Jadavpur University Alumni, Mumbai Chapter

With profound grief and deep respect, we mourn the passing of our beloved friend and esteemed alumnus, 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝘆𝗮𝗺𝗮 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗮𝗱 𝗥𝗮𝘆, who left for his heavenly abode on 22nd May 2026 in Mumbai. He leaves behind his loving sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and countless friends, admirers, and well-wishers whose lives he touched with warmth, generosity, and grace.

On behalf of the 𝘑𝘢𝘥𝘢𝘷𝘱𝘶𝘳 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘈𝘭𝘶𝘮𝘯𝘪 𝘈𝘴𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘔𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘢𝘪 (JUAAM), we offer our heartfelt tribute to Late Shyama Prasad Ray and pray for the eternal peace of his departed soul. We extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved family during this time of irreparable loss.

𝗦𝗵𝘆𝗮𝗺𝗮-𝗱𝗮, as many fondly called him, was a man whose presence effortlessly lit up every gathering. Warm-hearted, fearless in spirit, endlessly jovial, and deeply humane, he carried within him a rare ability to connect with people across generations. His sincere involvement in social and cultural causes earned him not only admiration, but genuine affection from all who knew him.

A proud alumnus of Jadavpur University, he graduated in 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝟭𝟵𝟳𝟭 before moving from Kolkata to Mumbai, where he became an integral part of the alumni community for more than five decades. His invaluable contribution to JUAAM, both as 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 and later as 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘆 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝗨 𝗔𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗻𝗶 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁, remains deeply cherished and widely appreciated. His leadership was marked not merely by efficiency, but by affection, inclusiveness, and unwavering commitment.

Beyond the alumni fraternity, Shyama-da was a well-known and respected figure in Mumbai’s Bengali socio-cultural landscape. Whether through his association with 𝗡𝗶𝗸𝗵𝗶𝗹 𝗕𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮 𝗦𝗮𝗵𝗶𝘁𝘆𝗮 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻 or his active involvement with numerous socio-cultural organisations, he remained a vibrant force bringing people together through culture, literature, music, and fellowship. To many, he was equally remembered for his melodious singing voice that added soul to countless gatherings and celebrations.

Professionally too, he carved out an illustrious and inspiring journey. After joining the 𝗕𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗵𝗮 𝗔𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝟭𝟵𝟳𝟮, he went on to work with several renowned engineering and technology organisations across India and abroad. His career included significant associations with 𝘉𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘳 𝘓𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥, 𝘠𝘰𝘬𝘰𝘨𝘢𝘸𝘢 𝘌𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤 𝘊𝘰𝘳𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘗𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘮𝘺𝘢 𝘪𝘯 𝘚𝘢𝘶𝘥𝘪 𝘈𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘢, 𝘛𝘰𝘺𝘰 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘰𝘳𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘛𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘪𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘈𝘬𝘦𝘳 𝘗𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 after retirement. His professional accomplishments reflected his intellect, dedication, and relentless pursuit of excellence.

Yet beyond all titles and achievements, it is the human being we shall remember most. The smile that arrived before words did. The easy camaraderie. The helping hand extended without hesitation. The rare ability to make everyone feel welcome. Some people leave behind memories. Some leave behind an atmosphere. Shyama-da leaves behind both.

We, the members of the Mumbai alumni family and our extended families, shall deeply miss his affectionate presence, vibrant spirit, and unwavering companionship. His absence will be profoundly felt, but his legacy of friendship, service, and cultural warmth shall continue to inspire us for years to come.

ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः

“अमृतं चैव मृत्युश्च द्वयं देहे प्रतिष्ठितम्।
मोहादुत्पद्यते मृत्यु: सत्येनोत्पद्यतेऽमृतम्॥”

“Both immortality and death reside within this mortal body.
From illusion arises death, while through truth emerges immortality.”

What a day it turned out to be. What a gathering it became.

The JUAAM Annual Picnic unfolded exactly the way we had hoped for and then some. Bright winter sun, louder laughter, easy conversations, shared food, shared memories, and that rare, beautiful sight where yesterdays and tomorrows sat, walked, played, and bonded as one seamless family.

Seeing our senior alumni arrive with their families brought a quiet warmth to the day. Their presence carried stories, legacy, and a certain grace that only time can offer. And alongside them, our younger friends filled the space with infectious energy, endless stamina, and a spirit that kept the day buzzing. Different generations, one rhythm. That was the real highlight.

What stayed with us most were the smiles, the spontaneous addas, the wholehearted participation in games, and the sheer ease with which everyone slipped into joy. Moments like these make every bit of planning, running around, and last-minute problem-solving completely worth it.

This picnic was not just an event. It was a reminder of what JUAAM truly stands for. Connection. Continuity. Community.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who turned up in such great numbers, trusted us with their time, and made the day so memorable. Your encouragement means a great deal to the team. We take back valuable learnings, renewed enthusiasm, and the promise to return with even better-planned gatherings and a few pleasant surprises along the way.

Until then, stay connected, stay smiling, and keep the JUAAM spirit alive.
This was just the beginning.