Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi today condoled the death of noted historian Bipan Chandra, hailing him an "erudite chronicler" of modern Indian history and the nation's struggle for independence.
"Congress President Sonia Gandhi has expressed deep grief and sadness at the passing away of Professor Bipan Chandra. Describing him as erudite chronicler of modern Indian history and the Nation's struggle for independence, Gandhi said that his books left a lasting imprint on the minds of millions of students in their formative years," the party said in a statement.
86-year old Chandra died today at his residence in Gurgaon after prolonged illness.
Extending her heart-felt condolences to the family members and friends of Chandra, Gandhi said that he had played a pioneering role as a teacher, scholar and researcher and mentored many a future historians and will be deeply missed.
In his condolence message, Rahul Gandhi said that he was saddened to hear of the passing away of Professor Bipan Chandra.
He said that the books of the eminent historian and scholar of modern India introduced many generations of students to the Indian national movement and the freedom struggle. "My prayers are with the family and loved ones," he said in a message.
A Padma Bhushan awardee, Chandra had donned multiple roles including that of Chairperson of the Centre for Historical Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Member of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Chairman of the National Book Trust.
Considered to be a specialist in economic and political history of India, Chandra had authored several books including The Rise and Growth of Economic Nationalism, In the Name of Democracy: The JP Movement and the Emergency, Nationalism and Colonialism in Modern India and The Making of Modern India: From Marx to Gandhi, among others.
The left leaning author had founded the journal 'Enquiry' and was a member of its editorial board for a long time.
