Eminent Physicist Professor Dilip Kumar Choudhury Passes Away at 78

Professor Dilip Kumar Choudhury, an internationally acclaimed physicist, passed away today at his residence in Guwahati. He was 78 and had been suffering from age-related ailments.

A native of Pokowa village in Nalbari district, Professor Choudhury was a retired faculty member of Gauhati University and was widely known for his pioneering research in high-energy physics.

Professor Choudhury began his education at Pokowa Boys Primary School and went on to have an illustrious academic career. After completing his B.Sc. from Cotton College and M.Sc. from Delhi University, he earned his Ph.D. from Delhi University under the guidance of renowned physicist Asoke Nath Mitra.

In 1971, he received a research fellowship from the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, London, to pursue advanced studies at Oxford University under Professor R.H. Dalitz, FRS. During his tenure at Oxford, one of his research papers earned a rare mention in the Nobel lecture delivered by physicist Burton Richter.

Over the years, Professor Choudhury received several prestigious recognitions, including Regular Associate of ICTP, Trieste, Italy (1992–96); Visiting Scientist to French Universities under the CSIR–CNRS Exchange Programme (1985–86); Visitor to Oxford University (1990) under the Indo–British Exchange Programme; Professor V.D. Thawani Fellowship in Mathematical Sciences, Assam Science Society (1988); Dr. H.C. Bhuyan Award in Physical Sciences, Assam Science Society (1999); National Associate, UGC (1981); and Senior Associate, Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai (2002–2006).

Beyond his academic contributions, Professor Choudhury was deeply committed to promoting science among the masses. He authored several popular science books in Assamese and regularly contributed science articles to leading Assamese magazines.

He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and a host of relatives.