Kolkata: The handwritten copy of the resolution from the seventh managing committee meeting, held on Nov 26, 1946, at Bhawanipur Mitra Institution under the presidentship of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, bears his original signature.On Monday, marking Mookerjee’s 125th birth anniversary, this historic document, along with his photograph and pen, will be put on public display. Raja Dey, the headmaster of the school, said.“We have been keeping these treasures in the school locker for a long time. However, they need proper preservation; otherwise, they will eventually be damaged. We currently lack the infrastructure and funds required to preserve them. We are organizing this exhibition to make our students aware of the iconic leader and his contributions, not just to the nation, but to this school itself.”While Mookerjee himself presided, the meeting was also attended by his eldest son, Ramaprosad Mookerjee, and his third son, Umaprosad Mookerjee. The then headmaster, Haridas Kar, proposed collecting an anna from each boy to cover the hiring costs of educational movies for the students. Mookerjee opposed charging the students and instead sanctioned Rs 100 from the general fund to screen five shows.The school aims to preserve these precious items for future generations to learn about this history.To mark the occasion, the institution is hosting a grand celebration, which is expected to be attended by chief minister Suvendu Adhikari and home minister Amit Shah.Mookerjee completed his matriculation in 1917. Dey said, “We are trying to continue the legacy that Mookerjee and other members had for the betterment of the school.” The school has 1,070 students, from classes VI to XII, currently. “This year, we also introduced an English-medium section,” he said.The school authority will urge the state govt to look into the matter to bring back past glory of the institution.
