Tripura: 'Legendary Surgeon' and Padma Shri Awardee Dr Rathin Datta Passes Away

Agartala, January 27, 2020:

Padma Shri awardee Dr. Rathin Datta (known for his multi-faceted contribution in the health sector of Tripura) passed away this morning in his Kolkata residence, reports said. Dr. Datta was the first FRCS of the state.

“He was suffering from old age ailments for the last few months and breathed his last this morning” a source informed Inside Northeast.

People from all sections of the society condoled his demise and extended empathy towards the bereaved family. Dutta is survived by a daughter and a son who are settled in America, and will reach Kolkata in the evening.

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Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb condoled his sudden demise. In his condolence message the Chief Minister stated, “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 the entire medical fraternity has also expressed grief as soon as the news of his demise spread.

Notably, Datta joined Tripura Health services in the sixties and was later elevated to the post of special secretary to Tripura Health services.

Veteran journalist Sekhar Datta remembers him as a legendary surgeon of the state and has opined that perhaps he was the best that the state has ever seen.

“He can be credited for his relentless service. In the time of the Bengaldesh liberation war, Datta played a crucial role. Datta and his team played a vital role in treating the freedom fighters of Bangladesh” Datta told this reporter.

Datta, who hailed from Shillong, completed his MBBS from Dibrugarh medical college. 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, he cleared the FRCS and went to London for further practice.

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