KD NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, May 24: The Central University of Kashmir Monday expressed grief and sorrow over the demise of its founding Chancellor Prof Srikumar Banerjee, who died in Mumbai after suffering a massive heart attack.
An online condolence meeting was held on Sunday in which Vice-chancellor, Prof. Mehraj ud Din Mir, Registrar, Prof. M Afzal Zargar, Finance Officer, Prof. Fayaz A Nikka, Deans of Schools, Heads and Coordinators of departments, faculty members, administrative staff and students of the varsity participated.
During the virtual meeting, rich tributes were paid by the faculty and officers on the demise of Padam Shri awardee Prof. Srikumar Banerjee, who served as CUK’s founding Chancellor for five years from 2012.
Chancellor of the University, Lieutenant General (Retd) Syed Atta Hasnain in a message also expressed his deep shock on the demise of Prof Banerjee and recalled his contribution to the country and the varsity.
Founding vice-chancellor of CUK, Prof. Abdul Wahid in a separate message mourned the death of Prof. Banerjee while recollecting his contribution to the growth of the Institution.
Recalling the contribution of Prof. Banerjee, VC Prof. Mehraj ud Din Mir said he significantly contributed through his expertise, academic and administrative standing for the overall progress and development of the university.
He said Prof. Banerjee played a pivotal role in the academic growth of the varsity and guided the faculty members for achieving academic excellence in their respective fields.
Prof Mehraj ud Din Mir further said late Banerjee was keen to see Central University of Kashmir tie-up with the institutions of higher learning of other states.
“He was strong votary of students and faculty exchange programmes.”
The VC expressed sympathies with the bereaved family in this hour of grief and prayed for peace to the departed soul.
Other speakers described the demise of Prof. Srikumar Banerjee, as a huge loss to the Central University of Kashmir and also to the scientific community. They said that Prof. Banerjee used to take personal interest in the functioning and overall development of the varsity.
“Prof. Banerjee frequently visited the university and interacted with the students, faculty members, and administrative staff. Post-2014 floods he donated huge amount of money from his own pocket to those affected during the deluge,” they said.
The participants later observed a one-minute silence to pay tribute to the deceased.
Prof. Banerjee started his career in the Metallurgy Division of the BARC in 1968. He later became scientific officer at the Centre, then Head of the Metallurgy Division in 1990, and being Director of the Materials Group at BARC, he served as Director BARC from 2004–2010.
From November 2009 to April 2012, Prof Banerjee was the Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, and Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India.
He was later appointed as Chancellor of the Central University of Kashmir and Chancellor of the Homi Bhabha National Institute of the Department of Atomic Energy. He was a recipient of many awards in his career, including the Padma Shri in 2005 and the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award in 1989.
