Prof Manotosh Bandyopadhyay
Renowned Glaciologist Prof Manotosh Bandyopadhyay passes away
Kolkata/IBNS: Famous glaciologist and a keen mountain lover Prof. Manotosh Bandyopadhyay died here on Saturday morning following illness related to old age. He is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.
Born on Apr 2, 1936 at Amgaon in Faridpur district of undivided Bengal, Professor Bandyopadhyay, a Fulbright scholar and the Eminent Professor Awardee by Calcutta University did his M Phil from University of Wisconsin, USA and Ph D from North Bengal University. He also worked under many leading geomorphologists like M M Miller,W D Thornbury, J Tricart and A Cailleux in the USA and Europe.
Besides being a renowned geomorphologist and glaciologist, Dr. Bandyopadhyay’s main passion was travelling in Himalaya and carrying out research work there.
A life member of Himalayan Association, he participated in quite a few high altitude treks and expeditions in Himalaya. Notable among them include Gangstag Expedition in 1961 and then Kalabland Expedition at Ralam Valley in Kumaun in 1978, Lindu Dinkarma in Himachal Pradesh next year.
Monotoshda, as he is known to the mountaineers and adventure lovers in the state used to love short trips around the countryside during the weekends as well.
He taught Geography in the post graduate departments of Gauhati, Manipur and Calcutta Universities for five decades since 1958. His main area of interest has been glaciology and he was one of the few geographers attending high altitude expeditions for many years.
Apart from Fulbright, Dr. Bandyopadhyay also received French Government scholarship and National Science Foundation Award of the United States.
He worked extensively on glaciology and glacial geology of Alaska, Alps, Caucasus and Himalaya. He also researched on Structural and tectonic Geomorphology of Meghalaya and Orissa highlands and quaternary Geomorphology of West Bengal.
Apart from adventure clubs, Prof. Bandyopadhyay was associated with a large number of environmental and geographical associations and edited many geographical Journals . He was Past President of Indian Institute of Geomorphologists. Proficient in many other languages including French, German, Russian, English Hindi and Assamese Dprof Bandyopadhyay wrote quite a few hundred research articles while several scholars have completed their doctoral research under his supervision.
Earlier this year Prof Bandyopadhyay was conferred ‘Life Time Achievement Award' jointly by Kolkata section of The Himalayan Club, oldest mountaineering club in Asia and Pahariya Group, a city based NGO, for his contribution in research work on Himalaya.
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