The combination of loving politeness and friendliness on the one hand, and iron-clad firm commitment to ideals such as secularism, inter-faith harmony, socialism and democracy on the other, is rare. However, when the combination is present, then the person becomes a gem whose friendship is to be cherished. Sumit Chakravartty passed away on July 26. Bharat Dogra pays a tribute
I’ll always remember Sumit Chakravartty as a friend and personality to be loved and respected. Sumit-ji breathed his last on July 26 in Kolkata. He was 80. He is survived by his wife Gargi, an eminent historian and left-activist, and son Sagnik, an editor. There was nothing artificial about his extraordinary gentleness and friendliness. Whenever I spoke to him, I felt his deep sincerity and care. I was one of the regular contributors to the weekly journal, Mainstream, which he edited. We often spoke to each other on the phone, apart from meeting sometimes. I cannot recall a single time when our conversation was not pleasant or constructive; we generally discussed serious and rather worrying issues. His deep concern for the most basic issues was as sincere as his regard and care for his friends.
Once when a special event relating to Mainstream was to be observed, Sumit-ji told me that he would be contacting as many of the old contributors and associates as he could. I thought this meant he would be writing letters or making phone calls to them. I found later that he was personally visiting many of them, somehow finding their addresses.
When I was 20, I had met the founder of Mainstream, the legendary editor Nikhil Chakravartty. Despite my lack of experience, Nikhil-ji was very welcoming and encouraging. Thus started my journey with Mainstream, which has continued to this day. The relationship I had with Sumit-ji (Nikhil Chakravartty’s son) was something very special. I do not remember a single time when we had any difference of opinion. Due to his responsibilities as an editor, he had constraints which allowed only limited travel, and he looked forward to hearing from me whenever I returned after covering some social movement. We shared our admiration for important social movements, and I could be sure that there was at least one assured place for publication when I was writing about them.
At a wider level, this also brings out the special importance of alternative media. Sumit-ji took this aspect forward with great responsibility at a time when it was becoming increasingly difficult to do so. One reason he could so was because of the support he received from his family. Gargi, a prominent academic and historian, has been active in women’s movements all along, yet found time to help in strengthening Mainstream. Sumit-ji will be remembered of course for his great contribution to Indian journalism and also to justice-based democracy more broadly but, in addition, he’ll always be remembered by many as a gentle and caring human being and a friend who can never be forgotten.
(The writer is an independent journalist and author who has been writing for over five decades, providing a strong perspective on peace, justice and protection of the environment. He lives in New Delhi)
from Webdoux