My Sir Passed Away
After completing his post-graduate course in Psychology from Calcutta University, Professor Chatterjee joined Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore on a Govt. of India scholarship and completed his Ph.D. degree. After that he joined Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur as a teacher and retired from service as a Professor of Humanities and Social Sciences. He was pioneer in introducing Human Resource Development Course at IIT. He became sectional president of the Psychology and Behavioural sciences section of the Indian Science Congress in platinum Jubilee Session, 1988.
After his retirement from IIT, he worked for several years as a Visiting Professor at Institute for Social Welfare and Business Management, Calcutta. Professor Chatterjee has so far more than 100 papers published to his credit in several journals in India and abroad. He was associated with several charitable and cultural associations in his own locality.
Professor Chatterjee passed away at 3:3 PM dated 28.12.08 due to cerebral attack. He was 78 years old. He was survived by his wife Mrs. Pranati Chatterjee.
His book 'ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOUR: TECHNOLOGY & PSYCHOSOCIAL SYSTEMS' is well known to research scholars and faculties of the Organizational Behaviour. Galgotia Publications Pvt. Limited published the book. It costs Rs. 159.00
E-mail of the publisher: gppl@indiatimes.com
MY MENTOR
"Agyana timirandhasya gyananjana shalakaya,
Chakshurunmilatam Yeno tasmai sri gurube namah
My perception about Professor Chatterjee is completely different. During my tenure at IIT., Kharagpur, I perceived him as very hard task master. He was a very hard mentor. His hardness is mixed with affection but he did not express the later. This helps me to look at the hard reality about research. When I joined he cut my link between Ph.D and job expectation. To him Ph.D is nothing but training to develop competency in building psychological theories systematically. My friends were very lucky as they perceived Sir as very co-operative, soft spoken and helping. But to me, Sir was just fearful person. When I was roaming here and there just like path less person, he never came to assist me. He did not allow me to talk with him in person. When I recalled all those days, I felt just nightmare.
I was scolded by him twice. Once for my over involvement in psycho-pathological aspect for research problem selection. He asked me - What is the definition of positive health ? I could not satisfy him. So, he asked me to find out the criteria of positive health. I met several doctors of PG hospitals, surveyed literatures and spent whole day at IIT., Library to find out the criteria. Finally, I developed analogy between human health system and Organizational health system. I tried to conceptualize spiritual health of organization (what my student did later), but he did not encourage me. This event is first stepping stone in my research. First time, I understood how to explore the psychological variables. This was not possible if he selected research problem for my Ph.D.
2nd talk is about texture of organizational environment. At that time, I was confused about conceptualizing social health of organization. He gave me the famous article of Professor Eric Trist of Tavistok Institute. At that time, the journal Human Relation is obsolete. But this helps me to understand giving values on classical theories in constructing research construct.
3rd talk is about my leave from IIT for my sister's eye operation in Chennai. He scolded me very harshly. I was shocked.
4th talk is about my failure to collect data from Bandel thermal power station. When I returned from BTPS, he told me to leave IIT immediately. I went back to BTPS and introduced people there as psychology counselor. Very quickly, I was able to establish rapport with people of BTPS. This event helps me to learn much about data collection strategy. He had wide links with several companies but he never introduced me with anyone.
5th talk is about his appreciation when I got Young Scientist Award from the Indian Science Congress when only 8 students were awarded. 6th talk is about his comment about my thesis. He told me that he got opportunity to talk with his guide twice only when he signed my thesis.
This is about his mentoring process. I am writing this letter here as I find many complaints from many students about their research guides. Possibly, they will perceive their guides as more cooperative reading the above.
As perceived by his student
Dear Dr Roy,
There are several memories which stand out but three particularly.
Professor Chatterjee was dignity personified. I was attending the IAAP Congress which was organized
at IIT Kgp. For some internal(political? ) reasons he was not part of the organizing committee and kept away.
Since I felt his absence very much I sought him out and asked him about the reason.
He only smiled saying absolutely nothing about it and changed the topic. He never had a bad word about any one and never said any thing negative about his colleagues
The second incident I remember is when we were together at UPSC guest house in connection with some official
work After we had finished the day's work he asked me to come along with him to the market because he wanted to buy a pull over. We were in the market when she called Mrs Chatterjee only to inform how I was with him helping to make the selection. He wanted me to choose it for him because that way he will be able to tell Mrs Chatterjee that 'Tripathi' selected this for me. His affection for his own students was immense.
