90-year-old "Debu Da" leaves behind legacy of cultural preservation and social advocacy
Jamshedpur mourns the loss of Deva Prasad Ghosh, a beloved social worker who made significant contributions to the city’s cultural and social landscape.
JAMSHEDPUR – The city’s esteemed social worker, Deva Prasad Ghosh, known as "Debu Da," passed away at 90, leaving behind a legacy of cultural preservation and social advocacy.
Deva Prasad Ghosh, affectionately called "Debu Da," breathed his last at his Baradwari residence at the age of 90.
His final rites were conducted at the Subarnarekha Burning Ghat.
As a founding member of the Jharkhand Bengali Samiti, Ghosh played a crucial role in shaping the Bengali community’s cultural identity in Jamshedpur.
One of his notable achievements was introducing Vande Mataram Day in the late 1960s, marking the first such celebration in the city.
Ghosh served as the editor of *Samiti Samachar*, the official publication of the Jharkhand Bengali Samiti.
His spiritual inclinations led him to found, publish, and edit *Saraswat Anandam*, the first spiritual magazine from Jamshedpur, registered with the Registrar of Newspapers for India.
A civil engineer by profession, Debu Da applied his expertise to address critical infrastructure issues in Jamshedpur.
He spearheaded the resolution of the drinking water problem at Keenan Stadium by installing a comprehensive pipeline network.
His engineering firm also contributed to laying the drinking water pipeline in the new building of Tata Main Hospital.
Ghosh advocated for senior citizens’ rights, successfully lobbying for the relocation of a State Bank of India branch to improve accessibility.
He championed child rights, corresponding with UN officials and Indian Prime Ministers on the issue.
Debu Da supported Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao initiative, though his contributions in this area were often overlooked.
In the cultural sphere, Ghosh organized the first Sanskrit play at the Milanee Hall, demonstrating his commitment to preserving Indian traditions.
He also served as an advisor to the Jharkhand Animal Welfare Society (JAWS), the city’s pioneering animal welfare organization.
"Debu Da’s passing is a great loss to our community. His tireless efforts in promoting Bengali culture and addressing social issues have left an indelible mark on Jamshedpur," said a spokesperson for the Jharkhand Bengali Samiti.
