Das, Ashutosh (1888-1941) doctor, social worker and revolutionary leader, was born on 17 October 1888 in a family of modest means at serampore in Hughli district, where his father, Shyamacharan Das, worked. He was a meritorious student and got scholarships at Middle English, Entrance and Intermediate examinations. Ashutosh was inspired by nationalism early in life under the influence of Satishchandra Sengupta. While at college in Kolkata he joined the anushilan samiti, carrying out daring revolutionary acts in and around Hughli. He had close associations with famous revolutionaries such as Jadugopal Mukherjee, Bepin Ganguly and Jatin Mukherjee.

In 1914 Ashutosh graduated from calcutta medical college and joined the Indian Medical Service. He served in India, Mesopotamia and Arabia. At the end of the war, he left the IMS and returned to India, joining the Indian medical service. However, in 1921 he resigned to join the non-cooperation movement. In 1922 he went to the village of Haripal in Hughli where kalazar and malaria were rampant. Working tirelessly, he succeeded in freeing the area of kalazar. He also trained a group of youths to provide health service in rural areas. In 1922, during devastating floods in North Bengal, Ashutosh helped to organise relief activities. He set up Kalyan Sangha, a welfare organisation, at Haripal as well as a pathological laboratory.

Ashutosh Das was very close to Gandhi and was actively involved in the nationalist struggle against the British. He played a prominent role in the Tarakeswar Satyagraha Movement in 1925. During the civil disobedience movement of 1930-1934, he was arrested many times. He was one of the leaders of the 1932 movement defying the salt law. He was for many years a member of the Bengal Provincial Congress Committee and of the All-India Congress Committee. He set up the Congress Eye Treatment Camp with Dr Anadicharan Bhattacharya.

A bachelor all his life, he was a selfless patriot and dedicated social worker. While moving on foot from village to village in the course of his individual satyagraha, he contracted malignant malaria, succumbing to the disease on 31 July 1941.

[Sambaru Chandra Mohanta]