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Home , Bangla Congress, Bidhan Chandra Roy, Chittaranjan Das, Dharma Vira, Jadunath Sarkar, Jyoti Basu

Occasional Paper - 3 from The Library Raj Bhavan, Governor Anthony Lancelot Dias

Anthony Lancelot Dias was the Governor of West from 1971 Peter Sinai, Mrs. Maya Ray, wife of to 1977. After Professor Nurul the then Chief Minister Siddhartha Hasan’s collections of books in the Shankar Ray, the eminent columnist Raj Bhavan Library, Governor Dias' Shri Hiranmoy Karlekar and a collection is the largest. But it is definitive overview of Governor modest. A list of the books gifted by Dias' tenure by Shri P.K. Sarkar who him and Mrs. Dias is carried at the was Governor Dias' Secretary during end of this Occasional Paper. almost the whole of Governor Dias' We are privileged to present tenure. Smt. Mira Gupta, wife of in this issue selected speeches by Shri Ranjit Gupta (ICS, 1927) who him and articles by his son-in-law, was Chief Secretary in the sixties the distinguished Indian Diplomat and Professor Ramaranjan Mukherji have also contributed separate reminiscences.

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Contents

1. Introduction. 2. Remembering Mr. Dias — P. K. Sarkar 3. Governor Dias' Tenure In : Some Highlights—Peter Sinai. 4. Mrs. Joan Dias — Maya Ray. 5. Anthony Lancelot Dias : The Firm But Invisible Hand — Hiranmay Karlekar. 6. Memories of Bygone Days — Mira Gupta. 7. A Wonderful Chancellor : A Reminiscence — Professor Ramaranjan Mukherji. 8. A communication from Archbishop Henry D' Souza. 9. List of Governor Dias’ Public Interactions. 10. Inaugural Broadcast by Governor A.L. Dias 11. Selected speeches by Governor A.L. Dias 12. A Minute by the Governor of West Bengal on the Shrubbery Grounds, . 13. Farewell Broadcast by Governor A.L. Dias. 14. List of Governor A.L. Dias’ books in the Raj Bhavan Library.

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Remembering Mr. Dias By P.K. Sarkar

The catalogue of the A.L. Dias When A.L. Dias was named collection of books - though small in Governor of West Bengal the state number - in the Raj Bhavan Library was already under President's rule. and the select list of his public The liberation struggle across the interactions, both of which form part border had led to an influx of 7.5 of the contents of this Occasional million refugees into the state. The Paper, reflect his catholic outlook, politics of violence in Calcutta and his openness to the cosmopolitan in certain areas of the state seemed culture of the state and its capital to be having a spiraling effect. The city, as well as the circle of his planned killing of policemen had its friendships transcending inevitable effect on the law and conventional lines. order machinery. A large number of Anthony Lancelot Dias was districts were affected by natural Governor of West Bengal for more disasters. Investment and growth than six years. This period can be were stymied by a number of viewed in three distinct segments. intertwined factors. First, President's Rule 1971-1972 The challenge was met with (and again briefly in 1977). Second, determination and courage. The rich 1972 to 1977 when the Congress and varied experience in district and Ministry under Siddhartha Shankar secretariat positions in the state of Ray was in office. And, third, about Maharashtra (and the undivided five months from the State elections Bombay Presidency earlier) and at in June 1977 which ushered in the the Centre as well as in special Ministry under positions like the Chairmanship of to the beginning of November 1977. the Bombay Port Trust was of The distinct styles of governance immense value and no time was lost appropriate to each of the three in assuming the role of active segments are clearly discernible. leadership. The combination of roles - head of state and head of

4 government - seemed to come Dias popular with a section of naturally. government employees but he did not flinch from dealing The highest priority was of firmly with "breaches of the course law and order. The public "morning meetings" in Writers' servants' code of conduct or Buildings with the Chief lapses in fulfilling the twofold tasks Secretary, Home Secretary and of any administration - firstly police chiefs began the day's prompt response to the people's proceedings. The minutes were needs and redress of their grievances prepared and circulated within and speedy implementation of an hour and the follow-up of development schemes. Secondly, decisions was relentless. There fearless discharge of the functions of was intense pressure on the law and order without committing senior officials to exert excesses and by making a special themselves and matters pending effort to secure the confidence and for decision for a long time were cooperation of the people in quickly settled. Confrontation restoring peace and stability."* with politically motivated associations did not make A.L.

Mr. Dias was keenly aware that the Room collection. Associating non problems of law and order couldn't official organizations like the Bharat be tackled in isolation. Initiatives Sevasram Sangha, Ramakrishna were taken on a wide front : Mission, Missionaries of Charity in , minor irrigation, food the extensive relief works and the administration, education, trust reposed in them yielded rich redetermination of plan priorities, dividends. The positive response of and investments in , to the press generally to initiatives mention some of the major areas of taken by the Governor was of great thrust. The 1971 and 1972 Speeches help. and Broadcasts in the Raj Bhavan The State elections of Library provide a glimpse of the March 1972 brought in Siddhartha concerns and initiatives during this Shankar Ray as Chief Minister with period though his correspondence the Congress and its allies in an and minutes in the Departmental overwhelming majority in the files that came to him for decision Assembly. The shift to low gear and do not form part of the Record * Speeches and Broadcasts 1971 , Page 5, in the Raj Bhavan Library. The full text of this broadcast is reproduced in this Occasional Paper.

5 concentrate on matters close to policy, namely, the equitable his heart. There was of course the distribution of food at informal advisory role: Ministers reasonable prices to the would come calling for vulnerable sections of the consultations with him on intricate community, cannot be secured matters concerning policy or through the unrestricted administration. There was a operation of the free market relationship of cordiality and trust economy but only by planned, with the Chief Minister and the prudent and deliberate members of the Council of management of available food Ministers. supplies. This objective Food policy and the public necessarily implies State distribution system were of course intervention in a substantive his forte. Hands-on experience at way and on a continuing different levels and in difficult times basis."** It is indeed a matter of led him to "the inescapable regret that the book he was conclusion that the basis objective of writing on food policy and food to the conventional role of the which was almost governor provided A.L. Dias with the time and opportunity to ** Speech at the Rotary Club of Calcutta 10th August, 1973 from Speeches and Broadcast 1973. See also speech at the workshop of the Protein ompleted never saw the light of Foods Association of on the 20th November, 1972. day. During the period 1972-

1977 the CPI.M and its allies had boycotted the Assembly and were therefore not part of the legislative

process. Their grievance about the "rigged" State Assembly elections

of 1972 remained a sore point. Aware of the importance of keeping open the channels of

communication with these parties, A.L. Dias repeatedly instructed his staff to be extremely cautious in

this regard. Yet, on a particular occasion, there was a slip up when

an M.P. with a

6 delegation had been sent away Chancellor of the Universities - from the North Gate of Raj Bhavan remained in very close touch with without following the procedures the Vice-Chancellors who and courtesies laid down. The confided in him and often Governor was not happy, to say unburdened their woes on him. He the least, and expressed his valued greatly the counsel of displeasure in no uncertain terms! eminent Vice-Chancellors like the There is an interesting late Dr. Satyen Sen. A.L. Dias sidelight to this episode. Jyoti also took the lead in organizing the Basu and a heavyweight group of first ever Conference of Vice- representatives from all the Chancellors with the Chief constituent LF parties had come to Minister and the Ministers in meet the Governor at Raj Bhavan charge of Education and Finance with prior appointment. This time participating. This was a two day the security and other staff - Conference with a heavy agenda, anxious to avoid any faux pas - held in Raj Bhavan, and conducted ushered the entire delegation into with remarkable aplomb. The his room in the quickest possible themes recurring in his time. The Governor welcomed Convocation speeches as also in them all and as they sat down and the speech* that he delivered at the were about to begin their Conference with Vice-Chancellors discussion after the customary reflect his concerns over the course pleasantries, it was Jyoti Basu who of higher education in the state. sharply asked one of the persons Mr. Dias was genuinely who had come in with his group to fond of touring the districts. leave as he had no business to be Perhaps it was the archetypal there. An ingenious reporter had District Officer in him, but he managed to go in unidentified, always welcomed an opportunity mingling with everyone in the to visit relief works, development large group and generally projects, educational and other conveying the impression that he institutions, or to attend special was a member of the delegation. occasions in the districts. Throughout his six years Darjeeling was of course an area of in West Bengal A.L. Dias - as • Speech at the opening session of the Vice-Chancellors’ Conference, 26th August, 1975 from Speeches and Broadcasts1975.

