End of an era.
Milan Kanti Dey, known to generations of Jadavpur University students as Milanda, the ubiquitous owner of the university’s canteen, passed away recently.
Milan Da's canteen not only became part of Jadavpur culture for the last four decades, but also entered the larger folklore of the quintessential Bengali experience. No Bengalis growing up phase was complete with reminiscing about the addas at his café.
Milanda breathed his past on 23rd July after a prolonged fight with cancer. He is survived by his wife and two sons. Milanda who started a canteen near gate 4 of Jadavpur University earned a cult status with his iconic dhoper chop (a unique take on the bread pakora).
So much so, dhoper chop is now very much part of the Bengali slang lexicon, something that is mentioned in the same breath across the world – from Boston to Bandra.
His take on tea (chini chara goromjol) evokes many sentiments in every Jadavpur University student - past and present - as well as others who have ever gone to his humble food stall. With time Milanda added to his food menu, but for the students, it was dhoper chop that remained the eternal favourite.
But to confine Milan da or his canteen as a food joint only would be to embellish his memory and would be akin to saying Lord’s is just a cricket stadium.
His canteen along with the man became an institution. Apart from being a popular meeting spot, it spurred several lively debates on culture, politics and contemporary society. The favourite food in the canteen maybe dhoper chop but the discussion was anything but fluff. That's why many past students and present, faculty bid a tearful adieu to Milanda.
Social media accounts of Jadavpur University students brimmed with nostalgia for Milanda. Milanda might have become an infrequent visitor on campus thanks to his fatal battle with cancer, but he will live on in every Jadavpur University student’s mind. He will forever remain synonymous with the Bengali experience.
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