by Gourav Banerjee with inputs from the documentary made on the life of Dr. Bandyopadhyay (link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUMDVhB82dY)
With a heavy heart, I write this obituary to pay gratitude and respect to Dr. Amalendu Bandyopadhyay, the Founder Director of the Positional Astronomy Centre, Kolkata and an eminent person in India in the field of astronomy outreach. Dr. Amalendu Bandyopadhyay passed away at around 20:30 pm on June 22, 2020 at his home at Kolkata at an age of 90. His journey to become an astronomer and his further life is truly interesting.
Born on February 1, 1930 in the Mugkalyan village of Howrah district, West Bengal, Dr. Amalendu Bandyopadhyay completed his school education from his village. Then he moved to Varanasi and completed MSc. in Applied Mathematics from the esteemed Banaras Hindu University (BHU). It was here where he received the company of the eminent mathematician, Dr. V.V. Narlikar. It was Dr. V.V. Narlikar who inspired Dr. Bandyopadhyay to pursue astronomy in future. After MSc, Amalendu Bandyopadhyay started his career as a lecturer of a college at Varanasi. Then on December 1, 1955, with untiring efforts of another legendary Indian astrophysicist Dr. Meghnad Saha, a unit for research in positional astronomy – the Nautical Almanac Unit - was established at Kolkata. The primary objective of this unit was to precisely compute the position of planets, stars and other heavenly objects and dates of different celestial phenomenon for each day of every year. This branch of astronomy, known as ‘positional astronomy’ is extremely important. Every astronomical observatory, each observational astronomer, calendar maker, festival setter needs these data to accurately perform astronomical observations and also different festivals all over India. However, positional astronomy was in its infancy in India during those days. As a result, India had to purchase these data from foreign countries. These calculations were meticulously done in countries like USA, France and the results were published in the form of a book, termed as ‘Astronomical Ephimeries’.
Dr. Bandyopadhyay joined the Nautical Almanac Unit, Kolkata in 1956 and remained here as an Assistant Scientist till 1962. For the next six years he was involved in atmospheric sciences research necessary for flying of airplanes. Later in 1968, he took over as the Director of the Nautical Almanac Unit. It was during 1960s only when Amalendu Bandyopadhyay realized that India needs to prepare its own Astronomical Ephimeries. During those days, the Nautical Almanac Unit was a small unit under the Department of Meteorology, Govt. of India. Hence, in 1968, after taking over the complete responsibility of the Unit, he started a tireless campaign to establish a separate department for positional astronomy directly under the Government of India. He was also clear about another objective – this new department has to be established in Kolkata. This was because during that period Kolkata was a major centre for education in India. Skilled workers, researchers, infrastructure – everything were readily available. His relentless efforts for 12 long years were ultimately successful in convincing the then authorities of the Government of India.
Ultimately on April 26, 1980, Positional Astronomy Centre (PAC), a separate centre for positional astronomy calculations under the Government of India was established in Kolkata. He was elected as the Founder Director of PAC. Then, within another year, under the able leadership of Amalendu Bandyopadhyay, India published its own Ephimeries – now known as the ‘Indian Astronomical Ephimeries’. India is presently one among the few nations in the world which can produce their own Astronomical Ephimeries. It was a paradigm shift – once we had to buy such data from abroad, now India earns foreign exchange by selling these data. The credit for such a historical achievement goes to this simple, humble Bengali astronomer - Dr. Amalendu Bandyopadhyay.
He retired from PAC on February 1, 1988 and then joined the M.P. Birla Planetarium, Kolkata in 1993 as a Senior Scientist. Dr. Bandyopadhyay took an instrumental role in providing a solid structure to the academic stature of the Institute. Till his last day, he remained as an active member of the planetarium. Meanwhile, since 1970, Dr. Bandyopadhyay started another relentless effort – popularization of astronomy among common public and students in the remotest parts of Bengal and East India. Within few years, he became a pioneer of science communication movement in West Bengal and India.
Dr. Bandyopadhyay was a crusader of sorts. Since 1970s, he travelled to remotest corners of Bengal and delivered popular talks on astronomy with two visions – popularizing the subject among the masses and enlightens them with true knowledge so that the burden of superstitions can go down. His talks were mesmerizing, blended with stories and truth in such a way that through such talks he used to break apart the very foundation of astrology – a false subject practiced by numerous astrologers till now in India. After his retirement from the PAC, he spent his life’s savings to purchase a four-inch telescope, three German slide projectors, two screen projectors and a voltage stabilizer to make his talks more interesting. During over 50 years of astronomy outreach campaign, Dr. Bandyopadhyay has delivered over 8000 talks and written over 1000 popular articles in different newspapers and magazines, both in Bengali and English. During such campaigns, Dr. Bandyopadhyay received numerous life threatenings from various astrologers and business houses. But he never compromised and stood high always with his inborn fighting spirit against astrology.
Dr. Amalendu Bandyopadhyay was elected as the Life Member of the International Astronomical Union, Astronomical Society of India, British Astronomical Association and an elected Fellow of the prestigious Royal Astronomical Society and Academy of Science and Technology, West Bengal. Some of the awards and honours he received are listed below:
1995: Recipient of National Award from the Government of India for best popularization of astronomy in India. He was the first Indian to receive a National award for popularization of astronomy.
2001: Recipient of the prestigious Gopal Chandra Bhattacharya Memorial Award under the Govt. of West Bengal for best popularization of astronomy in West Bengal.
2003: Recipient of honorary DSc. From the University of Burdwan, West Bengal for best popularization of astronomy in India. He is the only Indian to receive an honorary DSc. for popularization of astronomy.
2012: Recipient of the prestigious Jagattarini Gold Medal from the University of Calcutta for best popularization of astronomy in Bengali language.
2013: Recipient of the prestigious G.P.Chatterjee Memorial Award from the Indian Science Congress Association for best contribution in positional astronomy study in India.
Dr. Bandyopadhyay has passed away, but his contributions will remain eternal in the minds of countless people whom he inspired. He will be remembered for his path-breaking work on developing the science of positional astronomy in independent India almost solely, which led to the publication of Indian Astronomical Ephimeries through indigenous efforts. He will also remain in the hearts of innumerable people as a Star Warrior, a person who has spent over 50 years to popularize astronomy among all sectors of people, thus helping to spread scientific awareness among common public.