Father of modern East Bengal Club turns Seventy Two

Monday, August 13, 2012 Report by Sandipan Chakraborty

Mr. Deepak Das, known as the great Paltu Das of East Bengal football club turns Seventy two this 13th of August 2012. The man who is considered as the father and the architect of modern East Bengal is always hailed and respected by each and every individual of the Kolkata maidan. The Red and Gold loyal’s worship him as their god. Mr. Deepak Das always longed to achieve the peak. He always cherished the zenith and has always devoted his entire self to the betterment of the club.

He entered East Bengal as a ground staff committee official. After sometime he came under the influence and guidance of Dr. Nipen Das. It was under him that Deepak Das put his steps into club management. Soon he established himself as a well respected and honored official among his colleagues. Modern East Bengal is the product of Mr. Deepak Das, who designed the club to what it is today.

The present working committee of the club is following the footsteps paved by Paltu Das, who was considered to be the Telamon of the club. On 22nd of March 2001 the great eminence passed away, shocking everyone. His death was mourned not only by the club, but also by the entire Kolkata maidan. It was as he took a part of East Bengal club away with him.

Debabrata Sarkar, the present executive member of the club shares his own experience on Mr Deepak Das exclusively with Real POWER, “ I first visited the club in 1967. In 1969 I came to see two stars in the club. Among them one was Mr. Deepak Das and the other was Mr. Jibon Chakraborty. I feel myself extremely lucky to have been able to come under their influence. It was a different experience altogether to work under the leadership, love and kindness of Mr. Deepak Das. I want to address all the officials and the fans and say that Mr. Deepak Das is irreplaceable. He believed in taking the club to the zenith. Even today we try to follow his footsteps and try to fulfill his dreams. We look to materialize his dreams to reality. I believe that one day we will be able to fulfill his dreams.

East Bengal Team Manager Mr. Swapan Ball stated, “Words do not find any boundaries for me if you ask me to describe Deepak da. Mr. Deepak Das was always with us, is with us and will always be there with us.”