Dr. Adhikarimayum Surjalal Sharma

Sharma

Dr. Adhikarimayum Surjalal Sharma

On the evening of January 5, 2024, Dr. Adhikarimayum Surjalal Sharma passed away peacefully surrounded by his family members. He was born in Imphal, Manipur (India), where he spent his childhood. His studies took him to Delhi University and Gujarat University where he completed his doctorate in space plasma physics. During this time, he met his wife Dilly. He did his postgraduate studies at Cornell University and experienced American culture for the first time and made lasting bonds with his colleagues. He remembered these years fondly. After marriage, Surja and Dilly spent their early years together studying in Europe and the Andaman Islands. They moved to the United States after the birth of their first son Tonku Gopal. Their second son Khagemba was born years later in Maryland.

Surja worked at the University of Maryland, College Park, as a research scientist for 41 years. He had a resolute dedication to the international scientific community and passionately mentored students of all backgrounds. A dynamic and spirited individual, he helped establish the North American Manipur Association and was the founding director of the Research Institute of Science and Technology, Imphal. He had a deep appreciation for nature.



Surja is survived by his wife, A. Dilly Devi, and sons A. Tonku Gopal (daughter-in-law Chris Pitocchelli) and A. Khagemba. A celebration of his life will be held at ISKCON Temple, 10310 Oaklyn Dr, Potomac, MD, at 10 a.m. on January 27, 2024.