Farewell to a Friend

By Dr Hirak Sen
Today, we bid farewell to Dipak Dutta, a cherished companion whose friendship graced my life for over four decades. In the quiet hours of this morning, he left us from his hospital bed, leaving behind not only memories but a legacy of joy, camaraderie, and integrity. 

Dipak and I - Calcutta Club Nababarsha Evening 1991

Dipak was more than a neighbor and a friend—he was a man of substance. A distinguished chartered accountant, a passionate golfer, and above all, a consummate social being who brought people together with ease and grace. His leadership as Past President of the Calcutta Club remains etched in history, not merely for the title he held, but for the spirit of fellowship he embodied. 

I recall that unforgettable evening vividly, decades ago, when Dipak triumphed in the presidential election of the Calcutta Club. Clad in a lemon-yellow T-shirt, he stood at the men’s bar, radiant with cheer, offering drinks with a smile that lit up the room. That moment captured the essence of who he was—jovial, generous, and brimming with goodwill. 

From the left: Tapan Sinha, Dipankar Gupta, Bhaskar Gupta, Dipak, and I at the Calcutta Club

Dipak carried himself with a rare bonhomie, a warmth that touched everyone fortunate enough to know him. His laughter was infectious, his presence reassuring, and his friendship a gift beyond measure. 

He leaves behind his devoted wife, his loving daughter and son-in-law, his beloved grandson and granddaughter, and a wide circle of relatives and friends who mourn deeply today. Yet even in grief, we celebrate a life lived fully, a soul that enriched ours, and a friend whose memory will forever remain a beacon of joy. 

Rest in peace, dear Dipak. Your spirit will live on in every story told, every smile remembered, and every heart you touched.

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