Jadavpur University Alumnus Returns with 1 Crore and a Cause
When Jadavpur University alumnus Sanat Chattopadhyay saw the state of his old chemical engineering lab, he didn’t just reminisce — he donated ₹1 crore to revamp it and set up a research centre for sustainability.
It’s not every day that an old boy flies in from across the pond, sees the state of his alma mater’s laboratory, and says, “Well, this won’t do,” before promptly dropping a cool ₹1 crore to sort it out. But that’s exactly what Sanat Chattopadhyay, alumnus of Jadavpur University’s Chemical Engineering department, class of 1981, has done — proving that while you can take the lad out of JU, you can’t quite take JU out of the lad.
Now a big cheese in a global pharmaceutical firm based in the US (think lab coats, boardrooms and a fair bit of jet lag), Chattopadhyay made the trip back to Kolkata, and frankly, the sight of the lab left him gobsmacked. “Shocking,” he said, perhaps in the same tone one might use upon discovering your old haunts now resemble the set of a dystopian film. “The lab was in better nick back in ’81,” he sighed, no doubt imagining Bunsen burners and glass beakers of yore now buried under layers of dust and despair.
But instead of simply shedding a nostalgic tear and heading off for mishti doi and a quiet existential crisis, Chattopadhyay decided to roll up his sleeves — metaphorically, of course — and dig deep into his pockets. A significant chunk of the ₹1 crore went into revamping the old lab, breathing new life into what he described as the “heart of practical chemical engineering education.” The rest? Oh, just the small matter of establishing the Sanat Chattopadhyay Research Centre for Sustainable Development — or SCRES, if you’re into academic acronyms.
SCRES is not just a vanity plaque on a refurbished wall, mind you. It’s set up with the rather noble mission of pursuing high-impact research in sustainability — striking that tricky balance between economic growth and ecological responsibility. A tall order, but with Mr Chattopadhyay’s track record, one wouldn’t bet against it.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by JU’s pro-vice-chancellor, the registrar and a few other worthies, all of whom presumably managed to keep their jaws off the newly polished floor as the scale of the renovation was revealed. One imagines there were polite claps, awkward photographs, and the occasional whispered “Blimey!” in the wings.
Back in May last year, a leading newspaper had reported on Chattopadhyay’s impromptu visit to the campus and his chat with pro-VC Amitava Datta, who helms the university’s alumni cell. Clearly, that cup of tea bore fruit — or perhaps a very large cheque.
In a world where most alumni are content with sharing the occasional #ThrowbackThursday photo and a wistful comment on Facebook, Chattopadhyay’s gesture is rather like bringing a fire hose to a barbeque — unexpected, generous, and much appreciated.
Here’s hoping that JU’s chemical engineers of the future will not only enjoy state-of-the-art facilities but will also carry forward a spirit of giving back. As for Mr Chattopadhyay, perhaps he’s now enjoying a well-earned cup of tea and a quiet chuckle, knowing that he’s left more than just footprints in the lab.
As the Brits might say — good on you, mate.
News and Picture sources The Telegraph
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