The third episode I remember is from the Indian Science Congress which took place at Hyderabad. I had made a a presentation in one of the symposia. After I had finished he came to me and gently patted me on the back telling me that he liked it very much. And then he made a comment which showed the kind of pride he took in his students. Turning towards me he asked,' tell me Tripathi,how many of them present here will have understood and appreciate the kind of presentation you made'. This reminded me of a saying we have in this part of the country- If there is any one fairer than my son that person can only be a leper! No one could be better than his student.!
I have not been able to recover from the shock of his demise. But I can never forgive the Almighty for the terrible tragedy which He inflicted on such a gentle soul taking away his son in the prime of his life. He never recovered from it although, outwardly he never showed it. I would like to be born again just to be his student one more time.
- Professor Rama Charan Tripathi
As perceived by his class mate
Dear Dr Duttaroy,
I was quite close to Prof. Amitava Chatterjee. He was my class-mate in Calcutta University doing our Master's, during 1948-50 session - he as a BSc doing his M.Sc and I , my M.A. as I was a B.A. ( from BHU ). I have fond remeberance of him. I met him again several times later, in Kharagpur and of course Calcutta, and during
the Science Congres sessions which he, and I too, attended almost regularly every year. He had an affable nature and we were always cordial and informal when we met.
I was pained to hear of his death. May God bless him. Please convey my deep condolences to his family, and if you give me his current address, I may also write to them.
Sincererly
J.M.Ojha
MANASAYAN
Agarwal Complex, 1st Floor
S-524, School Block, Shakarpur, DELHI-110092
Tel: 2248-3919; Fax 91-11-23271584, 2248-1584
E-mail : jmojha@del2. vsnl.net. in
Dear Dr Duttaroy,
You may like to know of some other classmates of Dr Chatterje some of whom are quite eminent:
Dr Udai Pareek, Dr Prayag Mehta , Dr N.R.Chatterjee:, Dr R.G.Chatterjea, Asit K. Deb and Dr Maya Guha ( later, Dr Maya Deb, wife of Asit K. Deb ). If what I remember is correct, Dr R.N.Kundu was also a class mate. Another was Dr Anwar Ansari, who left the department after a year to pursue his Ph.D. in London, and became the Head of the Dept. at Aligarh Muslim University. Ajit Roy ( Agartala ), Prahlad Barua ( Assam ), Dr Sripala Senadhir ( Sri Lanka ) later known as Prof. S.S.Leelaratne, and Dr H.M.Singh ( Lucknow), were also in the same class. Dr Udai Pareek was the Gold-medallist, and Dr H.M.Singh was no. 2, Dr Prayag Mehta, was no.3.
I hope this information, which to my knowledge is correct, may be useful to you in writing Dr Amitava Chatterjee's memoirs.
Sincerely
J.M.Ojha
As perceived by his colleague
DEAR DR.DUTTA ROY,
I VALUE THE IMPRESSION GIVEN BY PROFESSOR AMITAVA CHATTERJEE TO YOU.
AS HIS ADMIRER AND PROFESSIONAL COLLEAGUE I MUST TELL YOU THE THREE GREAT VIRTUES OF LATE PROFESSOR CHATTERJEE.
HE WAS A VERY WARM ,AFFECTIONATE AND COMMUNICATIVE INDIVIDUAL ,THE CHARM WAS ADDED WITH THE GRACIOUS COMPANY OF HIS WIFE.I REMEMBER MEETING THEM ALWAYS TOGETHER--A LOVABLE COUPLE.
AS A PSYCHOLOGIST--HE STOOD UP FOR THE QUALITY OF RESEARCH AND DISCUSSION AND WAS NEVER PETTY AND PERSONAL IN HIS COMMENTS TOWARDS OTHERS,EVEN ON CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES.HIS EXPRESSION AND STYLE WAS STAMPED BY HIS BRILLIANCE,DEPTH AND SCHOLARSHIP.HIS OWN PRESENTATIONS,PAPERS AND PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS WERE ALWAYS FULL OF SCIENTIFIC TENOR AND POSITIVE.
IN THE PROFSSIONAL POLITICAL POSITIONS HE ALWAYS STOOD FOR INTEGRITY AND TRANCEPARENCY.SUCH PERSONS ARE A RARITY IN THE PRESENT TIMES OF SELFISHNESS AND GREED.HE WAS ALWAYS SELF-SACRIFICING AND ABOVE BOARD.HE WAS ONE AMONG THOUSANDS !
I WOULD SINCERELY PAY MY BEST REGARDS TO THE BEST AMONG US .AND JOIN IN PRAYERS WITH HIS RESPECTED WIFE AND CHILDREN AND FRIENDS FOR THE ETERNAL PEACE.
