Shree Bisheshwar Mittra, our Bishuda, or BishuJethu, is no more with us; he departed from this world for his heavenly abode on Sunday April 8, 2007, 10:00AM, at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan. He missed his 80th Birth Day only by a few months. The shocking news tore us apart with grief and pain. Bishu Mittra will be in our hearts forever. He is survived by his Son Alok, Daughter-in-law Shikha, Daughter Sipra, Son-in-law Susanta, one grand daughter, three grand sons, two brothers and wife Dipali Mittra, and a large group of family friends.
Bishu Mittra was not only one of the key architect in building a Bengali Cultural Organization in Michigan, he was also one its Foundering Members. Our beloved Bishuda was always a source of inspiration, encouragement to all of us. He was an ardent participant in Bichitra’s activities. He was the President of Bichitra for the Fiscal year 1977-1978. We admire with pride his rare qualities as a dedicated worker; he was always ready to roll his sleeves up and never expected praises or recognitions. He took great pleasure in helping us in any way he could. His memories we will treasure with love and reverence. We, the members of Bichitra, earnestly pray for his departed soul to rest in peace in the Heaven.
Bishu Mittra was born in Varanashi, India on February 2, 1928. He received his School and College Educations in Agra. The first assignment of his work life started in Kashmir as a Military Engineer in 1948. After a few years, in 1952, he changed his employment to Martin Burn Corporation’s Lucknow operation, to be close to his family. Bishuda was married to Dipalidi in 1953. Their daughter Sipra was born on February 16, 1955; and son Alok was born on September 15, 1956. In 1961, he moved to Delhi and worked for NMDC. In 1965, he was named as the Chief Engineer of Balladilla Project, Ballafdilla , Madhya Pradesh, where he worked through October, 1968. Mittra family then moved to Rochester, Michigan; and Bishuda started his American Professional Life with Detroit Edison. A few years later, Sipra got married with Susanta on April 18, 1981; and Alok got married with Shikha on June 15, 1983. After 26 years of loyal service to Detroit Edison, Bishuda retired in May, 1994. During his active professional life and also after Retirement, Bishuda has been engaged in many voluntary organizations, such as Bharatiya Temple, Cranbrook Society, Optimist Club, Salvation Army, Oakland Schools, Various Nursing Homes and many other Institutions. Where ever he went, he brought new life to the people.
Those of us who knew him will realize how compassionate, intelligent he was, even though he is not here with us physically, his presence still lives on in our memories. Bishuda, was the example of a spirit of energy, a tireless active Bichitra member, who always took genuine interest in various community affairs. We will always cherish these precious memories and remember that he is still watching over us and Bichitra. His abiding love and good will, his indomitable spirit to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield, his core values of life, spirituality, truthfulness, and altruism, his unshakable faith in God, and his love for the nature will guide us to build a stronger community, and let us preserve “Bichitra” as a successful organization in his memory. As long as Bichitra lives Bishuda will be with us. Let us celebrate his life through Bichitra’s success, let his dreams be fulfilled.
Shree Bisheswar Mittra will be remembered as a kind and compassionate person, an efficient and dedicated person, a loving father and husband and as a close and dear dada of all. We would like to express our deepest sympathies and sorrow for the Mittra Family.