Prof. Patra was transferred to Chandannagar Government College. However, in 1982, Prof. Arun Seal, the then Principal of B.E. College, pursued him to return as Reader of Mathematics, to BE College. In 1995, when BE College was transformed to BESU, he was promoted to the Professor and was the first Dean of Applied Science of the University. He continued with IIEST till 2003.

During early days with BE College, his classes were only GST in mathematics for the 1st and 2nd year students, 18 classes every week. His first ever class at BE College was on GST, solid geometry, and he also had 1 general class of mathematics for the students of Mechanical engineering. For us (1972-77 batch of students), he taught Particle Dynamics in the 2nd year. Interestingly, for all other Mathematical chapters, we had text books, but PD (Particle Dynamics) never had any. So he prepared all hand-written tutorial sheets for us.

Prof. Patra has so far publication of 50 research papers in International Journal of repute; and guided 4 research students to obtain their Ph.D. Degrees in Calcutta University and B.E. College (DU) [3 of them in Fracture Mechanics and 1 in Operation Research]. A few of his published papers were referred to journals like Letters to Nature & Structural Engineering Mechanics. Around 1989-90, he could setup the first computer lab in our mathematics department.

With the transformation to BESU, Prof. Patra along with Prof. Jaydeb Sarkar (Department of Architecture & Planning) were nominated for the 2-member committee to frame PHD regulation of the deemed University. They had recommended that every research scholar should be working under 1 guide, 1 subject matter expert from India, and 1 subject matter external expert from an advanced country. For final Viva also all these 3 positives qualifications were recommended.

Timeline Photo: Professors at the annual get-together of 1972-1977 batch of students.

Prof. Patra authored two books: Complex Variables and Special Function, (by PHI Learning); and An Introduction to Integral Transforms (by Levent Books). He was the Chief Editor of Journal of Technology, BE College (a regular publication of B.E. College during 60s, 70s and 80s) and also held the position of Editorial Board Member of Jl of Applied Mathematics, OH 44223 USA.

Prof. Patra was a member of UPSC. He also served special projects of Higher Education Department of Government of W B; and also as Chairperson of many selection committees for selecting Teachers

He was the superintendent of Pandya Hall and Prof-in-charge of Guest House for a short period.

Prof. Patra received Distinguished Teacher Award, in 2012 from B.E. College (DU). In 2003, he was also selected in UGC Cultural Exchange Program to visit Sudan.

Prof. Patra also shared some of his experiences. When he was new to the college (around 1969-1970), and not so experienced in teaching, he was told that a 1st / 2nd year student named Nirmalya was very sound in mathematics and he should be careful with that boy. Ultimately the boy Nirmally was found to be very descent. The first name that came in his mind was Nirmalya, may be because it was his first caution from the senior colleagues.

In 1968, on a beautiful afternoon, he was roaming around Botanical Garden with other staffs of mathematics department, when a group of students commented “বাবা তারকনাথের চরনে সেবা লাগে” (Baba Taroknather chorone seba lagey). The reason being, he felt he was known as Baba Taraknath (a name synonymous to “Baidyanath”) amongst the students.

Now, retired, Prof. Patra is enjoying his free time with his family.