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{{short description|Indian economist}}
{{short description|Indian economist (1924 - 2010)}}
{{multiple issues|
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{BLP sources|date=July 2011}}
'''Amlan Datta''' ({{langx|bn|অম্লান দত্ত}}; 17 June 1924 – 18 February 2010) was an Indian [[economist]] and [[educationist]]. He was Pro-vice Chancellor of [[University of Calcutta|Calcutta University]] and Vice Chancellor of [[North Bengal University|North Bengal]] and [[Visva-Bharati University|Visva-Bharti]] universities.<ref>{{cite news|title=Noted economist Amlan Datta passes away in Kolkata|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/et-cetera/Noted-economist-Amlan-Datta-passes-away-in-Kolkata/articleshow/5590722.cms|work=[[The Economic Times]]|accessdate=31 May 2010|date=19 February 2010}}</ref>
{{Peacock|date=July 2011}}
{{Infobox person
 
| name              = Amlan Dutta
| image              =
| image_size        =
| caption            =
| birth_date        = {{Birth date|1924|6|17}}
| birth_place        = [[Comilla]], [[British India]]
| death_date        = {{Death date and age|2010|2|18|1924|6|17}}
| death_place        = [[Bidhannagar]], [[Kolkata]], [[West Bengal]], [[India]]
| alma mater        = [[University of Calcutta]]
| occupation        = {{hlist|Economist|professor}}
| awards            = [[Ananda Puraskar]]<br />Vidyasagar Puraskar<br />Jagattarini Padak<br />Desikottom
| spouse            =
| children          =
}}
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
'''Amlan Datta''' ({{lang-bn|অম্লান দত্ত}}) (Born:-17 June, 1924 – Death :- 18 February, 2010) was an economist and educationist from [[West Bengal]], [[India]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Noted economist Amlan Datta passes away in Kolkata|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/et-cetera/Noted-economist-Amlan-Datta-passes-away-in-Kolkata/articleshow/5590722.cms|work=[[The Economic Times]]|accessdate=31 May 2010|date=19 February 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title='How Many of Us Would Take Our Knowledge to the Villages?|url=http://www.tehelka.com/story_main31.asp?filename=Bu230607punditspeak_10.asp|work=[[Tehelka]]|access-date=31 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405075513/http://www.tehelka.com/story_main31.asp?filename=Bu230607punditspeak_10.asp|archive-date=5 April 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Biography==
==Biography==
Amlan Datta was an intellectual and scholar, born 17 June 1924 at [[Bagichagaon]] in the [[Comilla]] district of [[Bengal Presidency]] (now in [[Bangladesh]]). His father was Ashwini Kumar Datta and mother was Sunitibala Devi. He finished his school at the Ishwar Pathshala at Comilla, took 1st class first in B.A (Hons.) in economics from the [[Presidency University, Kolkata|Presidency College]], then affiliated with the [[University of Calcutta]] and earned a first class fourth in MA from the same university, both with distinction. His wife Mrs Kitty Datta was a professor of English at the [[Scottish Church College]]. His eldest brother Anil Datta was University topper, an economist, went on to become IAS officer and was the man behind India's 1st five-year Plan. His only sister, Geeti Sen, was topper among the woman in Matriculate exam. Another brother, Anindya Datta was Professor Emeritus, Economics, Plymouth State College, New Hamspshire.His youngest brother Arghya Datta is editor of a multi disciplinary Bengali Magazine Samatat.
Amlan Datta, originally named Amlan Kusum Dattagupta, was born into a Baidya family in the [[Comilla]] district of [[Bengal Presidency]] (now in [[Bangladesh]]).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=কেউ কি আছেন, শোনার জন্য? |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/editorial/essays/essay-a-special-write-up-on-amlan-dutta/cid/1454688 |access-date=3 May 2024}}</ref> His parents’ names were Ashwini Kumar Datta Gupta and Sunitibala Devi. He was schooled at [[Ishwar Pathshala]] at Comilla,<ref>{{Cite news |script-title=bn:শতবর্ষে অর্থনীতিবিদ অম্লান দত্ত, দেশভাগের চিহ্ন ধরে |url=https://bangla.bdnews24.com/opinion/ggws13elwq |access-date=2024-05-03 |website=bdnews24.com |language=bn}}</ref> took 1st class first in [[Bachelor of Arts]] in economics from the [[Presidency University, Kolkata|Presidency College]], and earned a first-class fourth in MA from the same university, both with distinction.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-02-19 |title=Economist Amlan Datta, who stirred Einstein, no more |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/economist-amlan-datta-who-stirred-einstein-no-more/ |access-date=2024-05-03 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
 
