Editors: Prof. Pallab Banerji, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur Prof. Ayan Datta, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata Publisher: Sreeprasad M K State Organizing Secretary, Vijnana Bharati, West Bengal.
CONTENT List of Contributors Editorial Preface by Prof. Santanu Bhattacharya Message from Prof. M. M. Sharma Prof. Gautam R. Desiraju Prof. Tathagata Roy Shri Jayant Shasrabudhe Dr. Jisnu Basu Dr. Ivy De Dr. Kalyan Ganguli Dr. Narayan Chakrabarty Smt. Mayuri Dutt
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology List of Contributors Prof. M. M. Sharma: Chairman, Governing Council, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science Prof. Gautam R. Desiraju: Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore Prof. Santanu Bhattacharya: Director, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science Prof. Tathagata Roy: Former Governor of Meghalaya Shri Jayant Shasrabudhe: Organizing Secretary, Vijnan Bharati Prof. Pallab Banerji: Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur Dr. Jisnu Basu: Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics Dr. Ivy De: Gokhale Memorial Girls’ College Dr. Kalyan Ganguli: Former Governing Council member, Vijnana Bharati Dr. Narayan Chakrabarty: Former Director and Scientific Consultant, West Bengal Biotech Development Board Smt. Mayuri Dutt: Director Academics, Pristine Vibe School and Akhalsahay 2| College of Education
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology Foreword Iam delighted to write this untimely death, Syamaprasad foreword, as Director, took over, adored and nurtured Indian Association for the IACS just like his father. Dr. Cultivation of Science (IACS), Syamaprasad Mookerjee, by Kolkata which was founded virtue of being an important in 1876 by distinguished Dr. member of the Governing Mahendralal Sircar, personal Trustee Board at IACS, steered physician of renowned sage, Shri IACS to safety in its critical Ramakrishna Paramahamsa years during the nineteen Dev and Shri Bankim Chandra thirties. Chattopadhyay, the composer of Vande Mataram in Sanskrit In the welcome address stotra, personifying India as a delivered at the Indian Science mother goddess. Some of the Congress in the year 1935, greatest luminaries of India such Dr. Syamaprasad Mookerjee as Father Lafont, Sir Asutosh was exultant to describe the Mookerjee and Sir J.C. Bose, and contribution of IACS: “Outside others actively took part in this the university, the institutions, initiative at the time of Bengal which have added foremost to Renaissance and they used to the city’s fame and prestige, are take regular classes in IACS. Sir the Indian Association for the Asutosh Mookerjee published Cultivation of Science....” several papers in Mathematics from IACS including those in Dr. Syamaprasad Mookerjee Nature. Sir Asutosh described strongly believed that, “India Dr. Mahendralal as his spiritual is a country where the vast body father and after Sir Asutosh’s of scientific knowledge already |3
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology gathered, has not yet been utilized number of scholarly essays, for to any appreciable extent for the enhancing our understanding daily life of man. The practical about the polymath and application of scientific knowledge true Indian, Syamaprasad in to problems of industry and particular, with regard to his agriculture, of sanitation and vision and contributions to the nutrition, all contributing to the advancement of science in India steady increase in prosperity, joy and educational reforms that he and happiness of the people, is a brought about in the University question of paramount importance of Calcutta as Vice Chancellor in a country where millions are especially in the arena of yet sunk in poverty, disease and practicing of science. ignorance.” I believe deeply in the As the youngest Vice- instructive value of such Chancellor of Calcutta discussion of history of science University, he introduced education for all students, training for mass-scale human teachers of India and our society resource generation in the at large. Teachers at every level Applied Physics department and stage of their career can of Calcutta University. He enrich their knowledge and initiated a scheme in Applied broaden their vision from the Chemistry to impart training in discussions and recounts of production of industrial goods. history presented in this e-book. A course in Communication Clearly written, well organized, Engineering was introduced and highly informative, this during his tenure. Experimental book, I am sure would serve as Psychology was introduced an excellent repository for every among other subjects at the Indian to be in their collections. B.Sc. degree level curriculum. He started a diploma course in Santanu Bhattacharya, Agriculture as well. Director, This book entitled “Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Indian Association for the for the Development of Indian Cultivation of Science, Science & Technology” provides a useful compilation of a Kolkata, India 6th July, 2020 4|
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology Speech delivered by Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Hon’ble Minister of Science and Technology, Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Minister of Earth Sciences, Government of India on July 6, 2020 as a Chief Guest on the occasion of the 119th Birth Anniversary Celebration of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee at Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata. He also formally released the e-version of this book titled “Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the development of Indian Science & Technology.” Good Morning all of you. Head, Department of Material Sciences, IIT Kharagpur. Prof Shantanu Bharrtacharya, Director, Indian Association Shri Jayant Sahasrabudhe, for the Cultivation of Science, National Organising Secretary Kolkata. of Vijnana Bharati. Prof Pallab Banerji, Dr Jisnu Basu, Scientist at Department of Atomic Energy, President, Vivekananda Saha Institute of Nuclear Vijnan Mission and Former |5
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology Physics and Vice President of which is now Deemed to be Vivekananda Vijnan Mission. University of great importance for the country, for the scientific Prof Ayan Datta, Secretary world and the very fact that this of Vivekananda Vijnan Mission program is being organised in and Professor at IACS. IACS where I had privileged to visit many times and see from Dr Anju Datta, other close quarters the contribution distinguished scientists and of my revered leader, Dr Syama senior luminaries who have Prasad Mookerjee, who has joined this function. contributed in the building up of not only this institution I convey my good wishes to but to many other scientific Prof M M Sharma, Chairman, institutions in the country, Governing Body of IACS and even before the independence also to all those who are part of and after he became the first this great function. Minister of Industries in independent India. I feel happy and so privileged today, to be part This place reminds us of of a function though virtually the great C. V. Raman, the only on 6th July 2020. For many nobel laureate in science that years, I had the privilege to we had in our country. I am host and organise the function sure that people working at as a Secretary of Dr Syama this institution must be taking Prasad Mookerjee Research lots of energy, enthusiasm Foundation. Since last two and inspiration from the great decades we are organising the work of Sir C V Raman and I function on 6th July and 23rd think at this occasion when we June in Kolkata and Jammu & remember Dr Syama Prasad Kashmir to commemorate the Mookerjee for the great work memory of the great, Dr Syama that he has done not only Prasad Mookerjee. for science but for the whole country. We also have to take I have always felt blessed a pledge to try and recreate and privileged whenever I have visited IACS, Kolkata 6|
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology the legacy of the great Sir C V people like him, 8 days after Raman. I have been a part of the independence. That was the ideology that Dr Syama Prasad vision of great leader Dr Syama Mookerjee represented since Prasad Mookerjee, of course he 1951. I joined this ideology in had the support and blessings 1969. I had heard so much about of then the Prime Minister of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee India, Shri Jawaharlal Nehruji. in the speeches of my great Today when you are dedicating leaders for many decades, this particular day in 2020 to but I always feel privileged, the creation of a book gifted to when I became the Science the country about the ‘Role of and Technology Minister and Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee also thereby the Vice President for the Development of Indian of the CSIR. For the first time Science & Technology”, it’s a I could really appreciate glorious moment for all of us! from very close quarters the immense contribution made I could see that the book by Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee is very rich and is going to be for promoting science, science very very useful, I am sure, for institutions, and science the scientific community. But research laboratories. When I I know as a BJP supporter and visited the labs in this country BJP worker for many many I could see the contribution of decades, the BJP workers Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, in India revere Dr Syama who had led the vision for a Prasad Mookerjee for his great vibrant and scientific India, patriotism, his contribution for having led the foundation stone nation building, his great value for many scientific institutions oriented politics and for his in Kolkata, Chennai and many sacrifice for the cause of Jammu other places. I remember and and Kashmir. They remember I always loved him for his him for raising a voice against vision because we got our article 370 and article 35A, but independence on 15 August not many BJP workers in the 1947 and I could visit the place country including me, much which was inaugurated by the before I became the science and |7
