Digital Desk: Professor Dilip Kumar Choudhury, an internationally renowned physicist, passed away on November 9 at his residence in Guwahati. He was 78 years old and had been battling various age-related ailments.
A retired professor from Gauhati University, Professor Choudhury was widely recognised for his groundbreaking research in high-energy physics.
Born in the remote village of Pokowa in Assam's Nalbari district, he began his education at Pokowa Boys' Primary School and went on to achieve an illustrious academic career.
After earning his B Sc. from Cotton College and M Sc. from Delhi University, he completed his Ph. D. under the guidance of the renowned physicist Asoke Nath Mitra at Delhi University.
In 1971, he was awarded a prestigious research fellowship from the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 in London, enabling him to pursue advanced studies at Oxford University under Professor R H Dalitz, FRS.
During this time, one of his research articles received the rare honour of being mentioned in the Nobel lecture by Richter Burton.
Professor Choudhury's contributions to high-energy physics earned him numerous accolades, including the Regular Associate of ICTP, Trieste, Italy (1992-96), Visiting Scientist to French universities under the CSIR-CNRS Cultural Exchange Program (1985-86), Visitor to Oxford University (1990) under the Indo-British Exchange Program, Professor V D Thawani Fellowship in Mathematical Science, Assam Science Society (1988), Dr. H C Bhuyan Award in Physical Sciences, Assam Science Society (1999), National Associate, UGC (1981), Senior Associate, Institute of Mathematical Sciences-Chennai (2002-06).
Beyond his academic achievements, Professor Choudhury was deeply committed to popularizing science. He authored several books on popular science in the Assamese language and regularly contributed science articles to Assamese magazines.
He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and a large circle of relatives.
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