Event: 06 July 2026 at Kolkata, west bengal
Chief Guest: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah
The foundation stone was laid for a grand 125-foot-tall statue of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee in Kolkata. Alongside the statue, the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Institute will be established to focus on research regarding India's security in Kolkata, West Bengal.
Context: The Ministry of Culture (GOI) is celebrating the 125th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee from 6th July 2025 to 6th July 2027, honouring his lasting impact on India's political, educational, and cultural fabric.
About Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee:
He was born on 6 July 1901 in Calcutta (now Kolkata) into a highly respected and affluent Bengali family
He was the first Minister for Industry and Supply of independent India. He was a fierce advocate for cultural nationalism and national integration, best known as the founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (the precursor to today's Bharatiya Janata Party).
At the exceptionally young age of 33, he was appointed the Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University as the youngest person ever to hold this prestigious office.
Dr. Mookerjee strongly opposed the special autonomous status granted to Jammu & Kashmir under Article 370.
Historic Slogan: "Ek Vidhan, Ek Pradhan, Ek Nishan"