Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee was born on 6 July 1901. He was a prominent educationalist, barrister, statesman and nationalist. He was committed to the vision of ‘One Nation, One Constitution, One Flag’. From the initial days, he was a brilliant student of the English language and literature, but later he opted for an M.A. degree in Bengali at the insistence of his father, Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee, to promote vernacular languages in the university curriculum. At the age of 23, he was elected a Fellow of Calcutta University. In 1938, he was conferred D. Litt. (honoris causa) by the Calcutta University and LL.D. (honoris causa) by the Benaras Hindu University. He was appointed as a member of the Syndicate of Calcutta University, where he served with dedication for two decades in various capacities. He made brilliant contributions to the advancement of education.
In 1926, Dr Mukherjee left India to pursue education in law in England, where he represented the University of Calcutta at the Conference of Universities of the British Empire. In 1927, he started his legal profession, first as a vakil and then as a member of the English Bar.
In 1929, Dr Mukherjee started his political career when he became a member of the Bengal Legislative Council from the Indian National Congress (INC). After a year, he resigned from the Council when the INC decided to boycott the legislature. He was re-elected to the Council as an independent member.
In 1934, he became the vice chancellor of the University of Calcutta. Later, he was also appointed as President of the Postgraduate Council in Arts and Science, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, and member and Chairman of the Inter-University Board.
During his service as the vice chancellor, he laid the foundation of new departments and courses. He encouraged women’s education and streamlined teachers’ training. Also, he promoted graduation and post-graduation courses in vernacular languages such as Bengali, Urdu and Hindi. He established the Student Welfare Department for the promotion of the physical health of students.
In 1937, he entered into active politics as he was elected to the Bengal Legislative Assembly. Further, he joined the Hindu Mahasabha. In 1939, he participated in the 21st Session of the All–India Hindu Mahasabha at Calcutta under the presidentship of V. D. Sarvakar. Further, he became the working president of the All-India Hindu Mahasabha; in 1940, the president of the Hindu Mahasabha. He served the distressed and destitute in the Bengal Famine of 1943; he organised large-scale relief work for the people.
In 1944, he founded an English newspaper, Nationalist. In 1947, he joined the interim government of a newly independent nation as the Minister of Industries and Supplies. In 1949, he became the president of the Mahabodhi Society. Further, he visited Myanmar and Cambodia while serving as the president of the society. In 1953, he passed away in Jammu and Kashmir after falling seriously ill.
On his 125th birth anniversary, he is remembered as a democrat and cultural nationalist; he championed individual liberty, refugee rehabilitation, and cultural unity. Hon. Prime Minister Modi has remembered Shyama Prasad Mukherjee as the pioneer of an undivided India, a fierce nationalist, and a great educationist.
