[Assam] Dr Bhuban Mohan Das passes away

[Manoj Das]

Dr Bhuban Mohan Das passes away
By A Staff Reporter (AT)
 GUWAHATI, Jan 22 – Eminent anthropologist and litterateur Dr Bhuban Mohan
Das passed away at the Down Town Hospital in the wee hours today. He was 76
and had been suffering from prolonged illness.

He was admitted to the hospital about two weeks back. His demise came at
4-45 am, family sources said.

Born at Panbazar, Guwahati, on October 4, 1931, Dr Das was professor and
head of the Dept of Anthropology, Dibrugarh University and Gauhati
University. He also held the position of Dean, Faculty of Science, Gauhati
University. After his retirement in 1993, he was offered University Grants
Commission (UGC) Fellowship for two years.

After completing his MSc in 1953, Dr Das did his PhD in 1959. An Alexander
von Humboldt Fellow, he did his post-doctoral research in Berlin (1968-70)
and Hanover (1975). He did his DSc in 1973.

Dr Das was a Member of the National Commission for Backward Classes from
2000 to 2003. He had a stint as Chairman of the Assam Textbook Production
and Publication Corporation during 1995-96. He was the president of the
Anthropology and Archaeology section of Indian Congress in 1979. He was also
a UGC National Lecturer in 1979-80.

Dr Das delivered lectures in three universities in Italy under the
Indo-Italian Cultural Exchange Programne in 1982. He visited Hamburg, Bremen
and Hanover for academic purposes the same year.

A scholar of repute, Dr Das contributed research papers and notes in various
journals in India and abroad. In addition to these, he wrote 50 articles in
English and 200 articles in Assamese.

Regarded an authority on the diverse ethnic composition of Assam and the
North-east, Dr Das authored ten books in English and 24 books in Assamese on
anthropological topics. He also has a collection of short stories and
biographical sketches.

Dr Das was a national award-winning children's litterateur as well.

Dr Das had been the president of the Assam Academy for Cultural Affairs
since the last 25 years till his death.

Dr Das leaves behind his wife Dr Manjumala Das and daughter Srutimala Duara.


His last rites were performed at the Navagraha crematorium today.

Meanwhile, condolences are pouring in from various quarters mourning Dr Das'
death. People, including representatives from different organizations,
visited his residence to pay their homage to the departed soul.

The AASU has deeply mourned the death of Das. In a statement, it said that
the State had lost a great educationist and anthropologist.