Shakti Prosad Bhattacharya (Photoda) left for his heavenly abode on 5 March 2019, at the age of 84. He was an ever smiling ,simple and extremely loving person. He was not a partition victim himself , but his near relations were. Like his parents ( daktarkaka and kakima) , he sheltered his displaced relations in distress and helped them in all possible manner .He was the darling of all in any family gathering where he entertained everybody, from children to seniors, with humour. He had unending stock of new humourous words and jokes . Besides he was a good story teller . His feeling for family was exemplary. He knew how to be happy and make others happy by servicing relationship carefully.He was "ajatoshatru". If he goes to Gaya, he will offer 'pindodan' for departed souls of all relations.
Photos..Some of us who attended his shradh ceremony , a newspaper clipping (about publications of our grandfather ) that he had given me.
He persued commerce and worked in senior post in a private enterprise. His four younger sisters were always around him , even on the last day of his life. He has left behind his wife, four sisters, two sons and two sweet grand daughters.
He spent a year in Rajibpur as a school student where he thoroughly enjoyed his boyhood in jungles infested with wild animals, specially deadly cobras, scorpions and the like. He and my elder Kajol used to silently slip away from the house, braved heavy evening Kalbaishakhi storm and rain and collect sackful of mangoes and other fruits that fell off in the orchards. The sack used to be so heavy that they had to drag and drag only to stop at he sight of their angry guardian uncle at the doorstep. The uncle will overpower them and beat them up before they could even park the sack inside. I was a child then .
Next I met him in their house in Ghulam Mohamad Road sometimes in 1953, when Kanuda ( eldest in my generation,then in Presidency College ) used to stay with them. When I was sudying in Jadavpur Engg college, I used to visit him almost every weekend at 45 Mahim Halder street where they stayed for many years. Before that, he got me admitted in Ashutosh College with Physics(Hons) when I was at crossroad of my career after being bedridden with typhoid in their house.
Let me quote Krishnendu, his elder son.."..thoroughly broadminded throughout his life..I miss his innocuousness, humbleness and his generosity"
By now, brothers of my generation that I have lost are - Kanuda ( Paramesh Bhattacharya), Dadamoni (Kajal ,Prabhakar), Rangada ( Balu,Paritosh ),Bishuda( Priyotosh) ,Khoka(Phalguni),Pintu (Partho Sarathi) and now Photoda. Let their souls rest in peace.
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