I met Prof. Uttara Chakraborty in 2009 at The Asiatic Society. I cannot remember the date and time, but I was there to appear for an interview for the post of project fellow entitled to the project ‘socio-cultural history of 20^th century Bengal’. I did not know that time that the project would be supervised by Ma’am. My interview went well though my name was second in the panel which I knew later when I got the fellowship in January, 2010.

My initial days being a fellow at The Asiatic Society were like a traveller who was roaming in the library and was amazed to see the rich collection. It was also a time to meet some of the senior fellows who were always with me in times of despair and still brighten my life as true friends. It was my great pleasure to get Ma’am as my guide who taught how to think ‘critically’. The lady with an exceptional command over the English language, a great researcher with the zeal to achieve her goals with the utmost possible ways, a historian who knew only to be perfect and a caring teacher and a loving mother- these are the words which I can say to describe U.C.

I was not her direct student, but I went to Presidency University for the first time in my life to show my papers to Ma’am. I stepped on the corridor, felt the enigmatic charm to see the historic staircases and the precious time which I spent with Ma’am at the staff room accomplished my journey as a student of history and partially helped me to overcome the sorrow of not being a Presidencian as my parents insisted me to pursue my graduation from Lady Brabourne. I also visited the library with her, those small moments never faded away from my good old memories.

I really appreciate that how Ma’am taught me to behave like a matured academician. She guided me to present my papers in such a lucid way which would enable me to reach my audience. I can remember, after all the presentations both in India and abroad, being the fellow of The Asiatic Society, I used to call her. Uttaradi was very happy to hear that I got an opportunity to visit Pakistan and supported me to a great extent. Though my family members were reluctant, but I made it possible just because of my Supervisor who was an inspiration for me.

She criticized me several times while we were working together for the project; I also shaded tears in solitude. But those criticisms were constructive in nature and compelled me to upgrade myself. My mediocrity never became a barrier between our conversations and for me; she was the plethora of intellectualism. Here her motherly attitude always worked. After getting scolded from her every time I received daughterly affection. The lunch at Trincas which we had together along with two other fellows was a memorable day for me and on that day I spent good times with not my supervisor , rather someone from my own family like my mother. Uttaradi’s gentle sophistication and subtle aristocracy definitely created an aura of uniqueness imbibed in her academic caliber.

I can remember the three presentations which I gave at The Asiatic Society as a part of my fellowship. On those days Sir (Prof. Subhas Ranjan Chakraborty) used to come with Ma’am and his presence always made those events academically fruitful. Ma’am most of the time felt proud if she saw me to defend the queries well, on the other, it was also a challenge for me to make the person happy who was the great critic of my work.

My visits to her residence at Salt Lake were always filled with positive vibes as I shared my personal space with her and all the time got encouragement and motivations. Our relationship was not very professional; I was emotionally attached to her as she was my mentor in its true sense. I last met Prof. Chakraborty in December 2018, at the Bangladesh Book Fair. In between the time fled like a blink of an eye. I left Asiatic in 2013 and in 2014 joined St. Xavier’s College as an Assistant Professor of History.  I invited Ma’am and Sir at the Raghabpur Campus of my college to give lectures. She was very happy to see the History Hons. Students and the presence of Ma’am and Sir made the Department proud.

Uttaradi being the Supervisor did an excellent job as my dissertation which I submitted to The Asiatic Society got an appreciation from the Referee and it was also approved for publication with some minor changes. It was the last wish of her from me to get my work published. At the Bangladesh Book Fair she told me the same and I promised to visit her place with my pending works . In the last two years we kept in touch through various mediums. I knew about her illness but never enquired as I always admired her as a strong woman.

I got the news of her sudden demise in one of the social networking sites and it was a shock for me to believe Ma’am with whom though I was not in regular contact, but who owed a position in my mind to a great extent as being the person who helped me to upgrade my knowledge and research- is no more. My last tribute to her will be the publication of the project which I did under her supervision and I need to work on that to fulfill her wish. It is one of the resolutions for me in 2021. Perhaps I was the first and the last fellow who solely worked under Prof. Uttara Chakraborty. Love you always Ma’am, I know you are with us as you loved and cared for all.

Writer: Professor, Essayist.