Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was a towering personality that still shines bright. He was a far-sighted social reformer, philosopher, philanthropist, and educationalist with a modern vision. Throughout his long life he stood for morality, honest character, truthfulness, social reforms, unselfishness, and liberalism. He had a heart of Himalayan magnanimity. A son of the soil, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was, with a vast career of learning the first modernly refined man not only of Bengal but also of India.

Birth, Education & Activities

In the history of enlightened personalities, Vidyasagar finds a unique niche. He was born on 26th day of September, 1820. He was known as Ishwar Chandra Bandopadhyay.

The rustic boy of Thakurdas Bandopadhyay and Bhagabati Devi of Birsingha, Midnapore rose to inimitable eminence through hazards of poverty.

He was an obstinate boy. He had turned his obstinacy into rock-like strength of character that would not stoop to any adverse state of affairs.

During the period from 1829 to 1841, Ishwar Chandra studied Vedanta, Vyakaran, Literature, Rhetoric’s, Smriti and Ethics in Sanskrit College. And in 1839 the title ‘Vidyasagar’ was conferred on him for his unusual talent.

He was appointed as the Head Pandit of the Fort William College on 29th December, 1841. Soon he learnt English and Hindi.

In 1846 Vidyasagar was employed to grace the chair of the assistant secretary of the Sanskrit College. Although a Sanskrit scholar he had a remarkable proficiency in English and very few people could recite Shakespeare like him.

His first books ‘Betal Panchabingsati’ saw the light of the day in 1847. In 1851 Vidyasagar became a professor and later on the Principal of the Sanskrit College.

Character

Vidyasagar came of an obscure orthodox Brahmin family in Midnapore. Yet he won the heart of the Bengali people by dint of his versatile activities. He roused the Bengali people from the caves of idleness and ignorance.

In his character of extra-ordinariness were reconciled the opposite: love and heroism, tenderness and manliness, precept and practice, action and contemplation.

Contribution

His contribution in the field of education, particularly modern education and women’s education is great. His was one the most important personalities of Bengal Renaissance. The efforts of Vidyasagar in reforming the society is praiseworthy.

He did much to improve the low status and position of women in India. No parallel could be found to match his humanly kindness with which Vidyasagar carried on a lifelong crusade against polygamy and a campaign for widow-remarriage. Earlier in the society, the widowed women were forced to lead a poor life. But, with the introduction of widow-remarriage in the society, there was an overall improvement in the life of women at large.

He strongly protested against polygamy. He tried to prove that polygamy was against the ancient scriptures of the Hindus. His social awareness campaigns persuaded the people to lead a moral life.

The old and the new, tradition as well as modernity combined to produce this great sentinel of the last century.

Vidyasagar tried to make people rational, bold and fearless. Vidyasagar invented Bengali prose through translation as well as own writings. His translations are actually trans-creations.

Sakuntala is a facile prose translation of Kalidas.

Death

He died on July 29, 1891.

Conclusion

We get the opportunity to re-estimate Vidyasagar in a new light and arrange for seminars and debate-societies for disseminating Vidyasagar’s thoughts and ideas among the rising generation.

Various organizations must hold a mirror before the degenerating society so that it could re-think and re-establish the relevance of the mighty son of Bengali prose.

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

Introduction: Subhas Chandra Bose (also spelled Subhash Chandra Bose), the great national hero of Bengal was born in Cuttack, Orissa (now Odisha) on 23rd January, 1897. He was a patriotic and selfless leader of India, popularly known for forming the Indian National Party (INA). His father Janakinath Bose was an eminent pleader. His mother was Prabhabati Devi.

Education: In his boyhood Subhas Chandra received his education from Ravenshaw Collegiate School of Cuttack. Subhas Chandra Bose stood second in the entrance examination in 1913, and then he came to Kolkata and was admitted to Presidency College.

During his childhood, he was highly inspired by the teachings of Swami Vivekananda. He had deep love for his country and his compatriots. One day, a professor passed on an anti-indian remark, which the students of Bengal felt to be abusive. The students under the leadership of Subhas Chandra Bose protested against this abuse. As a result Subhas was rusticated from the college.

