Sixth Aparesh Bhattacharya Memorial Lecture, 2001
March 23, 2001

Professor Mihir Chowdhury

A Report

Department of Chemistry along with Chemistry Alumni, Scottish Church College pays tribute to the Ex-Principal and Head of the Department Professor Aparesh Bhattacharya. A lecture is being arranged annually, on a topic of interest in Chemistry, in revered memory of the great teacher after his death on 18th March 1995. The maiden lecture was delivered by Professor Animesh Chakraborty of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science in the year 1996. It was followed by eminent speakers like Professors J.J. Ghosh, Manindramohan Chakraborty, I.B. Chatterjee and Dhrubajyoti Chatterjee.

On the last occasion, erudite scholar and eminent scientist Professor Mihir Chowdhury of the Department of Physical Chemistry, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science was invited to deliver the VIth Memorial lecture. Professor Chowdhury talked on “The Principal of Symmetry Conservation : A Pictorial Approach to Transitions”. The students and teachers of neighbouring colleges and the Universities were invited.

The function began with a opening song by the students and garlanding the portrait of Aparesh Bhattacharya. This was followed by a warm welcome address by Professor Samir Chakrabarti, Head, Department of Chemistry and Chairman, Chemistry Alumni. A few of the distinguished guests then reminisced about Professor Bhattacharya. In absence of the Principal, who was on leave for an overseas engagement, Presidential address was delivered by Vice-Principal In-Charge Professor R.B. Saha Chowdhury. Professor Chowdhury noted that the dedication of Professor Bhattacharya was unmatched a teacher. His love for the students was unqualified. He expressed his satisfaction that Department of Chemistry had taken a vow to keep the memory of a great teacher alive and help apread his mission among the teachers and students of current generation.

In his illuminating lecture, Professor Mihir Chowdhury elucidated simple rules of symmetry. He made his point quite clear through well-chosen illustrations from the realm of nature. He established the concern for the conservation of symmetry in many a physical experiments especially in case of spectroscopy. In a manner of his own, he lucidly explained the concept of orbitals and explained some aspects of chemical bonding with a number of helpful illustrations. He stressed why it is mandatory to conserve symmetry for a transition and made the point clear with a number of diagrams. The principle of conservation of symmetry, which is otherwise explained analytically through discrete mathematical calculations, came alive in simple manner.

The newly inaugurated seminar room of the college was full with eager students, scholars and teachers who joined in an enthusing discussion that followed the session. Professor Chowdhury answered a number of queries. The session spilled over beyond the seminar room with trailing points raised by ardent students even after it was officially closed with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Sadananda Bhattacherjya, Secretary, Chemistry Alumni.

The Memorial tribute was given an encouraging coverage in media.