After finishing his education in 1946, he started as a lecturer in [[Asutosh College]], of the [[University of Calcutta]], and went on to be a lecturer at the University of Calcutta in 1948. Though the youngest of the professors of Economics department, he took classes of three of the twelve compulsory half-papers. His three half-papers were Public Finance, Economic Development of selected countries and Thoughts of three Eminent Economists, one of them being Marx. Subsequently, he was the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Calcutta University during 1972–74. He also served as the Vice Chancellor of the [[University of North Bengal]] (1974–77). Then he joined the [[Gandhian Institute of Studies]] as director in 1978 and thereafter, as vice chancellor of [[Visva-Bharati University]], [[Santiniketan]]. He also taught as visiting lecturer at [[Banaras Hindu University]] and the [[Université libre de Bruxelles|University of Brussels]].
 
As a writer on socioeconomic, political and philosophical subjects, Datta's works drew inspiration from Tagore, Mahatma Gandhi and Nehru. His ideas on the Soviet enigma, the riddle of [[Gandhism]], east–west blended Nehru's contribution to democracy and secularism and Tagore's aesthetic mysticism and universalism. However, his writings fall to note the grave global danger of thanatological terrorism as another aspect of post Marxian [[materialist dialectics]].{{citation needed|date=July 2011}} His collected essays attempt to assess their merits in many proposition and make positive suggestions. He begins: "In theory, Marxist give primacy to economics; in practice, to politics. This, they will protest, is a mechanical distinction; what matters is political economy. How far does that take us? The Indian economy is not homogeneous whole. Nor far that matter are the industrially developed economics one whole".{{citation needed|date=July 2011}}
 
An opponent of parochialism and dogmatism, Datta evaluated prevailing political and economic doctrines including Marxist communism. He wrote along these lines for ''The Radical Humanist'', ''The Economic Weekly'', and ''Thought''. One of the stalwarts of the Radical [[Humanism|Humanist]] movement he was also one of the last survivors of those who had been in the company of [[M N Roy]] and Ellen.{{citation needed|date=July 2011}}


He lectured in the United States of America, talked about Mahatma Ghandhi in Australia and lectured about Rabindranath Tagore in China. He talked about economic development and education challenges at many forums in India and abroad (Japan, Denmark and the West Indies). He also represented India at the [[United Nations Social Development Commission]] in 1979. He was invited to the Kamala Lecture Series in 1982 by the University of Calcutta.
As a writer on socio-economic, political and philosophical subjects,<ref>{{Cite web |script-title=bn:অম্লান দত্ত এক অমলিন স্মৃতি – কালি ও কলম |url=https://www.kaliokalam.com/%e0%a6%85%e0%a6%ae%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%b2%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%a8-%e0%a6%a6%e0%a6%a4%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%a4-%e0%a6%8f%e0%a6%95-%e0%a6%85%e0%a6%ae%e0%a6%b2%e0%a6%bf%e0%a6%a8-%e0%a6%b8%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%ae%e0%a7%83/ |access-date=2024-05-03 |language=bn}}</ref> Datta's works drew inspiration from [[Rabindranath Tagore|Tagore]], [[Mahatma Gandhi]] and [[Jawaharlal Nehru|Nehru]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sudeshna Banerjee |title=In eyes of an economist Amlan Dutta |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/news/in-eyes-of-an-economist-amlan-dutta/cid/1988578 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=3 April 2024}}</ref> An opponent of [[parochialism]] and [[dogmatism]], Datta evaluated prevailing political and economic doctrines, including [[Marxism|Marxist Communism]]. He wrote along these lines for ''The Radical Humanist'', ''[[Economic and Political Weekly|The Economic Weekly]]'', and ''Thought''.{{citation needed|date=July 2011}} His first book was published in 1953, titled ''For Democracy''. He was the joint editor of ''Quest'' magazine along with [[Abu Sayeed Ayyub|Abu Sayeed Ayub]].


