Ranjit Das, the last hero of the ‘Telegram Era’, has passed away

The dawn of yesterday brought with it a heavy gloom over Bangladesh’s sporting world. Barely had the nation absorbed the sorrow of losing Mustafa Kamal, the legendary athlete who once electrified football and volleyball fields, when another somber news arrived. On a quiet hill road in Sylhet, 93-year-old Ranjit Das, the legendary goalkeeper often remembered as a “man of the telegram era,” passed away, leaving behind a lifetime of sporting memories. He drew his last breath at 6:55 a.m. at a Sylhet hospital.

Ranjit Das’s departure marks the end of an era. A multi-talented sportsman, he dominated the Dhaka sporting scene in the 1950s, excelling in both football and hockey. In his later years, he lived a life of quietude, struggling with memory loss and losing the power of speech. Yet, the man who once commanded stadiums now sat in silent repose at his home in Karer Para, Sylhet, which had long been a hub of local activity.

On the field, however, Ranjit Das was a force to be reckoned with. His football career began in 1955 with Ispahani Club, before moving to Azad Sporting, where he led the team to league glory in 1958 as captain. In 1957, he donned the white-and-black jersey of Kolkata Mohammedan Sporting, competing in the prestigious All India Durand Cup. His achievements extended beyond football: he captained the East Pakistan hockey team during the 1960s, demonstrating the same discipline and leadership that defined his football career.

Despite his brilliance, a lingering regret shadowed him—his relatively short stature prevented him from joining the Pakistan national football team. Reflecting on this later in life, he remarked wistfully, “Perhaps it was my height that held me back.” Yet, recognition eventually came. In 2006, he received the lifetime achievement award from Prothom Alo, followed by the National Sports Award the next year—honours he had long deserved.

Ranjit Das’s personal life remained anchored by his devoted wife, Rekha Das, who cared for him in his final years. Known for sharing the rich tales of a bygone sporting era, he referred to himself as “a man of the telegram age,” a nod to a simpler, slower time. With the passing of contemporaries like Zakaria Pintu in 2024 and Zahidul Haque earlier, Bangladesh’s sports arena has lost yet another of its towering figures.

The hill roads of Sylhet may now be quiet, but Ranjit Das’s heroic exploits—on both football and hockey fields—remain etched in golden letters in the history of Bangladeshi sport.

Ranjit Das: Key Milestones