Union Home Minister Amit Shah led the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee in Kolkata today. Shah laid the foundation stone for a record-breaking 125-foot statue at Eco Park and inaugurated a special multi-media exhibition highlighting Mookerjee's legacy in shaping India's educational and industrial foundations.
launch a high-profile commemorative convention celebrating the 125th birth anniversary of 'Bharat Kesari' Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee. The dynamic state mission stands as a milestone event within a broader two-year official national remembrance campaign dedicated to the iconic statesman and founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh.
Organized by the Union Ministry of Culture in close partnership with the Government of West Bengal, the grand celebrations commenced at Milan Mela Prangan (Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan) in Kolkata. The event brings together high-ranking central and state administrators to honor Dr. Mookerjee's legacy, which continues to shape India's political, educational, and industrial framework.
Foundation Stone Laid for Nation's Tallest 125-Foot Statue
The centerpiece of Home Minister Shah’s dynamic itinerary began with a solemn visit to Dr. Mookerjee’s ancestral residence on Asutosh Mukherjee Road in Bhawanipore, Kolkata, to offer formal floral tributes. Following this personal homage, the Home Minister advanced directly to Eco Park in New Town to perform the formal "Bhoomi Poojan" (groundbreaking ritual) and lay the foundation stone for a monumental 125-foot statue of Dr. Mookerjee.
According to regional administrative briefers, the planned monument will stand as the tallest statue of Dr. Mookerjee in the country, easily surpassing the previous 65-foot record installation located in Lucknow.
The structural engineering teams have positioned the monument within a prominent zone inside the 480-acre urban park to serve as a long-term cultural hub. In parallel, state administrative authorities announced long-term plans to revamp his ancestral home into a fully functional memorial museum and public library.
Immersive Archival Exhibition Traces Post-Independence Blueprints
The largest public gathering converged at the newly decorated Milan Mela Prangan, where Home Minister Shah officially opened an extensive, multi-sector archival exhibition. Utilizing rare photographic registries, original letters, and interactive multimedia installations, the exhibition maps out Dr. Mookerjee’s multifaceted career as a visionary educational reformer and independent India's first Minister for Industry and Supply.
The technical itinerary highlights historical milestones, including:
Academic Leadership: Digital preservation of his pioneering convocation addresses delivered during his four-year tenure as the youngest Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University (1934–1938).
Industrial Pillars: His direct role in establishing foundational national manufacturing blocks, including the Damodar Valley Corporation and the Sindri Fertiliser Plant.
National Integration: Documented records detailing his historic political campaigns to preserve West Bengal within the Indian Union during the 1947 Partition.
The main auditorium program commenced with a synchronized mass chorus singing of Vande Mataram. This was followed by a grand musical tribute titled "Sur, Sanskriti evam Rashtra". Conceived as a musical narrative of cultural nationalism and directed by Padma Shri Tarun Bhattacharya, the production brought together 57 accomplished classical and folk artists from across the sub-continent.
Official Sources Section
The precise event schedules, project footprints, and ministerial agendas are compiled directly from public notifications distributed by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Government of India and verified against statutory administrative notices published by the Ministry of Culture, India.
Quote Section
Commenting on the long-term historical significance of the multi-agency project, BJP State President Samik Bhattacharya stated:
"This is a matter of immense pride and joy for every worker. Whether in West Bengal or as far away as Ladakh, everyone associated with the party and its ideology considers this an important day. For the first time, Syama Prasad's birth anniversary is being celebrated with fanfare in his home state under a government inspired by his ideals. The Union Home Minister's attendance turns it into a historic occasion."
Why It Matters
For everyday citizens and academic researchers, the widespread digitization of Dr. Mookerjee's historical documents and speeches at Calcutta University provides seamless, open-access gateways to rare political and educational literature. For infrastructure planners, revisiting his mid-century industrial blueprints reinforces the contemporary logic of domestic self-reliance, directly connecting historic policies to current high-tech manufacturing initiatives across the state.
Key Facts at a Glance
125th Anniversary Milestone: Home Minister Amit Shah led the official 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee in Kolkata.
Record Monument: Laid the foundation stone for a 125-foot statue at Eco Park, making it the tallest monument of the leader in India.
Archival Revamp: Government teams finalized plans to transform his Bhawanipore ancestral home into a digital library and research center.
Cultural Narrative: Featured a grand performance by 57 traditional classical musicians tracking the history of national integration.
Public Holiday: The West Bengal administration declared a state-wide public holiday on July 6 to facilitate widespread community participation.
FAQ Section
Where is the new 125-foot statue of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee being built?
The monument is being constructed at Eco Park in New Town, Kolkata. Once completed, it will stand as the tallest statue dedicated to the leader in the country.
What educational initiatives are being introduced for this event?
Calcutta University is officially digitizing all historical records, syndicate resolutions, and convocation speeches delivered during Dr. Mookerjee's historic tenure as Vice-Chancellor from 1934 to 1938.
Who is organizing the main commemorative events at Milan Mela Prangan?
The special commemorative assembly and multimedia exhibition are organized by the Union Ministry of Culture in active coordination with the Government of West Bengal.
Source: Press Information Bureau India Media Center, Ministry of Culture Government of India, Calcutta University Media Desk.
