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India.com
21 hours ago
- Politics
- India.com
Mamata Banerjee Pays Tribute To Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Slams BJP Over Attacks On Bengali Language
On the anniversary of the death of Pandit Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, a gigantic figure in the Bengal Renaissance, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a passionate tribute, reiterating his long-lasting legacy and fiercely criticizing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for what she claimed were attacks on Bengali language and culture. Speaking to the media on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, CM Banerjee greeted Vidyasagar as "our heritage, our pride," underscoring his everlasting contributions to education in Bengal and India, more specifically his persistent fight for raising the status of women. "Much of what we are today is because of his contribution—beginning with that Barnaparichay," she said, mentioning his foundational primer for learning Bengali. বাংলার নবজাগরণের প্রাণপুরুষ পণ্ডিত ঈশ্বরচন্দ্র বিদ্যাসাগরের প্রয়াণ দিবসে জানাই আমার বিনম্র শ্রদ্ধাঞ্জলি। বিদ্যাসাগর আমাদের ঐতিহ্য, আমাদের গর্ব। বাংলা তথা ভারতে শিক্ষাক্ষেত্রে তাঁর অবদান এবং নারীর অবস্থার উন্নতির জন্য তাঁর লড়াই আমরা কখনো ভুলতে পারব না। আমরা আজ যা, তা অনেকটাই… — Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) July 29, 2025 The Chief Minister highlighted the relevance of Vidyasagar's life and ideas in the present day, particularly in what she termed as an era of "attacks on the Bengali language and Bengalis throughout the country under the leadership of the BJP." Making a direct reference to an old incident, Banerjee stated, "Those who are targeting Bengal and Bengalis today are the same people who, during the bicentennial of Vidyasagar, damaged his statue at Vidyasagar College in Kolkata." She pointed out her government's initiatives to repair the statue and celebrate his bicentennial throughout the year in all of Bengal with different respectful celebrations. Enumerating the commitment of her government towards safeguarding and upholding the legacy of Vidyasagar, CM Banerjee mentioned several initiatives. They include the establishment of the 'Birsingh Development Council' in his hometown, Birsingh, as well as several development, renovation, and beautification initiatives. She also spoke about the redesign of the museum at his Badurbagan home in Kolkata, the upgradation of Vidyasagar College as a heritage college, the establishment of an archive in his name at Vidyasagar College, and granting scholarships to the Metropolitan Institution in Kolkata, which he established. "A lot has already been done, is being done, and will be done in the future," she asserted. Closing out her memorial, Chief Minister Banerjee again spoke out in her deep admiration for Vidyasagar, hoping that Bengalis would be "educated by his teachings" and "walk the path with the same resolute and defiant spirit as his." The event provided a setting for the Chief Minister not only to pay tribute to a legendary social reformer but also to reiterate her government's position on defending Bengali culture and identity in the face of political rivalry.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
India offers help to save Satyajit Ray's ancestral home in Bangladesh
Suvendu Adhikari thanked Prime Minister Modi for proposing joint efforts with Bangladesh to restore Satyajit Ray's ancestral house in Mymensingh after reports of its demolition sparked concern. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged both Bangladesh and India to protect the legacy of Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury, a key figure of the Bengal Renaissance. The house, owned by the Bangladesh government, may now become a Museum of Literature celebrating the deep cultural ties between the two nations. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Kolkata: Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the West Bengal assembly Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for India's proposal to collaborate with Bangladesh for the repair and reconstruction of the ancestral property of the legendary Satyajit Ray in Mymensingh , calling it an "exemplary gesture', a day after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed deep concern over the alleged demolition of the ancestral home of Satyajit Ray's grandfather, the renowned writer-editor Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury , in Bangladesh.'I express my deepest gratitude and admiration to the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi JI for his exemplary gesture. The Government of India's proposal to collaborate with Bangladesh for the repair and reconstruction of the ancestral property of the legendary Satyajit Ray in Mymensingh, with the vision of transforming it into a Museum of Literature and a symbol of the shared cultural heritage of India and Bangladesh, is a truly commendable initiative,' said the leader of the opposition in a statement that he posted on the wall of his official X handle on Wednesday pointed out that the Minister of External Affairs had already expressed regrets over the demolition of the property, presently owned by the Bangladesh deep concern over reports that ancestral home of Satyajit Ray's grandfather, eminent writer-editor Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury, in Bangladesh's Mymensingh city is being demolished, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee urged the Muhammad Yunus government to take steps to preserve this house. She also sought the intervention of the Indian government in the a post on X on Monday, Banerjee said: 'I learnt from media reports that the memory-entwined ancestral house of renowned writer-editor Upendrakishore Roychowdhury in Bangladesh's Mymensingh city is being demolished. The reports say that the demolition process had already begun. This is heartbreaking news... The Ray family is one of the most prominent torchbearers of Bengal's culture. Upendrakishore was among the pillars of the Bengal Renaissance. I feel this house is inextricably linked to Bengal's cultural history. I appeal to the Bangladeshi government and to all right-thinking people of that country to preserve this edifice of rich tradition. The Indian government should also intervene.'According to Bangladesh's newspaper 'The Daily Star', 'Located on Horikishore Ray Chowdhury Road, the century-old house is tied to the legacy of the illustrious Ray family, whose contributions to Bangla literature and arts are considered foundational. Horikishore Ray Chowdhury himself was an ancestor of Upendra Kishore, Sukumar, and Satyajit.'