7 special interest and visits there Gmeiner - the founder of SOS were more frequent. Typically, villages for children in many during visits to the districts, there countries - and Tara Ali Baig to set would be a meeting in the Circuit up a beautiful village in Salt Lake in House with district-level the quickest possible time. Mrs. development officials and a separate Dias devoted her time and energy one with MLAs, MPs, Chairmen of generously to mobilize support for Municipalities, and representatives the Village. Both Asha Niketan and of political parties. In between there the SOS Children's Village represent would be informal sessions with the a unique approach in their respective District Magistrate for whom there fields of work and owe a debt of was usually a word of advice or gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Dias. encouragement. And, invariably, Their help and encouragement to the salient points emerging from the organizations like AIWC, Nari Seba meetings along with the Governor's Sangha and the All Bengal Women's personal observations and Union are also fondly remembered suggestions would be sent to the by senior members. Chief Minister or the concerned A word about some of the Ministers through demi-official notable foreign dignitaries who letters. visited Calcutta during his period as Mr. Dias also had a special Governor and stayed in Raj Bhavan interest in work for and with the sick would be in order. There was of and the disabled and in welfare course the galaxy of distinguished activities generally. For him the foreign visitors who came to West Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Bengal in 1971 to make a personal Mount had a deep personal meaning assessment of the critical situation and his visits to homes for leprosy emerging from the liberation patients in Purulia, Bankura, struggle across the border. But the Kalimpong and elsewhere were a most memorable occasion was the moving occasion for all those who visit of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman accompanied him. He presided over following the birth of the public meeting addressed by and the State Dinner hosted by the Jean Vanier in the Loreto House Governor for the visiting Prime auditorium and encouraged and Minister and the Indian Prime supported him in founding the first Minister in the resplendent Banquet community in the state - Asha Hall. The banquet speeches by the Niketan - for persons with mental two Prime Ministers were relayed by handicaps. Likewise, the keen A.I.R. and public enthusiasm was at personal interest taken by him was its peak. of crucial importance to Hermann

8 There were many other party for Amiya Babu and Mr. Dias visits by foreign dignitaries during gave his personal attention to the this period including an planning of the party and saw to it "unscheduled" overnight stay by that it was an occasion to remember. President Nikolai Podgorny and his Even before the State entourage en route to Hanoi when elections in June 1977 A.L. Dias had the resources of Raj Bhavan's completed his five year term as Hospitality set-up were stretched to Governor of West Bengal. The Left the limit. The challenge was Front Ministry under Jyoti Basu was successfully met, thanks to the sworn in by him at a most dedicated staff and the Russians impressive ceremony held in an were effusive in their praise. ambience of simple elegance on the Almost invariably, the receptions for grounds of Raj Bhavan. The the visiting dignitaries were not just programme of ceremonies was formal state functions but lively and planned in meticulous detail. The warm social occasions. The invitation list was long and presence of the Chief Minister and unprecedent as regards the number Mrs. Maya Ray contributed of guests. So great was the popular immensely to the joie de vivre . enthusiasm that there was a Another memorable suggestion that the uninvited might occasion in the colonnaded Banquet be allowed to come into the grounds Hall during this period was the and to stand in a separate enclosure farewell given to the legendary so that they too could witness the Amiya Babu who had been in historic ceremony. This caused charges of the culinary side of Raj some anxiety among those Bhavan's famed hospitality for responsible for the bandobast and decades and who had a way with the security police were at wits' end. distinguished guests staying in Raj In the end it was Jyoti Basu who Bhavan. Amiya Babu dressed intervened and said that those himself in the style of the early 20th without invitation cards would wait century Bengali babu - shirt tucked outside and, after the ceremony, into his dhoti, bandhgala coat, and march in procession to BBD Bag for shining black shoes. He had a fund a celebration in front of Writers' of stories on how he had mitigated Buildings. the frowns of VIP guests through the During this phase of his culinary route. Frequent visitors Governorship, Mr. Dias' role was including Prime Ministers and circumscribed by the fact that his Presidents knew him by name. five year term had ended and that a Every member of the Raj Bhavan new Governor would soon be staff was invited to the farewell tea

9 named. There were of course the retrieved from Fort William and routine functions of a Governor to these now adorn the South Entrance be attended to. And there was golf Hall. and gardening, and of course Despite the changed reading and western classical music. relationship with the new Ministry, Also, there was the growing interest decorum and propriety were in Rabindrasangeet and more time scrupulously observed and personal for his collection of bonsai. There contacts with Chief Minister Jyoti was focused attention during this Basu and his Cabinet colleagues period on the preparation of were always marked by affability. inventories of art objects, period With the naming of the new furniture, crockery, cutlery etc. and Governor the round of farewells for on the internal systems and Mr. and Mrs. Dias began and it was procedures followed in Raj Bhava. touching to see how close they had There were also the finishing come to the people of the state touches to the development of the during their six years here. On the Shrubbery Gardens in Darjeeling in eve of their departure from the state accordance with plans drawn up there was a gracious farewell dinner earlier. for them hosted by the Chief While preparing the Minister and his Council of inventories it was found that about a Ministers at the Great Eastern Hotel. decade and a half ago several Ending on a personal note, articles of Raj memorabilia had been the author would like to record what given away to Victoria Memorial a privilege it was for him to have and Fort William. Of the two work with Mr. Dias as Secretary to portraits of Marquess Wellesley - the Governor. In the middle years the builder of Government House of one's career this was a unique during the years 1799 to 1803 - the learning opportunity and the Governor wanted any one of them to experience and insights gained from be brought back and reinstalled in a ring side seat during a crucial Raj Bhavan. Enquiries made of Fort period of change in the history of the William elicited a polite - but state were invaluable. One recalls nevertheless shocking - response with affection and gratitude the that the pictures had been sent to gentle guidance of a distinguished Dehra Dun for display in the senior in whom the qualities of head military museum there but had and heart blended so harmoniously. subsequently been destroyed! Later, The correspondence and thanks to continued and persuasive minutes of Governor A.L. Dias efforts by Deputy Secretary would doubtless provide interesting Jagannathan, the Caesar busts were

10 inputs for appreciation of the events Room are being systematically and undercurrents of the period. organized thanks to the personal Regrettably the preservation of initiative and interest of Governor records has been neglected in the . past and it is only recently that the Raj Bhavan Library and Record

GOVERNOR DIAS' TENURE IN WEST BENGAL. — Some Highlights— Peter Sinai

In August 1971, soon after taking carefully considered the timing for over in Calcutta,Governor Dias was action. He decided on the week confronted with a ticklish problem. before the Pooja holidays when the A file was placed before him CPM or any other party would find recommending dismisal under it difficult to mount massive article 311 (2)(C) of the Constitution demonstrations. In this he was of 13 CPM activists, who were proved right. Elaborate preparations Government servants in Writers’ were made to deal with the Building, responsible for much of inevitable fall-out of a dismissal the indiscipline and discontent in order. A skeleton contingent of State Govt. Offices. Previously trams and buses, as well as suburban there had been hesitation to pass trains were to ply with police such orders as it could well lead to protection. Staff in government yet another bandh, a series of which offices was asked to stay overnight had brought government to a and provision made for their supper standstill. Governor Dias was not to and breakfast the next morning. The be hurried. As there was insufficient orders were then signed. There were evidence in some of the cases, he banner headlines in all the national called for more particulars from the newspapers. police. The Government Servants Immediately after the orders were Conduct Rules were reviewed by signed, there was a storm of protest him and amended to ensure that not only from the CPM but also demonstrations, protests, marches from other political parties and trade and speeches against the unions. The CPM called for a state- government were made punishable. wide bandh. Come the bandh day Having decided that the situation and the public saw that unlike on called for shock treatment, he previous occasions, transport was

11 plying. All office phones were Bhavan, meticulously maintained by manned and informed enquirers that the devoted malis, was a feast for they should report for duty to avoid the eye and soul. The rompings of being marked absent. As a result, his grandchildren in this idyllic office attendance was nearly normal. setting are recorded on his cine-film, For the first time in the recent another of his abiding hobbies. , a bandh had Behind the Raj Bhavan was a been broken. Public confidence was large open area known as 'The gradually restored. In this new Shrubbery' where Pandit Nehru climate it was possible to reactivate often addressed meetings. There development work statewide. were many proposals for using this Governor Dias, enthusiastically space. The gardener in Governor assisted by Mrs. Dias, actively Dias hit on the idea of converting involved themselves in development this into a public park with a sunken work. He toured the districts, took garden and a hot-house for plants. steps to strengthen the The result was spectacular, framed administration, established a good as it was by a significant view of the rapport with the and Kanchenjunga Range. Nor did the addressed the problems caused by gardens in escape his floods, food shortage, seven and a attention and care! half million refugees from East In Raj Bhavan an inventory was and the trouble. compiled for the first time of the Gardening had always been a historic objets d'art, passion for Mr. Dias, and in Raj paintings, etchings, carpets etc. 64 Bhavan one his greatest joys was the chandeliers were listed. Tippu Sultan's silver throne along upkeep of the garden and grounds. with 2 silver maces were among the Along with the Garden treasures retrieved from the Superintendent, many pleasurable storage cellars. These were all hours were spent planning the layout spruced up and displayed to including the setting up of a section their best advantage, providing an impressive setting for the stream of for bonsai. By mid January, in time visiting VIPs, both Indian and for the Republic Day Reception on International, whom Governor and the well manicured East Lawn, the Mrs. Dias enjoyed entertaining- on grounds were a riot of colour with formal occasions in the glittering flowers of every description. banquet hall, as also in the informal In Darjeeling also the garden setting of their private suite. surrounding the blue-domed Raj Besides visiting Heads of State and

