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Tribute to Prof. Bimalendu Sen, My Teacher, Mentor & Philosopher

Tribute to Prof. Bimalendu Sen, My Teacher, Mentor & Philosopher
His admirer, Prof. Amalendu Ghosh, & 1966 Civil Engineering

I came in contact with my teacher, adviser and mentor, Prof. Sen at the very beginning of my student life at B. E. College. I got admitted to B. E. College as a 1st year Civil Engineering student in 1961. At that time, freshers’ welcome used to be organized by the Principal. At our time also the welcome ceremony was organized by the then Principal, Prof. A. C. Ray at the big hall of library in the 3rd floor. The students were divided into several groups under an adviser for each group. In our table the seat of the adviser was vacant, which was noticed by the Principal at the dais and he invited Prof. Sen to come to our table. From that very day I was attracted by his pleasing personality and style of talking. I wanted to know from him is it difficult to pass in the engineering courses? Sir explained us how to pursue the studies regularly and sincerely and thus one can avoid the fear of being failure. During our time usually at the end of second year the cases of failure were very high. We heard that Prof. Sen was very popular and a sympathetic teacher of Applied Mechanics Department.

At my second year class we had an impression from the seniors that the subject Applied Mechanics was very tough. But luckily we got Professor Sen as our teacher and he taught the subject in such a beautiful way that later we didn’t have any fear on the subject. He used to make the subject so clear that after going back to hostel we seldom required to study. His handwriting and board work were so nice as if the things were printed on the black board. We used to listen to his lecture in the class spellbound due to his style of delivering the lecture. The sketches he used to draw on the black board seemed to be printed pictures, which still today, are projected before my eyes.

During my studentship I was attracted by his pleasant care and attitude towards the students and style of teaching of the teachers of B. E. College, and obviously our respected sir, Prof. B. Sen being one of them. For that reason and ambience, I was swayed to become a teacher of Civil Engineering at B. E. College. By the God’s grace I became a teacher at B. E. College and I continued in regular teaching for 52 years taking together my service of 44 years at my Alma Mater (considered to be second mother) and services in other private institutions where I was invited to join after my retirement from Bengal Engineering and Science University, Shibpur.

When I came more close to Sir as his junior colleague, I became more fascinated to him on finding his multifaceted qualities and tried to imitate some of his qualities. I found him as a teacher, organizer and administrator, and above all he was a kind hearted, enduring and an appeased person. Later Sir became the general secretary of the teachers’ association and he always tried to resolve the problems of the teaching fraternity in his own way.

On being nominated as the Member Secretary cum Officer-in-Charge of the West Bengal Joint Entrance Board of Examinations by him, I was a bit apprehensive whether I would be able to discharge my duties of the highly responsible post. He helped me a lot in discharging the duties. I never found him to be perturbed for any situation – whatever difficult it could be. He used to say, “kono samasyai samasya noy, thanda mathay alochana korleyi samadhan pawa jabe” (any problem is not at all a problem, solution could be arrived at through peaceful discussion).

When he was the Director of Technical Education, Govt. of West Bengal, many a times I used to rush to him in his office at the New Secretariat Building by crossing the river Ganges to resolve problems related to service of the teachers. He used to receive me with smiling face and after realizing the issues, used to assure me for resolving the same and he could do it.

Once I had some problem related to service and I sought his help as Principal. He asked me to write in details and give it to him. He made a summary of the writings in a very lucid way and met the Finance Secretary to sort out my grievance. It was resolved to my satisfaction.

While organizing a seminar on ‘geotextiles’, a cutting edge topic, the National Jute Board invited Dr. Sen to deliver a key note address. Sir told me, “Amalendu, you are working on the subject and I do not know anything on the topic. You give me some points and some related papers so that I can prepare myself”. I was also present in the audience of that seminar. He presented the subject so nicely and lucidly that I was spellbound to listen to his lecture. I procured the copy of that lecture as a wealth of mine.

I cannot resist my temptation when I get a scope to say something about my Sir. But I must put a full stop for want of time. I will certainly stop after highlighting a few more points. Sir and our beloved Boudi, Smt. Sujata Sen, with their own ability and good nature, took the families of teachers in the campus as their kins and formed a greater kinship, which is still being nurtured by our loving boudi. Sir and boudi inspired the wives of the teachers to work together for installation of the statue of Swami Vivekananda in the campus. Sir also stood by us firmly at that time against certain odds.

After the retirement, while sir and boudi were leaving the quarters, sir started weeping as if they are going far from near relatives. This shows how did he love us and that he carried a child in him.

He used to advise us to do something, apart from teaching, which can be valuable for the next generation. By this he meant to write a book. I know that he started writing a book, but alas, Sir could not complete it due to his untimely death. We have been deprived of getting a treasure.

We all pray to the Almighty that the departed soul of our beloved teacher may rest in eternal peace.

Sahityika Admin

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