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology technology minister, ever knew it very privileged and blessed the contribution of this great feeling to be at the position academician - Dr Syama Prasad which was once enjoyed by the Mokerjee. I am so happy that great Dr Mookerjee. this book has chapters written by Prof Tathagata Roy - one of I am so happy that Indian my dear friends who is presently Association for the Cultivation the Governor of Meghalaya, of Science has now its new Prof. Gautam R. Desiraju, campus which I had visited. We Shri Jayant Shasrabudhe, Dr. have started the Syamaprasad Jisnu Basu, Dr. Ivy De, Dr. Mookerjee Advanced Research Kalyan Ganguli, Prof. Narayan and Training (SMART) Chakrabarty, and Mrs. Mayuri campus which is going be a Dutt; and of course it has the great boon for our young blessings of Prof Shantanu talents and which will be an Bhattacharya and Prof Pallab International hub and it’s going Banerji. I could just have a to be focusing on not only the glimpse of this book and it gives fundamental sciences for which so much inspiring information IACS is known but also for its and this book will give a lot of application and translation of important knowledge to our the knowledge, ensuring that young students and researchers we inspire our young students and even to the people working to focus on research which will in public life in India. Even be contributing towards the while you are a politician or application of science for the minister how much immensely, benefit of the common people. dedicatedly and committedly We all know 70 years down the you can contribute towards road after independence, we still science also. When I recall, there have problems in this country. was a time when he was vice Though fundamental science is president of CSIR as India’s first important, it is also important Industry minister and today that we have to convert the fruits when I enjoy the privilege of of fundamental science and we being vice president of CSIR for ensure we deliver them through last almost six years now I find translation into activities which 8|
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology will benefit human welfare 5 years we have been organising which will elevate the common the India International Science people from their sufferings. Festival (IISF) through the S & T Ministry in collaboration with I am sure that this institution Vijnana Bharati and the most is going to play a great role and recent one was held in the great in future times it will certainly land of West Bengal in Kolkata. inspire thousands and millions This institution has contributed of young researchers. I am a lot for the success of the IISF. happy that this function is So it’s a great moment, the supported by our dear Vijnana publication of this book - Role Bharati people who have been of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee contributing for the cause for the Development of Indian of science without any pop Science & Technology. band show but with utmost commitment and sincerity to I would like the institution ensure at the great wisdom of to make sure that this doesn’t ancient times and the fruits remain an academic exercise. of modern science we ensure This should be a beginning. By that they collaborate in the knowing and understanding best possible manner. Vijnana Dr Mookerjee, I am sure the Bharati tries to reach the society content of the book, is probably and spread the information on only the tip of an iceberg. As the integration of natural and far as his contributions to the the spiritual sciences. development of science and his association with the scientific Vijnana Bharati is a science personalities of India and his movement, earlier known as the continuous contribution for its Swadeshi Science Movement. development are concerned, I As of today, thousands of think this particular publication scientists are associated with should boost and encourage Vibha as its members. I have many others to put a proper been part of many functions effort to understand his where I have witnessed these contribution towards science, as scientists and members of many other aspects of his life are Vijnana Bharati. Almost for last |9
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology known which are available on The new history that has been the Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee created is very well known to Research Foundation website. us. While we pay our heartfelt But I am sure there is a lot that tribute to the memory of Dr needs to be written on this Syama Prasad Mookerjee it aspect so that young minds of is time to pledge once again India will take inspiration from that we shall work with more this great son of India who commitments and dedication sacrificed his life for the cause and we shall surely take the of India. Even today we feel the inspiration from the works of Sir pain of his death. We strongly C V Raman, Acharya J C Bose, feel that he left us early and Dr S N Bose, Acharya P C Ray we are deeply anguished even and many others who worked today because we still don’t in frugal facilities with very know in what circumstances he trivial locations. Today when I had to succumb to death. That compare the facilities available is still a mystery for everybody. to our scientists, I feel that our I do not want to get into those scientists today are far more issues but as a BJP worker these blessed than them, and that issues always give us agonising is why I think we have to take pain. Today in 2020 we feel inspiration from those great little more satisfied and happy people and also from the vision that he led his life for the cause of our Prime Minister. Shri of J&K protesting against the Narendra Modiji has shown us permit for entry in J&K which a dream of a new India by 2022 is now getting resolved through and also a dream for making the amendments in article India the topmost scientific 370 and article 35A under the nation of the world by 2030. This dynamic leadership of Hon’ble is time again to remember our Prime Minister Shri Narendra scientific social responsibility, Modi ji and Hon’ble Home as he has huge faith in our Minister Shri Amit Shah ji. We potential and our sincerity. At all know that no longer do we this time when we remember have article 370 and article 35A Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee we applicable to the state of J&K. have to take a pledge that we 10|
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology will work with renewed vigour (Covid-19). Now we have new and enthusiasm to realise the normals created in the world dreams of the Prime Minister. for the time being, therefore, we have to wear masks, maintain With these few words the high hygiene and etiquettes, I thank all the organisers adequate social distance so as to and specially Prof Shantanu protect ourselves from corona. Bharrtacharya Director, IACS As scientists you must be taking and also Vijnana Bharati, Shri good care, but please ensure Jayant Sahasrabudhe ji, Prof the care of elderly people, Pallab Banerji and all other pregnant women, and children colleagues for inviting me to around you and of course your this function and giving me colleagues in the institution. the privilege for being part of Wishing you good health. this pious function. All my Thank you once again. good wishes to the scientists, students and researches. I wish Jai Hind. you all a healthy life and I am Bharat Mata Ki Jai! sure that you are all protecting yourselves ably from corona |11
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology Message from Professor M. M. Sharma, FRS, Chairman, Governing Council, IACS “I am indeed delighted to learn Starting with Sir Asutosh Mookerjee as the first that the Indian Association generation mentor right from its inception, Dr. Syamaprasad for the Cultivation of Science Mookerjee’s contribution in the development of IACS has to be (IACS), Kolkata in association appropriately recognized. It is gratifying to note that Dr. Harsh with the Vijnana Bharati is Vardhan, the Hon’ble Minister of Science and Technology, organizing the 119th birth Government of India has taken personal interest in the creation anniversary of the legendary of Syamaprasad Mookerjee Advanced Research & Training nationalist leader Dr. (SMART) campus in its newly acquired land at Baruipur. Syamaprasad Mookerjee on 6th In fact since IACS is recently undergoing a remarkable of July 2020. As a key member of the Governing Trustee Board, Syamaprasad steered IACS to a sustainable direction in its critical years due to which IACS benefited immensely to grow as an outstanding scientific research and training institution of the country. 12|
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology transformation as a state-of- and Technology, Government the-art research university as of India. IACS as a deemed evident from various surveys university under de novo made by reputed international category is offering research publishing houses such as oriented unique curricula and Nature Index, for which IACS highly meritorious students has benefitted immensely are attracted from all over the from the support provided country. by the Department of Science The creation of SMART This will further catapult IACS campus will not only add a into a unique Institution of feather to its cap but will also Eminence of the country for the be able to make its contribution service of the nation and this, more meaningful in the context in my opinion, is one of the of the national growth through best ways to pay respect to this creative scientific research, its selfless leader for his remarkable translation and dissemination, contribution towards education the themes close to the heart of in our country.” Dr. Syamaprasad Mookerjee. |13
