Homage to Dipak Sarkar

February 20, 2023 0 comments ISMAANA Admin Categories Patrika Q4 2022

with contribution from Atul Kumar, Prof. Rajiv Shekhar, Tilak Sharma

Sri Dipak Sarkar passed away on July 25, 2022. The sudden demise of Shri Dipak Sarkar, our beloved Board Member and Ex-President Dipak Sarkar came as a shock to us. The numerous deserving students at IIT(ISM) are fortunate to have had Dipak as the President of our association for so many years. He had joined the ISMAANA board during the transition time between Prof. Ramani and Dr. Ganesh Thakur. He had worked tirelessly in networking with our alumni base, to establish over 60 merit-cum-means scholarships for the students at IIT(ISM). Under his guidance significant funds have been raised to improve the existing facilities and the construction of an Innovation and Incubation Lab. He inspired the vision of IIT(ISM) among the top tier premier educational and research institutions in India. It is because of Dipak’s untiring efforts that ISMAANA is considered the best alumni association of IIT(ISM) today. We at ISMAANA owe so much to the great contributions that he made to make our organization a dynamic organization, deeply involved in helping the students at IIT(ISM). We have put together a homage to him based on the messages we received from several of his fellow alumni and friends.

Dipak ji graduated with a B.Tech. degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1967. He did his M.S in Petroleum Engineering from University of Tulsa, USA in 1969 and an M.B.A. in General management from the Southern Methodist University, USA in 1975. Dipak ji contributed significantly to community service. He was also the President of Bharat Sevashram Sangha Temple at Brea in California, which provides religious and community services and disaster relief locally and worldwide. Dipak ji was also the Founder President of ‘Pratham’ at Los Angeles that raised funds for education of poor children in India. He also held the position of President of the ISM Alumni Association of North America and contributed significantly to the Alma mater during the period 2018-2021. Mr. Dipak Sarkar was able to use his personal influence to round up his wealthy and generous friends to donate for the common good of our alma mater in terms of fellowships & scholarships. That’s probably the way he will be most be remembered.

Prof Shekhar had memories of 2019 come flooding back when Dipak ji visited IIT (ISM) during Basant: there were intense discussions on the way forward for his alma mater to become a globally acclaimed institution, funding scholarships for needy, meritorious students, and his fascinating stories about his student days at IIT (ISM). Dipak ji was also set to play an active role in organizing the Centenary Celebrations of IIT (ISM) as the current President of the IIT (ISM) Alumni Association. For Prof Shekhar, it was indeed a privilege to personally honor

Dipak ji with the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2020. His passion and commitment to the Institute was awe-inspiring. Dipak ji was a true, blue SCOLOMINITE. IIT (ISM) has lost a dear alumnus, a good friend, and a benefactor!

 

Dipak ji, we wish you farewell in your journey to eternity knowing fully well that a portion of your heart will incessantly beat for your alma mater.