12 Government and prominent Governors with diverse tastes and personalities in the field of the with furniture supplied by the arts, was a regular Governments of the day! visitor, while the Governor Subsequent to the General and, more so, Mrs. Dias visited Elections held in 1971, the Indian her at Nirmal Hriday. National Congress came to power, Governor Dias always and the then Prime Minister, Mrs. looked back with affectionate appointed Mr. Dias, nostalgia on his tenure on West as requested by my husband, as the Bengal. He and Mrs. Dias had come Governor of West Bengal. This was to love the people and felt that in in 1972. It was during this time that turn they had been taken into their I was able to renew my acquaintance hearts, as witnessed at the time of with Joan once more. their departure in November 1977, This developed into a close when there was a groundswell of friendship which I found invaluable. affection from people in all walks of In 1972 I was elected to Parliament life. He cherished the loyal devotion from a rural constituency, having to of his staff, both office and work with three District Congress household, including the cooks, committees consisting of Darjeeling, bearers and malis, and continued to Phansidewa (Naxalite Territory) and keep in touch with them and take Raigunge I often met Joan in those interest in their welfare till the last. days while passing through Calcutta Mrs. Joan Dias (totally informally of course) and by used her as a sounding board Maya Ray regarding the problems I faced, particularly of unemployment. She To speak of Mrs. Joan Dias is to always found time for me and bring to one's mind the memories of although she had four accomplished a person of immense charm, daughters, I became her fifth. affability, graciousness and elegance. In Calcutta, with her exquisite taste, she converted the Government I first met Joan in the early House into a cosy and comfortable seventies, when her husband was the home, which again is very difficult Lt. Governor of Tripura. My to do in a replica of "Kedleston husband and I had gone there on an Manor" (Lord Curzon's property in assignment and were invited to tea. England)! I found myself transported into a Joan was extremely popular with warm and comfortable home, which all strata of society for she was very is always difficult, when a place has outgoing and could make every one been inhabited by previous

13 she met, comfortable in her keep in touch with one another. Her presence. She could stretch out to youngest daughter Marie was an them and I know the efforts it takes, artist and taught in a well known for I too faced this when I later school in . Many years later became a Governor's wife in . we met Noella one of her other She had not an iota of the aura of her daughters in New York. Her eldest position as the First Lady about her. daughter Rowena was married to There was so much that I learnt Peter Sinai, who was in the Foreign from her, for I, being in Parliament Service. and away from my home in Regretfully our hectic lives in Calcutta, was apt to be impatient India have not enabled me to keep in (though never with my clients while touch with them - but then time practicing as a Barrister). It was waits for no one. Joan who taught me how to balance my priorities, with social and professional obligations along with Anthony Lancelot Dias: my Parliamentary commitments. The Firm But Invisible Hand I recollect an incident. The Governor Tony Dias was in Moscow by at the time and had barely reached Hiranmay Karlekar Russia when Joan fell seriously ill Beginning with Chakravarti and had to be hospitalized. My Rajagopalachari, one of the tallest husband immediately rang Tony and men ever in Indian politics, West asked him to return as soon as Bengal has seen several possible, as decisions had to be distinguished governors including taken. We were all terribly worried , Harendra and upset. Fortunately she Coomar Mookerjee, and Padmaja recovered slowly but surely, and Naidu. Barring, however, Dharma returned to resume her Vira, none of them had to cope with responsibilities here in Calcutta. such turbulent times as its ninth Leila their third daughter was Governor, Anthony Lancelot Dias married to the eldest son of another who was sworn into the office on accomplished lady - Mrs. Tara Ali August 21, 1971. Baig. The church wedding took Rajagopalachari's tenure (15 place in Calcutta. August 1947 to 21 June 1948) After his tenure as Governor coincided with the difficult ended Tony and Joan both lived in aftermath of Independence, Delhi for sometime before returning Partition, the massive communal to Bombay and we were fortunate to violence that preceded and followed

14 the latter and the arrival in the State Mookerjee had taken over as of hundreds and thousands of Hindu Governor on 1 November 1951. refugees from . Yet, Dr Mookerjee, whose tenure the Mahatma was still alive, the lasted until 3 November 1956, has country had stalwart leaders like perhaps been the most popular , Sardar Governor of the State. While the fact , and Maulana of his being a Bengali might have . Independence on counted, what won the hearts of the 15 August 1947, had triggered a intelligentsia and the rest of the massive swell of optimism that people was his scholarship and utter enabled it to take even the most simplicity. The public, therefore, severe challenges in its stride. In received , who West Bengal itself, Dr Bidhan succeeded him, with a certain Chandra Roy, an able administrator coldness. She, however, quickly and a development visionary, took dissolved it by her immense grace over as Chief Minister, from and dignified charm and had , on 14 emerged as a highly popular figure January 1948. by the time she had demitted office Dr Kailash Nath Katju, a noted on 1 June 1967 after enjoying the jurist, who followed longest tenure of all Governors till Rajagopalachari as Governor, and date. who left a deep impression on public Unlike , who came mind with his quiet dignity, did not, with the reputation of being an iron- therefore, have a squally passage fisted administrator and whose though West Bengal was, during "strong medicine" produced sharp almost the whole of his tenure (21 reaction, Dias assumed office June 1948 to 1 November 1951), in quietly and administered with a firm the throes of the insurgency but invisible hand. There can be no launched by the undivided under-estimation of the challenges at its he faced. Political instability Second Congress in Kolkata from 28 haunted the State. The two United February to 6 March 1948. The Front Governments which had been CPI, however, had formally formed following the Congress's abandoned its violent line through a defeat in the Assembly elections on Statement of Policy issued following 2 March 1967, had lasted nine and a Politburo meeting in April 1951 13 months respectively-the first and West Bengal had settled down being dismissed by Dharma Vira in to a steady course of development after it had lost its by the time Dr Harendra Coomar majority following defections, and

15 the second having collapsed small farmers of rival political following Chief Minister Ajoy parties were not spared. Mukherjee's resignation in March The State's administration, which 1970. Violence was rampant with was bitterly divided along partisan supporters of the Congress, the lines, had become a blunt , the Communist instrument. Rival organizations of Party of India (Marxist), the Government employees fought Communist Party of India, the openly. To restore order and Communist Party of India (Marxist- efficiency to the administration, to Leninist), the Forward Bloc, the say nothing of the rest of the State, Revolutionary Socialist Party, the was a gargantuan task. Dias brought Socialist Unity Centre, the Praja and to discharging it impressive Samyukta Socialist Parties, and the administrative skill honed through student, youth and trade union front years of carrying out tough organizations of all of them, assignments. A member of the engaged in bitter turf conflicts , he had been Lt. labelled in Bengali as "elaka Governor of Tripura before dakhaler ladai". The expression, assuming his gubernatorial office. which literally means "battles for As Chairman of Bombay Port Trust, capturing areas" was used to mean he had administered the highly battles for capturing other parties' complex "ship-to-mouth" strongholds. programme that kept India's public Industry, hard hit by the distribution system functioning with recession that had set in from the United States' wheat, sent under beginning of 1967, had been Public Law 480. Later, as Union hobbled by the militant trade Food Secretary, he had done much unionism resorting to tactics like the to mitigate the devastating gherao (besieging) which involved consequences of the drought that hit prolonged intimidatory confinement several States, particularly , in of management personnel, generally the second half of the 1960s. in their offices, and, sometimes, What, however, must have been violence, to compel acceptance of most useful to him in discharging union demands. The countryside his duties as West Bengal's was rocked by pitched battles among Governor, was his stint as the organizations of the Maharashtra's Home Secretary. This various parties and forcible was because the State was under occupation of lands and/or President's Rule and he had harvesting of standing crop, of officially to preside over its medium and large farmers. Even administration as Governor until the

16 Assembly elections of March 1972 of time. When he demitted office on returned the Congress and its 6 November 1977, West Bengal electoral ally, the CPI, to power with bade sad farewell to a gentleman a massive majority. There was a administrator who spoke softly but great deal of tough and controversial acted with resolve and achieved administrative action, including a much. spate of encounter killings, during these months. Those who knew him, however, have always maintained that his was a firm but moderating presence. That they were not far wrong is clear from the fact he emerged from the period without any controversy surrounding him and left office on 6 November 1977 Memories of Bygone Days as a respected man. by After an elected Government, Mira Gupta headed by Chief Minister , assumed office in March 1972, Dias meticulously I first met Mr. Anthony confined himself to his Lancelot Dias when he came to constitutional role. Yet he played his West Bengal as Governor, though part in making a difference wherever my husband the late Ranajit Gupta, he could. As Chairman of the Board ex-Chief Secretary, had known him of Trustees of the Indian Museum, during his service career. Soon, we Kolkata, he did much to rid the became very friendly and Mr. & organization of the indiscipline and Mrs. Dias became Tony and Joan to irregularities that had had come to us. Mr. A L Dias was an ICS officer affect it in West Bengal's years of of the Bombay (later Maharashtra) turmoil and that threatened to cadre. undermine its status as an When I first met them, I outstanding institution with a rich found them to be very amiable and collection of exhibits. He did the correct in behaviour with everybody. same with the Victoria Memorial, We felt that the glamour of Raj Kolkata, of which too he was the Bhavan was restored after the days Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Miss Padmaja Naidu. They used in his official capacity. to take lot of interest in official It is not surprising then that Dias functions of Raj Bhavan and people won many admirers with the passage also felt enthused to attend all the functions. We could feel that the

17 atmosphere of Raj Bhavan was were most enjoyable. In addition, changing. The menu as well as we were some times invited to service at the State receptions on the formal dinners hosted by the 15th August and 26th January Governor in honour of visiting changed for the better. I recall that, dignitaries. I recall meeting so after each of these functions, we many interesting personalities would sit for a while with Mr. P K during these functions. Earlier when Sarkar, then the Secretary to the my husband was Chief Secretary, Governor and his wife Leena, in the we used to meet visiting dignitaries Secretary's office room comparing and it was good to meet some of notes. them again. Gradually our relationship Joan was particularly happy became quite informal. about coming to West Bengal Occasionally, Mr. Dias use to ring because she was born here. Her up and say "Ronu, what are you father Mr. Vas was the first person doing tonight? Do come over and of Goan origin to join the ICS and let us all have dinner together". Mr. Dias I believe was the second. Usually, we would have dinner in As District Magistrate, Bankura, Mr. their sitting room where a small Vas had done commendable work in table was laid for the occasion. Of famine relief. Joan was born in the course, dinner was preceded by D.M's bungalow and was really couple of Chhota pegs of Scotch excited at the prospect of revisiting whisky. We would also invite them Bankura. Both Joan and Tony were to our house for a meal. Joan was so fond of gardening and they good in telling funny stories. redesigned the Raj Bhavan gardens. My husband was in charge I particularly recall the Christmas of the West Bengal branch of the lunches, which were celebrated in Indian Red Cross Society and the style. Festivities started with the Governor was the head of the traditional egg nog at about 11 a.m. organization. So they had many Their charming daughters, (there things to discuss. The Governor's were four of them, Rowena, Noella, personal efforts and support helped Laila and Marie, out of whom two to improve the services rendered by or three would almost invariably be the Red Cross. While Mr. Dias and present) used to look after the my husband often discussed issues guests. This was followed by buffet concerning West Bengal, Joan and I lunch with a special menu. Roast usually discuss gardening, turkey, ham and Christmas pudding interesting recipes and also people used to feature prominently in these known to both of us. The evenings lunches. The luncheon parties used to go on till about 3 p.m.