IT IS DIFFICULT TO EMULATE HIM BUT PSYCHOLOGY WOULD BE ENRICHED IF WE COULD PUBLISH A VOLUME IN HIS HONOUR!
JITENDRA MOHAN
PROFESSOR EMERITUS IN PSYCHOLOGY AND UGC EMERITUS FELLOW AD ICSSR NATIONAL FELLOW
I HAVE BEEN THE PRESIDENT OF SPORT PSCHOLOGY ASSOCIATION OF INDIA,INDIAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION AND INDIAN ACADEMY OF APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY.
AS THE PRESIDENT OF ASIAN ASSOCIATION OF APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY,MEMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY AND TH AUTHOR OF THE THE CHAPTERON INDIAN PSYCHOLOG FOR TH OXFORD HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY,I WILL MAKE MENTIONABOUT HIM AT THE RIGHT OPPORTUNITY AND FORUM. AFTER 11TH JANUARY PLEASE SND ME SOME MORE DETAILS ABOUT OUR BELOVED PROFESSOR AMITAVA CHATTRJEE.
I AM TOUCHD BY YOUR INITIATIVE.
Prof.Jitendra Mohan
PRESIDENT: ASIAN ASSOCIATION OF APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY C/O Deptt. of Psychology Panjab University Chandigarh-160014 India
Phone : 91 172 2534546 (O) 91 172 2543966 (R) 0091 9876 491 321
Another letter
Dear Dr. Dutta-Roy,
I think I met him twice - once at a Science Congress, and once at
Bhuvaneswar. The interactions were very short, but were extremely
pleasant. I remember him as a person with whom one could communicate
very comfortably.
Sincerely,
Lilavati Krishnan
Professor
Department of HSS, IIT., Kanpur
Another letter
I am sad to hear about the demise of Amitava. He was a very warm and friendly person. His always smiling face and positive approach to life were an inspiration to me. Jai
Professor Jai B.P. Sinha
Jai B. P. Sinha, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology & Management
ASSERT Institute of Management Studies
D 143, S. K. Puri
Patna 800 001 (India)
Phone 91-612 - 259 65 13
Another letter
Professor Chatterjee whom I always called as Amitava da was like my elder brother.He always showered his blessings and affection on me. I had the chance of visiting his place in Konnagore three or four times. I had attended the wedding reception of his son. Amitava da wasevery inch a gentleman and a great academician. He scholarly presentation at ISCA conferences were very much appreciated. His demise is a personal loss to me.
Professor (Retd.) N.K. Saksena
Principal, PPN College, Kanpur
3 Gopala Apartments
30-A, Vikashnagar
Kanpur-208024
E-mail: nksaksena@rediffmail.com
Phones: 0512-2581223, 09415040256, 09454143887
Paying tribute by Dr. Susmita Mukhopadhyay in Bengali
Aajke Sir aamaader modhdhye nei kintu onaar ujjyol uposthiti aamaar moner gobhire soda jajyolloman. Sir er sombondhe bolte giye anek kotha mone bhir kore aasche, eke oporer opor pradhanno pete chaiche tai hoito shob kotha aami thik sajiye ekshutre bedhe bolte parbo na. Sir ke aami prothom dekhi aamaar MSc porikhkhar dissertation er viva voce porikhkhae external expert hishabe- ki shanto, dhir o sthir uposhiti, khub sabolil bhongimae proshno korar dhoron ja porikhkharthir somosto tension dur kore diye take shyabhabik hote sahajyo kore, nijer boktyobyo guchiye bolte shahajyo kore- takhani aamaar mone hoechilo aadorsho shikhkhok mone hoe erokhom i hoe jaar chayae o shannidhdye chattro/chattrira nirbhoye chintar pakha melar shujog pae. Aamaar nijer borabori shikhkhokotar jogote aashaar ekta probol ichca chilo tai aadorsho shikhkhika hoe othar chestar prothom podokhkhepe kokhon nijer ajantei sir ke aamaar guru hishebe grohon kore phellam. Taar por aami jokhon ISI te aamaar Ph.D entrance er interview dite elam tokhono sir ke pelam aamaar parikkhok hishebe- mone holo eta daiber kona jogajog noeto? .ISI te Ph.D shuru korlom aamar guide Dr Debdulal Duttaroy er kache- jante parlam tini Prof Chatterjee r chattro - mone prane shampurno bishshash korlam eta daiber i jogajog. Aami research korar shomoy prae i sir ke boltam je guide hoaar shubade tini aamaar pitri sthanio aar Prof Chatterjee jehetu aapnaar guide tini aamaar " dadu sir'' aar onader aadorsho o research er chintan er dhara aami aage egiye niye jabo. Research korar shomoe aami Prof Chatterjee shannidhdhye aashaar shujog peyechi- koto kothin concept uni koto shohoje bujhiye diyechen- alochona proshonge abishkar korlaam natun ek dik aamra dujonei Sri Aurobindo ebong Maer aadorshe bishshashe. Ei shomoy aalaap holo jethimaar shonge- snehomoyee athocho ki bhishon byektitto- Sir o jethimar shonge gore uthlo ek manoshik o paribarik bondhon- proshongoto, Sir er bari aamaar mamar barir kachei- bochore ekbaar aamraa ashie shakuntala pujor din- sir o jethimar shonge dekha korte paraar shei din taar jonyo adhir aagrohe sara bochor takiye thaka- Sir o jethimao aamaake bidae janabaar shomoy jigyasha koren " shamne bochor aashbe to tumi Susmita?"