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The Life & Times of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee
"Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee (1901-1953), second son of Sir Asutosh Mookerjee, was a multifaceted personality-educationist, patriot, statesman, parliamentarian, a person of incredible courage and a great humanitarian. In a life of less than fifty-two years and in politics for just fourteen of them, he had risen to be a Union cabinet minister in Free India's first cabinet, and had thrown away that portfolio upon developing serious differences with Jawaharlal Nehru over the pogrom of the Hindu minority in East Pakistan. Before that he had been the driving force behind the creation of West Bengal and East Punjab by snatching these parts from Jinnah's Pakistan. After resigning his cabinet berth he founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, which later metamorphosed itself into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of today.
This volume is a well-researched and complete biography of this great son of motherland India which gives an insight into his inspiring life.
"
This volume is a well-researched and complete biography of this great son of motherland India which gives an insight into his inspiring life.
"
418 pages, Paperback
First published July 9, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 16, 2020
The Story of the Bengal Tiger : Syama Prasad Mookerjee
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First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
- Mahatma Gandhi
Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Life and times, is thoroughly researched and a well written book. In fact this is the only complete biography we have at present on Dr Mookerjee.
For more information you can visit- https://dontbignorant.in/the-story-of...
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First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
- Mahatma Gandhi
Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Life and times, is thoroughly researched and a well written book. In fact this is the only complete biography we have at present on Dr Mookerjee.
For more information you can visit- https://dontbignorant.in/the-story-of...
September 7, 2019
Great account on Syama Prasad Mookerjee's life. .Tathagata Roy is one hell of a writer. I have read his 'My People, Uprooted: The Exodus of Hindus from East Pakistan and Bangladesh'. It was a great book. Both books are detailed accounts and well researched. There were so many amazing leaders during those times. We must remember these kinds of leaders.
August 20, 2018
This is a seminal work done the author to bring into light the life of a great son of India and Bengal. As Bibek Debroy points out in his foreword of the book that before honouring Syama Prasad people should no about his life.
A contemporary of Netaji and Nehru he roared in the parliament and his debates and speeches are sadly never known to the general public.
The highlight of the book is its nuances about the relationship of Dr. Mookerjee and the illustrious Bose brothers, his relationship with the rebel poet Kazi Nazrul Islam and of course with many other luminaries of his time which includes Sardar Patel and Gandhiji. The roots of this family by tracing them to the furthest direct lineage possible shows the immense dedication on research the author has put into.
The thought with which he started a party just before the first general elections in free India and after almost 50 years, the prime ofshoot of that party is presently at the Centre and gave the country two prime ministers in itself goes to show the intellect and sense of the man about the nation and its society and he was a person who in most real terms saw the future.
Syamaprasad was in politics for a period of almost 10 years before his untimely demise, yet he left a indelible footprint in the political journey of the nation. The book and its narrative is apt which logical references of the author while analysing the impacts of the actions of this great persona. Its sad that the country does not want to remember Dr. Mookerjee and his contribution. A reference quoted in the book says it all, Dr. Mookerjee on his journey to Kashmir, which was to be his final one, he was handed over a copy of the illustrated weekly of india which ran a cover - After Nehru Who? SP Mookerjee or JP Narayan with their pictures on the cover.
Its a cherished biography to read for readers who are interested in politics and Dr. Mookerjee's life and contribution.
Its incredibly sad that Dr. Mookerjee has been labelled communal by many in this present generation including people in his home state
A contemporary of Netaji and Nehru he roared in the parliament and his debates and speeches are sadly never known to the general public.
The highlight of the book is its nuances about the relationship of Dr. Mookerjee and the illustrious Bose brothers, his relationship with the rebel poet Kazi Nazrul Islam and of course with many other luminaries of his time which includes Sardar Patel and Gandhiji. The roots of this family by tracing them to the furthest direct lineage possible shows the immense dedication on research the author has put into.
The thought with which he started a party just before the first general elections in free India and after almost 50 years, the prime ofshoot of that party is presently at the Centre and gave the country two prime ministers in itself goes to show the intellect and sense of the man about the nation and its society and he was a person who in most real terms saw the future.
Syamaprasad was in politics for a period of almost 10 years before his untimely demise, yet he left a indelible footprint in the political journey of the nation. The book and its narrative is apt which logical references of the author while analysing the impacts of the actions of this great persona. Its sad that the country does not want to remember Dr. Mookerjee and his contribution. A reference quoted in the book says it all, Dr. Mookerjee on his journey to Kashmir, which was to be his final one, he was handed over a copy of the illustrated weekly of india which ran a cover - After Nehru Who? SP Mookerjee or JP Narayan with their pictures on the cover.
Its a cherished biography to read for readers who are interested in politics and Dr. Mookerjee's life and contribution.
Its incredibly sad that Dr. Mookerjee has been labelled communal by many in this present generation including people in his home state
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February 5, 2018one of the greatest statesman from the land of bengal. very few people would have heard of him... though he is one of the founders of a political party which is currently ruling the nation... time a d again he has extended his support to various humanitarian work... his support towards the formation of auroville is note worthy... loved reading every bit...
August 26, 2020
Before reading this, I only knew Dr Mookerjee as a politician who was minister in first cabinet and a dissident who raised voice against Nehru’s Kashmir policy. The book has explored many details about him especially his contributions in the field of education and role in creation of West Bengal. This is perhaps only most detailed and objective biography of SP Mookerjee in English.
