SHILLONG: Former General Manager of The Shillong Times, Rishi Kumar Bhattacharjee, 83, hailing from Jail Road, passed away on May 23 after a brief illness in Jammu at the residence of his second daughter.
He is survived by his wife and four daughters.
The octogenarian intellectual-cum-social and cultural activist of Shillong, late Bhattacharjee contributed much to the growth of The Shillong Times during his service for almost a decade.
He started his career at a young age at Shillong AG’s Office. Subsequently he was qualified for Assam Financial Service and joined there in 1965. However, he opted for Meghalaya in 1971 and retired as Director, Accounts & Treasury and Examiner Local Accounts.
He was an honest officer having immense knowledge on accounts and finance and he was known for his integrity. He had a special knack for administrative reform and he played a significant role in bifurcating “Accounts & Treasury and Examiner Local Accounts” into two separate directorates during his tenure.
Being a veteran on finance service, he often delivered special lectures for the members of Meghalaya Assembly on Budgetary and Assembly Procedures after his retirement.
He was also entrusted with the task of reviving the financial position of Shillong Municipality.
During the last phase of active service, late Bhattacharjee served The Shillong Times as its General Manager for almost a decade since 1991. Beyond his service career, he was engaged in a wide range of activities – from the field of cricket to a number of social and cultural activities. He was Secretary Jail Road Society Hall for many years.
Besides being the Managing Committee Member of Jail Boys’ High School and Lady Keane Girls’ High School, he had made contribution for the growth of these institutions. He was also the chief architect in founding the Sparkle Dew Primary School at Jail Road.
His passion for reading made him an expert in issues related to second world war.
Late Bhattacharjee was actively involved in cultural activities too and he was President of Bangiya Sahitya Parishad for consecutive three terms since 2001. He penned a few short stories and a number of essays which have already been published.