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee Polymath and Bharatiya Gautam R. Desiraju It gives me great pleasure to politics and administration. be able to write this short The continuous thread that essay on Dr. Syama Prasad runs through all these activities Mukherjee (1901-1953) in the is an intense nationalism was context of his contributions to also coupled with a strong the development and growth sense of anti-communalism, for of science and technology in he believed that communalism modern India, on the occasion was the veritable enemy of the of his birth anniversary on 6th larger concept of nation. That he July. could achieve as much as he did in a working lifespan of just 30 Syama Prasad Mukherjee odd years just goes to show that was truly a multi-faceted it was this continuing thread of personality, who in his short life nationalism that inspired and span, was deeply involved in an guided him throughout. He entire gamut of activities that applied this same paradigm bridged culture, academics, 14|
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology of nationalism in each of his to be a harbinger of a glorious seemingly different fields of undivided Bharat, as evidenced activity. by the words of Gopal Krishna Gokhale on Bengali thinking On the one hand, it is leading the way for India, but tragically the seeds of sorrow impossible to view his very had already been laid: Bengal also had the latent features of considerable contributions to a divided, partitioned land. In the end though, Syama Prasad scientific activity in pre- and Mukherjee was a pragmatist. When partition did occur 25 post-independence times years later, he realized that it was the lesser of the evils: outside of his cultural, political he is believed to have said that while the British had and administrative personae. partitioned India, he had partitioned Pakistan! The credit On the other hand, his political for achieving a Hindu majority West Bengal in an independent acumen derived substantially India must go to him and to him alone. from his scientific bent of Let us now consider his mind and his experience as an contributions to science or in essence, to the educational academic: his was an essentially system of modern India. The University of Calcutta was holistic existence with no the laboratory for many of his experiments and plans internal contradictions. for education in what he presumably felt would soon be His was truly a fortuitous a free India. His ability to look synergy of nature and nurture. deep into the future gave rise The worthy son of a worthy to a proposition for education, father, he was born and raised in the cradle of the Bengali renaissance. Intellectualism was the cry of the hour and he was right there at its very ramparts, the Presidency College and the University of Calcutta. From there, he was able to translate the Bengali identity into a national identity. This was undoubtedly because of the freedom struggle that was building up to a climax by the 1920s. Bengal by then seemed |15
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology which was badly needed in the development is not conditioned country. Ironically, this sound only by research; it is highly proposition is still largely dependent on finances, a feature unrealised 70 years after his that sadly seems to have escaped death largely because those many persons in scientifically in authority wilfully ignored responsible positions in our many of his wonderful plans government today. In the post- and ideas. Because these were COVID scenario of 2020, this never brought properly to nearly exclusive dependence on fruition we are still grappling finances is even more true, and with profound issues in the the constraints and limitations science and education sectors. we face are to that extent all that more formidable. Syama Prasad Mukherjee correctly felt, way back in the It is not well known that 1930s, the need for science science departments in our and technology and their universities were practically linking with industry. A decade unknown in Indian universities later he was Vice President till Syama Prasad Mukherjee of the Council of Scientific started introducing them in and Industrial Research in the University of Calcutta. an independent India in his While the Science College was capacity as our first Minister already in existence before he for Industry and Supply. In became the Vice Chancellor, it particular he was responsible is appropriate to mention here for the creation of the National that it was he who started the Physical Laboratory, Delhi and Applied Science departments the Central Glass and Ceramic and also the departments Research Institute, Kolkata. of Anthropology, Botany, Among the major projects Experimental Psychology and that owe to him directly are Physiology, as well as Zoology, the Sindri fertiliser plant, the also emphasising that practical Chittaranjan Loco Works and classes are as important as the Damodar Valley Project. He theory lectures. He did not stop rightly observed that industrial here. To him goes the credit of 16|
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology introducing science subjects in their mother tongues, he down to the Intermediate averred that science would examination level. remain a ‘foreign’ activity that youngsters would tend to One of the problems we avoid. Today, many students are still struggling with in are indeed slightly scared of our education system today science. How much of this is the question of the medium is due to a simple lack of of instruction and what we familiarity with its medium of should use as a link language. propagation? He had a keen The various states have eye for public opinion and his highly polarised positions inviting Rabindranath Tagore on this matter even as cool, to give his convocation address rational analysis will reveal in Bengali in 1937 was the that the greatest innovations move of an astute politician! and scientific discoveries in Not many know that he also a country are only possible initiated the use of Bengali in if students have for their research studies. He went as far medium of instruction, their as allowing a student to submit mother tongue. That we are a PhD thesis in the Bengali still very far away from this language. Truly, he was a man ideal is testimony to our lack far ahead of his times. of dispassionate thinking on the matter. In this context, Syama Prasad Mukherjee Syama Prasad Mukherjee’s believed that education was the introduction of Bengali as a strategic first step towards language in the core education system must rank as one of nationalism and he pushed his most revolutionary moves the concept of free and in the education sector. It also compulsory education for all; needs to be mentioned that he according to him education was specified that English would be not the exclusive privilege of the a compulsory second language elite. Among his innovations in this scheme of things. Unless were the setting up of exchange students are taught science programmes with scientifically advanced countries including |17
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology technical and industrial training for the first time new vocations and inviting foreign experts and avenues for employment to India for shorter and longer in the armed forces, in trade spells. One can easily discern and commerce, and in industry. the imprint of such thinking It is almost as if he, as a Vice in the setting up of the IITs, Chancellor in pre-independence and in particular the influence days, was our minister for he seems to have had on his science and education in a free illustrious contemporary, Jnan India! Realising the drawbacks Chandra Ghosh. With regards of a developing economy he to medicine and engineering, highlighted the problems of diet, he revised the syllabi health, hygiene and sanitation completely so as to extend as well as the necessity of very their range and usefulness. sound agricultural programs So many of our leaders since in specialized universities. He his time have paid but lip wanted students to explore service to the employability science and technology with of science graduates. Syama respect to agriculture, so as to Prasad Mukherjee on various increase productive efficiency, occasions roused public and proposed that economics interest and attention on the and banking would be very paramount necessity of creating important in relation to foreign new occupation and career trade in a free India. In many opportunities for students. In of these suggestions he seems this context he was responsible to have inspired another of for setting up an Employment his eminent contemporaries, Exchange for the University of Bidhan Chandra Roy. Calcutta. This idea of setting up a reliable and trustworthy His efforts both in the link between the employer University of Calcutta and and employment seeker really later as a Union minister to needs to be strengthened in the improve library facilities, context of today’s India of 2020. increase vocational education and college autonomy, make The list goes on: he proposed education a mass movement, 18|
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology and empower women through synthesise several political education are too numerous to thought streams and found detail here. Suffice it to say that a fledgling party in 1951, the he considered education and in Bharatiya Jana Sangh, which particular science education to while it was briefly subsumed be the bedrock of a modern and into the Janata Party in 1977, progressive India. He envisaged metamorphosed into the primary education, secondary Bharatiya Janata Party in 1980, education and university and which in turn has gone on research as a seamless whole to become the largest political that was inextricably linked organisation in the world. to the development and Unless its original founder strengthening of a feeling of had a true and correct grasp nationhood. Contrast this with of the essential character of the the artificial and ill-advised inhabitants of this sacred land, separation of teaching and it would have been impossible research under the Nehruvian for this party to have gained an dispensation that has caused absolute majority in our lower incalculable damage in the house of Parliament in 2014 education sector. and even more convincingly in 2019. And fittingly, with this Whom the Gods love, unquestionable mandate that the people of India have finally they take away soon and given to his political creation, the dreams and aspirations of the circumstances of his Syama Prasad Mukherjee in the fields of science and education peculiar death under highly may yet see realization in the not too distant future. suspicious circumstances are too well known to bear repeating here. And yet, this man of indefatigable energy was able to find the time to |19
