Page 8 - NIS English 01-15 Aug, 2026
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SPECIAL | PM’s Article
Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee
A Life Dedicated to India’s
Unity and Progress
he 6th of July is a very special day for crores of fellow
citizens who believe in the ideals of nationalism
and selfless service, as we celebrate the 125th birth
Tanniversary of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, whose
life remains a timeless example of courage and unwavering
commitment to Maa Bharti. Few leaders in modern India
embodied the seamless confluence of intellect, public service
Narendra Modi and moral conviction as profoundly as Dr. Syama Prasad
Prime Minister Mookerjee.
The young Syama Prasad was born into circumstances that
could easily have assured him a protected and comfortable
The Government of India is life. His father, Sir Ashutosh Mookerjee, was among the
commemorating the 125th birth foremost educationists and intellectuals of his age. Yet, while
anniversary of Dr Syama Prasad destiny placed before him a path of privilege, his conscience
Mookerjee- a key architect of led him towards one of sacrifice and national service. He was
India’s unity, a champion of convinced that he could not remain a mute spectator to the
an integrated India, a staunch turbulence of his times, be it fighting colonialism, communal-
nationalist, and an eminent ism, humanitarian challenges and more. Along this journey,
educationist- as a two-year he endured profound personal tragedies, including the loss
national celebration. The of an infant child and, later, his wife. Yet, these tragedies only
observance began on 6 July deepened his resolve and strengthened his unwavering com-
2025 and will continue until 6 mitment to serve.
July 2027. On the occasion of If there was one ideal that defined Dr. Syama Prasad
his birth anniversary this year, Mookerjee’s public life above all else, it was the indivisibility
Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India. He stood firm during the upheaval of Partition to
wrote an article paying tribute ensure that West Bengal remained an integral part of India. A
to Dr Mookerjee’s invaluable few years later, that very conviction drew him to Jammu and
contributions. He highlighted Kashmir. Imprisonment did not deter him and isolation did
how Dr Mookerjee’s vision not diminish him. His life came to an abrupt end in detention,
of a strong and self-reliant far from the countless people whose cause he had made
India continues to inspire and his own. There are moments in history when an individual’s
energise the nation’s resolve final sacrifice transcends politics and enters the realm of
toward nation-building. national memory. Dr. Mookerjee’s last journey remains one
such moment. Acharya Vinoba Bhave said that Dr. Mookerjee
6 NEW INDIA SAMACHAR || Aug 01-15, 2026
