A peak into the life of iconic communist leader Gurudas Dasgupta

Communist leader Gurudas Dasgupta breathed his last early this morning after suffering from lung cancer for the last several months. He is survived by his wife and daughter. The leader's demise is said to be a big loss for the communist movement in the country. The leader was a powerful influence in the Left in Parliament for almost three decades. He worked incessantly against corporate corruption and economic offences. Gurudas Dasgupta was also a pioneer of the working-class movement, which he is mostly recognized and lauded for. Let's take a look at the iconic leader's journey.

Childhood and Education:

Gurudas Dasgupta was born to Shri Durga Prosanna Das Gupta and Smt. Nihar Devi on 03 Nov 1936 in Barisal (in present day Bangladesh). He studied M. Com at Asutosh College and University College of Arts & Commerce, Calcutta University in Kolkata, West Bengal. The leader has had avid interests Cricket and Rabindra Sangeet.

Political Career:

Dasgupta began his political career as a student activist in 1950s. He was president and general secretary of the Undivided Bengal Provincial Students` Federation. He formed the youth movement Paschim Banga Yuva Sangh which later became CPI's youth outfit AIYF.

He was elected to Rajya Sabha in 1985. Being an activist at heart, Dasgupta became the voice of the Left in the Upper House.

Notable Works:

Dasgupta's party colleagues say the leader has high ethics and a kind heart. The IT department rewarded him with Rs 7.5 lakh by the income tax department for bringing to light the supposed mischief of a big organisation. He contributed the entire sum of money to the Punjab unit of National Federation of Indian Women to be spent for the children of victims of terrorism of Khalistan.

He raised the Harshad Mehta scandal in Parliament in the 90's. It shook the securities market and the government setup a joint parliamentary committee to probe the scandal.

His report while working in JCP team was published in the form of a book named Securities Scandal and a Report to the Nation.

Dasgupta was a parliamentarian for 25 years – first as member of Rajya Sabha for three terms in 1985, 1988 and 1994 and again as a Member of Parliament for two terms in 2004 and 2009.

He played a crucial role in shaping the trade union unity as general secretary of the AITUC, the CPI's trade union arm, as its general secretary since 2001.

He is still remembered for bringing unity into all the workers unions.

Retirement:

He decided to retire from active political life to take care of his ailing wife. The leader was an excellent orator with an impressive body of work. He passed away at the age of 83 due to recurrent heart and kidney problems. His work and ideologies, however, will be remembered for many years to come.