Padma Shri Surgeon who played pivotal role in 1971 war, no more

Agartala: Famous surgeon and Padma Shri awardee Dr Rathin Datta, 89, who is known to have played a pivotal role in the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war, died in Kolkata on Monday after a prolonged illness. The 89-year-old doctor is survived by a son and a daughter.

Dr Datta was born in Assam's Mangaldoi in 1931. He studied at Shillong (Meghalaya) and did his MBBS from Dibrugarh Medical College in Assam. He went to London for the Fellowship of The Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS). He is also known to have interred under Dr BC Roy. 

Dr Dutta returned to India and Joined Tripura Health Services where he served till 1992 as Director and Special Secretary.

Dr Dutta played an integral role during the 1971 war According to the Health Department officials, Datta tirelessly took care of "Mukti Yoddhas" (freedom fighters) of Bangladesh as well as Indian soldiers during the 9-month war for Bangladesh''s independence in 1971. He saved countless lives.

"For his invaluable services, he was given Mukti Yoddha Maitri Sanmanana (friendship award) by the Bangladesh government in Dhaka in 2012. He was conferred Padma Shri in 1992 by the Indian government," the official said.

Offering his condolences, Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb said, "He was a legendary surgeon and good administrator of the Tripura Health Services. He along with his team was responsible for creating medical infrastructure in Tripura. His humanitarian contribution during 1971 Bangladesh liberation war was familiar both in India and Bangladesh."