Amlan Dutta's field of study and research encompassed economics, literature, politics, sociology and education, although his views and opinions often became the subject of heated arguments and controversies.{{citation needed|date=July 2011}}
After finishing his education in 1946, he started a career as a lecturer in [[Asutosh College]] of the [[University of Calcutta]], and went on to be a lecturer at the University of Calcutta in 1948. He was the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Calcutta University during 1972–74. He also served as the Vice Chancellor of the [[University of North Bengal]] (1974–77). Then, he joined the Gandhian Institute of Studies as director in 1978, and thereafter as vice chancellor of [[Visva-Bharati University]], [[Santiniketan]]. He also taught as visiting lecturer at [[Banaras Hindu University]] and the [[Université libre de Bruxelles|University of Brussels]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-10-30 |title=Amlan Dutta (1924-2010) {{!}} Economic and Political Weekly |url=https://www.epw.in/journal/2010/44-45/letters/amlan-dutta-1924-2010.html |access-date=2024-05-03 |website=www.epw.in |language=en}}</ref> He represented India at the United Nations Social Development Commission in 1979.


His first book was published in 1953, titled "For Democracy" and copies of the book were sent to Albert Einstein and Bertrand Russel who were then busy preparing the anti-war resolution which was later circulated among the heads of the States. Russell sent a congratulatory letter to the young lecturer. Professor Datta authored 21 books in English and Bengali. He was the joint editor of Quest magazine along with Abu Sayeed Ayub. He was conferred the Ananda Puraskar (1972), Jagattarini Award, Kamala Award and Vidyasagar Award (1999), Desikottam Award (2008).
He died of a heart attack at his [[Salt Lake City]] residence on 18 February 2010.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2010-02-18 |title=Economist Amlan Dutta passes away |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Economist-Amlan-Dutta-passes-away/article16815447.ece |access-date=2024-05-03 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
 
He died of a heart attack at his Salt Lake residence on 18 February 2010.


==Awards and recognitions==
==Awards and recognitions==
*Desikottam Award from Visva Bharati University
*Desikottam Award from Visva Bharati University
*Jagattarini Award and Kamala Award from Calcutta University
*Jagattarini Award and Kamala Award from Calcutta University
*Ananda Puraskar from Anandabazar Group
*[[Ananda Puraskar]] from [[ABP Group|Anandabazar Group]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Welcome to ABP |url=https://www.abp.in/ |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=www.abp.in}}</ref>
 
==Bibliography==
 
===Bengali===
*{{cite book
  | last = Datta
  | first = Amlan
  | title = Probondho Shangroho 2
  | publisher = [[Ananda Publishers]]
  | year = 2005
  | isbn = 81-7756-452-8 }}
*Ganatantra O Ganayug (1967, Ananda Publishers)
*Teen Diganta (1978, Ananda Publishers)
*Byakti, Yukti, Samaj (1978, Ananda Publishers)
*Kamala Baktrita O Anyanya Bhashan (1984)
*Gandhi O Rabindranath (1986, Ananda Publishers)
*Dwanda O Uttaran (1989, Ananda Publishers)
*Bikalpa Samajer Sandhane (1994, Ananda Publishers)
*Anya Ek Biplab (1999, Ananda Publishers)
*Je Katha Balite Chai (2009, Ananda Publishers)
*Mukti Tore Petei Hobe
 
===English===
*Religion, Education and Development (1968)
*The Third Movement (1987, Ananda Publishers)
*A New Radicalism and Other Essays (1989, Minarva – Calcutta)
*For A Quiet Revolution (1997, Papyrus – Calcutta)
*On The Edge of A Century (1999, Subarnarekha – Santiniketan)
*Towards The Good Life (Subarnarekha – Santiniketan)
*Socialism, Democracy and Industrialization (Allen & Unwin)
*Perspectives of Economic Development (Macmillan)
*Beyond Socialism (Popular Prakashan)
*The Gandhian Way (North Eastern Hill University)
*Transitional Puzzles (Sage Publication)
*Towards an Alternative Economic Order (Aksharmudra – Pune)


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
*{{YouTube|J_DPSnXa6Ow|A film on Amlan Datta}}
* [https://jijnasa-kolkata.blogspot.com/2010/12/jijnasa-amlan-datta-special-issue-is.html Jijnasa – Special Issue on Amlan Datta]
*[http://jijnasa-kolkata.blogspot.com/2010/12/jijnasa-amlan-datta-special-issue-is.html Jijnasa – Special Issue on Amlan Datta]
* [https://www.bondhu.in/2020/09/quotes-by-amlan-dutta.html Quotes By Amlan Dutta]
*[https://www.bondhu.in/2020/09/quotes-by-amlan-dutta.html Quotes By Amlan Dutta – Bangla Quotes by Amlan Datta]