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee and His Contribution to Indian Science Tathagata Roy* The nation and his home especially outside West Bengal, state West Bengal – in as the person who attempted fact the state that he the complete integration of the practically founded – have state of Jammu and Kashmir slowly woken up to the into India and laid down his greatness of Dr Syama Prasad life in a heinous conspiracy Mookerjee after some sixty- in the process; a task which seven years of forgetfulness was completed only in August after his death in 1953. He is 2019, sixty-six years after primarily remembered today, his death. In West Bengal * Currently governor of Meghalaya. Formerly Founder-Head of the Department of Construction Engineering, Jadavpur University, and a Chief Engineer in the Indian Railways. Biographer of Dr. Mookerjee and a Jagadis Bose National Science Talent Search scholar. 20|
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology he is remembered also as an Sir R.P.Paranjpye, the famous educator, the youngest Vice- mathematician, had remarked Chancellor ever of any Indian that if he had pursued the University at the age of 33; as study of mathematics alone he the person who created West could have risen to the greatest Bengal as the homeland for heights on the subject. But his Bengali Hindus against all odds greatest contribution to Indian by snatching the state out of the Science was the discovery of jaws of Jinnah; and the creator Sir C.V.Raman, the first Asian of a political party which, after Nobel Laureate in Science who a metamorphosis is ruling the was at that time languishing as country today with an absolute an officer in the Indian Finance majority. Compared to these Service, and installing him as achievements his contributions the Palit Professor of Calcutta to the advancement of science University. This is just like in India are modest. He was a the scientist and inventor Sir multifaceted genius just like his Humphrey Davy saying that celebrated father Sir Asutosh his greatest discovery was his Mookerjee, but his predilections disciple Michael Faraday. were largely for the Humanities, Law and Politics. Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s academic life To begin a discussion on the naturally centred around subject it is necessary to write Calcutta University where a few sentences on the father he had been a syndicate before that on the son is taken member since 1924, and up. Sir Asutosh is primarily the Vice-Chancellor for two remembered as an educator, terms, from 1934 to 1938. one who took Calcutta At each convocation of the University to dizzy heights University the Vice-chancellor of academic excellence and a was required to deliver an person of Law which made address on how the affairs of him a judge of the Calcutta the University were conducted High Court. But he was also a since the last convocation. In mathematician par excellence; addition, he was called upon |21
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology to address the convocations in the University. By 1934, when several other universities and Dr. Mookerjee had become the delivered memorable speeches Vice-Chancellor he secured at Nagpur, Bombay, Patna, another generous grant from the Agra, Banaras Hindu and Delhi Kanodia trust with which the universities. His thoughts and department was considerably achievements on scientific enlarged. education were, to a great extent contained in these speeches and Dr. Mookerjee was exercised an extract of them is given in the following paragraphs. over the creation of a proper One of Dr. Mookerjee’s infrastructure for teaching of significant steps in the teaching of science was in in setting up applied sciences and gave the and enlarging the Department of Applied Physics in the matter his pointed personal University. The first steps for teaching of Applied Physics attention. In his convocation in Calcutta University had been taken by a generous gift addressed delivered as Vice- of a sum of money from Sir Rash Behari Ghosh during Sir Chancellor of the Calcutta Asutosh Mookerjee’s time in 1913 and 1920. However, after University on March 2, Sir Asutosh’s untimely death in 1924 his unfinished task was 1935 he said, “We are also taken in hand by Syama Prasad as the syndicate member, and a engaged in considering the post-graduate course inApplied Physics was begun in 1925. The possibility of providing full-fledged department was set up in 1930, by which time increased accommodation Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee had become synonymous with in the University College of Science with a view to enabling our teachers, particularly in the applied sciences, to fulfil satisfactorily the obligations of their offices and to extend the usefulness of the institution. We are no less anxious to concentrate in one place the teaching of subjects like Zoology, Botany, Anthropology, Experimental Psychology and Physiology, now scattered in three different parts of the city”. 22|
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology In the next address delivered on Electronics, in 1951)…..We have February 2, 1936, he reported adhered to the policy of inviting progress: “We have partially distinguished professors and reorganised the Biological well-known personalities to laboratories but these need deliver special lectures for further development. We have the benefit of our students. To transferred to Ballygunge mention a few….Satyendranath Circular Road (a huge building Bose from Dacca”. donated by Sir Tarak Nath Palit) the Department of Compared to the marks he Anthropology……The work has left in the fields of overall of constructing a building for educational administration, the Department of Applied famine relief and above all Chemistry and for providing politics, these may seem modest. increased accommodation for Dr. Mookerjee, not being a the Department of Applied person of Science, may also have Physics is now in progress…. had a limited understanding In the Department of Applied of some issues. However, his Physics we have made provision emphasis on infrastructure- for the study of communication building during his period of engineering (This was Vice-Chancellorship (1934-38) subsequently separated and indicated his eagerness to take made into a new department, forward the study of scientific that of Radio Physics and subjects. [Acknowledgment: Educational Speeches of Dr. Syamaprasad Mookerjee, Dr. Reena Bhaduri, Ed., A. Mukherjee & Co., Kolkata, 2nd. Ed., 2016] |23
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology 24|
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology Heading Shri Jayant Shasrabudhe ¶ ªÉɨÉÉ|ɺÉÉnù ¨ÉÖJÉVÉÔ Eäò VÉx¨É ÊnùxÉ +¤É {ÉÚ®úÒ ½þÉäxÉä VÉÉ ®ú½þÒ ½èþ* <ºÉʱÉB +ÉVÉ {É®ú VÉÉä ªÉä EòɪÉÇGò¨É +ÉVÉ ½þ¨É Eäò <ºÉ EòɪÉÇGò¨É EòÉ ¨É½þi´É ½þ¨É ºÉ¤É ºÉ¨ÉZÉ Eò®ú ®ú½äþ ½èþ =ºÉEäò ʱÉB Ê´É´ÉäEòÉxÉÆnù ºÉEòiÉä ½èþ. ¶ªÉɨÉÉ|ɺÉÉnù ¨ÉÖJÉVÉÔ xÉä +{ÉxÉä näù¶É Ê´ÉYÉÉxÉ Ê¨É¶ÉxÉ VÉÉä Ê´ÉYÉÉxÉ ¦ÉÉ®úiÉÒ EòÒ {ÉζSÉ¨É Eäò Ê´ÉEòÉºÉ Eäò ʱÉB Ê´ÉʦÉzÉ +ÆMÉÉå ¨Éå VÉÉä ¤ÉÆMÉÉ±É EòÒ ¶ÉÉJÉÉ ½èþ +Éè®ú +ÉªÉ B ºÉÒ BºÉ, EòÉ¨É ÊEòªÉÉ =ºÉEòÒ VÉÉxÉEòÉ®úÒ ½þ¨É ºÉ¦ÉÒ EòÉä nùÉäxÉÉå EòÉä ¨Éå +ʦÉxÉÆnùxÉ näùxÉÉ SÉɽþiÉÉ ½ÚÄþ. <ºÉ ½èþ. ±ÉäÊEòxÉ º´ÉiÉÆjÉiÉÉ Eäò ¤ÉÉnù VÉÉä º´Énäù¶ÉÒ EòɪÉÇGò¨É ¨Éå VÉÉä ¸ÉÉäiÉÉ +Éè®ú nù¶ÉÇEò +ÉB ½èþ ¦ÉÉ´É +{ÉxÉä VÉÒ´ÉxÉ Eäò ½þ®ú IÉäjÉ ¨Éå +ÉxÉÉ =xÉEòÉä ¦ÉÒ ¨Éä®úÉ ºÉÉnù®ú |ÉhÉɨÉ. SÉÉʽþB lÉÉ =ºÉEäò ´É½þ |ɪÉɺɮúiÉ lÉä. +Éè®ú näù¶É º´ÉiÉÆjÉ ½þÉäxÉä Eäò {ɶSÉÉiÉ ÊVÉºÉ ¨ÉÆjÉÉ±ÉªÉ +ÉVÉ EòÉ ÊnùxÉ ½þ¨É ºÉ¦ÉÒ Eäò ʱÉB BEò EòÉ nùÉʪÉi´É =xÉEäò {ÉÉºÉ +ɪÉÉ =ºÉEäò uùÉ®úÉ Ê´É¶Éä¹É ÊnùxÉ ½èþ. ¶ªÉɨÉÉ|ɺÉÉnù ¨ÉÖJÉVÉÔ EòÉ =x½þÉåxÉä ´É½þ º´Énäù¶ÉÒ ¦ÉÉ´É, VÉÉä º´ÉiÉÆjÉ ¦ÉÉ®úiÉ VÉx¨ÉÊnùxÉ VÉÉä EòÒ ¶ªÉɨÉÉ|ɺÉÉnù VÉÒ xÉä +{ÉxÉä Eäò Ê´ÉEòÉºÉ Eäò ʱɪÉä ¤É½ÖþiÉ +ɴɶªÉEò lÉÉ näù¶É Eäò =ilÉÉxÉ Eäò ʱÉB ¤É½ÖþiÉ EòɪÉÇ ÊEòªÉÉ =ºÉEòÉä ºlÉÉÊ{ÉiÉ Eò®úxÉä Eäò ʱÉB ¤É½ÖþiÉ |ɪÉÉºÉ ½èþ ±ÉäÊEòxÉ ¶ÉɨÉÉ|ɺÉÉnùVÉÒ EòÉ +{ÉxÉä näù¶É ¨Éå ÊEòªÉÉ* ´ÉèºÉä º´ÉiÉÆjÉiÉÉ Eäò {ÉÚ´ÉÇ ´É½þ Eò±ÉEòkÉÉ Ê´ÉYÉÉxÉ Eäò Ê´ÉEòÉºÉ ½äþiÉÖ VÉÉä EòɪÉÇ ÊEòªÉÉ MɪÉÉ Ê´É·ÉÊ´ÉtÉ±ÉªÉ Eäò ºÉ¨¨ÉÉxÉxÉÒªÉ EÖò±É{ÉiÉÒ =ºÉ {Éä +¦ÉÒ iÉEò ʴɶÉä¹É |ÉEòÉ¶É xɽþÓ b÷ɱÉÉ ¤ÉxÉä ªÉÉ +xªÉ ºÉ¨ÉªÉ {É®ú ¦ÉÒ =xÉEäò ¨ÉxÉ EòÉ MɪÉÉ. <ºÉ EòɪÉÇGò¨É Eäò uùÉ®úÉ ´É½þ +vÉÚ®úÒ ¤ÉÉiÉ º´Énäù¶ÉÒ ¦ÉÉ´É |ÉJÉ®ú °ü{É ºÉä ºÉɨÉxÉä +ɪÉÉ. |25
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology ´É½þ Eäò´É±É ¤ÉÖÊrù Eäò vÉ®úÉiÉ±É {É®ú º´Énäù¶ÉÒ EòÉä |ÉEòÉ®ú EòÉ |ÉÉäiºÉɽþxÉ ÊnùªÉÉ +Éè®ú =ºÉEäò ºlÉÉÊ{ÉiÉ xɽþÓ Eò®úxÉÉ SÉɽþiÉä lÉä, iÉÉä |ÉiªÉIÉ ºÉÉlÉ ºÉ¨ÉÉVÉ EòÉ Ê´ÉEòÉºÉ ºÉ¨ÉÉVÉ ¨Éå VÉÉä =ºÉEòÉ ÊGòªÉÉx´ÉªÉxÉ Eò®úiÉä ½ÖþB +{ÉxÉä näù¶É Eäò nùÉÊ®úpù¬ +ÆOÉäVÉÉå Eäò EòÉ®úhÉ +ɪÉÉ lÉÉ =ºÉEòÉä ºÉ¨ÉÉVÉ VÉÒ´ÉxÉ ¨Éå º´Énäù¶ÉÒ ¦ÉÉ´É EòÉä ºlÉÉÊ{ÉiÉ ÊxÉ®úºiÉ Eò®úxÉä Eäò ʱÉB, +{ÉxÉÉ näù¶É ºÉ¨ÉÞÊrù Eò®úxÉÉ SÉɽþiÉä lÉä. =xÉEòÒ BäºÉÒ <SUôÉ lÉÒ EòÒ EòÒ +Éè®ú ¤Éfäø <ºÉ ʱÉB ={ɪÉÉäÊVÉiÉ Ê´ÉYÉÉxÉ <ºÉ ¦ÉÉ®úiɴɹÉÇ ¨Éå ºÉ¦ÉÒ xÉä <ºÉ º´Énäù¶ÉÒ ¦ÉÉ´É EòÉ {ÉIÉ ¦ÉÒ =x½þÉåxÉä +SUäô |ÉEòÉ®ú ºÉä +ÉMÉä EòÉä +Éi¨ÉºÉÉiÉ Eò®úxÉÉ SÉÉʽþB. <ºÉEäò Eò<Ç ¤ÉgøɪÉÉ. Eò±ÉEòkÉÉ Ê´É·ÉÊ´ÉtÉ±ÉªÉ ¨Éå =x½þÉåxÉä =nùɽþ®úhÉ ½þ¨Éå ʨɱÉiÉä ½èþ - VÉèºÉä Eäò´É±É ¨ÉڱɦÉÚiÉÊ´ÉPªÉÉÄ ½þÒ xɽþÓ iÉÉä ={ɪÉÉäÊVÉiÉ Ê´ÉYÉÉxÉ ªÉÉÊxÉ +{±ÉÉ<Çb÷ ºÉɪÉxºÉäºÉ EòÉä ¤É½ÖþiÉ 1937 ¨Éå ´É½þ VÉ¤É Eò±ÉEòkÉÉ +ÉMÉä ¤ÉgøxÉä Eäò ʱÉB EòɪÉÇ ÊEòªÉÉ. ªÉ½þ BEò Ê´É·ÉÊ´ÉtÉ±ÉªÉ Eäò EÖò±É{ÉiÉÒ lÉä iÉ¤É =x½þÉåxÉä ¨É½þi´É{ÉÚhÉÇ +ɪÉÉ¨É =xÉEäò ´ªÉÊHòi´É EòÉ +{ÉxÉä +Énù®úhÉÒªÉ MÉÖ¯û´ÉªÉÇ ®ú´ÉÓpùxÉÉlÉ `öÉEÖò®ú VÉÒ ºÉɨÉxÉä +ÉiÉÉ ½èþ. EòÉä Ê´É·ÉÊ´ÉtÉ±ÉªÉ Eäò nùÒIÉÉÆiÉ EòɪÉÇGò¨É ¨Éå +ɨÉÆÊjÉiÉ ÊEòªÉÉ +Éè®ú +ÆOÉäVÉÉå Eäò WɨÉÉxÉä ¨Éå +Éè®ú |ÉiªÉIÉ º´ÉiÉÆjÉiÉÉ Eäò ¤ÉÉnù =x½þÉåxÉä {ɽþ±ÉÒ ¤ÉÉ®ú º´É¦ÉɹÉÉ ¨Éå ªÉÉÊxÉ EòÒ ¤ÉÉÆM±ÉÉ BäºÉä Eò<Ç |ÉEòÉ®ú Eäò EòÉ¨É ÊEòªÉä. VÉèºÉä ¦ÉɹÉÉ ¨Éå ´É½þ EòɪÉÇGò¨É Eò®ú´ÉɪÉÉ. ªÉä =ºÉ º´ÉiÉÆjÉiÉÉ Eäò iÉÖ®ÆúiÉ {ɶSÉÉiÉ =x½þÉåxÉä Ênù±±ÉÒ ºÉ¨ÉªÉ VÉ¤É ½þ¨É º´ÉiÉÆjÉ xɽþÓ lÉä =ºÉ ºÉ¨ÉªÉ ªÉä ¨Éå =x½þÉåxÉä xÉä¶ÉxÉ±É Ê¡òʺÉEò±É ±Éä¤ÉÉä®äú]õ®úÒ EòÉ ¤É½ÖþiÉ ½þÒ ¨É½þi´É{ÉÚhÉÇ Eònù¨É lÉÉ. ÊxɨÉÉÇhÉ =xÉEäò xÉäiÉÞi´É ¨Éå ½Öþ+É. +Éè®ú ½þ¨É ºÉ¤É VÉÉxÉiÉä ½èþ EòÒ +Éi¨ÉÊxɦÉÇ®úiÉÉ Eäò ʱÉB |ÉiªÉäEò ±ÉäÊEòxÉ ´É½þ ªÉ½þÉÄ ¯ûEäò xɽþÓ iÉÉä Ê´ÉYÉÉxÉ Eäò näù¶É ¨Éå ºÉ¤É ¤ÉÉiÉÉå EòÉ |ɨÉÉhÉÒEò®úhÉ Eò®úxÉä uùÉ®úÉ +{ÉxÉä näù¶É EòÉ Ê´ÉEòÉºÉ +Éè®ú =ilÉÉxÉ ½þÉä EòÒ +ɴɶªÉEòiÉÉ ½þÉäiÉÒ ½èþ. <ºÉ ʱÉB BxÉ {ÉÒ ºÉEòiÉÉ ½èþ <ºÉ {É®ú =xÉEòÉ ¤É½ÖþiÉ oùgø Ê´É·ÉÉºÉ B±É ªÉÉÊxÉ EòÒ ®úɹ]ÅõÒªÉ ¦ÉÉèÊiÉEò |ɪÉÉäMɶÉɱÉÉ lÉÉ. ´É½þ ªÉä ¦ÉÒ VÉÉxÉiÉä lÉä EòÒ +{ÉxÉä näù¶É ªÉä +{ÉxÉä näù¶É EòÒ |ɨÉÉhÉÒEò®úhÉ Eò®úxÉä´ÉɱÉÒ ¨Éå +ÉvÉÖÊxÉEò Ê´ÉYÉÉxÉ +Éè®ú +{ÉxÉä näù¶É EòÉ ´ÉèYÉÉÊxÉEò |ɪÉÉäMɶÉɱÉÉ ½èþ. +ÉVÉ ½þ¨É VÉ¤É |ÉÉSÉÒxÉiÉ¨É Ê´ÉYÉÉxÉ EòÉ ºÉƪÉÉäMÉ Eò®ú º´É¦ÉɹÉÉ +Éi¨ÉÊxɦÉÇ®úiÉÉ EòÒ ¤ÉÉiÉ Eò®úiÉä ½èþ iÉ¤É <ºÉ ¨Éå Ê´ÉYÉÉxÉ EòÉ Ê´ÉEòÉºÉ ½þÉäxÉÉ SÉÉʽþB. <ºÉʱÉB |ɪÉÉäMɶÉɱÉÉ EòÉ ¨É½þi´É ºÉ¤ÉEäò ºÉɨÉxÉä =VÉÉMÉ®ú =x½þÉåxÉä +{ÉxÉÒ ¦ÉɹÉÉ ¨Éå Ê´ÉYÉÉxÉ Eäò ¶É¤nùÉå ½þÉä ®ú½þÉ ½èþ. EòÒ ®úSÉxÉÉ Eò®úxÉä EòÉ ¤Éc÷É +ÉOɽþ ®úJÉÉ +Éè®ú =ºÉEäò ʱÉB ºÉiÉiÉ |ɪÉÉºÉ ÊEòªÉÉ. <ºÉÒ Eäò VÉÉvÉ´É{ÉÖ®ú ¨Éå VÉÉä ºÉÒ. VÉÒ. ºÉÒ. ºÉÉlÉ +Éè®ú BEò {ÉIÉ ¦ÉÒ ´É½þ ºÉ¨ÉZÉ ®ú½äþ +É®ú.+ɪÉ. ½èþ =ºÉEòÉ ¦ÉÒ ÊxɨÉÉÇhÉ =xÉ Eäò lÉä VÉèºÉä - ¨ÉÉèʱÉEò ªÉÉ ¨ÉڱɦÉÚiÉ Ê´ÉYÉÉxÉ Eäò xÉäiÉÞi´É ¨Éå ½Öþ+É. iÉÉä ½þ¨É ºÉ¤É VÉÉxÉiÉä ½èþ Eäò IÉäjÉ ¨Éå +xÉÖºÉÆvÉÉxÉ +{ÉxÉä näù¶É ¨Éå +´É¶ªÉ =x½þÉåxÉä +{ÉxÉä näù¶É ¨Éå ¨ÉڱɦÉÚiÉ Ê´ÉYÉÉxÉ Eäò ½þÉäxÉÉ SÉÉʽþB +Éè®ú =ºÉEäò ʱÉB =x½þÉäxÉä ºÉ¤É Ê´ÉEòÉºÉ EòÉ ºÉ¨ÉlÉÇxÉ ÊEòªÉÉ =ºÉÒ Eäò ºÉÉlÉ 26|