18 I have seldom seen a livelier functions. The local people person than Joan. Of course, both of represented to the Governor their them had such pleasant personalities problems and Mr. Dias, as usual, that spending time with them was lent a helping hand. I particularly always extremely enjoyable. Joan remember Mrs Thondup as a regular was also deeply involved in Social visitor. She was married to the Work. An important project brother of the Dalai Lama and had launched by her was the SOS village established a thriving Tibetan in Salt Lake where orphan children Refugees Self-help Centre at were provided with a home. The Darjeeling. She was a very good PWD Minister Bhola Sen provided friend of ours. She was also a great full support from the State cook in the Chinese and Tibetan Government. The whole concept cuisine and sometimes used to bring was new and a dedicated team under food prepared by her to the Raj the leadership of Joan designed and Bhavan. built the entire village. Other ladies A memorable event in Raj also got involved because the first Bhavan, Darjeelling was the stay of lady of the State was leading the Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi team. Now the SOS village stands and her family as guests of the as unique institution in the state and Governor and Mrs. Dias. Miss I am reminded of the pioneering Padmaja Naidu also came with Mrs. efforts of Joan Dias. Gandhi. Miss Naidu had been Memories of Mr. and Mrs. looking forward to a holiday in Dias take me to Darjeeling. They Darjeeling in the house she loved so were genuinely fond of Darjeeling much and knew so well. and used to spend four to six weeks Unfortunately her stay was cut short there twice a year. After Miss by ill health and she had to return to Padmaja Naidu no other Governor Delhi. spent so much time in Darjeeling. Both the Governor and Mrs. Since we had a house in Darjeeling Dias made it a point to attend a large and were regular visitors there, we number of public functions while in could observe how the local people Darjeeling. This brought them in looked forward to these visits by the close touch with the local gentry as Governor. Darjeeling used to be well as common people. During his spruced up for these occasions. All tours Mr. Dias patiently heard the important citizens of Darjeeling people who brought local grievances were invited to tea parties at Raj to his notice. He personally took up Bhavan. In addition, guests used to many of these with the Deputy come up from Kalimpong, Kurseong Commissioner and other local and Siliguri to attend these

19 officials. Major issues were followed up with Departments in Calcutta. Gradually the people of Darjeeling started regarding the

Governor as their friend. A Wonderful Chancellor - Both my husband and I were very fond of Darjeeling. From my A Reminiscence personal experience over four by decades I can say that Governors Professor Ramaranjan Mukherji like Dr. H C Mukherjee, Miss Padmaja Naidu and Mr. A L Dias A telephone call from Raj had a special rapport with the hill Bhavan, Kolkata, came some day in people. Dr. B C Roy also spent December 1972, and the weeks at a stretch in Darjeeling. He representative of Raj Bhavan would hold cabinet meetings there requested me to see His Excellency with a retinue of senior officials in Sri Anthony Lancelot Dias. It was tow. The locals sometimes in the second fortnight of December expressed their annoyance over so 1972. In 1972, Calcutta was many jeeps moving up and down the experiencing a chilly winter, streets and destroying the peace and reminding one of the winter which quite of the queen of hill stations! Delhi experiences these days. That But it was all in good humour. And was the day of my first meeting with looking back, I cannot help feeling His Excellency A.L. Dias who was that the physical presence of the the Chancellor of all Universities in "Government" in Darjeeling had a the State. political significance of its own. My very first acquaintance Tony and Joan were broad with His Excellency inducted in me minded and compassionate, an idea that the Governor of West conscientious in the performance of Bengal was fully aware of his duties their assigned duties, devoted to as Chancellor of the entire their family and friends, and had a University system of the State. The natural dignity and poise befitting Acts of all State Universities had their position. But, above all, I made the Governor the Ex. Officio remember them as good human Chancellor of all the Universities, beings and I am grateful to implying thereby that the Governor Governor Mr. Gopal Krishna is supposed to wear two hats - the Gandhi for this opportunity to pay hat of the Governor and the hat of my tribute to their memory. the Chancellor. In his capacity as the Governor, His Excellency is

20 required to keep close watch over congratulated me for my the functioning of the Government appointment as Vice-Chancellor of and to send periodical reports to the the and said Centre in regard to the functioning "We are very happy to have you as of the State Government. In his our Vice-Chancellor for the second capacity as the Chancellor, His term in the University of Burdwan". Excellency is required to advise the It may be mentioned here that before Vice-Chancellor and to see to it that this, I had a short-term beginning the provisions of the Acts and from March 1970, but the tenure Statues framed under the University could not be completed, because of Acts are implemented properly. His the unstable conditions in the State, Excellency is required further to particularly the growing indiscipline maintain liaison with the University among the student community, and system and the State Government, the extremist activities. so that the State machinery supports As my acquaintance with the University administration in its the style of functioning of His endeavour to impart quality Excellency Shri A.L. Dias became education to the younger generation. deeper and deeper I could trace the My first exchange of ideas with His strict disciplinarian in him. He was Excellency Shri A.L. Dias indicated of opinion that in order to impart that he was fully aware of those two quality education it is necessary to sets of responsibilities which he is build up suitable infrastructure in the required to discharge in his shape of library and laboratory, capacities of Governor and talent and instrument, but what is Chancellor. more necessary is enforcement of In the very first meeting, the discipline. He was fully aware of the personality of His Excellency fact that indiscipline was an impressed me very much, because of expression of frustration in students, its ability to discharge moral and and consequently he suggested social, ethical and spiritual values. remedial measures for combating As my acquaintance with him grew this indiscipline. In one of his deeper and deeper I could trace in Convocation Addresses delivered at him the grace of the Divine being the University of Burdwan he was which prompted him to visit Church pleased to observe: regularly every Sunday. At the end "Above all it requires of the first meeting which lasted for discipline. I am painfully aware that about forty-five minutes, during student indiscipline is the biggest which the problems of the problem that confronts our University system of the country educational Institutions. Yet I feel were discussed, His Excellency

21 that it is a problem that is often was the first to advise me to prepare exaggerated. I believe that the a 25-year perspective plan for the majority of our students want to University, side by side with pursue their studies conscientiously. formulation of 5-year plan, so that I have great faith in these young the University can have a fixed people in whom I have found much target before it. At the same time, idealism, self-sacrifice and he was conscious of the fact that the patriotism. Indiscipline is an University cannot remain an ivory expression of frustration arising out tower dissociated from the society of a communication gap between and consequently advised that the student and teacher, student and system should come closer to the parent, student and the wider community through implementation community in which he lives. It is of special programmes relating to our duty to build bridges of extension. That time the University understanding. Only then can we Grants Commission had floated the divert youthful energies to concept of three-dimensional constructive purposes? Here the activity of the faculty, namely teachers of the Universities have a teaching, research and extension. big role to play. They must strive to This philosophy continued for understand the causes of the sometime, but, unfortunately, the frustration of our youth and be more parameter of extension has been responsive to their needs and done away with totally in recent aspirations. Greater participation by years. students in the affairs of the His Excellency Shri A.L. University must gradually be Dias floated the idea of visiting brought about. A sense of belonging Universities in his capacity as must be inculcated so that the Chancellor and exchanging ideas present barriers between the with representatives of the University authorities and the administration, members of the teachers on the one hand and faculty as also members of the students on the other cease to student community, so that he can exist."* project his own views relating to the His Excellency Sri A.L. development of the University and Dias asked the Vice-Chancellors of at the same time got himself the State Universities to submit enriched periodical reports to him in regard to the functioning of the Academic • Speeches and Broadcasts 1972, pp- 108. Bodies, implementation of academic programmes, structuring of plans for development of the University. He

22 after ascertaining the views of establishing discipline in all sectors the members of the faculty and the of social life that had distinguished student community. At this point of him as one of the great leaders of the time, it may be mentioned that when Nation broaching the philosophy of the creator of modern Bengal, Dr. "Selfless Service", so fondly , the Second encouraged by Indian culture from Chief Minister of West Bengal the dawn of human civilization. The established the University of achievements of His Excellency Shri Burdwan, he clearly indicated in the A.L. Dias are detailed below: preamble to the Burdwan University Date of birth : 13th March Act that the proposed University 1910. will be required to take care of the Education : B.A. Economics granary of Bengal and att the same (Hons.) in the first Class, University time the growing industry of of Bombay; B.Sc. (Economics) from region through the School (1930-33). introduction of courses in Awarded the London Cobden Club Agriculture and Technology, suited Gold Medal for Economics and the to the needs of the community Hugh Lewis Prize of the London around. His Excellency Shri A.L. School of Economics (1932). After Dias frequently referred to this graduation, spent one year at dream of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy Magdalene College, Cambridge and advised the University to (1933-34). introduce new courses in emerging Service : Entered the areas after ascertaining the needs of the community around. Indian Civil Service in 1933; The contribution made by allotted to the Bombay cadre and His Excellency Shri A.L. Dias to the served in various capacities as field of academic administration as Collector, Director of Land also to the stock of human Records and Settlement knowledge prompted the University Commissioner; Secretary and of Burdwan to honour him with Supply Commissioner, Food & conferment of the Degree of Doctor Civil Supplies Department; of Literature at its Annual Secretary, Education Department Convocation held in 1980. By his 1952-53; Secretary, Agriculture hard and dedicated work throughout Department, 1955-57; Secretary, his career Shri Dias had Home Department, 1957-60; distinguished himself as one of India's front-ranking Civil Servants, Chairman, Bombay Port Trust, but above all it is his humanitarian 1960-64; Chairman, Goa Land approach and the keenness of Reforms Commission, 1962.

