One of the best Professors who was instrumental in getting Allahabad University the tag of Oxford of the East Manas Mukul Das has gone to rest in peace:
Among those learned men who will always be remembered for getting Allahabad University the name of Oxford of the East was Professor Manas Mukul Das. He left us all August 10 night. He started his career as a faculty of this University in the sixties and retired as HoD English Department.
His analytical studies on Thomas Hardy got him recognition at the International level.
He was an honoured guest at the Internatinal Hardy convention organised between 1986 to 1988. He was so good in teaching and administration that the university that while praising and recognizing his qualities, the university honoured him with special teacher prize. He looked high at moral values and conducted unbiased examination and used to be very alert. For some years he worked as the visiting editor of the English daily northern India patrika published from Allahabad. He contributed his much time to alternative system of education and always gave valued suggestions. His wife Manju also a faculty in one of the prestigious degree colleges affiliated with Allahabad University was his soul mate. The duo were often spotted in civil lines. Manas Da in his usual payjama kurta most of the time and his attractive wife sported a big red bindi. They were an excellent childless couple who gave the best years of their lives to grooming students helping them in every possible way and even allowing some of them to live with them in their house.
Students liked him. They loved him.Since morning till evening they trickled at his place. He was never rude, very polite with a melodious voice that would charm any person. And he would never get upset with the presence of student after student at his place. He was a wonderful teacher, one among those who are difficult to find.
Thousands wept as the news of his demise did rounds in the city. Those who could not reach the cremation ghat moaned the loss. Those who are a bit tough even they could not stop their tears as if somebody like their own father had left the world
With him an era has come to an end. He was an endangered species, remarked a teacher. Some were grief-stricken, some felt devastated, some felt heartbroken and some totally lost….. Manas Da is gone.
But I guarantee those who had met him even once would never forget his charming face, his suave way of talking and the love and affection that he showered upon all.
“Manas Da you will always be alive in our hearts and thoughts”……
