JP Nadda unveils speeches of Ashutosh Mookerjee, calls for intellectual renewal
New Delhi, June 30
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J.P. Nadda on Tuesday said that just as a mobile phone must be recharged every day, public life too requires constant intellectual renewal.
Releasing a collection of speeches of scholar Ashutosh Mookerjee at the Delhi Assembly, Nadda said the speeches of the eminent educationist and jurist continue to recharge our minds with constitutional values, reasoned debate and a deep sense of nationalism.
He unveiled "The Collected Speeches of Bengal Tiger Asutosh Mookerjee", published by the Delhi Legislative Assembly on the occasion of the 162nd birth anniversary of Mookerjee (1864-1924), an eminent educationist, jurist, member of the Imperial Legislative Council (1904), former Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calcutta, at Assembly House, Delhi Legislative Assembly.
The publication was released at a special function organised by the Delhi Legislative Assembly, in the presence of Union Minister of State for Corporate Affairs and Road Transport and Highways, Harsh Malhotra, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta.
The programme also featured screening of a documentary on the Delhi Legislative Assembly, narrated by Padma Bhushan Anupam Kher, and a documentary on "The Collected Speeches of Bengal Tiger Asutosh Mookerjee".
Nadda observed that Mookerjee's uncompromising nationalism, rooted in knowledge and principle, continues to offer valuable lessons for legislators, policymakers and public representatives.
Congratulating Speaker Vijender Gupta and the Delhi Legislative Assembly for preserving India's parliamentary and intellectual heritage through such scholarly publications, Nadda said that many of Mookerjee's educational ideas resonate with the vision of the National Education Policy, particularly its emphasis on Indian languages, value-based education and the decolonisation of the education system.
Urging young people and public representatives to study the volume, he observed that the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 can be realised only when the younger generation remains connected with India's history, constitutional values and rich intellectual traditions.
Speaker Vijender Gupta said Mookerjee demonstrated that a nation's true strength lies in fearless scholarship, academic excellence and institutions built on merit. It is because of his unwavering commitment to education, justice and India's self-respect that he came to be revered as the 'Tiger of Bengal'.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that nation-building is a continuous endeavour carried forward by successive generations and stressed that remembering and preserving the contributions of great institution-builders is essential to strengthening the country's intellectual and cultural foundations.
Referring to the National Education Policy, she noted that its emphasis on Indian languages and value-based education reflects principles that Mookerjee had advocated decades ago.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Agree with the idea of intellectual renewal, but wish such events were more accessible to the public. How many youngsters will actually read this collection? The government should focus on making these speeches available online for free. Still, respect for keeping Mookerjee's legacy alive.
Interesting to see the Bengal Tiger being celebrated by the BJP-led government. Mookerjee was a towering figure who stood for fearless scholarship. The NEP link is clever, but I hope this isn't just a photo-op. The real test is whether these ideas get integrated into actual policy.
Mookerjee's emphasis on Indian languages and value-based education is exactly what we need today. But actions speak louder than words – Nadda ji should ensure that schools actually implement these principles rather than just giving speeches. Still, a timely reminder of our intellectual heritage.
Asutosh Mookerjee was a colossus – Vice-Chancellor at 42, modernised Calcutta University, mentored C.V. Raman. The 'Tiger of Bengal' title wasn't just for show. If even one legislator reads these speeches and learns about genuine intellectual independence, this event will be worth it.
Good to see politicians acknowledging our intellectual giants, but Nadda's phone recharge analogy felt a bit forced. Mookerjee deserves better than clichés. The documentary by Anupam Kher sounds promising though. Hope this sparks real debate in the assembly chambers.
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