[6] B. M. Deb, born on 27 September 1942 in the Indian state of Bengal when the pre-independent India was going through the Quit India movement, graduated in chemistry (BSc hons) from Presidency College, Kolkata (present-day Presidency University) and completed his master's degree from the Rajabazar Science College, with physical chemistry as the principal subject.

Continuing at the institution, he did his doctoral research under Charles Coulson, a pioneer of quantum theory of matter, to secure a DPhil in mathematics.

[10] His work on the applicability of the concept of internal stresses of molecules and solids revealed their relation to the density-functional theory and quantum fluid dynamics.

He developed methodologies for predicting new molecules using quantum chemistry and for combining cellular automata with Thomas-Fermi-Dirac theory.

[4] One of the early pioneers of the electron density theory in chemistry, Deb's main focus was on developing the foundations for a possible density-based alternative quantum mechanics bypassing the Schrödinger equation and the many-electron wave-function.

He was also involved with curriculum designing programs and seminars[15] and has been associated with science journals as a member of their editorial boards.

Recently his lifelong enthusiasm and passion for Indology and its connection to the world heritage is culminated in the book "The peacock in splendour: Science, literature and arts in ancient and medieval India".

"A result of long and painstaking research over many years, this refreshing and structured book is a pioneering effort to examine the intellectual dimensions of Indian holism.

Deb adopted primarily a chalk-and-blackboard approach, with every mathematical equation written on the blackboard being physically interpreted.

In case difficult/ complicated diagrams were to be shown, he used different methods of presentation in which 4 colours were invariably employed for visual appeal, inspired by the topological 4-colour map concept.

Two notable aspects in this instance are: (i) In a longish derivation, he would casually introduce a twist for unsuspecting students and finally obtain a result which was unacceptable and could even be ridiculous.

Deb has played a significant role as a conceptualiser and as a member/convener of the various institutional and national committees involved in upgrading and modernisation of quite a few prominent educational curricula in India.