There is one setback: the biography is not neutral and completely objective. Author’s own biases (given that he is BJP leader, former Tripura governor and was Meghalaya’s governor just before a week) often mixes. Calling Bengali Hindus ‘suicidal’ and furiously attacking Congress—is seemed to be his personal opinions.
Also, the book becomes a bit hagiographical in some chapters. It venerates the leader instead of critically examining his life. I don’t think proper justice has been done to the subject. But, however, this book should be read to know details and facts about a great man and his life.
There is one setback: the biography is not neutral and completely objective. Author’s own biases (given that he is BJP leader, former Tripura governor and was Meghalaya’s governor just before a week) often mixes. Calling Bengali Hindus ‘suicidal’ and furiously attacking Congress—is seemed to be his personal opinions.
Also, the book becomes a bit hagiographical in some chapters. It venerates the leader instead of critically examining his life. I don’t think proper justice has been done to the subject. But, however, this book should be read to know details and facts about a great man and his life.
April 3, 2023
“Ek Desh Mein Do Vidhan, Do Nishan, Do Pradhan Nahi Chalenge” (Two constitutions, two flags, two Chiefs in one country will not be tolerated), was his last war cry.
So, this is a critical biography of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, India’s first industrial minister, founder of Jana Sangh (predecessor of today’s BJP), the architect of West Bengal and savior of Bengali Hindus.
After two-three chapters, the book becomes a very fast read and unputdownable. After describing his career as a barrister and educationist, it describes how Dr. Mookerjee came into politics and how he became the financial minister of Bengal and how he predicted the famine of Bengal and tried his best to stop it. But, after the ignorance of the Britishers, he gave his resignation. It was heart wrenching story that when people were fighting desperately for food, the Britishers and the Muslim league were spreading communalism. Dr. Mookerjee had fought against it but his struggle mostly got in vain.
Then the book describes how Dr. Mookerjee snatched West Bengal from Jinnah’s mouth. It also tells the Muslim league origin of Bengali parochialism, which is a driving force of the politics of West Bengal today. Then, it describes Dr. Mookerjee’s contribution in Indian Industrial revolution. But, after pogroms in East Bengal following Nehru’s defeatism policy towards Pakistan which fruited to Nehru- Liyaqat Ali Pact forced him to resign from his ministry. After quitting Hindu Mahasabha for quarrels with conservatioves, He made his party Bhartiya Jana Sangh.
His final war for the fully integration of Kashmir to India ended up with his mysterious death. The book gives a very sad impression at the end. What I liked is the fast pace of this book but I disliked that the author gave Mookerjee’s view on sleeveless dress which is like to bring domestic quarrel into battlefield. This book is a must read for every patriotic Indians. This book deserves to be a bestseller.
So, this is a critical biography of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, India’s first industrial minister, founder of Jana Sangh (predecessor of today’s BJP), the architect of West Bengal and savior of Bengali Hindus.
After two-three chapters, the book becomes a very fast read and unputdownable. After describing his career as a barrister and educationist, it describes how Dr. Mookerjee came into politics and how he became the financial minister of Bengal and how he predicted the famine of Bengal and tried his best to stop it. But, after the ignorance of the Britishers, he gave his resignation. It was heart wrenching story that when people were fighting desperately for food, the Britishers and the Muslim league were spreading communalism. Dr. Mookerjee had fought against it but his struggle mostly got in vain.
Then the book describes how Dr. Mookerjee snatched West Bengal from Jinnah’s mouth. It also tells the Muslim league origin of Bengali parochialism, which is a driving force of the politics of West Bengal today. Then, it describes Dr. Mookerjee’s contribution in Indian Industrial revolution. But, after pogroms in East Bengal following Nehru’s defeatism policy towards Pakistan which fruited to Nehru- Liyaqat Ali Pact forced him to resign from his ministry. After quitting Hindu Mahasabha for quarrels with conservatioves, He made his party Bhartiya Jana Sangh.
His final war for the fully integration of Kashmir to India ended up with his mysterious death. The book gives a very sad impression at the end. What I liked is the fast pace of this book but I disliked that the author gave Mookerjee’s view on sleeveless dress which is like to bring domestic quarrel into battlefield. This book is a must read for every patriotic Indians. This book deserves to be a bestseller.
June 6, 2020
A moving and vivid portrayal of one of great sons of India. Tathagatha Roy does a great job of highlighting the contributions of Dr SPM towards freedom movement as well as Bengal, especially his role in saving the lives of Hindu victims of Noakhali genocide, his succour to the victims of famine caused by British policies and his efforts in ensuring Kolkata and West Bengal remained with India when he realised partition was inevitable. The final chapters surrounding his efforts on Kashmir and the events and unanswered questions surrounding his mysterious death under incarceration by Sheikh Abdullah govt are especially moving. A great tribute to a great and one of the many many largely unsung heroes of India.
July 12, 2020
The story of great Indian thinker and politician. He was one of the great stalwalt-in the field of education became Vice Chancellor of Calcutta University at the age of 33. Became India's first industry minister and led to the establishment of Chittaranjan Locomotive Factory, HAL Bangalore and Sindhri Fertilizer Plant. He resigned due to PM Nehru's policy of appeasement to Muslims in India and the controversial Nehru- Liaquat pact in 1950. He then led towards unification and consolidation of state J&K in Union of India as President of Bhartiya JanSangh. However, he was arrested while entering Jammu and later died under mysterious circumstances in jail on 23 June 1953.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews