The Ministry of Culture announced a two-year official commemoration of the 125th birth anniversary of Bharat Kesari Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, honouring the legacy of the visionary leader who shaped India’s political, cultural, educational, and industrial journey.

Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the Chief Guest for the event which saw presence of people from all parts of Delhi, recalled Dr. Mookerjee’s lifelong efforts for national unity and how today’s India is fulfilling the dream he once envisioned - He must be blessing us, seeing that India’s aircraft has reached the moon, and that a son of India speaks clearly with the Prime Minister while sitting in space.” He further added that, “His soul must feel content seeing that today, Tiranga Yatras are carried out fearlessly at Lal Chowk in Kashmir. Surely, his soul must feel at peace seeing that all laws of India are now fully implemented in Kashmir. Today, there is one nation, one flag, and one Constitution.”

He further added that the present government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is working with a clear sense of direction to realize the vision that Dr. Mookerjee laid out for a self-reliant, united, and developed India - “After independence, how India should be built and how it should become a developed nation — to give shape to that vision, the present Modi government is continuously moving forward on the path shown by him.”

Shri Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Culture in his opening remarks reflected on the enduring relevance of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s ideals in present-day India - “He was a great patriot, a visionary educationist, and someone deeply committed to preserving India’s unity and integrity.” He noted that Dr. Mookerjee gave concrete shape to the belief that the very identity of our nation rests on the courage and conviction of its people - “Dr. Mookerjee firmly believed that if ever a challenge arises, it is our unity and our democratic values that must serve as our greatest strength. These values are tested time and again, by different circumstances and by different people. And as a nation, we have faced these tests with resilience and resolve.

He also emphasized the national scale and spirit of the commemoration being undertaken by the Ministry of Culture - “This commemoration is not limited to Delhi. It is observed in every state and union territory across the country. And it will continue for the next two years - as a continuous tribute to a leader whose life inspires every generation of Indians,”.

Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and MoS in the Prime Minister’s Office, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, who represents the Udhampur constituency of Jammu of Kashmir in his address reflected on Dr. Mookerjee’s multifaceted legacy as a scholar, scientist, and statesman - “He was one of the greatest scholars, academicians, and intellectuals of the pre-Independence era. Even the British must have acknowledged his extraordinary talent and brilliance. But what truly set him apart was the vastness of his personality.”

He further noted that Dr. Mookerjee was not only a great academician but also a man of principle - “He was a man of deep integrity, someone who didn’t hesitate to resign from the government when he found himself ideologically misaligned. That kind of courage and conviction is rare, and it defines the legacy of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee.”

Dr. Mahesh Chandra Sharma, President of Ekatma Manav Darshan Anusandhan Evam Vikas Pratishthan, offered a deeply reflective perspective on Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s role during the time of Partition and in India’s early constitutional history. He pointed out that when India gained independence, it also experienced the tragedy of partition. And yet, if one were to ask today who were the voices that opposed partition, most people would struggle to name even five individuals. “Why is that?” he asked. “Because those in power perhaps carried a sense of guilt. They feared that if future generations learned the full truth about Partition, they might be held accountable someday. He noted that during the crucial years leading up to partition, both the British and the Congress only negotiated with the Muslim League. But in contrast, Dr. Mookerjee stood firmly with those leaders who opposed the idea of Partition and rejected divisive politics. “Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee stood firmly against this division,” he said. “And when Partition was finally accepted, it was Dr. Mookerjee who stepped up to save parts of Bengal and Assam from being handed over to Pakistan.”

Dr. Anirban Ganguly, Chairman of the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation offered a sweeping overview of Dr. Mookerjee’s life, legacy, and timeless relevance. Tracing his journey from early academic brilliance to his enduring influence on national politics, Dr. Ganguly highlighted Dr. Mookerjee’s commitment to national unity and constitutional integrity. He recalled how Dr. Mookerjee stood firmly against Article 370 and voiced his opposition with the historic words: “Ek desh mein do Vidhan, do Pradhan, aur do Nishan nahi chalenge.”

Dr. Ganguly further recalled, “He became a Vice Chancellor at the age of 33 — a record that still stands. He entered the Union Cabinet at 45, founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh at 50, and sacrificed his life at just 52,” He also noted, “In many ways, Dr. Mookerjee was the embodiment of youth, he represented the aspirations of young India and laid the foundation for a confident, self-reliant nation.”

Special Highlights

The event featured special segments that brought Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s life and legacy alive for the audience in unique and meaningful ways.

A special exhibition was inaugurated, offering a deep and engaging look into Dr Mookerjee’s personal journey, ideological contributions, and his role in shaping India’s democratic and industrial landscape. Through rare photographs, archival documents, and multimedia displays, the exhibition narrated his early influences, educational reforms and political vision.

A commemorative stamp and coin was also released by the Ministry as a tribute to Dr. Mookerjee’s towering contributions to the nation. These symbolic releases serve as enduring tokens of remembrance and national recognition of the life and legacy of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee.

The National School of Drama (NSD) presented a powerful theatrical production based on the life and times of Dr. Mookerjee. The performance was specially curated for the occasion and depicted key turning points in his life, from his role as an educationist and Vice Chancellor to his principled stand on national issues.

A moving light instrumental ensemble performance by 17 young scholars of the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) was also presented on the occasion. Trained under the guidance of eminent flautist and Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Pt. Chetan Joshi, the young musicians delivered a soulful tribute to Dr. Mookerjee. The performance was met with heartfelt.

CCRT team also performed a play dedicated to the life of Dr, Syama Prasad Mookerjee.

The two-year commemoration (July 6, 2025 – July 6, 2027) will feature a series of events, exhibitions, and outreach programmes across India to highlight Dr. Mookerjee’s multifaceted legacy, from nation-building and education to industrial growth and cultural diplomacy.

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Sunil Kumar Tiwari

pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com