After this unpleasant incident, Subhas Chandra was admitted to Scottish Church College at the initiative and effort of Sir Ashutosh Mukhopadhyay and he passed Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) examination with honors in philosophy from that college. When he was a student of Master of Arts (M.A.), his father advised him to leave for England to appear in the Indian Civil Service (ICS) examination. And, studying for nine months only he stood fourth in that examination.

Early Career: After completion of ICS examination, he was selected for a job. But, he was not happy to serve under the British. The burning spirit of patriotism motivated him not to serve under the foreign government. In 1921, he resigned from the job and went ahead in the service of the nation. During that time the first Non-co-operation movement had broken out in India.

Patriotic Career: When he reached Calcutta (now Kolkata), he devoted himself to the cause of national independence. He found that the Non-cooperation movement, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, was active all over the country. Subhas refused to accept the assignment given by the British government and dedicated himself at the call of his motherland.

The sacrifice and devotion of Chittaranjan Das for the cause of the country immediately attracted his mind. He accepted Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das as his political preceptor and became his lietenant.

At that time, Chittaranjan Das was running a newspaper called “Forward”. Accepting the proposal of Chittaranjan Das, he became an editor of the newspaper. In 1924, he became the Mayor of Kolkata.

Subhash Chandra Bose was imprisoned several times along with Chittaranjan Das who died after his release in 1925. Subhash then became such a leader that he was most dreaded by the British Government. He preached for taking direct action against the foreign rulers to attain complete independence.

In 1938, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose became the President of the Indian National Congress. He was so popular that he was again elected President in 1939 in spite of the opposition. It is believed that he had differences in opinion with other Congress leaders. He later resigned from the post.

Escape from Kolkata: Subhash Chandra Bose decided to form the Forward Block (All India Forward Bloc – AIFB0. Soon, Subhas Chandra became popular among the youths of the country for his burning patriotism. He called the people to join the freedom movement of the country.

The escape of Subhash Chandra Bose from the close careful watch of the British is a remarkable event in Indian History. When he was imprisoned, he was released after a few months for ill health. He was kept under-restrained observation by the police in his house at Elgin Road. However, he managed to flee from the house. This brave and fearless soldier escaped from Kolkata and reached Germany in disguise. After this, he passed over a number of routs by submarine and met Rashbehari Bose.

Formation of Azad Hind Fauz (Indian National Army – INA): To counter the British army, he formed the Indian National Army, famously known as ‘Azad Hind Fauz’. It was done with the help and active co-operation of the great revolutionary Rashbehari Bose and other patriots. INA was a very powerful and large unit of army. It was Subhas Chandra who became the commander-in-chief of this army. The army was composed of both men and women soldiers of all other races. This national army declared war against the British on February, 1944. He called and addressed to the people of the country from Rangoon. ‘Give me blood. I will give you freedom’. For his extraordinary bravery, mental and moral strength to venture he became famous as ‘Netaji’.

They fought shoulder to shoulder to achieve the freedom of their distressed Motherland.

A memorable record: The Azad Hind Fauz (I.N.A) conquered Manipur in Assam. However, further advancement was obstructed due to rains, and shortage of food, arms, equipment, transport and communication facilities. Though, the Azad Hind Fauz (I.N.A) could not plant the Indian National Flag on the Red Ford of Delhi. However, the achievement of the I.N.A is a memorable historical record, which the world can never forget.

Its success: The I.N.A. played the most important role in bringing about the liberation of India from its devastating hands.

Last Days: The details about his last days could not be traced with accuracy. No authentic information regarding the mystery of his disappearance has yet been known, but it is said that he died on an aeroplane accident on 18th August, 1945.

Conclusion: So long the Indian survive, memory of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose will remain imperishable in the sacred and secret hearts of them. His earnest devotion to his Motherland has made him immortal. He is remembered for his qualities of patriotism, sincerity, bravery,  hard work, and sense of duty towards the nation. His slogans of ‘Jai Hind’ and ‘Delhi Chalo’ had inspired the youth of India to come forward for the nation.