123 Kolkata: The sudden death of Jadavpur University's philosophy associate professor, Mainak Pal, in Uttarakhand, has shocked his colleagues, students, and former colleagues at Presidency University. He was known for his exceptional academics, good teaching, and amicable behaviour.
The 44-year-old died after slitting his throat. The body was recovered from the hotel in Lalkuan town in the evening after the hotel reception received a call from his home stating that he was not answering his phone. The hotel management called a carpenter to unlock the door and found him in the bathroom in a pool of blood with deep cuts on his neck and hand.
Cops are investigating the incident. Initial inquiry revealed that Mainak came to Uttarakhand with two friends, who were visiting religious sites in Almora. He was supposed to return to Kolkata on Bagh Express that night but took this drastic step instead. An autopsy was conducted on Saturday, and the process to bring back his body to Kolkata has begun.
Pal excelled in his academics throughout his life. He stood first class first in his undergraduate studies from Presidency College in 2002, as well as in his postgraduate studies from Jadavpur University in 2004. Pal completed his MPhil and PhD from JU.
He started his teaching career in 2009 and served two govt colleges - Jhargram Raj College and Government General Degree College at Mejia - as an assistant professor. In 2015, he joined Presidency University and worked there for seven years. He joined JU in 2022 as an associate professor and travelled daily from Bonhooghly to JU.
Students remembered Pal as a "friendly and approachable" person, who listened to their problems with patience, and his vast knowledge surpassed his area of studies and discipline.
Head of JU philosophy department, Dipayan Pattanayak, said, "He was a jovial person and a dedicated and well-behaved teacher. We last met on Wednesday, and he submitted some research papers to me. I did not notice any negativity in him. It is a great loss."
JU Pro VC Amitava Datta said, "We have no words to express the pain at the loss of a young colleague, who was an exceptional researcher and a good teacher. Moreover, he was extremely well-behaved and soft-spoken." JUTA general secretary Partha Pratim Ray mourned the death of a brilliant academic.
His former colleague at Presidency University philosophy department, Manoranjan Prasad Sing, is in deep shock. "I could not believe the news and sat silently for half an hour. We used to stay in touch regularly and he frequently visited the department. Before the puja vacations, he came to Presidency, and we had talked. He was engaged in social work and texted one of our colleagues a few days back about their next plan. He was also fond of trekking. He was a good human being," he said. According to the registrar of Presidency University, Debajyoti Konar, he was an outstanding teacher, and his contribution to Presidency will be remembered by all his students and colleagues.