23 Secretary to the Government of Development and administrative India, Department of Food, reorganization. At the time of his Ministry of Food & Agriculture, appointment in 1971 as Governor of 1964-69; Chairman, Central West Bengal he successfully tackled Warehousing Corporation,1964- a number of difficult problems and situations with which the State was 69; Chairman, Modern Bakeries, then confronted. He was 1967-69. Awarded the Padma responsible for organising and Vibhushan in January 1970 for implementing effectively a massive services rendered particularly as relief operation to deal with Secretary to the Government of unprecedented influx of evacuees India, Department of Food, into Tripura and West Bengal from Ministry of Food and East Pakistan. Agriculture. On the occasion of this award the citation Appointed Member of the mentioned: "Shri Dias negotiated Board of Governors of the import of foodgrains with great International Development Research ability and success; and under his Centre, Ottawa (1970-74); direction and supervision relief Elected Honorary Fellow of operation and distribution of the London School of Economics, foodgrains were imaginatively 1978; organized and efficiently Chairman, Indian Institute administered. Shri Dias's service of Management, Calcutta, 1976; as Secretary in the Department of Chairman, National Book Food in a period of unusual Trust, 1978. difficulties was of an exceptionally high order. By his high and dedicated work Sri Dias has distinguished himself as one of India's front ranking civil servants."

Appointed Lt. Governor of Tripura in January 1970 and Governor of West Bengal (August 1971 - November 1977) and made his contributions in the field of Food Administration, Agricultural

24 A Communication any public acknowledgement of his from presence. Archbishop Henry D' Souza I met Governor Dias and his very gracious wife on several occasions. I was always impressed I have been able to write a by their affability and simplicity. few lines on Governor A.L. Dias. Both of them endeared themselves My memory is not quite strong. to all those with whom they came in Hope the facts are correct. contact. Mr. A.L. Dias was Governor Best wishes, of West Bengal during the turbulent 70s, when political instability was Yours sincerely, rampant. In fact President's rule in the State was imposed during his tenure and Governor Dias H.D' Souza functioned as the Head of Archbishop Emeritus ofCalcutta Government for a period of time. THE PRESBYTERY Known for his integrity and St. Thomas’ Church competence, Governor Dias 9/3, Middleton Row remained impartial and just in all his actions and decisions. He was Kolkata-71. humane and understanding of the Date : 19.10.2006. problems of his entourage and dealt with them kindly, though firmly. During the Presidential rule, when West Bengal had won some international recognition (I forget the exact details), the employees of Writers Building asked for a holiday. Governor Dias' reply was characteristic: "This honour should encourage us to work harder". Governor Dias was a fervent Catholic. He was at Sunday mass regularly. When on tour, he would enquire about the nearest Catholic Church and be present for the Sunday service in whatever language it was conducted. On such occasions, he always played down

25 A SELECT LIST OF Technological Museum GOVERNOR A. L. DIAS’ Auditorium, Calcutta. PUBLIC INTERACTIONS 2nd November, 1971 Special IN Week-day Multi-Media WEST BENGAL Campaign on "West Bengal Today" sponsored jointly by the 22nd August, 1971 Radio Broadcast from All India Radio, Ministry of Information and Calcutta. Broadcasting, State Information and Public Relations Department 6th September, 1971 Charity and the C..M.D.A. at the Calcutta Dance Recital Organised by the Information Centre. South Eastern Railway Women's Organisation at Kala Mandir, 5th November, 1971 Concluding Calcutta. Ceremony of the Birth Centenary 2nd October, 1971 Gandhi Year of Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Ghat, Barrackpore, in connection at the auditorium of the with the National Integration Chittaranjan Seva Sadan and Pledge Campaign on the occasion Cancer Hospital, Calcutta. of the birthday of Gandhiji. 5th November, 1971 Seminar of 10th October, 1971 Inaugural Haldia Complex organized by the Festival of the National Crime Calcutta Regional Centre, Indian Prevention Week, 1971, at Ranji Institute of Chemical Engineers Indoor Stadium, Calcutta. and co-sponsored by Calcutta 28th October, 1971 Reception Port Commissioners and Indian held by the Christian Association Oil Corporation Ltd., at the Kala of Calcutta in honour of the Mandir, Calcutta. Governor and Shrimati Dias at 9th November, 1971 Seminar on the Don Bosco School, Calcutta. Export of Engineering Goods 30th October, 1971 Golden from the Eastern Region Jubilee Celebration of the Indian organized by the Engineering Red Cross Society, West Bengal Export Promotion Council at State Branch held in the Marble Firpo's, Calcutta. Hall, Raj Bhavan, Calcutta. 5th November, 1971 First Meeting 30th October, 1971 of the West Bengal Citizens' Inauguration of the Council held in the Council Symposium on "Tele- Chamber of Raj Bhavan, Communication in India - Growth Calcutta. and Gaps" at Birla Industrial and 19th November, 1971 Annual Convocation of Calcutta

26 University held at the Rabindra 26th January, 1972 Radio Sadan, Calcutta. Broadcast from the All India 5th December, 1971 Broadcast Radio, Calcutta, on the Republic from All India Radio, Calcutta, Day, 1972. after declaration of National 26th January, 1972 Unveiling Emergency by the President of of the Statue of Martyr India. Kshudiram Bose. 16th December, 1971 Investiture 30th January, 1972 Visits Ceremony of the St. John Gandhi Ghat, Barrackpore on the Ambulance Brigade (India), No. occasion of the death anniversary II (west Bengal) District, at Raj of . Bhavan, Calcutta. 16th February, 1972 Reception 28th December, 1971 given by Messrs. India Steamship Thanksgiving Ceremony at Co. Ltd., on board the ship the St. Paul's Cathedral, Calcutta. "Indian Valour" at Kidderpore 4th January, 1972 Meeting of Dock. Folk-Lore Scholars held at 19th February, 1972 Opening Writers' Buildings. ceremony of the new school 6th January, 1972 building of the Bengal Service Inauguration ceremony of Society at Sapgachi 1st Lane, the Durgapur City Centre. Topsia, Calcutta. 6th January, 1972 Annual 20th February, 1972 Address at General Meeting of the Raniganj the Calcutta University, on the Chamber of Commerce. occasion of the Fifty-Ninth Science Congress in Calcutta. 12th January, 1972 Opening ceremony of the New Cossye 22nd February, 1972 Lunch Bridge at . Meeting of the Rotary Club of Calcutta, at the Great Eastern 13th January, 1972 Foundation Hotel. Stone Laying Ceremony of the 23rd February, 1972 Vidyasagar Nor-Resident Inauguration of the Branch Students' Centre, Midnapore. Office of the Entrepreneurial 15th January, 1972 Visit to the Guidance Bureau, Indian Lions Multi-Project Centre at Investment Centre, Calcutta. , Calcutta. 25th February, 1972 Annual 22nd January, 1972 Third General Meeting of the Bengal Quarterly Meeting of the Central Chamber of Commerce and Committee of the All India Industry. Manufacturers' Organisation.

27 28th February, 1972 Visits 13th May, 1972 Annual Haldia. Convocation of the University of 6th March, 1972 Charity Burdwan. Film Shows for the benefit of the 17th May, 1972 Annual General families of the Indian Armed Meeting of the Rotary Club of Forces at the Calcutta Information Darjeeling. Centre. 20th May, 1972 Foundation Stone 9th March, 1972 Radio Laying Ceremony of the New Broadcast to the people of West Hooghly Bridge. Bengal. 22nd May, 1972 Birth 24th March, 1972 At the centenary celebration of Raja session of the West Bengal Rammohan Roy at Darjeeling. Legislative Assembly. 29th May, 1972 Inauguration ceremony of the Darjeeling 31st March, 1972 Unveiling Branch of the Central Bank of ceremony of the New Bust of Sir India at Darjeeling. Asutosh Mookerjee at the 18th June, 1972 Golden Jubilee Calcutta University. Celebrations of the Indian 4th April, 1972 Inauguration Journalists' Association, Calcutta. ceremony of the Third Regional 24th June, 1972 Conference of the Pharmaceutical Conference District Officers. organized by the All India 24th June, 1972 Annual Festival of Manufactures' Organisation, West Sri Ramkrishna Mahamandal at Bengal State Branch, Calcutta. the International Guest House, 6th April, 1972 Inauguration Dakshineswar. ceremony of the New Building of 29th June, 1972 Annual General the Calcutta School of Music. Meeting of the Ladies Study 14th April, 1972 Group at the Auditorium of the Inauguration ceremony of India Chamber of Commerce, the Reading Room and the Book Calcutta. Stall of the Gandhi Memorial 6th July, 1972 Inauguration of the Committee, Calcutta. Dr. Shyama Prasad Mookerjee 10th May, 1972 Seventh Annual memorial National Convention at General Meeting of the Tea Mahajati Sadan. Association of India, North 27th July, 1972 Inaugural function Bengal Branch, held at in celebration of the First Decade Gymkhana Club, Darjeeling.

