Kolkata, Dec 5 (NationPress) Suniti Kumar Pathak, a distinguished scholar in Buddhist studies and recipient of the Rashtrapati Award, has passed away on Thursday at his residence in Bolpur-Santiniketan, situated in the Birbhum district of West Bengal.

He was 101 years old.

Pathak was affiliated with Visva Bharati University, founded by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, specifically in the Department of Indo-Tibetan Studies. He held the position of dean at the university from 1972 to 1986.

Additionally, he contributed as guest faculty in the Department of Buddhist Studies at the University of Calcutta and taught Buddhist and Indo-Tibetan Studies at various institutions across India and internationally.

Beyond the Rashtrapati Award, his illustrious academic career was recognized with the Manjushree Award and the Sahitya Parishad Award. He also received the title of 'Bhanak' (reciter of religion) from the Mahabodhi Society.

As an author of approximately 200 books, he mastered nine languages. After completing his education at Sanskrit College in Kolkata, he furthered his studies in Pali (Mahajan Goshthi) at the University of Calcutta.

Following his post-graduate studies, he joined the University of Calcutta as a research scholar in the Department of Sino-Tibetan Studies. He also served in the Indian Army as a language teacher, translator, and interpreter.

Pathak retired from Visva Bharati University in 1984 and lived in Bolpur-Santiniketan until his passing.

Among his notable works are 'Tantrik Tradition in the Himalayas and Tibet' and 'Bilingual Glossary of the Nagananda', among others. He undertook extensive travels in remote Himalayan villages to gather field notes for his research and publications.

Interestingly, despite being offered transportation by the government for his research expeditions, he chose to travel on foot through the remote Himalayan villages to collect field notes.