After a long bout with cancer, Comrade Rajarshi Dasgupta—popularly known as Pushanda to his comrades—breathed his last at a private hospital in north Calcutta on 7th February, 2015, at 8.05am. With his condition deteriorating he was hospitalized on 24th January.

Pushanda was rusticated from St Xaviers' College, Kolkata for his association with revolutionary politics; he got his degree from Ashutosh College. His service life began with the land revenue department under the West Bengal government. He subsequently joined the central government as an income tax officer and retired in 2010 as a joint commissioner. During his service he developed intimate bonds with colleagues and employees of all strata, and became a companion and leader of their struggles.

He was co-convenor of the Council of Action of Income Tax. At the all-India level he served as the secretary of the Income Tax Gazetted Officers’ Federaton. Alongside his service life, Pushanda was a committed worker of CPI(ML) Liberation. He contributed regularly to the state organ of the party Ajker Deshabrati and also occasionally to the central organ Liberation under the pen-name Sukanta Mondal.

A dedicated organizer of the working class movement, he served on the state committee of the West Bengal unit of the party, and was also a member of the working class department and the Calcutta District Committee. Even while suffering cancer, he attended the ninth party congress held at Ranchi in April, 2013.

Days before his death, he took pains to complete a write-up on the privatization of the state sector, for a special issue of the state organ. He was an active member of an organization devoted to the treatment and help of cancer patients. And according to his will, his body was donated to the Calcutta Medical College for the benefit of medical research.

Always amiable and warm-hearted, Pushanda will be sorely missed. Liberation expresses deep condolence to the family and friends of the departed comrade.

Red salute to Comrade Rajarshi Dasgupta!