Funeral & Home Aide Funds for Dr. N. N. Sen

[Narrative Updated on 6-Aug-2022 after Memorial Service]

Dr. Nirendra Nath Sen (1923 - 2022), Professor of Physics at Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, India, from the early 1950s until he retired in 1987, passed away peacefully at his home in Bethesda, Maryland (USA) at 6:53 pm EST on July 25th, 2022. He was comfortable and passed away in his sleep while in the loving care of his daughter Manjushree (Neepa) and grandson Vivek.

A devoted Professor and a lifelong teacher with a booming voice, as he is fondly remembered by his students and others whose lives he touched, Dr. Sen had a unique zest for life. He rubbed it off on anyone who interacted with him throughout his life in India and the USA.

His life was never a smooth journey, but he made it interesting and worth emulating by how he filled every moment with acts of love, kindness and service towards the humanity and nature surrounding him. He was a freedom fighter during India's freedom struggle from the British rule and post-independence landed in Pilani as one of the first professors of Physics at the then Birla Science College, which later became BITS Pilani. During his tenure at BITS Pilani, he taught and nurtured generations of students who went all over the world to become entrepreneurs, teachers, professionals, and above all, good human beings. To this day, they remember the impact Dr. N. N. Sen has had on their lives. While at Pilani, it was not only teaching at BITS that kept him busy. He was a man of many talents. He was instrumental in setting up the very first and only optical telescope observatory at BITS, Pilani, which stands till to date and has served generations of curious wannabe astronomers and physicists. He enthusiastically participated in campus theatre/plays and guided and coached local campus children and students to participate in science competitions and exhibitions. He was an avid reader and lifelong student who encouraged all around him to be lifelong learners. When his eyesight gave up, he kept listening to audiobooks and podcasts until his last days.

A man thoroughly steeped in science, he was also a true vedantin and follower of Swami Vivekananda and Sri Ramakrishna. While at Pilani, he had close ties with Ramakrishna mission at Kheteri. At the ripe age of 95, he authored a book on Swami Vivekananda and his association with the Maharaja of Khetri.

Above all, throughout his life, Dr. Sen has been a loving family man devoted to his wife, two daughters and their families. Around 20 years ago, when he was in his late 70s, he decided to come to Bethesda, Maryland, USA, to support his daughter Manjushree who has been in failing health due to a chronic lung condition that led to a double lung transplant in 2014.

When Dr. Sen arrived in the US, his grandson, Vivek, was a young child. Vivek still fondly remembers the love, teachings, guidance, math-physics lessons and above all the life lessons he got from his Dadu (Grandpa) during his formative years.

In his immediate family, Dr. Sen is survived by his younger daughter Manjushree (Neepa), her son Vivek in Maryland, USA and Abheek, his elder late daughter Jayashree's (Neena's) son and Abheek's father, who are in Pilani, India.

Tributes to Dr. Sen and condolences to the bereaved family. Om Shanti.

Let us continue to support, contribute to this campaign, and help Dr. Sen’s family, who needs help and support at this hour.

[Original Narrative from Dr. N. N. Sen’s daughter Manjushree dated July 22nd, 2022, below]

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Greetings,

This Monday, July 18, my father, Dr. Nirendra Sen (former physics professor who retired from BITS Pilani, India, in 1987), fell very ill and is now, unfortunately, nearing the end of his life. In April 2022, he was admitted to the hospital for congestive heart failure, where his lungs flooded with fluid. Due to his hospital visit and condition, his health had severely declined, and he lost most of his independence. He returned from the hospital and was able to celebrate his 99th birthday with Vivek and me on July 15th.

Unfortunately, my father never recovered from his time at the hospital. Following his wishes, he is being provided hospice and end-of-life care in his home. His loved ones surround him: me (his daughter) and his grandson Vivek, whom he raised since Vivek was a baby. My father is unconscious but not in pain, and we are playing his favorite bhajans. The nurses, caretakers, and Vivek are providing excellent and compassionate care, and he is surrounded by much love. He is expected to pass away soon, and although this period is full of pain and grief, we are grateful for the memories and long, happy years we shared with him.

While we have been able to cover the cost of the hospital visit and medical expenses, the 24-hour home aid care, which is not covered by insurance and costs $10,000 USD additional a month, has put a lot of strain on our financial situation.

I also have significant health needs due to a double lung transplant in 2014. Since then, I have been homebound, on continuous breathing support and often fighting severe secondary infections. This has rendered me too weak and vulnerable to take up any gainful employment or activity.

Since graduating, my son Vivek (Dr. Sens' grandson) has been the family's sole breadwinner. He has supported us really well, both physically and financially. But the additional financial strain at this juncture is driving us to the brink that we have no option but to seek help from the generous community.

The funds raised here will be used for the following purposes:

$10,000 USD for funeral expenses

$40,000 USD for ongoing home aide during hospice bills ($22,000 in pending bills and $18,000 estimated future bills)

Please keep my father in your prayers that his transition is peaceful and pain-free.

Thanking you,

Manjushree Sen (Batch of 1977, BITS Pilani India)

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***Kind Attention***: Dear Indian Donors - There are 2 ways to contribute in Indian Rupees:

Method 1:Directly Use the India campaign link: https://ketto.org/s?id=rm-661596 

Or

Method 2: (** Preferred as this method makes the funds reach directly without the need of international transfer **) - On this site, after pressing donate button, you can enter your donation by converting your Indian Rupees amount to equivalent US Dollars. Your payment method(credit or debit card) will be charged only the Indian rupees you have decided to contribute. For Example: For Rs.1000, the equivalent US $ amount based on the ongoing conversion rate : 

US $1 = Rs. 79.85 

So, Rs. 1000 = (1000/79.85) = $ 12.50. 

Thank you. 

Reference information for method number 2: 

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USD-INR conversion rate is here for reference: https://www.google.com/search?q=usd+to+inr+conversion&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari

Gofundme instructions on other currency donations are here: https://support.gofundme.com/hc/en-us/articles/203604354-International-donations

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