In memory of late VC Professor D.N.Lal Das

Not so many people live long. Not all people leave their name and fame after their deaths. Likewise, not all people are remembered for long. Some are remembered for their outstanding contributions done in favor of the society in which they grew themselves.

He was my English teacher when I was the student of Intermediate level in Biratnagar. It should be the story of late sixties. He taught us Stories from Shakespeare and funny stories of Don Quixote, a book by Miguel Servantes, if I properly recall. What was interesting of him was that while he taught us the stories, he would act like the play writers or say the actors contained in the story. For example, while teaching Shakespear's Merchant of Venice, I vividly recall, he gave life to the role of Portia and to the expressions of Antonio and Bassanio. Likewise, while teaching Macbeth, a famous play by Shakespear, he acted to the pains and the sorrows of King Duncan and so on and so forth.

After my Biratnagar study, I came Kathmandu and then life became so busy that we could not meet each other for decades and decades.

He then suddenly came to my contact only after I assumed the role of the Chairman of the Nepal-SAARC Journalists' Forum. Honestly speaking, it was he who prompted me to arrange trips of SAARC Ambassadors to Biratnagar and assured me of his needed helps in this regard. Since then, except the Pakistan Ambassador, rest of the SAARC Ambassadors have been to Biratnagar and have interacted with Professor Dhruba Narayan Lal Das-the Vice Chancellor of the Purwanchal University. He counted his last breath this Sunday evening. The reason –heart attack.

I could not see him in person last week when I was in my home town for a day or two. However, Friday evening, I could talk to him over telephone wherein he told me to arrange trips of Ambassadors from Israel, Germany, Pakistan and India. I told him that it would be conducted in a manner we used to do it in the previous occasions.

What was most important of him was that he never said no to our forum's request and opened the doors of his University for the visiting Ambassadors. Notably, those who interacted with this kind hearted soul were Ambassador Mahmood Ali, Ambassador K.V.Rajan, Ambassador Mohiuddin Ahmed, Ambassador Pamela J. Deen and finally Charge de' Affaires of Finland, Esa Hurtig.

On my personal request, Esa Hurtig donated some equipment to the University he headed and had assured of more tangible

Support in the future. Esa and VC Das were very close friends and had been working on the lines to initiate sisterly relations with some of the Varsities in Finland.

Similarly, Ambassador Cyril Sikder during his last year's trip to Biratnagar had donated a substantial amount for the purchase of books for the Purwanchal University library.

Likewise, Ambassador Rajan too possessed sentimental attachment for the Purwanchal University only because late Das and the former were good friends. I recall, whenever our forum arranged trips of Ambassador Rajan, late Das everytime supported us and found time to speak on Nepal-India ties.

The same treatment he bestowed on Ambassador Pamela J. Deen during her last trip to Biratnagar. I still remember that Ambassador Pamela had assured some books for the Purwanchal University library. However, I'm not sure whether it has materialized or not.

His main idea behind inviting Ambassadors of various countries to his Varsity was that let his students at the Varsity mingle with the diplomats and learn about the culture, tradition, educational systems in those respective countries. In the process several Ambassadors made lectures at his university and undoubtedly his students benefited from such interactions. I was simply happy that in one way or the other I was associated in this pious job. The Nepal-SAARC Journalists Forum and its members encouraged me in accomplishing such marvelous jobs. Indeed, Finnish envoy's trip to that university was conducted by my newspaper. The Telegraph weekly assures the men at the Purwanchal University that the process will continue in the future as well provided they wish to greet friendly diplomats.

Late Das assumed the post of the VC of the university for the second time. He had so many good plans for the University. In the process he used to talk to me on how to achieve success in this regard and every time sought my modest help for giving his mission a real boost.

He was a social worker. He was a voracious reader. He was a humanist. He wished peace to prevail in this country. He dreamt of a sound democratic system in this Himalayan Kingdom. However, he was becoming impatient looking at the unfolding political events in the country.

He had become almost my undeclared guardian. I felt that to have a guardian of his sort would ultimately benefit me as well. At times Professor Das appreciated the activities of the Nepal-SAARC Journalists' Forum and used to comment, in his own words: "Keep it up. Such events ultimately enhance our bilateral ties with neighbors in the region. Such interactions with friendly diplomats promote the SAARC spirit.

With professor Das's sudden demise, I have lost a guardian, a good teacher, and a great admirer of the activities of the Nepal-SAARC Journalists' Forum and undoubtedly of my newspaper as well. The people in Biratnagar have lost an educationist, a social worker and above all a human being of outstanding quality.

I find no words on how to conclude this write up. All I can say at this moment is Rest in peace O! Ye! The departed great soul.

May Lord Pashupatinath offer eternal peace to the soul.

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