From alma mater Presidency to college named after Syama, institutes plan fitting tribute to founding father

Kolkata: From the educational institutions where Syama Prasad Mookerjee studied to the institutes where he worked, all are buzzing with preparations to mark his 125th birth anniversary on Monday.

Calcutta University has decided to digitise all the convocation addresses delivered during his four-year tenure as the vice-chancellor of the university.Mookerjee served as the vice-chancellor of CU from 1934 to 1938. The university recently decided to digitise all historical documents in its records. Registrar Debasis Das said, “We have several precious documents in our records. While some have already been digitised, others — such as syndicate resolutions, the number of DLitt and DSc degrees conferred during his tenure, and his convocation speeches — are next in line to be digitised.

” During his tenure, Rabindranath Tagore delivered his convocation address in Bengali.CU has declared a holiday on Monday following a govt order. However, it is organising a programme at the Senate Hall in the Darbhanga Building to observe ‘Syama Prasad Mookerjee Smriti Paksha’ (Memorial Fortnight). Faculty members, staff, research scholars and students will participate in a discussion on Mookerjee’s life, where VC Asutosh Ghosh, alongside other officials and guests, will be present.

Mookerjee’s alma mater, Presidency College (now Presidency University), has also planned special events involving students, teachers and research scholars. The university will pay tribute to him in the morning, followed by multiple events scheduled throughout the day. These include a poster presentation exhibition based on his life, ideals and contributions to the nation, as well as an exhibition of books written by and about Mookerjee at the Central and Arts Library.

Additionally, an essay competition on 'The Vision and Legacy of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee in Building Modern India’ will be held, followed by a cultural celebration, readings of excerpts on his life and a lecture by a history research scholar.Mookerjee completed his matriculation from Mitra Institution, Bhowanipore, in 1917. He earned a Rs 10 scholarship that year for his brilliant performance in the examination — a record the school still preserves.

His father, Asutosh Mookerjee, once served as the president of the school’s managing committee, while Syama Prasad himself served as its president for two terms. To mark his 125th birth anniversary, the school is organising a grand celebration this year.Asutosh College, Jogamaya Devi College and Syamaprasad Colleges have jointly planned a blood donation camp at the Maidan tent on Monday morning. Manas Kabi, principal of Asutosh College, said, “The blood donation camp is being organised for the first time in collaboration with the Indian Olympic Association, and the donated blood will be handed over to the Indian Army through the Indian Red Cross Society to mark his 125th birth anniversary.

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