Debater, professor, politician, Partha Sarathi Chanda’s death leaves a void

“It is impossible to forget his presence in the debate competitions. His way of presenting arguments with wit and grit was unique,” senior journalist Pranabananda Das wrote on Facebook paying tribute to Partha Sarathi Chanda. Thousands and thousands of such posts paying tribute to the contribution to professor Partha Sarathi Chanda are pouring on social media.

Former Principal In Charge of Guru Charan College, Professor Partha Sarathi Chanda breathed his last yesterday at 8:30 pm. Chanda suffered a massive cardiac arrest which claimed his life. He dies at the age of 72. From 2007 to 2009 he was at the helm of affairs at GC College. Professor Apratim Nag recalls that it was during his tenure, the College went through a transformation. He took various initiatives to develop the infrastructure.

Chanda apart from being an academician was also an active politician. He became BJP’s district general secretary in 1995 and later became a member of BJP’s national council. “I am shocked at the sudden demise of Partha Sarathi Chanda Sir,” says Parimal Suklabaidya, minister of Excise, Fisheries and Environment and Forest. “I met him recently to seek his blessings. Little did I know that would be the last time I am meeting Sir. He was my teacher, taught me lessons in College, lessons in life and I have always had his mentorship politically at victories and at defeats,” asserted Suklabaidya.

Not only in BJP, but he also has his admirers in opposition political parties too. “He was a man of principle,” says All India Mahila Congress President, Sushmita Dev. “He would not hesitate to appreciate politicians or policies he liked even if those were tabled by the opposition. When I was the MLA and Chairman of Municipality, I still remember he appreciating our work. He leaves behind a void in politics which will be very difficult to fill,” Dev adds.

Veteran politician and former union minister Kabindra Purkayastha says Partha Sarathi Chanda’s contribution to Cachar BJP is huge. “He is first a teacher and a brilliant teacher who left a mark in students’ minds. He joined politics while being a college teacher and was one of the best orators in the party. He played a major role in elections from behind. His death is shocking,” said Purkayastha.

Associate professor and Head Department of Economics at Cachar College, Joydeep Biswas recalls his debate duals with Partha Sarathi Chanda. “Mr. Speaker Sir, Joydeep never tells a lie. He lies only when he speaks,” a line of Professor Chanda that Biswas mentions. Apart from being a politician, Partha Sarathi Chanda inspired igniting minds with his debates. Joydeep Biswas who is also an active participant in debates says, “Partha Sir was one of the best debaters in Silchar.”

Biswas adds, “As a person on the opposite ideological spectrum, it was always a pleasure having him on the other side during debates. He had great oratory skills and good humour. The party he worked for is accused of intolerance but he wasn’t intolerant at all and even praised Nehru without any hesitation publicly. Despite being a politician, he led his life like a monk without getting married. In GC College when I was a student, sir had a restaurant. I will truly miss him.”

Some will miss debater Partha Sarathi Chanda while his students will miss the teacher who taught them tense, voice… The party workers in BJP are mourning the death of a veteran leader or as they say ‘Margdarshak’. His last rites will be performed today following Covid protocols, the BJP informed through a statement.