28 Anniversary of the Association of and Rajrajeswari Free School for World Federalists, Calcutta. Girls, Calcutta. 12th August, 1972 Birth 9th September, 1972 Seminar on Centenary Celebrations of Sri Child Nutrition organized by the Aurobindo at Shakespeare Sarani, West Bengal Women's Food Calcutta. Council at the Ramkrishna Mission Institute of Culture, 14th August, 1972 Celebration Calcutta. of the Twenty-fifth Independence 10th September, 1972 Birth Jayanti at the Assembly House. Centenary Celebration of late 15th August, 1972 Celebration Ranjit Sinhji organized by the of the Twenty-fifth Independence Cricket Association of Bengal at Jayanti at Gandhi Ghat, the , Calcutta. Barrackpore. 13th September, 1972 Founder's 19th August, 1972 Day Celebration of La Martiniere Inauguration of the 'Open School, Calcutta. House" of the Indian Institute of 13th September, 1972 Annual Experimental Medicine at the Function organized by the Institute's premises at . National Service Scheme Unit of 31st August, 1972 Rabindra Bharati University at Prize Distribution Ceremony of , Calcutta. J.B.N.S.T.S. at the Parish Hall, 2nd October, 1972 Meeting St. Paul's Cathedral, Calcutta. organized by the Gandhi 2nd September, 1972 memorial Committee, West Inauguration of the Show of Bengal, and opening of the Floral Decoration by Shrimati Exhibition of and Cottage Uma Basu of "Kusumika" in Industries Projects at the Maidan. connection with the Twenty-fifth 11th October, 1972 Annual Independence Jayanti at the Sports and Speech Day of the St. Calcutta Information Centre. Paul's School, Darjeeling. 3rd September, 1972 "Onam" 31st October, 1972 Festival of the Calcutta Malayalee Inauguration ceremony of Samajam at Shri Shikshayatan the New Extension of Mary Scott Hall, Calcutta. Home for the Blind at 9th September, 1972 Kalimpong. Inauguration of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Sasi 9th November, 1972 Executive Bhusan Dey Free School of Boys Development Programme on "New Perspectives in Industrial

29 Relations" of the Indian Institute castings and the 26th Annual of Management, Calcutta. Technical Meeting organized by 12th November, 1972 Diamond the Indian Institute of Metals at Grand Hotel, Calcutta. Jubilee Celebrations of the Catholic Association of Bengal at 18th December, 1972 Prize distribution ceremony of St. Don Bosco School Ground, John's Diocesan Girls' H.E. Calcutta. School, Calcutta. 20th November, 1972 22nd December, 1972 Inauguration Ceremony of Inauguration of the the Calcutta Workshop of the Children's Little Theatre - 22 Protein Foods Association of Festival at Aban Mahal, Calcutta. India at the Park Hotel, Calcutta. 23rd December, 1972 25th November, 1972 Inauguration of the Charity Inauguration ceremony of Programme held by the West the Red Cross Month of the Bengal Council for Child Welfare Indian Red Cross Society, West at the Rabindra Sarobar Bengal State Branch at Raj Auditorium, Calcutta. Bhavan. 26th December, 1972 Opening of 4th December, 1972 Banquet in the Book Exhibition in connection with the 33rd Indian honour of His Excellency the Political Science Conference at President of the People's Republic the new building of the of Bangladesh. University College of Law, 5th December, 1972 Special Calcutta-19. Convocation of the University of 29th December, 1972 Foundation Calcutta for conferring the Stone Laying Ceremony for the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Rapid Transit System at Calcutta. Laws on Mr. Abu Sayeed Chowdhury, President of the 16th January, 1973 Reception People's Republic of Bangladesh. of the Relics of at 14th December, 1972 Silver Aurobindo Bhavan, Calcutta. Jubilee Celebrations of the Indian 21st January, 1973 Prize Standards Institution in the Distribution Ceremony of the Eastern Region at Kala Mandir, Blind Boys' Academy of the Calcutta. Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, 15th December, 1972 Narendrapur. Inauguration ceremony of 23rd January, 1973 Inauguration the Seminar on continuous Ceremony of the International

30 Netaji Seminar organized by the organized by the Women's Co- Netaji Research Bureau at Netaji ordinating Council, West Bengal. Bhavan, Calcutta. 11th March, 1973 Annual 26th January, 1973 Broadcast Convocation of the North Bengal from the All India Radio, Calcutta University held at the University Station, on the Republic Day. Campus. 30th January, 1973 Death 19th March, 1973 Inauguration of a Anniversary Celebrations of Book Exhibition on Rabindranath Mahatma Gandhi at Gandhi Ghat, Tagore organized by the Tagore Barrackpore. Research Institute at the Calcutta 30th January, 1973 Information Centre Exhibition Inauguration Ceremony of Hall. the Centenary Celebrations of 23rd March, 1973 Inauguration of Midnapore College. the 17th Annual All India 4th February, 1973 Closing Conference organized by the function of the 5th National Book West Bengal State Branch of the Indian Public Health Association Fair organized by the National at the All India Institute of Book Trust, India, at the Hygiene and Public Health, Academy of Fine Arts, Calcutta. Calcutta. 5th February, 1973 Annual 24th March, 1973 General Meeting of the Asiatic Inauguration of the Seminar Society of Calcutta. on Industrial Safety and 9th February, 1973 Address at Productivity organized by the the Session of the Legislative Directorate General, Factory Assembly. Advice Service and Labour 15th February, 1973 Annual Institutes at the Great Eastern Convocation of the Jadavpur Hotel, Calcutta. University. 29th March, 1973 Annual 3rd March, 1973 Opening Convocation of the Institute De Ceremony of the New Science Chandernagore and Inauguration Block of the La Martiniere Girls' of the Indo-French Cultural School and Combined prize Week. Distribution Ceremony of the La 6th April, 1973 Prize Distribution Martiniere Boys' and Girls' Ceremony of the All India Schools. Highway Motor Rally for the 4th March, 1973 Seminar on Eastern Zone Competitors held by "Planning and Performance"

31 the Automobile Association of 16th June, 1973 Annual Eastern India. Convocation of the University of 11th April, 1973 Calcutta held at the Rabindra Inauguration of a Sadan. performance by the Japanese 29th June, 1973 14th Prize Troupe of Traditional Art Distribution Ceremony of the Dancers at Rabindra Sadan, Jagadish Bose National Science Calcutta. Talent Search at Shri Shikshayatan College, Calcutta. 15th April, 1973 30th June, 1973 Ceremonial function Birthday Anniversary for Presentation of Tamrapatras to Celebrations of Jain Tirthankar 156 Freedom-fighters at the Mahavira held by Jain Bhawan at Mahajati Sadan, Calcutta. the Calcutta Information Centre. 3rd July, 1973 Function held at Raj 21st April, 1973 Special Bhavan, Calcutta, in connection Convocation of the Jadavpur with the Launching of the University held for conferring Scheme "Each One Adopt One" Honorary Degree of Doctor of of the Oriental Chamber of Literature on Shri Probhat Kumar Commerce. Mukhopadhyay and Shri 7th July, 1973 First Installation Balaichand Mukhopadhyay and Ceremony of the Rotaract Club of Doctor of Engineering on late Belur at the Princes Grand Hotel, Professor Gopal Chandra Sen, ex- Calcutta. Vice-Chancellor, Jadavpur 11th July, 1973 Annual General University. Meeting of the West Bengal State 24th April, 1973 Board of the All India Inauguration of a 3-day Manufacturers' Organisation at Course of Business Management the Grand Hotel, Calcutta. for Women organized by the 10th August, 1973 Installation Management Development Dinner Meeting of the Rotary Centre at the Grand Hotel, Club of Calcutta at the Great Calcutta. Eastern Hotel, Calcutta. 14th May, 1973 Inauguration 21st August, 1973 Inaugural Ceremony of the International Ceremony of Sri Aurobindo Mountaineers' Meet at the Bhavan, Burdwan. Himalayan Mountaineering 8th September, 1973 Institute, Darjeeling. Inauguration of a Symposium on the "Recent Advances in Plastics in

32 Packaging" organized jointly by 12th January, 1974 Annual the Plastics Institute, Calcutta Convocation of the Jadavpur Centre and the Indian Plastics University. Federation. 13th January, 1974 Centenary 30th September, 1973 Celebrations of the Leprosy Inauguration of the Total Mission at the Parish Hall of St. Health Care Project at Paul's Cathedral, Calcutta. Narendrapur. 15th January, 1974 190th 15th October, 1973 Anniversary of the Foundation of Inauguration of the Special the Asiatic Society and the 150th Session of the Bengal National Birth Anniversary of Raja Chamber of Commerce and Rajendra Lal Mitra. Industry. 23rd January, 1974 1st December, 1973 Inauguration of the Forty- Inauguration Ceremony of sixth Session of the Nikhil Bharat the Red Cross Month of the Banga Sahitya Sammelan at Indian Red Cross Society, West . Bengal State Branch, at Raj 26th January, 1974 Radio Bhavan. Broadcast from the All India 22nd December, 1973 Opening Radio, Calcutta Station, on the Ceremony of the Exhibition on Republic Day. the occasion of the Birth 29th January, 1974 36th Centenary Celebrations of Anniversary Celebrations of the Prabhupada Srila Bhakti Ramkrishna Mission Institute of Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Culture, Gol Park, Calcutta. Thakur. 7th February, 1974 Function in 24th December, 1973 Silver connection with the Handing over Jubilee Celebrations of the of Honorary Degree to Ostad Ali Medical College Khan at the Rabindra and Centenary Celebrations of the Bharati University, Calcutta. Campbell Medical School. 9th February, 1974 Annual 12th January, 1974 Convocation of the University of Inauguration of the Calcutta. Exhibition organized by the 21st February, 1974 Ramkrishna Ancillary Industries Development Mission Vidyapith, Purulia, on Committee at Durgapur. the occasion of his visitto the Vidyapith.