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology =x½þÉåxÉä ={ɪÉÉäÊVÉiÉ Ê´ÉYÉÉxÉ - ÊVÉºÉ Eäò EòÉ®úhÉ Ê¨É±ÉEò®ú Eò®úxÉÉ SÉÉʽþB ªÉ½þÒ =xÉEòÉ ºÉ¤ÉºÉä <ºÉ näù¶É EòÉä ºÉ¨ÉÞÊrù |ÉÉ{iÉ ½þÉä ºÉEòiÉÒ ½èþ =ºÉ ºÉÉlÉÇEò º¨É®úhÉ ½þÉäMÉÉ. Eäò Ê´ÉEòÉºÉ Eäò ʱÉB ¦ÉÒ =x½þÉåxÉä ¤Éc÷É ¤É±É näùEò®ú =ºÉEòÉä +ÉMÉä ¤ÉgøɪÉÉ. <ºÉÒ EòÉ BEò º¨É®úhÉ näùiÉä ½ÖþB +Éè®ú <ºÉ Ênù¶ÉÉ ¨Éå ½þ¨É ºÉ¦ÉÒ ºÉÆEò±{ɤÉrù ½þÉä BäºÉÉ ºÉ¦ÉÒ <iÉxÉÉ ¤Éc÷É EòɪÉÇ ´É½þ +{ÉxÉä VÉÒ´ÉxÉ ¨Éå EòÉä +xÉÖ®úÉävÉ Eò®úiÉä ½ÖþB ¨Éå ªÉ½þÒ {É®ú ¯ûEòiÉÉ Eò®ú MÉB, {É®ú nÖù¦ÉÉÇMªÉ ªÉ½þ ½èþ EòÒ +{ÉxÉä näù¶É ½ÚÄþ. +Éè®ú Ê¡ò®ú BEò ¤ÉÉ®ú ¨Éå Ê´É´ÉäEòÉxÉÆnù Ê´ÉYÉÉxÉ ¨Éå ´É½þ Eäò´É±É BEò ®úÉVÉxÉèÊiÉEò xÉäiÉÉ Eäò °ü{É Ê¨É¶ÉxÉ +Éè®ú +ɪÉ. B.ºÉÒ.BºÉ. EòÉä ¤ÉvÉÉ<Ç ¨Éå ½þÒ VÉÉxÉä VÉÉiÉä ½èþ. ½þ¨É ºÉ¤É EòÉä ªÉä ¤ÉÉiÉ näùxÉÉ SÉɽþiÉÉ ½ÚÄþ EòÒ =x½þÉåxÉä +ÉMÉä +ÉEò®ú <ºÉ {ɽþSÉÉxÉ Eò®ú +{ÉxÉä näù¶É Eäò ºÉ´ÉÉÈMÉÒhÉ Ê´ÉEòÉºÉ EòɪÉÇGò¨É EòÒ ªÉÉäVÉxÉÉ EòÒ ÊVÉºÉ Eäò EòÉ®úhÉ ¨Éå Ê´ÉYÉÉxÉ +Éè®ú |ÉÉètÉäÊMÉEòÒ EòÒ ÊEòiÉxÉÒ ¶ªÉɨÉÉ|ɺÉÉnù ¨ÉÖJÉVÉÔ Eäò ´ªÉÊHòi´É Eäò <ºÉ ºÉ¶ÉHò ¦ÉÚʨÉEòÉ ½þÉä ºÉEòiÉÒ ½èþ <ºÉ {É®ú ¤É±É +ɪÉÉ¨É EòÉ {ÉÊ®úSÉªÉ Eäò´É±É EòÉä±ÉEòÉiÉÉ ªÉÉ =x½þÉåxÉä ¤É±É ÊnùªÉÉ +Éè®ú =ºÉEòÉä +ÉMÉä ¤ÉgøÉxÉä ¤ÉÆMÉÉ±É xɽþÓ iÉÉä {ÉÖ®äú näù¶É EòÉä <ºÉ EòɪÉÇGò¨É Eäò EòÉ ºÉ¨ÉlÉÇ |ɪÉixÉ ÊEòªÉÉ. <ºÉ EòÉä ½þ¨É ºÉ¦ÉÒ ÊxÉʨÉkÉ ½þÉä ®ú½þÉ ½èþ. Ê¡ò®ú BEò ¤ÉÉ®ú +É{ÉEòÉä xÉä º¨É®úhÉ Eò®úxÉÉ SÉÉʽþB +Éè®ú <ºÉ ®ú½þ {É®ú ¤ÉvÉÉ<Ç näùiÉä ½ÖþB ¨Éå ªÉ½þÉÄ ¯ûEòiÉÉ ½ÚÄþ. +ÉVÉ +{ÉxÉä näù¶É EòÉä +ÉMÉä ¤ÉgøÉxÉä EòÉ |ɪÉÉºÉ |27
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee’s Vision for the Advancement of Science in India Dr. Jisnu Basu Dr. Syama Prasad researchers. A pertinent Mukherjee is widely question that arises here is, regarded as one of the whether British colonialism most illustrious, respected, and helped develop scientific minds steadfast statesmen in India. His in India. It might also be due contribution as an educationist to the immense oppression by is also remarkably great. His colonial rulers that propelled endeavor for the advancement the manifestation of intrinsic of science in pre and post perfection which the Indians independent India is truly inherited from their prudent appreciable. The overwhelming ancestors. Recent researches achievement in basic sciences on epoch making educationists in India during the late colonial like Mukherjee have made period has become a subject major contributions to this shift of increasing interest among in the debate. 28|
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology CERN, the European Ananda Tandava in the twilight, I Organization for Nuclear salute thee) Research in Geneva is one of the world’s largest and the The inscription installed most respected centers for in Geneva is a matter of scientific research. There is immense pride for an Indian. a huge Nataraja sculpture in Great philosophers of ancient front of the office of the Director India ignited the scientific General of CERN. Ananda minds to discover the secrets Coomerswami, a Sri Lankan of the universe. We are from geologist and art historian first the land where decimal noticed the connection in 1918. system was invented. We Later Carl Sagan had drawn the accurately calculated the metaphor between the ‘cosmic astronomical figures and dance’ of the Nataraj and the objects several hundred years modern study of the ‘cosmic back. Our ancestors designed dance’ of subatomic particles. and manufactured surgical An inscription over there instruments with precision; from Shivanandalahari of Adi we rightly analyzed and Shankaracharya highlights this: documented the medicinal value of thousands of herbs. नित्याय त्रिगुणात्मने पुरजिते We are from the land of ancient कात्यायनी-श्रेयसे wisdom. सत्यायादिकु टुम्बिने मनु िमनः Our achievement in modern प्रत्यक्षचिन्मरू तय् े । science is the continuation of the rich Indian scientific मायासषृ ्टजगत्त्रयाय heritage. Scientific research and सकलाम्नायान्तसञ्चारिणे industrial development marked the Indian renaissance. As the सायं ताण्डवसम्भ्रमाय जटिने सेयं past glory of Indian civilization नतिः शम्भवे ॥ ५६॥ motivated Indian thinkers for resurgence, Indian scientific (O Omnipresent, the heritage also propelled the zeal embodiment of all virtues, the of scientists and researchers. creator of this cosmic universe, the Influenced by Bethelot’s Greek king of dancers, who dances the |29
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology Alchemy, Acharya Prafulla out research on molecular Chandra Roy published The scattering of light. This History of Hindu Chemistry in cultivation of a so called non- two volumes, one in 1902 and scientist led to the discovery the other in 1909, significantly of the Raman Effect in 1923, contributing to the history the only Nobel Prize winning of Science in India. Young discovery so far in the country. scientists considered research activities as part of the Indian The scientific feats achieved freedom struggle, an attempt by the stalwarts in colonial India to glorify their motherland on cannot be branded as colonial the global scientific platform. science. It was not supported That was the golden age in by any big budget imperial the history of Science in India. plan. The partition of Bengal The consequence was beyond was the cause of action which the imagination of the colonial led to the National Education power. Movement. Sir Taraknath Palit and Sir Rashbehari Ghosh Dr. Mahendra Lal Sarkar donated nearly thirty seven conceptualized an association of lakhs and fifty thousand rupees science, which would be by the for the progress of science Indians, of the natives, and for and technology. Interestingly, the sustainable development of Sir Palit also used the word the motherland. He established “cultivation” in his speech at the Indian Association for the the time of donating seven Cultivation of Science (IACS) lakhs rupees for the expansion in 1876. The word “cultivation” of science disciplines at Calcutta was beautifully plucked. It was University: supposed to be the center for cultivation of science, where “The promotion and diffusion a common man can acquire or of scientific and technical develop a quality or skill, much education for the cultivation and like Chandrasekhara Venkata advancement of science, both pure Raman, a member of the Indian and applied among Indians.” Finance Service, who carried 30|
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology Sir Jagadish Chandra consecutive two-year terms Bose and Prafulla Chandra (1906–1914). He accepted the Ray carried out outstanding responsibility for the fifth two- scientific research work in year term in 1921. Sir Ashutosh Presidency College in the last Mukherjee was the man behind decade of the 19th century. The the foundation of the University establishment of the University College of Science and College of Science and Technology (popularly known Technology in March 1914 was as Rajabazar Science College) in the turning point in the history 1914 affiliated to the University of science in Calcutta. Faculties of Calcutta. Sir Ashutosh like Acharya Prafulla Chandra Mukherjee arranged funds Ray, C. V. Raman, Ganesh from different sources and Prasad, and Sisir Kumar Mitra invited the chairs in pure and converted it into a real centre applied fields of Mathematics, of excellence, and finally Physics, and Life Science. reached its pinnacle by the 1915 M. Sc. batch comprising Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee Satyendranath Bose, Meghnad became the youngest Vice- Saha, Jnan Chandra Ghosh, Chancellor of the University Jnanendra Nath Mukherjee of Calcutta in 1934. The thirty among others. three year old Vice-Chancellor took some bold steps in Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee and colonial India. Dr. Syama Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee Prasad Mukherjee appointed were the gardeners, who offered Rabindranath Tagore as a their blood, toil, tears, and sweat ‘Distinguished Professor’ in to grow magnificent flowers the department of Bengali. in the University College of Rabindranath Tagore delivered Science and Technology. Sir the convocation address in Ashutosh Mukherjee, a prolific Bengali for the first time in the educator, jurist, barrister and history of Calcutta University. mathematician, was the second Indian Vice- Chancellor of the As a Vice-Chancellor, Dr. University of Calcutta for four Syama Prasad Mukherjee opined, “though western education |31
