Proshanta Nandi is remembered for the cultural bridges he built between the Indian and larger Springfield community. However, on a personal level as characterized by a good friend of his, "Proshanta Nandi was one of those few people who maintained his integrity forever." This was clearly consistent with Proshanta's belief in humanity, equality and justice and his study and practice of nonviolence.
Born and raised in India, Nandi's early educational interests were commerce and economics. Later he developed an interest in sociology, a field he would study and practice for much of his life. Reading a book on India authored by an American professor at the University of Minnesota, Proshanta determined to come to America to study under this professor. With hard work and perseverance, he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship for graduate studies at Minnesota and the University of California, Berkeley. He chose to attend the University of Minnesota without realizing the bitterly cold weather there.
Proshanta's love for education was prominent throughout his life. He received three master's degrees from India, and a master's degree and doctoral degree here in America. He used to say, "No one can take away your education from you." Consistent with that belief, he dedicated his life to passing on his knowledge to others, both through teaching and in personal interaction. He took a job as a professor of sociology at Sangamon State University (now University of Illinois Springfield) in its early years, still unable to completely escape the cold Midwest weather.
During his time as an SSU professor, Proshanta achieved his personal goals of academic distinction and received awards under the prestigious Fulbright program to teach and study in China, Kazakhstan, Dubai and India. His teaching and research topics included social psychology, comparative education, ethnicity, quality of life, collective behavior and nonviolence. His articles appeared in more than 30 journals and sociological monographs.
After retiring from teaching, Professor Nandi served on five different boards, including the Illinois Board of Higher Education and a board of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. His thoughtful, evidence-based knowledge benefited professionals throughout the state and common people. In these capacities he also worked hard to improve Illinois educational institutions, particularly his home school, University of Illinois Springfield,
Proshanta's founding of the Indo-American Friendship Council provided a platform to bring together in dialogue members of the local Indian and Springfield communities. He arranged for local speakers from different backgrounds to share their knowledge and to stimulate intellectual conversation during regular luncheon meetings at a Springfield Indian restaurant. Some of those discussions established ongoing relationships and broadened the cultural interactions of local residents.
Nandi's friend, Dr. Babu Prasad, said, "He was an amazing person with lots of knowledge, integrity and honesty. Nandi helped me establish the Mahatma Gandhi Library at Springfield High School... Dr. Nandi gave a great speech about Gandhi's life and helped me establish six scholarships for the senior students who wrote essays on Gandhi. It has been going well for the last 20 years" and remains a testimony to Proshanta.
Proshanta was such a lover of music that when he went back to India looking for a wife, one of the most important qualifications was that she be able to sing. Little did he know that he would come back with a smart, wonderful singer, Chandana, with whom he remained married for the rest of his life. They raised two talented children over the many years they were together.
Every morning, reading the State Journal-Register newspaper with a cup of hot tea was his best time of the day. He loved to listen to Rabindranath Tagore's songs in Bengali language. He cherished Bengali literature and translated many of Tagore's songs. He used to say, "Tagore's composition is so rich in meaning that there is no English word for it."
Proshanta's family was his highest priority in life. He would do anything for them and was most supportive of their pursuit of education. He was so happy when he attended his daughter's defense of her dissertation thesis for her Ph.D. in geophysics. Although he did not understand anything about the subject, he was still filled with immense joy and pride. He had another proud moment when his son received "exceptional" evaluations for eight different categories of job evaluation at the Illinois State Board of Education. Proshanta was so very proud of his son's sense of duties and responsibilities for his job.
Strength of character and conviction, grace, love and intellect characterized Professor Proshanta Nandi. He came to this country from India as a young man. Through education and personal dedication he built a successful family and brought people together to build a multicultural community for which he will always be remembered and appreciated.
Larry Golden of Springfield has been a friend and colleague of Professor Proshanta Nandi since graduate school in Minnesota. This article was written with substantial input from Proshanta's wife, Chandana Nandi.