33 22nd February, 1974 Address at Jagadis Bose National Science the Session of the Legislative Talent Search, Calcutta. Assembly. 25th July, 1974 82nd Foundation 3rd April, 1974 Visit to Day Celebrations of the Bangiya Central Inland Fisheries Research Sahitya Parisad, Calcutta. Institute, Barrackpore. 8th August, 1974 Annual 20th April, 1974 Banquet of the Chartered Institute Annual Convocation of the of Secretaries, India Association, Burdwan University. Calcutta. 24th May, 1974 Annual 31st October, 1974 Inaugural Convocation of the North Bengal Function of the New Building of University. St. Robert's Higher Secondary 24th May, 1974 Opening Function School, Darjeeling. of the Golden Jubilee 13th November, 1974 Radio Celebrations of the Nepali Broadcast inaugurating the Sahitya Sammelan, Darjeeling. Bhagwan Mahavira 2500th 29th June, 1974 Laying of the Nirvana Mahotsava. Foundation Stone of the Library 6th December, 1974 Buildings of the Indian Statistical Inauguration of the National Institute on the Birth Anniversary Management Conference at the of Late Prof. P. C. Mahalanobis. Ramkrishna Mission Institute of 5th July, 1974 Ceremonial Parade Culture, Gol Park, Calcutta. on the occasion of the change of 9th December, 1974 Inaugural name of "I.N.S. Hooghly" to Meeting for "Exchange of "I.N.S. Netaji Subhash". Experience in the Foundry 6th July, 1974 187th Anniversary Industry between Selected Celebrations of the Indian Developing Countries in Asia and Botanic Garden and the Inaugural the Far East". Ceremony of the Vana Mahotsava 10th December, 1974 at the Botanic Garden. Inauguration of a Seminar 8th July, 1974 54th Anniversary of on Universal Declaration of Sisir Kumar Institute, Calcutta. Human Rights and the Provisions 13th July, 1974 Inaugural Function of the and of the Centenary Celebrations of their Actual Implementation Swami Rama Thirtha. organized by the University of 20th July, 1974 Annual Prize Calcutta. Distribution Ceremony of the

34 20th December, 1974 Annual the Netaji Research Bureau, Convocation of the Jadavpur Calcutta. University. 24th January, 1975 22nd December, 1974 Inauguration of the function Inauguration of the 35th of the All India Congress of Session of the Indian History Social Workers organized by the Congress. Youngmen's Welfare Society. 25th December, 1974 26th January, 1975 Radio Broadcast Inauguration of the Golden on Republic Day. Jubilee Session of the All India 29th January, 1975 37th Medical Conference, Calcutta. Anniversary Celebrations of the 29th December, 1974 Address on Ramakrishna Mission Institute of the occasion of the Bhagwan Culture, Gol Park, Calcutta. Mahabir's 2500th Nirvan 12th February, 1975 Mahotsava, Calcutta. Reinstallation Ceremony of 30th December, 1974 the lost Vishnu Murti at the Inauguration of the Bidhan Bangiya Sahitya Parishad's Chandra Krishi Viswa Vidyalaya. Museum, Calcutta. 30th December, 1974 Unveiling of 20th February, 1975 the Bust of Shri Aurobindo and Inauguration of the Eastern Inauguration of the All India Indian Science Camp - 1975 Conference on "The Relevance of organised by the Birla Industrial Shri Aurobindo Today" at the and Technological Museum, Aurobindo Bhavan, Calcutta. Calcutta. 15th January, 1975 21st February, 1975 Address at Inauguration of the South the Session of the Legislative Asia Tourism Year Celebrations. Assembly. 20th January, 1975 Golden Jubilee 8th March, 1975 Annual Celebrations of the Saroj Nalini Convocation of the University of Dutt Memorial Association. Calcutta. 23rd January, 1975 Reunion 29th March, 1975 Function organized by the Inauguration of the Amir Students Reunion Committee of the Institute of Jute Technology. Khusrau Septingenary Celebrations organized by the 23rd January, 1975 Netaji Iran Society, Calcutta. Birthday Meeting organized by

35 9th April, 1975 Inaugurations of the Aurobindo in front of the North Foundation Day Celebrations of Gate of Victoria Memorial, the and the Calcutta. 25th Anniversary Celebrations of 26th August, 1975 Opening the Indian Republic. Session of the Vice-Chancellor's 12th April, 1975 Conference held in Raj Bhavan, Inauguration of the 32nd Calcutta. Bengal Library Conference on the 5th September, 1975 Annual occasion of the Golden Jubilee State Function of the National Celebration of the Bengal Library Foundation for Teachers' Welfare at Rabindra Sadan, Calcutta. Association at Jhargram. 13th September, 1975 Founder's 18th April, 1975 Day Celebration of La Martiniere Inauguration of Energy Schools, Calcutta. Seminar sponsored jointly by the 13th September, 1975 Apex Asiatic Society and the Calcutta International Convention at Management Association. Parish Hall, Calcutta. 30th April, 1975 9th 20th September, 1975 Prize Convocation at the North Bengal Distribution Ceremony of the University. JBNSTS. 8th May, 1975 Unveiling 30th September, 1975 Centenary Ceremony of the Statue of Celebrations of the Zoological Rabindra Nath Tagore at Garden, Alipore, Calcutta. Rabindra Sadan, Calcutta. 5th October, 1975 1st June, 1975 Radio Broadcast on Thanksgiving Ceremony on the occasion of starting of the the occasion of the 25th Originated Programme from Anniversary of the Founding of A.I.R., Siliguri. the Missionaries of the Charity 2nd July, 1975 Annual Installation and Mother Teresa. Dinner Meeting of the Rotary 18th October, 1975 Tenth Club of Calcutta. Annual Conference of the 12th July, 1975 Annual Conference National Council of Catholic of the Federation of Insurance Women of India. Institutes, Calcutta. 23rd November, 1975 Silver 16th August, 1975 Unveiling Jubilee Celebrations of the United Ceremony of the Statue of Sri Bank of India.

36 23rd November, 1975 Diamond 14th February, 1976 Opening Jubilee Celebrations of St. John ceremony of Bharat Refineries Ambulance Association, West Ltd., Calcutta. Bengal State Centre. 20th February, 1976 Annual 28th November, 1975 Annual Convocation of the University of Convocation of the North Bengal Burdwan. University. 20th February, 1976 Speech at 4th December, 1975 the Session of the Legislative Inauguration of a Regional Assembly under Article 176 of Symposium on "Museums and the Constitution of India. Cultural and Scientific 20th February, 1976 Inaugural Exchanges" organized by the Address at the All India Museum Indian National Committee for Camp and the Auditorium held lat International Council of the Indian Museum, Calcutta. Museums at the Birla Industrial 28th February, 1976 Telecast and Technological Museum, Message on Habitat Day. Calcutta. 9th March, 1976 First 19th December, 1975 Annual Annual Convocation of the Convocation of the Jadavpur Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswa University. Vidyalaya. 23rd January, 1976 13th March, 1976 Annual Inauguration of the Second Convocation at the University of International Netaji Seminar Calcutta. organized by the Netaji Research 29th March, 1976 Bureau, Calcutta. Inauguration of a Research 26th January, 1976 Radio and Development Workshop broadcast on Republic Day. organized by the Association of 29th January, 1976 Foundation Indian Engineering Industry Day Celebration of the (Eastern Region). Ramakrishna Mission Institute of 8th May, 1976 Inauguration of the Culture, Gol Park, Calcutta. Golden Jubilee Celebration of the 13th February, 1976 69th AIWC at Darjeeling. Annual Dinner held by the 15th May, 1976 Golden Jubilee Mining Geological and Celebrations of the Indian Metallurgical Institute of India. Chamber of Commerce, Calcutta. 14th February, 1976 17th June, 1976 Annual General Inauguration of the David Meeting of the St. John Hare Bicentenary of Birth Celebration.