The Independent
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
India appeals to Bangladesh to stop demolition of Oscar-winning director's family home
Bangladesh has begun demolishing the century‑old ancestral home of internationally-acclaimed filmmaker Satyajit Ray north of the capital Dhaka. The house was once used as the Mymensingh Shishu Academy, a government-run centre for children's development. It is being replaced with a new semi‑concrete structure with officials citing structural safety concerns after a decade of neglect, reported Bangladeshi newspaper The Daily Star. Built some 120km north of Dhaka by Ray's grandfather Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury, the mansion sat on a sprawling 36‑acre estate. The house links generations of cultural icons: Upendrakishore himself was a pioneering writer, publisher, and technologist of the Bengal Renaissance, best known for founding the children's magazine Sandesh and introducing advanced halftone printing techniques in India; His son, Sukumar Ray, was a beloved poet and satirist whose nonsense verse remains deeply influential in Bengali literature, and his grandson, Satyajit Ray, went on to become one of the most celebrated filmmakers in world cinema. India's foreign ministry issued a statement on Tuesday expressing 'profound regret' over the demolition, and urged Dhaka to reconsider, offering both technical and financial cooperation to restore the building instead. 'Given the building's landmark status, symbolising Bangla cultural renaissance, it would be preferable to reconsider the demolition and examine options for its repair and reconstruction as a museum of literature and a symbol of the shared culture of India and Bangladesh,' said the statement. Born in Kolkata in 1921, Ray made his directorial debut with Pather Panchali in 1955, which won international acclaim and became the first in his landmark Apu trilogy. Ray went on to win several accolades, including two Cannes Palme d'Or awards and an honorary Academy Award in 1992. Ray's son Sandip said the filmmaker had intended to include images of their ancestral home in a documentary, but decided against it upon seeing its derelict state. 'I have never been to Bangladesh to see this building; neither did Baba [Satyajit Ray]. What I saw were the pictures of the building. But I remember Baba wanted to use the pictures of this building when he was working on the Sukumar Ray documentary,' Sandip Ray told NDTV. 'A close associate, who used to look after Baba's production, was sent to Bangladesh to click some pictures of this building. But Baba was very disheartened to see the building in a dilapidated state. He, then, decided that he wouldn't use those pictures in his documentary.' In Dhaka, officials have defended the decision by saying that the building posed risks to children and that the new structure would allow the academy's activities to be resumed. 'The house had been abandoned for 10 years, and Shishu Academy activities have been running from a rented space,' Md Mehedi Zaman, Mymensingh's district children affairs officer told The Daily Star, adding that all proper procedures were followed by the district administration and public works department. Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of India's West Bengal state which borders Bangladesh, wrote on X in Bengali that the news was 'extremely distressing' and describing the Ray family as 'one of the foremost torchbearers of Bengali culture'. 'I appeal to the Bangladesh government and all the conscientious people of that country to take steps to preserve this heritage-laden house. The Indian government should pay attention to this matter,' she wrote. Within Bangladesh, some archaeologists and cultural activists have expressed regret that despite the building's historical importance, it had never been officially listed as protected. Poet Shamim Ashraf told The Daily Star that appeals to preserve the site were ignored and the 'house remained in a sorry state for years, with cracks forming on its roof'. Sabina Yeasmin, field officer of the Department of Archaeology, also told the newspaper that repeated warnings had been disregarded. Adding to growing unease is the fact that another cultural property – Nobel prize-winner Rabindranath Tagore's ancestral home Kachharibari in Sirajganj – was attacked by a mob in early June following a dispute over parking fees. The auditorium was damaged, and the director attacked, prompting a temporary closure of the 19th-century property and an official inquiry. As a video of the demolition of the Ray family home began circulating online, some expressed dismay and drew a link between the two incidents. Economist Sanjeev Sanyal wrote on X: 'They were silent when Tagore's house was vandalised. They are silent when Satyajit Ray's ancestral home is demolished. Indeed, they are complicit to the systematic erasure of Bengali Hindu identity in Bangladesh.'