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology has imbibed in us a deep sense of ignorance.” As a Vice-Chancellor, patriotism, liberal outlook and he introduced training in political consciousness, I have not mass-scale production in the been able to discern any reflection Applied Physics department of a clear national educational of Calcutta University. He policy within it.” He introduced initiated a scheme in Applied several steps to introduce India Chemistry to impart training in centric education. A course in production of industrial goods. Archaeology was introduced A course in Communication in the Intermediate (IA) course. Engineering was introduced Astronomy was added in the during his tenure. Experimental B. Sc. course curriculum. In Psychology was introduced 1937 the duration of the M.B.M. among other subjects at the course was reduced from six B.Sc. degree level curriculum. years to five years, keeping He started a diploma course in in mind the need for parity Agriculture as well. in this case with that of other universities. In the welcome address delivered at the Indian Science Dr. Syama Prasad Congress on January 3, 1935, Mukherjee strongly believed Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee that, “India is a country where the was exuberant about the vast body of scientific knowledge contribution of IACS and other already gathered, has not yet been Indian science institutions: utilized to any appreciable extent for the daily life of man. The “Outside the university, the practical application of scientific three institutions which have knowledge to problems of industry added most to Calcutta’s fame and and agriculture, of sanitation and prestige are the Asiatic Society nutrition, all contributing to the of Bengal, the Bose Institute and steady increase in prosperity, joy the Indian Association for the and happiness of the people, is a Cultivation of Science.” question of paramount importance in a country where millions are In the year 1938, British yet sunk in poverty, disease and Association of Science and Indian Science Congress 32|
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology Association jointly organized technology. As a Minister for a session. Scientists of Industry and Supply in the first international repute assembled interim Central Government here. In the opening ceremony of Independent India, he Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee assumed the responsibility opined, “the prevalent idea for the industrialization of that Indians are metaphysically scientific invention and the minded and their contributions to commercialization of new positive science are inconsiderable technologies. Dr. Syama Prasad is not based on a full and correct Mukherjee became the first appreciation of historical facts. Vice-President of The Council India has not been a mere dreamer. of Scientific and Industrial In her great days, her missionaries Research (CSIR) in independent went abroad to spread her culture India. The infrastructural and her civilization far beyond development of the first five her bounds. Charak and Susrutra, CSIR laboratories, the National Nagarjuna and Bhashkaracharyya, Chemical Laboratory, the Aryabhatta and Lilavati and many National Physical Laboratory, others who explored the secrets of the Fuel Research Station, the nature, made definite contributions Glass & Ceramics Research to knowledge which succeeding Institute, and the National ages have profited ….” He ended Metallurgical Laboratory, was with a note of confidence: “rich completed during his tenure. with traditions and thoughts He was a court member of and endowed with strength and the Indian Institute of Science validity, India claims the right (IISc), Bangalore. of being treated as a companion with equal rights in the world’s Prof. Meghnad Saha was his march towards a higher and nobler close associate during the crisis civilization.” of Bengal. Crossing the political barrier, ideological differences In the post independence era, and institutional affiliations, Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee Bengali intellect united for played a pivotal role in the the formation of West Bengal. development of science and The earlier proposal was that |33
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology the whole of Bengal would be of Nuclear Physics), was a part of Pakistan. However, inaugurated by Dr. Syama Bengal was the epicenter Prasad Mukherjee. Dr. of Indian Renaissance and Mukherjee’s brief but eloquent logically should be a part of address at the inaugural independent India. Finally the function of the institute, stressed Bengali intellect won and on his vision for the upcoming June 20, 1947, West Bengal was science education and research born. It became a state in the in India. An analysis of Dominion of India. Thus, the Mukherjee’s words gives us University of Calcutta, which the opportunity to consider was the first in the subcontinent how scientists define their core to foster the pursuit of higher values in order to take better scientific knowledge, remained decisions, especially, at the time in India. of designing Syama Prasad Mukherjee Advanced Research After the discovery of and Training (SMART) campus nuclear fission in 1939, Prof. and transforming it into a Meghnad Saha lost no time to center of excellence in scientific include Nuclear Physics in the research: M. Sc. syllabus. Meanwhile Prof. Saha already visited “ … At the dawn of the atomic the Lawrence Berkeley age, we find ourselves very nearly National Laboratory that used in the same person as the first accelerators. Such facilities man who produced fire. The fire involved huge expense and was used for cooking, heating, space. He was facing hurdles to and lighting, and very often for actualize his esteemed dream. burning one’s enemies and their Prof. Saha and Dr. Mukherjee, belongings. But the first fire the two devotees of knowledge makers could not imagine that one collaborated and evolved as the day fire would be used for steam harbingers of the new era. engine, locomotives, turbines and central heating. Hundreds of years On April 21, 1948, the elapsed between the first discovery Institute of Nuclear Physics of fire and its large scale industrial (today’s Saha Institute 34|
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology application. …… I am glad that The year 2020 has already the University of Calcutta has now proved to be a memorable taken the bold step of organizing year for several incidents. a full-fledged Institute of Nuclear Probably, one of them will be Physics devoted to teaching and the groundbreaking ceremony fundamental research.” of Syamaprasad Mookerjee Advanced Research and Interestingly, Gangadhar Training (SMART) campus Mukherjee, grandfather of of the Indian Association Syama Prasad Mukherjee for Cultivation of Science was a bosom friend of Dr. (IACS). Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Mahendra Lal Sarkar. Sir the Union Minister of Science Ashutosh Mukherjee used and Technology had already to teach Mathematics in the unveiled the foundation stone early days of the Association. of the campus. The SMART Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee campus will definitely have was a member in Governing the facilities for cutting-edge Council (erstwhile Managing research in fundamental Committee) of Indian sciences, engineering sciences, Association for Cultivation of and medical sciences to Science. implement the vision of Dr. Mukherjee. |35
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology Educational Thoughts and Practices of Syama Prasad Mookerjee Dr. Ivy De The paper studies the academic contributions need to various educational be acknowledged by Indians far and wide, and pay homage to endeavours that Syama this great son of India, especially Bengal, for giving us a strong Prasad Mookerjee undertook foothold on educational field, that we enjoy till today. in pre independent as well Keywords as post independent India. National, education, university He contributed remarkably Introduction to the gradual building of The period 19th and 20th a nationalistic system of century witnessed many stalwarts to show the light of education. He made a great freedom to the Indians, in several effort in reorganising the then education system and tried to establish several scientific as well as arts institutions which was lacking largely .He worked tirelessly to make the University of Calcutta, one of its kind. His 36|
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology areas of social enlightenment, • To juxtapose Syama and later went on to contribute Prasad’s contribution to to the formation of a national education with those of his system of education-- onward contemporaries and the to renaissance. present relevance of this study One of these illustrious personalities was Dr. Syama His Educational contribution Prasad Mookerjee, son of and activities Sir Asutosh Mukherjee. He was born on 6th july,1901.The Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s mantle of his illustrious father life can almost be divided into fell upon him, in the education two - as an educationist and sphere nearly for two decades. as a politician, though not He excelled in his personal simultaneously. Interestingly, academic career and made the when he walked through the University proud. Though he garden of education, he never pursued a course in law, his even tread into the political passion was education and its arena. administration. He was not only a brilliant scholar, but Syama Prasad Mookerjee was full of perseverance, effort, was a very successful student versatile thinking, oratory skill, in his own right and excelled sincerity, positive energy and in every sphere he tread. In endless knowledge. his later years, his political career shot to heights, which Objectives of the Study of course was marked by high idealism. He joined politics • To describe the evolution only to safeguard the education of education with special system from the clutches of the reference to Syama Prasad’s infamous Secondary Education contribution to higher Bill in 1940 (the consequnce education during the period of which would have led to a 1924-1953 huge shortage of fund for the University). • To describe Syama Prasad’s educational ideals and Syama Prasad Mookerjee activities. became the youngest Vice |37