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{{s-ttl|title=[[Vice Chancellor|Upacharya]], [[Vishwa Bharati]]
{{s-ttl|title=[[Vice Chancellor|Upacharya]], [[Vishwa Bharati]]
|years=1980–1984}}
|years=1980–1984}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Nimai Sadhan Bose]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Nemai Sadhan Basu]]}}
{{S-end}}
{{S-end}}


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[[Category:2010 deaths]]
[[Category:2010 deaths]]
[[Category:Bengali writers]]
[[Category:Bengali writers]]
[[Category:Cumilla District]]
[[Category:University of Calcutta alumni]]
[[Category:University of Calcutta alumni]]
[[Category:University of Calcutta faculty]]
[[Category:Academic staff of the University of Calcutta]]
[[Category:People associated with Santiniketan]]
[[Category:People associated with Santiniketan]]
[[Category:Scholars from Kolkata]]
[[Category:Educators from West Bengal]]
[[Category:Presidency University, Kolkata alumni]]

Latest revision as of 11:23, 12 August 2025


Amlan Datta (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.; 17 June 1924 – 18 February 2010) was an Indian economist and educationist. He was Pro-vice Chancellor of Calcutta University and Vice Chancellor of North Bengal and Visva-Bharti universities.[1]

Amlan Dutta
Born(1924-06-17)June 17, 1924
Comilla, British India
DiedFebruary 18, 2010(2010-02-18) (aged 85)
Bidhannagar, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Alma materUniversity of Calcutta
Occupation
  • Economist
  • professor
AwardsAnanda Puraskar
Vidyasagar Puraskar
Jagattarini Padak
Desikottom

Biography[edit | edit source]

Amlan Datta, originally named Amlan Kusum Dattagupta, was born into a Baidya family in the Comilla district of Bengal Presidency (now in Bangladesh).[2] His parents’ names were Ashwini Kumar Datta Gupta and Sunitibala Devi. He was schooled at Ishwar Pathshala at Comilla,[3] took 1st class first in Bachelor of Arts in economics from the Presidency College, and earned a first-class fourth in MA from the same university, both with distinction.[4]

As a writer on socio-economic, political and philosophical subjects,[5] Datta's works drew inspiration from Tagore, Mahatma Gandhi and Nehru.[6] An opponent of parochialism and dogmatism, Datta evaluated prevailing political and economic doctrines, including Marxist Communism. He wrote along these lines for The Radical Humanist, The Economic Weekly, and Thought.[citation needed] His first book was published in 1953, titled For Democracy. He was the joint editor of Quest magazine along with Abu Sayeed Ayub.

After finishing his education in 1946, he started a career as a lecturer in Asutosh College of the University of Calcutta, and went on to be a lecturer at the University of Calcutta in 1948. He was the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Calcutta University during 1972–74. He also served as the Vice Chancellor of the University of North Bengal (1974–77). Then, he joined the Gandhian Institute of Studies as director in 1978, and thereafter as vice chancellor of Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan. He also taught as visiting lecturer at Banaras Hindu University and the University of Brussels.[7] He represented India at the United Nations Social Development Commission in 1979.

He died of a heart attack at his Salt Lake City residence on 18 February 2010.[8]

Awards and recognitions[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Noted economist Amlan Datta passes away in Kolkata". The Economic Times. 19 February 2010. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
  2. ↑ "কেউ কি আছেন, শোনার জন্য?". Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  3. ↑ শতবর্ষে অর্থনীতিবিদ অম্লান দত্ত, দেশভাগের চিহ্ন ধরে. bdnews24.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  4. ↑ "Economist Amlan Datta, who stirred Einstein, no more". The Indian Express. 19 February 2010. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  5. ↑ অম্লান দত্ত এক অমলিন স্মৃতি – কালি ও কলম (in Bengali). Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  6. ↑ Sudeshna Banerjee. "In eyes of an economist Amlan Dutta". The Telegraph. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  7. ↑ "Amlan Dutta (1924-2010) | Economic and Political Weekly". www.epw.in. 30 October 2010. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  8. ↑ "Economist Amlan Dutta passes away". The Hindu. 18 February 2010. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  9. ↑ "Welcome to ABP". www.abp.in. Retrieved 10 January 2025.

External links[edit | edit source]

Academic offices
Preceded by
Surajit Chandra Sinha 		Upacharya, Vishwa Bharati
1980–1984 		Succeeded by
Nemai Sadhan Basu
Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Amlan_Datta&oldid=453414"
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