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
India offers help to rebuild Ray heritage home in Dhaka amid outrage over plan to demolish it
File photo DHAKA: In yet another development showcasing growing social intolerance in Bangladesh, the ancestral home of iconic filmmaker Satyajit Ray in Dhaka is being demolished to make way for a new semi-concrete structure, the local media reported Tuesday. Located on Horikishore Ray Chowdhury Road in the city, the century-old house was home to Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury. Upendrakishore, a prominent 19th-century litterateur in his own right besides being a painter and publisher, was the father of celebrated poet Sukumar Ray and grandfather of filmmaker Satyajit Ray. A semi-concrete structure with several rooms will be built to house a Shishu Academy at the historically-significant building, the country's leading media outlet 'Daily Star' reported. According to reports, the property - which was built by Upendrakishore more than a century ago and previously housed the Mymensingh Shishu Academy - fell into a state of disrepair after years of neglect by the authorities. The newspaper said that local residents have expressed their concerns over the decision, citing that the demolition will wipe out the legacy of the Ray dynasty in Mymensingh city. However, the authorities insist that the demolition is being carried out in accordance with proper procedures and "necessary approvals". Officials from Dhaka's Department of Archeology, while agreeing that the property remains an archeological heritage, admitted that their repeated requests to protect the building have gone unheard. Expressing her anguish, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee posted on X: "The Ray family is one of the most prominent torchbearers of Bengal's culture. Upendrakishore was among the pillars of the Bengal Renaissance. I feel this house is inextricably linked to Bengal's cultural history. I appeal to the Bangladeshi government and to all right-thinking people of that country to preserve this edifice of rich tradition. The Indian government should also intervene." In New Delhi, MEA expressed deep regret that the property was being demolished. "Given the building's landmark status symbolising Bangla cultural renaissance, it would be preferable to reconsider the demolition and examine options for its repair and reconstruction as a museum of literature and a symbol of the shared culture of India and Bangladesh," said ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, adding that the Indian govt was willing to extend assistance for the purpose.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
CM flags razing of Upendrakishore home in B'desh, India offers help to rebuild it
Kolkata: CM Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said she was "saddened" by reports emerging from Bangladesh that the residence of writer and painter Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury in Bangladesh was being demolished. Upendrakishore was the father of one of Bengal's most celebrated poets, Sukumar Ray, and the grandfather of filmmaker Satyajit Ray. Taking to X, she wrote in Bengali: "Reports suggest the ancestral house of Satyajit Ray's grandfather, ren-owned writer-editor Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury, in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, is allegedly being demolished. It is reported that the demolition work has already begun. This news is extremely saddening." "The Ray family is a significant bearer of Bengali culture. Upendrakishore was a pillar of the Bengal Renaissance. Therefore, I believe this house is intricately linked to the cultural history of Bengal. I appeal to govt of Bangladesh and all well-intentioned people of the country to preserve this heritage building. The Indian govt should pay attention to this matter," Banerjee added. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata Later in the day, India called on Bangladesh to reconsider its decision and offered help to preserve the iconic building. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like All Senior Drivers Should Claim This Large Reward (Check If You Qualify) Read More Undo Describing the move as a matter of "profound regret", MEA said: "Given the building's landmark status, symbolising Bangla cultural renaissance, it would be preferable to reconsider the demolition and examine options for its repair and reconstruction as a museum of literature and a symbol of the shared culture of India and Bangladesh. Govt of India would be willing to extend cooperation for this purpose." According to media reports from Bangladesh, the home was being demolished to make way for a new semi-concrete structure. According to available records, the house was built more than a century ago by Upendrakishore, then a zamindar and entrepreneur from Masua in Kishoreganj's Katiadi upazila. Upendrakishore was the first to introduce colour printing in Bengal. He also began the first children's magazine in colour, Sandesh, in 1913. According to the local media in Bangladesh, after the Partition in 1947, the property came under govt ownership and was repurposed as Mymensingh Shishu Academy in 1989. According to Daily Star, who quoted Md Mehedi Zaman, the district children affairs officer, as saying: "The house has been left abandoned for 10 years. Shishu Academy activities have been operating from a rented space." The official added that the demolition was being carried out following procedure. When asked why such a historically significant building was being demolished, he said the building posed a risk to children who gathered at the compound. In June, Banerjee had condemned the vandalism at Rabindranath Tagore's ancestral home in Sirajganj, calling the incident a "barbaric assault on national pride and the subcontinent's cultural heritage".