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology Chancellor at the age of 33 and industrial sector. held the post for two successive terms. He felt that education He introduced the was the only way for any Nation to emerge successfully Educational Research in all fields. As Vice Chancellor of Calcutta University, he had Department , along with the a lot to give for spreading education to the masses. He initiation of Bengali language to suggested the diversification of secondary education and be used in research studies. In introduced a final examination after the secondary course, fact, in 1835, he initiated a radical which ultimately led to the establishment of the Secondary change in the Matriculation Board of Education. Regulations, where the mother Syama Prasad was first and foremost an educationist, tongue was introduced as a and that which was already forecasted by his illustrious medium of instruction for the father. Asutosh Mukherjee trained his son in his foothold very first time in colonial India, as he observed the acumen in him, for becoming an able in order to spread education administrator in the University of Calcutta. Syama Prasad,very to the masses. Alongside, he much like his father, felt that University education was included science subjects at a natural continuation of a multifaceted nature and hence the Intermediate Standard and the emergence of various types of institutions, leading stressed the need of practical to a life oriented education. He very rightfully felt the need of classes along with the theory scientific and technological study and its bonding with the ones. Among many of the exclusive reforms Syama Prasad brought about, the Student Exchange Program between India and several foreign countries, contributed another feather to the cap of Calcutta University. In one of his convocation addresses, (2nd March, 1935), he mentioned the importance of finding appropriate words/terms for technical and scientific studies in our native language, keeping in mind, that the students going for higher studies should 38|
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology not face any obstacles while thereby accommodate various using their mother tongue. industrial careers. Applied Physics opened its scope for Most of the science Communication Engineering, departments of the University presently known as Information owe its existence to this great son Engineering. of Bengal. In regard to the field of Medicine and Engineering, As our country is mainly he took the task of revising agrarian in character, he brought the total syllabus and raise its the subject of agriculture under standard and extend their scope the banner of the University, for and utility. Regarding scientific students to explore science and studies, he undertook a huge its technology, related to this task to introduced the various field. Applied Science Departments in the University. The He envisaged the University department of Zoology , Botany, Anthropology, Experimental to award several scholarships Psychology and Physiology were brought together in a and fellowships to the students single campus under his behest, to facilitate the students. belonging to the socio economic He converted the disadvantaged groups. University into a centre of popular education, open to Alongside, he introduced the all and sundry. He suggested English to be used in Higher Teachers Training Department, Learning especially Western scientific studies. He partially where a student, after going reorganized the science laboratories. The department of through this course, could sit Anthropology was transferred to the Ballygunge Campus and for Teachers’ Eligibility Test. a new building was constructed for Applied Chemistry. He He, for the first time, stressed on wanted the Science College to widen its activities and technical knowledge of various kinds for example, Military Training under the University Cadet Corps, conducted by the University and consequently ,a Military college was set up in Bengal. He wanted to introduce Aeronautics as a subject, under the University banner, but could not proceed far, because of dearth of fund. |39
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology Parallelly, he observed that of the Asutosh Building, which industrial development is a housed the University General precondition to a country’s Library and the Postgraduate development and he was aptly Lending Library. called to Nehru’s Cabinet, in free India, with the portfolio Conclusion of Industries and Supplies. He became the first Vice President His ideal was to make the of the Council for Scientific widest provision for a sound and Industrial Research(CSIR) system of liberal education, under which 40 Laboratories to bring about synthesis were being set up. He laid between cultural education the foundation of CSIR which and vocational and technical achieved the current status of a training, drawing out the best premier level National Research from eastern and western and Development Organisation knowledge. Along with the in India. The National Physical above, Syama Prasad very Laboratory was founded under rightfully stressed on the his behest. Due to his tireless need of complete autonomy effort, Central Glass and regarding the running of the Ceramic Research Institute was University. established. His educational speeches, It needs to be mentioned, mostly delivered between that he worked very closely 1935 and 1950, inspired the with Dr. Meghnad Saha, and then Nationalists, who were today’s Saha Institute of Nuclear prepared to frame a national Physics was inaugurated by system of education for Syama Prasad. independent India. Syama Prasad emitted his brilliance He very proudly declared as a critic and a progressive that the Calcutta University thinker in varied aspects. possessed one of the finest libraries in the East, but which According to Syama Prasad was not accessible satisfactorily himself, education was his by the students. So he decided first love, and not politics. In to construct the fourth storey his Diary, he had written, “My tendencies lay in the sphere 40|
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology of educational administration best way to serve my country and did not feel at all attracted would be through the path of by the noisy and dusty career education.” (Diary, 2.1.1944). of a politician. I thought the REFERENCES • Majumdar, B.C. (1954) Syama Prasad : Bektitya O Krititya. Kolkata. Rupa & • Banerjee, P.N. (1957) 100 years of Company the University of Calcutta (1957). Centenary Volume. Calcutta • Mukherjee, S. (1938) Convocation University Press address. Kolkata. Calcutta University Press • Banerjee, A.C. (2000) A phase in the life Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee 1937- • Reports of the Calcutta University 1946. Kolkata : Asutosh Mukherjee Commission (1917). Kolkata. Calcutta Memorial Institute University Press. • Bearce, G.D. (1961) British attitude • Roy, T. (2012). A complete Biography towards India 1784-1858. London. of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee. New Oxford University Press Delhi. Prabhat Prakashan. • Bose, N.S. (1976) The Indian • Roy, K. (2008) Syama Prasad ; Edited Awakening and Bengal. Firma KLM by Dr. Rina Bhaduri. Kolkata. Kolkata. Asutosh Mukherjee Memorial Institute Publication. Kolkata • Chattopadhyay, K. (1976) English Education in India: Issues and Opinion. • Sinha, D.C. (2007) Prasanga – Kolkata Calcutta : Macmillan Biswabidyalay:A collection of essays on the University of Calcutta (1857-2007). • Madhok, B. (1969) Potrait of a Martyr Calcutta University Press : Biography of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee. New Delhi. Her Majesty’s Stationary Office. WEB REFERENCES • www.niticentral.com/2014/07/06/ syama-prasad-mookerjee- • www.shyamaprasad.org/about.htm. a-nationalist-whose-vision- 16.03.2015 still-guides-india-232864.html 16.01.2016 • www.qura.com/History/what_ is_the_role_of_shyama_Prasad_ • www.mapsofindia.com/on-this-day/ Mukherjee_in_Indian’s_freedom_ july-6-1901-founder-of-bharatiya- and_politics_thereafter 25.04.2015 jana-sangha-doctor-syama-prasad- mookerjee-is-born 30.02.2016 • http://www.indianetzone.com/6/ shyam_prasad_mukherjee.htm 21.11.2015 |41
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology Forgotten Contribution of Dr Syamaprasad Mukherjee to Education, Science and Industry Kalyan Ganguli Shyama Prasad Mukherjee of the Council of Scientific & is an example of great Industrial Research (CSIR). leadership and political milestone. To this renowned A qualified barrister by profession, he possessed a educationist, mesmerizing brilliant academic career, and education was his passion. In orator, astute parliamentarian, 1934, at the age of 33, he became the youngest Vice-Chancellor and a man of ready wit, Nehru of the University of Calcutta; he held the office till 1938. once told that he (Syamaprasad) However, to counter communal politics of the Muslim League supported partition; to that Dr. he made entry into politics and succeeded in carving out Mukherjee instantly retorted Hindu majority areas from the ‘You [the Congress] partitioned India, I partitioned Pakistan’. He was the independent India’s first Minister of Industry & Supply, and first Vice President 42|
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology proposed area of Pakistan to 5th August 2019, when the form the state of West Bengal in Government of India proposed independent India. constitutional Amendment to repeal Article 370, the people of In 1951, on matters India overwhelmingly enjoyed related to Jammu-Kashmir the event which fulfilled (J&K) and Pakistan, Dr. Syamaprasad’s dream. Mookerjee relinquished the ministerial position and All these political turmoil primary membership of the wiped out from the public Congress Party. He founded mind his great contribution the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (it in nation-building through transformed to Bharatiya Janata various revolutionary reforms Party in 1977) to fight against enacted by him in the education Article 370 and related issues. system, in general, and science Through article 370 in the education, in particular, along Indian constitution, J&K was with upgrading facilities for granted its own (i) flag, (ii) students in his capacity as constitution and (iii) prime Vice Chancellor. He released minister, whose permission was education from elitist class and required for anyone to enter the made it mass-based. Imparting state. Considering this article education, he believed is the as subversive of national unity, first step of nation-building. Syamaprasad, in protest to this and to build national awareness Moreover it is not also in for J&K’s complete integration public mind that during his as a unit of Indian Territory, short tenure as Industries entered J&K on 11 May, 1953, minister Mukherjee laid without any permit. He was the foundation of industrial arrested there by the J&K Police development and scientific and later died in the custody research in India from which on 23 June, 1953. Permit system nation is being benefited. In this was withdrawn thereafter. article some of his contributions Wide section of Indians are penned down to enliven believes that Syamaprasad public memory. met a mysterious death. On |43
