Dwijen Sharma


Dwijen Sharma was a Bangladeshi naturalist and science writer. He was awarded Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1987 and Ekushey Padak in 2015 by the Government of Bangladesh for his contribution in language and literature.

Early life

Sharma was born in Shimulia village of Barlekha Upazila of Moulvibazar District in Sylhet Division. His father Chandrakand Sharma was a "Kobiraj" or rural doctor and his mother Mognomoyi Debi was a social worker. During his childhood, he was fond of visiting the forest of Patharia hill which is situated in Barlekha Upazila.

Education and professional work

Sharma received his bachelor's degree from City College, Kolkata. He earned his master's degree in botany in 1958 from the University of Dhaka. He then joined Brojomohun College, Barisal. In 1962 he left Barisal to join the faculty of Notre Dame College, Dhaka and worked until 1974. Then, he moved to Moscow to work for Progress Publishers as a translator.
He moved back to Bangladesh in 2000 and joined Banglapedia Project, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh as an editor and translator of biology. He served as vice president of Asiatic Society for 3 years. An encyclopedia of the flora and fauna of Bangladesh in 56 volumes was published by the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh while he was the president of the publishing committee.

Honors and awards

Personal life

Sharma was married to Devi Sharma, a former professor at Central Women's University. They have one son and one daughter. Sharma's niece Manisha Chakraborty is a Bangladeshi politician.

Books

Sharma wrote more than 30 books. Some notable ones are as follows.
  • Shamoli Nishorgo
  • Shomajtontre Boshobash
  • Jiboner Shesh Nei
  • Phoolgulo Jeno Kotha
  • Biggan Shikkha O Daiboddhotar Nirikh
  • Nishorgo Nirman O Nandonik Bhabna