Srinagar: Led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mehraj ud Din Mir, Central University of Kashmir condoled the sad demise of its founding Chancellor Prof Srikumar Banerjee. Registrar, Prof. M Afzal Zargar, Finance Officer, Prof. Fayaz A Nikka, Deans of Schools, Heads and Coordinators of departments, faculty members, administrative staff and students of the University of Kashmir attended the condolence meeting. Padamshri Prof. Srikumar Banerjee, died today in Mumbai after suffering a massive heart attack.
The CUK organised an online condolence meeting on Sunday wherein rich tributes were paid by the faculty and officers on the demise of Prof. Srikumar Banerjee , who served as its founding Chancellor for five years from 2012.
Chancellor of the University, Lieutenant General (Retd) Syed Atta Hasnain in a message also expressed his deep shock on the demise of Prof Banerjee and recollected his contribution to the country and the University. Founding Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Abdul Wahid in a separate message mourned the death of Prof. Banerjee while recollecting his contribution to the growth of the CUK.
Recalling the contribution of Prof. Banerjee, as founding Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mehraj ud Din Mir said that Prof Banerjee, significantly contributed through his expertise, academic and administrative standing for the overall progress and development of the university. He said that Prof. Banerjee played a pivotal role in the academic growth of the varsity and guided the faculty members for achieving academic excellence in their respective fields. He further said that Prof. Banerjee was keen to see that the Central University of Kashmir tie up with the institutions of higher learning of other states so that students and faculty exchange programmes could be conducted. He expressed sympathies with the bereaved family in this hour of grief and prayed for peace to the departed soul.
Registrar Prof. M Afzal Zargar, Finance Officer, Prof. Fayaz A Nikka, Seniors Professors described the demise of Prof. Srikumar Banerjee, as a huge loss to the Central University of Kashmir and also to the scientific community. They said that Prof. Banerjee used to take personal interest in the functioning and overall development of the varsity. They said that Prof. Banerjee frequently visited the university and interacted with the students, faculty members, and administrative staff, adding that post 2014 floods, the former Chancellor donated huge amount of money from his own pocket to those affected during the deluge.
The participants later observed a one-minute silence to pay tribute to the deceased.
Prof. Banerjee started his career in the Metallurgy Division of the BARC in 1968. He later became scientific officer at the Centre, then Head of the Metallurgy Division in 1990, and being Director of the Materials Group at BARC, he served as Director BARC from 2004–2010. From November 2009 to April 2012, he was the Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, & Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India. He was later appointed as Chancellor of the Central University of Kashmir and Chancellor of the Homi Bhabha National Institute of the Department of Atomic Energy. He was a recipient of many awards in his career, including the Padma Shri in 2005 and the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award in 1989.

KR Desk