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology Reforms in general education studies. During his Vice- system and up-gradation of facilities for students Chancellorship, Calcutta Dr. Mookerjee believed that University, for the very first education was the first step towards nationalism. It was he time, had awarded the degree who advocated the concept of free and compulsory education of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in order to facilitate mass education. to a successful candidate, who Education in pre- had written his thesis in Bengali. independence India was mainly meant for the elitist class; Dr. Syamaprasad declared, common citizens and middle class people did not have free “Though western education access to education, especially to higher education. Besides, has imbibed in us a deep sense India was ruled by a foreign Government, where English of patriotism, liberal outlook was the commonly used medium of instruction, right and political consciousness, I from the lower to the highest stage. It was Syamaprasad, have not been able to discern who introduced Bengali and vernacular languages in the any reflection of a clear national educational system, be it the medium of instruction educational policy within it.” or examination, to break the barrier of English language to It may be rightfully said that education. he converted the University Syamaprasad felt that without this provision, people into a centre of popular would continue to have an aversion to take up higher education. It was made open to all and sundry, as he fought for mass education as well as a nationalistic education. So, he made sure that curriculum of all subjects were revised, so as to walk towards total development. During his term as Vice- Chancellor, Dr. Mookerjee offered Rabindranath Tagore a chair of ‘distinguished professor’ in the department of Bengali. The University Convocation Address of 1937 was delivered for the first time in Bengali by no other personality but Rabindranath; 44|
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology moreover, the vernacular level, he established facilities language was introduced as a for the study of Chinese and subject for the highest degree. Tibetan language and culture as On his request Rabindranath well. In fact, he was especially composed a song (chalo jai, chalo interested in Asian culture. jai) for the university, which was sung by the parading Syamaprasad felt that students on 24th January 1937 education should be fully on the occasion of foundation integrated with all social day of the university. Actually systems. As he wished that he wrote two songs. The second university education be one (shuva karmapathe dharo provided to all, and not remain nirvaya gan) was selected by the limited to a small group of university many years later in people, he introduced some the year 2007 on the occasion measures: namely - college code of 150th Foundation Day was formulated for the first Anniversary of the university. time; Matriculation Regulations were framed; age restriction of While Syamaprasad was students was abolished; and strongly for education in the rules of compartmental mother language (Bengali, examinations and concessions Hindi, Urdu etc.), he pleaded to unsuccessful students at the same time that English for appearing at the next should remain a compulsory examination without getting second language and should them admitted into colleges, be taught to all. He advocated were introduced during the English to be used in higher tenure of his office. learning, especially Western scientific studies. He also Dr. Mookerjee was deeply thought of providing provision interested in female education. for the study of other important He took initiative to start a languages, both Eastern course on Home Science for and Western. Thus while he women with an endowment introduced Honours graduate from Biharilal Mitra, which has courses in Bengali, Hindi and blossomed as Biharilal College Urdu and Assamese in B.A pass later. |45
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology Syamaprasad was deeply Asutosh Building, where the interested to introduce social University General Library as science, agriculture and well as the Lending library is commerce education at the located now. Students of all graduate and post-graduate disciplines including science level. Understanding the were immensely benefitted by importance of commerce this extension. education, he established Asutosh College of Commerce Syamaprasad introduced (evening) in 1945 at Teacher‘s Training Department. Bhowanipur. This college has He said that without proper primarily been designed to training of the teachers, the meet the growing demand for quality of education might be higher education in Commerce. affected. He introduced short- It is presently known as term training courses including Syamaprasad College. vocation course to provide trained teachers on all subjects The question of giving for our schools. military training to the students drew his serious attention, One of his significant and in spite of discouraging contributions was the factors, he succeeded in establishment of Employment initiating military training Exchange. He felt that due course. His move opened to job reservation policy of before the students an avenue the provincial Government, of employment in the civic and merit was not taken into armed forces and making them consideration. So, to ensure disciplined citizen. equality of job opportunity, he set up Employment Exchange During his time, the for University students and ex- students. University library did not have The welfare of the younger sufficient accommodation, generation and of the country at large was the ideal he set before but the student strength himself. To this end he took step to improve and expand the was increasing very fast. Dr. Mookerjee took the task of expanding the Library by building the fourth floor of the 46|
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology Student’s Welfare Department the new age could be properly for the promotion of the physical set free through Panchsheel. and mental health of pupils. In his convocation address of He abolished hostels reserved 1936, he set forth the following for students coming from the principles of Panchsheel: so called backward class and providing accommodation for 1. To spread education at all them in the general hostels and levels of society to facilitate messes attached to colleges at a the development of the special reduced rate. Primarily virtues of the youth; he intended to create the spirit of brotherhood among them. 2. To facilitate proper union During his Vice-Chancellorship between cultural and the University Foundation professional education; Day (i.e. January 24) started celebration every year. Students 3. The teachers must impart of different colleges attended education based on the the ceremony with banners national culture; and badges and teachers of colleges and schools also 4. Education must be geared attended it. This was an attempt towards the achieving of at bringing teachers and truth and beauty in free and students into closer personal liberal atmosphere; relationship. Syama Prasad was the pioneer in awarding 5. The extension of the aid of scholarship and fellowship to the state in education. students belonging to the socio- economically disadvantaged The education policy that groups. he initiated as Vice-Chancellor of University of Calcutta was In the educational field to become the blue print of the national education policy Dr. Syama Prasad made a in later days. The ideas that he had introduced in the fields of remarkable contribution social sciences, humanities and science occupy an important by introducing the idea of position in modern Indian education system. Panchsheel. He believed that the faculty latent in the youth of |47
Role of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee for the Development of Indian Science & Technology Reforms in science education Shikshya Prangan, popularly known as the Ballygunge Syamaprasad envisaged far- campus), in order to facilitate reaching important reforms in interactions between students science education for which we and teachers of these subjects. are grateful to him. It was the inclusion of science subjects at He set up the Asutosh the Intermediate standard. If it Museum of Indian Arts as an was not for him, it would have adjunct to the Department of taken more time for science Ancient Indian History and as a separate discipline to be Culture. Syama Prasad arranged introduced in our education making the walls covered system. In addition to this, he by fresco paintings, so as to stressed that practical classes facilitate the understanding of be taken apart from theoretical the post graduate students. ones. In the present day, we Archaeology course in the know how much this is needed Intermediate stage was started for an in-depth knowledge by him and the work of of any science subject. At his archaeological excavations was instance Bengali synonyms of undertaken by the University scientific terms were prepared and published. A special In regard to the field of series of Bengali publications Medicine and Engineering, on different branches of Syamaprasad took the task of knowledge including science revising the total syllabus to subjects was undertaken. The raise the standard and extend series was intended for the their scope and utility. benefit of students and general readers. Bengali spellings were Another very important standardized on his initiative. matter which we find very With regard to studies in biological science subjects, Dr. relevant was the Student Mookerjee brought together the departments of Anthropology, Exchange Programme. Botany and Zoology in a single campus (the Taraknath Palit Syamaprasad made arrangements for students and teachers to go to foreign seats of learning in various countries in Europe, USA, South America 48|
Search
