Parents of alumnus give Presi 16L as 2nd tranche for gym, smart classes
Times of India | 18 May 2025
12 Kolkata: The parents of a Presidency University alumnus, Rajarshi Bhattacharya, who died while pursuing his PhD at IISC Bangalore, donated Rs 16 lakh to Presidency for its gymnasium and upgradation of the lecture theatre for chemistry department into a smart classroom.In 2023, Rajarshi's parents donated Rs 7 lakh to the chemistry department to buy a spectrometer after reading a TOI article on the lack of funds plaguing several departments, including chemistry. The parents, who requested anonymity, have already handed over Rs 16 lakh to the university, out of which Rs 6 lakh were spent on buying fitness equipment for the gymnasium, and Rs 10 lakh will be utilised for renovating the chemistry lecture theatre.Both these facilities will be named after Rajarshi."I visited the chemistry department during the Rajarshi Bhattacharya Memorial Lecture and saw that the lecture theatre is not in good shape. There is no podium to deliver lectures. Looking back at the legacy, I felt bad and decided to donate the money for ramping up its infrastructure for teaching and learning. I got in touch with the university authorities and proposed my idea. They welcomed my proposal and told me that the amount can be split and utilised for buying fitness equipment for the gymnasium and upgrading of the lecture theatre," the 76-year-old father said.The retired central govt employee opted for making this donation with a desire that his son would be remembered forever. Moreover, the university was close to his son's heart— a reason that prompted him to take up such an initiative. "A well-equipped gymnasium was a long-standing demand of the students, which has been fulfilled by the kind support of Rajarshi's parents," said dean of students, Arun Maiti.The chemistry department has also submitted its requirement for instruments such as an audio podium, amplifier, interactive panel, wireless mic, and gooseneck mic, to the authorities. Sources said renovation and upgradation of the chemistry lecture theatre will begin shortly."The smart classroom can also be used to conduct international seminars and talks. This facility will also be the first-of-its-kind in the university. The fund that will be left after the upgradation will be utilised for ramping up facilities for other classrooms," head of the chemistry department, Arnab Halder said.Rajarshi graduated in chemistry in 2016 from the Presidency University. Professors remember Rajarshi as a "meticulous, intelligent, interactive, and ardent lover of the subject." He completed his Masters from Rajabazar Science College, Calcutta University, in 2018 and got admitted to IISC Bangalore as a PhD scholar in the organic chemistry department.