- ek swargiyo anubhuti aamaar kache ja hoeto aami bhashae prokash korte paarbo na. Er por Ph.D shesh korar por BE college e jog dilaam Management er lecturer hoe- mon chaichilo annyo bhabe kichu korte--- shujog pelam XISS Ranchi aar IIT Kharagpur e- kibhabe jeno beche nilam IIT Kharagpur ke- mone holo eta aamaar dyitiyo bari jekhane aamaar guru taar Ph.D arjon korechchen- je shikhkhakhetroke amaar 'dadusir' Professor Chatterjee taar progyaa diye lalon korechen- ei Institute i aamaar moner anek kachakachi. Bortomane aami VGSOM, IIT Kharagpur e assistant professor, dikhkhito hoechi shei kormojogyo o shikhokhokotar montre jaar beej ekdin Prof Chatterjee aamaar mone ropon korechilen aamaar MSc porikhkhar viva voce r din e. Aajke ekhon jokhon aapnader shamne aamaar ei lekha pore shonano hochche aami tokhon Executive MBA program e class nichchi, Aajke der bochor IIT join korar modhdhe aami student der mone most popular teacher er jaega peyechi ja onyo department er studentder anupranito koreche aamaar course neoar jonyo, anek interdepartmental research er shonge aami jukto hoechi- etai aamaar shrodhanjoli aadorsho shikhkhok, karmojogi Prof Chatterjee ke jini aamaar kache aamaar priyo dadusir'' .
Sir o jethimar sneho dhonya
Susmita
Letter to Indianpsychologist group of Yahoo
Here, I like to mention about one of the significant contribution of Professor Amitava Chatterjee.
He was the pioneer in introducing Human Resource Development course in IITs. Possibly, very few HRD professionals and students know his name. He requested Professor Shankarlal, then Director of IIT., Kgp to introduce HRD. Very few students selected it just for curiosity. And during campus interview, all students got job. Next time, there was heavy rush to take HRD course.
Recently, in NAOP, Prof. Vindhya pointed at pedagogy to learn psychology. In this connection, I like to mention about Prof. Chatterjee's approach. As I remember his first class in organizational behaviour, he wrote basic equations of behaviour, i.e. B=f(p,e), then he explained the equation, later he wrote : OB=f(o,e). In this way, he explained P-E fit and O-E fit model of organizational behaviour. In other words, his approach is experiencing psychology in own voice. Psychology is not in the outside, one has to experience it.
During his Ph.D in the Indian Institute of Sc., Bangalore., he adopted psychological techniques
to avoid non-response problem in collection of data. One telecom factory asked for consultancy to IISC and Sir was selected.Sir joied in the line function as labour and did lot of hard work. He was tortured by colleagues and supervisors for incompetency. Finally, he resigned and presented the report in front of Top executive committee. There he focused problem of supervisor as he has to satisfy both top and bottom by manipulating information. Sometimes, he tends to satisfy more the top and creates lot of problem in the qualtiy of working life of subbordinates. Based on his experience, he developed leadership model. Later on he tended to relate it with socio-technical system of the organization. He was happy when he has seen my approach to make balance between organizational values and worker values in my thesis.
Sir, is not here. Today, everything is story. I am paying my respect to spread his silent contribution through this group.
I am searching for many untold stories about him here and there.
Yesterday, in his house, I paid my respect on behalf of this group. And I read your's letters alongwiith Prof. Tripathi, Prof., Jai B.P. Sinha, Prof., Jitendra Mohan and Prof. Lilavati Krishnan wrote in this group.
Comments