{"id":355,"date":"2025-08-09T18:14:22","date_gmt":"2025-08-09T12:44:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iltaonleather.org\/iltanew\/?page_id=355"},"modified":"2025-11-14T18:37:56","modified_gmt":"2025-11-14T13:07:56","slug":"moni-banarjee-memorial-lecture","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/iltaonleather.org\/iltanew\/moni-banarjee-memorial-lecture\/","title":{"rendered":"MONI BANARJEE MEMORIAL LECTURE"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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MONI BANARJEE MEMORIAL LECTURE<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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In memory of our beloved Founder Secretary, Late Prof. Moni Banerjee<\/strong>, we organize the \u2018Moni Banerjee Memorial Lecture\u2019<\/strong> each year on 15th March<\/strong>, his birthday, since 2011<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Biography of Prof. Moni Banerjee<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Prof. Moni Banerjee<\/strong> was born on 15th March 1921<\/strong> in erstwhile East Bengal<\/strong>, now Bangladesh<\/strong>. After graduating with distinction in science from Bangabasi College, Kolkata<\/strong>, in 1942<\/strong>, he joined the \u201cCertificate in Tanning\u201d course at the Bengal Tanning Institute (BTI)<\/strong>. It was during this time that he met Dr. B. M. Das<\/strong>, a towering intellect who became a guiding force and inspired the young Banerjee to pursue his life\u2019s calling in leather science and technology.<\/p>\n

Achieving first class first<\/strong> in both departmental and university examinations in 1944 and 1945<\/strong>, Prof. Banerjee was awarded the prestigious Guruprasanna Ghosh Scholarship<\/strong>, which enabled him to pursue higher studies in Leather Chemistry at the University of Leeds<\/strong>. This was strongly supported and encouraged by Dr. B. C. Roy<\/strong>, then known as the \u201cPrime Minister\u201d of Bengal. While at Leeds, he studied under the renowned Dr. K. H. Gustavson<\/strong>, who later described him as \u201ca remarkable Indian scientist<\/strong>.\u201d After earning his degree in 1948<\/strong>, Prof. Banerjee went on to work in Zl\u00edn, Czechoslovakia<\/strong>, under a fellowship and travelled extensively across Europe.<\/p>\n

Always eager to grow and contribute, he joined an international youth movement<\/strong> engaged in rebuilding war-ravaged Czechoslovakia<\/strong>, an experience he often referred to as a turning point in building his character<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Upon returning to India, Prof. Banerjee briefly ventured into business, producing modern leather finishes<\/strong> that were then unknown to Indian tanners. However, his true calling soon beckoned, and in 1951<\/strong>, at the persuasion of Dr. B. M. Das<\/strong> and Dr. B. C. Roy<\/strong>, he returned to his alma mater, BTI<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Through his untiring efforts<\/strong>, BTI launched the B.Sc. (Tech) Degree course in Leather Technology<\/strong> in 1955<\/strong>. With his appointment as Superintendent-cum-Principal<\/strong>, the institute was renamed the College of Leather Technology (CLT)<\/strong> in 1958<\/strong>. In recognition of his contribution, the Government of West Bengal<\/strong> appointed him as ex-officio Deputy Director of Industries<\/strong>, acknowledging his extensive industrial expertise. Even Mr. Thomas Bata<\/strong> of Bata India recognized Prof. Banerjee’s epoch-making contributions<\/strong>, particularly his efforts to generate employment for both young graduates and underprivileged artisans<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

A firm believer in technology for social upliftment<\/strong>, Prof. Banerjee continued to contribute post-retirement as an Industrial Development Consultant<\/strong> for underdeveloped countries, working under the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

He also dreamed of transforming the College of Leather Technology into a premier postgraduate institution<\/strong>, and he laid much of the groundwork to make that vision a reality.<\/p>\n

Prof. Moni Banerjee was the driving force behind the formation of the Indian Leather Technologists\u2019 Association (ILTA)<\/strong> and served as its Founder General Secretary<\/strong>, fostering unity, education, and professional excellence in the field.<\/p>\n

Over the years, Prof. Banerjee mentored and shaped numerous careers<\/strong>\u2014both in service and in business. Many remember him for his guidance, wisdom, and commitment to community development<\/strong>, particularly his structured initiatives in self-help cooperatives<\/strong>, which uplifted countless artisan communities from poverty.<\/p>\n

He stood tall among his peers, respected for both his breadth of knowledge<\/strong> and the integrity<\/strong> with which he expressed his views.<\/p>\n

Today, his values and legacy<\/strong> continue to guide us. Prof. Moni Banerjee was self-motivated, fair, honest, caring, and fearless<\/strong>. The most fitting tribute we can offer is to walk the path he paved<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

He passed away on >>>>>>>>>>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Renowned Personalities who delivered Sanjoy Sen Memorial Lecture<\/p>\n

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  • 2011 Buddhadeb Chattopadhyay<\/strong>, Officer-in-Charge, GCELT, Kolkata<\/li>\n
  • 2012<\/li>\n
  • 2013 N. R. Banerjea<\/strong>, Former V.C., BESU, Former Chairman, Webel and present President of FOSET<\/li>\n
  • 2014 (Dr.) Sanjoy Chakraborty<\/strong>, GCELT, Kolkata<\/li>\n
  • 2015 Samir Dasgupta<\/strong>, Ph.D, FSLTC, Eminent Scientist of Leather Technology, New Zealand<\/li>\n
  • 2016 Sonath Mukherjee<\/strong>, Professor, Environmental Engg. Division, Civil Engg. Department, Jadavpur University<\/li>\n
  • 2017 Abhijit Dutta<\/strong>, an eminent Leather Finisher<\/li>\n
  • 2018 (Dr.) Sanjay Chakraborty<\/strong>, Officer \u2013 in \u2013 Charge, Govt. College of Engineering & Leather Technology, Kolkata<\/li>\n
  • 2019 V. Vijayabaskar<\/strong>, Vice President, Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd., Chennai<\/li>\n
  • 2020 Satya Narayan Moitra<\/strong>, Director, Stahl India Pvt. Ltd.<\/li>\n
  • 2021 (Dr.) Sanjoy Chakraborty<\/strong>, Officer \u2013 in \u2013 Charge, Govt. College of Engineering & Leather Technology, Kolkata<\/li>\n
  • 2022 (Dr.) H. Bhaumik<\/strong> Former Principal, Govt. College of Engineering & Leather Technology, Kolkata<\/li>\n
  • 2023 N. Viswanathan<\/strong>, GM – R&D, Pon Pure Chemical India Pvt. Ltd., Chennai<\/li>\n
  • 2024 Satya Narayan Maitra<\/strong>, Business Director, Leather Division INDIA, Cromogenia Units, Barcelona, Spain<\/li>\n
  • 2025 Shome Nath Ganguly<\/strong>, Consultant and Technical Advisor<\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"monibanerjee\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    Prof. Moni Banerjee<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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    MONI BANARJEE MEMORIAL LECTURE In memory of our beloved Founder Secretary, Late Prof. Moni Banerjee, we organize the \u2018Moni Banerjee […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"full-width-container","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-355","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iltaonleather.org\/iltanew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/355","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iltaonleather.org\/iltanew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iltaonleather.org\/iltanew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iltaonleather.org\/iltanew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iltaonleather.org\/iltanew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=355"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/iltaonleather.org\/iltanew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/355\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iltaonleather.org\/iltanew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=355"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}