Enewstime Desk
Agartala, January 27, 2020: Padma Shri awardee and eminent physician of Tripura, Dr. Rathin Datta, 89, passed away today morning at his Kolkata residence. Dr. Datta is known for his multi faceted contributions in the health service of Tripura and he was the first FRCS of the state. He is survived by a son and a daughter.
Bangladesh Government also conferred him with the prestigious “Friend of Liberation War” award for his services. Recently, Tripura government also awarded him life time achievement award.
Dr. Datta was suffering from old age ailments, sources close to him confirmed. “He was suffering from old age ailments since few months and breathed his last this morning” sources said.
People from cross section of the society condoled his demise and extended empathy towards the family. Notably, he had survived by a daughter and a son who were settled in America. “They will reach Kolkata by this evening” said sources.
Condolences pouring in
Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb condoled his sudden demise. In his condolence message the Chief Minister said, “ He was a legendary surgeon and good administrator of Tripura health services . He, with his team was responsible for creating medical infrastructure in Tripura. His humanitarian contribution during the tragedy of 1971 is history.”
MP Pratima Bhowmik and entire medical fraternity had expressed grief as soon as the news spread.
Notably, Datta joined Tripura Health services in the beginning of sixties. And, later elevated to the post of special secretary to Tripura Health services.
Veteran journalist Sekhar Datta recalls him as a legendary surgeon of the state, perhaps, one of the best this state had ever seen.
Dr Rathin Datta
“He can be credited for his relentless services to the people of Tripura. In the time when Bangladesh liberation war was at it’s peak, Datta played crucial role. The then doctors of Tripura including Datta worked round the clock in treating the fighters. Countless injured freedom fighters of Bangladesh use to take shelter of Indian army. Datta and his team played a vital role in treating the freedom fighters of Bangladesh” Shekhar Datta told to media persons.
Meanwhile, Datta completed his MBBS from Dibrugarh medical college. Datta hails from Shillong and later shifted to Agartala after joining services. He had also worked under former Bengali Chief Minister and Bharat Ratna Dr. Bidhan Chandra Ray in the initial period of his career. Later on, he cleared the FRCS and went to London for further practice.
