National Library of India (NLI) in Kolkata hosts exhibition on Syama Prasad Mookerjee; rare books & papers on display, free entry
KOLKATA: The National Library of India (NLI) is holding a month-long exhibition dedicated to the life and legacy of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, a towering figure in India's academic, social, and political spheres.
The exhibition, being held at the Art Gallery of the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Bhasha Bhavan, is open to the public from 6 July to 5 August, daily between 10 am and 5 pm.
Among the highlights are archival press clippings and publications showcasing Mookerjee's pivotal role in shaping India's post-independence political framework, his contributions to education as the youngest-ever Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University, and his foundational role in the creation of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the ideological predecessor of today's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
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Following the exhibition's inauguration, NLI Director General Ajay Pratap Singh said, 'This is a tribute to this great son of the soil, who has made generations of Indians proud through his unparalleled contributions to academia, social reform, and political leadership. His vision and courage remain a source of inspiration.'
The exhibition aims not only to celebrate Mookerjee's multifaceted legacy, but also to provide the public—especially students, researchers, and history enthusiasts—with a deeper understanding of his lasting impact on the nation's intellectual and political journey.
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Curated and organised by the Exhibition Committee of the National Library—comprising Kumar Saheb, Subodip Bid, Ghanshyam, Pravin Patil, Pintu, and Jawed Alam—the showcase brings together a rare collection of books authored by and about Syama Prasad Mookerjee, alongside facsimiles from vintage newspapers that document some of the most transformative moments in modern Indian history.
Entry to the exhibition is free, and visitors are encouraged to explore this rare convergence of history, literature, and visual documentation that reflects the spirit and convictions of one of India's most influential nation-builders.
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