37 Ambulance Association, West 20th September, 1976 Public Bengal. Meeting to pay homage to the 27th June, 1976 Public Reception in Late Sarat Chandra Chatterjee on honour of the new Cardinal, His the occasion of his Birth Eminence Lawrence Cardinal Centenary Celebrations. Picachy, held by the Catholic 28th September, 1976 Launching Association of West Bengal. Ceremony of the Vessel Seaward 1st July, 1976 Unveiling Defence Boat Mark II of the Ceremony of the statue of Dr. Indian Navy. B.C. Roy on the occasion of his 15th December, 1976 Inauguration 94th Birthday. of Food Corporation of India's 1st July, 1976 Inauguration of Dr. Modern Rice Mill at Durgapur. Bidhan Ch. Roy Smriti Databya 16th December, 1976 Golden Chikitsa Kendra and Project for Jubilee Celebrations of the Cancer Diagnostic Centre. Calcutta Technical School. 17th July, 1976 Diamond Jubilee 30th December, 1976 Annual Celebration of the Ashutosh Convocation of the University of College, Calcutta. Jadavpur. 26th July, 1976 Inaugural Function 11th January, 1977 Annual of the Centenary Celebrations of Conference of the Indian the Indian Association, Calcutta. Psychiatric Society. 29th July, 1976 Centenary 12th January, 1977 Golden Celebrations of the Indian Jubilee Celebration of the West Association for the Cultivation of Bengal College and University Science. Teachers' Association. 5th August, 1976 Visit to the 14th January, 1977 Visit to Indian Institute of Management. Indian Institute of Social Welfare 18th August, 1976 Seminar on and Business Management, Family Planning held at Rabindra Calcutta. Sadan, Calcutta. 14th January, 1977 Inauguration 14th September, 1976 Annual of the 4th Industrial Relations Prize Distribution Ceremony of Conference organized by the the Jagadish Bose National Council of Indian Employers. Science Talent Search. 21st January, 1977 Inauguration 17th September, 1976 Annual of the XXXII Joint Annual Convocation of the University of Conference of Association of North Bengal. Physicians of India.

38 21st January, 1977 Inauguration 11th April, 1977 Prize of a Seminar on Prospects and Distribution Ceremony of the Possibilities of Small Scale Calcutta Deaf and Dumb School. Chemicals Industries organized 12th April, 1977 Twelfth by the Bharat Chemical Annual Convocation of the Indian Manufacturers' and Distributors' Institute of Management. Association. 14th April, 1977 23rd January, 1977 80th Inauguration of the New Birthday Anniversary Building of Institute of Chartered Celebrations of Netaji. Accountants of India, Eastern 26th January, 1977 Radio India Regional Council. Broadcast on Republic Day. 16th April, 1977 Annual 29th January, 1977 Thirty- Convocation of the University of ninth Foundation Day Meeting of Calcutta. the Ramkrishna Mission Institute 15th July, 1977 Prize Giving of Culture. Ceremony of the Merchants' Cup 5th February, 1977 Annual Gold Competition at the Royal Convocation of the University of Calcutta Golf Club, Tollygunge. Burdwan. 12th August, 1977 Final 7th February, 1977 Annual Passing-out Parade and General Meeting of the Asiatic Graduation Ceremony of the Society. Marine Engineering College. 12th March, 1977 22nd August, 1977 Prize Inauguration Ceremony of a Distribution Ceremony of the Seminar on Automatic Control Jagadish Bose National Science organized by the Electronics and Talent Search. Telecommunication Engineering 19th October, 1977 Division of the Institution of Thanksgiving Mass at St. Engineers (India). Thomas Church and Reception at 23rd March, 1977 Address at Loreto House, Calcutta. the Session of the Legislative 30th October, 1977 Farewell Assembly under Article 176 of Address - Broadcast and Telecast. the Constitution of India. 9th April, 1977 Inauguration of the Silver Jubilee Celebration of the Yogic Sangh at Mahajati Sadan.

39 The Inaugural Broadcast Never before in history has any By State been called upon to cope with Governor A.L. Dias so great and sudden an influx of evacuees which has added a new

dimension to the sufferings and Radio Broadcast by Shri A.L. Dias, anxieties of the people. But the Governor of West Bengal, on magnificent way in which this State August 22, 1971, at 8 p.m. has spontaneously shouldered the major burden of the present national Dear Friends, crisis proves beyond doubt that I deem it a great privilege and Bengal retains her capacity for honour to have been called upon to creative and humane solutions to participate with you in a common human problems. I have had recent task - the task of restoring to West experience of dealing with the Bengal her rightful place in the evacuee problem in Tripura and forefront of the national endeavour. propose taking an early opportunity Modern India grew up in the image of visiting some of the evacuee of renascent Bengal and the country camps. owes a profound debt to Bengal's I have no illusions about the genius. Who can forget the magnitude of the task before us. It contributions to the nation and the is formidable, complex and world of such towering personalities challenging. I am acutely aware of as Raja , Swami the wide spectrum of problems Vivekananda, , which confronts the State. It will be Shri Aurobindo, Deshbandhu my endeavour to study and deal with and Netaji Subhas them with an open mind and in a Chandra Bose. spirit of humility, service and The enormous tragedy enacted dedication to the people irrespective by the Pakistan Army in Bangla of party affiliation and station in life. Desh has cast a long and dark I earnestly appeal for united shadow over the sub-continent and action. Many factors have disrupted threatens the security and stability of and indeed paralysed much of our our country. West Bengal, so social and economic activity, strategically situated and having a impeding our progress and special emotional involvement, has a interfering with our capacity to meet crucial role to play. She has, in the the challenges we face. It is even past, led India in dedication to the said that the cement of our society is nation. In this moment of extraordinary danger the country is losing its cohesion. In our system again looking to West Bengal. no view is excluded, no interest

40 unrepresented. We seek to create a revitalization of the economy. consensus in the interests of the Without this no real dent can be community as a whole and the made on the massive and mounting dialogue continues even after the problem of unemployment. I will concensus is framed. But the system strive to see that these measures are cannot work if it is allowed to implemented forthwith so that the degenerate into sectarianism, or if wheels of industry can get moving one part of the community wages again and a climate for fresh war on another. In this hour of crisis investment is created. My it is our sacred duty too put aside endeavour will be to remove the our differences and stand unitedly obstacles inhibiting industrial behind the Government. We must growth and to adopt special refrain from actions which create measures for starting new ventures disunity and thus serve the enemy. both in the public and private Let us bury the hatchet and sectors. Decisions will, I hope, be implement in practice the shortly taken on certain major unanimous resolve of all political projects which would widen the parties to condemn and banish the scope of employment opportunities politics of violence and for our young men. assassination. Each of us must fulfil It is vital that captains of industry, his own responsibility to book. I big and small, should become appeal to employer and employee, acutely conscious of the social worker and industrialist and to every purposes they must fulfil. For our segment of society to search situation, the acquisitive society is positively for areas of agreement out of date. Entrepreneurship and compromise instead of dwelling among the sons of the soil must be encouraged and our traditional only on points of discord. Only fondness for the white-collared job thereby can we revive the economy, or the professions must give way to protect the weaker sections of the active participation in the industrial community from destitution, provide resurgence of the State. For this the a fair deal to all and evoke social role of the worker is crucial. His discipline from within. welfare and that of his family and The positive measures very indeed the nation's economic growth recently announced by Shri depends not merely on providing Siddhartha Sankar Ray and Shri employment but Mainul Haq Chaudhuri should go a long way towards bringing about the

41

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43 ensuring that this employment is development, special measures will productive. We must see that he have to be taken to encourage small gets a square deal and an increasing scale and agro-based industries. The participation in the decision making growing trend towards concentrating process but he alone can ensure that industries only in the urban areas this participation is directed towards and the consequential excessive the actual increase in production. urbanization with all its evils must Whilst we must continue to be arrested. attend urgently to the problems of I would like to make a special the urban areas, particularly appeal to the youth so as to provide Calcutta, we must, at the same time, constructive channels for their alleviate the lot of the common man idealism. There must be in the rural sector without which understanding in dealing with the national development is impossible. problem of youth unrest and Much progress in the State has awareness of their many frustrations. already been achieved in this field Economics is not the only answer to but a reappraisal of our objectives this problem; the challenge must be and programmes is necessary to met on the moral plane. We must ensure that the spectacular advance place our confidence in our young in agricultural technology is made people, who, in any case, inherit our available to the farmer, and society and are the torch-bearers of especially the small farmer so that Bengal's past and the catalysts for the momentum of the Green bringing about a better life for the Revolution can be accelerated and people of this State. But the youth sweep the entire countryside. For must, on their part, appreciate that this purpose special attention will be there are no shortcuts to genuine paid to effective and speedy achievement or to learning, no implementation of land reforms and substitutes for hard work. If they the expansion of agricultural credit accept the dignity of labour in facilities, especially for the small practice, there will be much scope farmer. I am confident that the goal for generating employment among of self-sufficiency in food can them both in the urban and rural quickly be reached from the fertile areas. We cannot build anything soil of this State. In tackling this through violence and indiscipline problem I hope to draw upon my and we should be able to rely on experience gained as Food Secretary young people to exercise some in the . It is discernment to build anew rather vital also that we should aim at a than break indiscriminately our balanced economy in the rural areas national heritage. and, in the wake of agricultural

44 I come now to the role of the entire public in the national public servant. The welfare of the endeavour will alone enable us to people and security of the State direct our efforts towards removing depend in large measure on the the causes of our present sufferings, quality of his work. Admittedly he material as well as spiritual, so that has had in recent years to labour every Indian in this State can feel against heavy odds. But that should that, in Tagore's words, "his mind is be no excuse for him to fail in his without fear and the head is held duty to give of his best with courage high". and dedication. While Government I have learnt with much sorrow will endeavour to redress legitimate of the suffering of the people in the grievances, no Government can districts which have been seriously condone indiscipline, lethargy and affected by floods. Relief measures disregard for the prescribed Conduct have already been taken, but I would Rules. There will, therefore, be no like to assure the people in the alternative but to deal firmly with affected areas that no effort will be any breaches of the public servants' spared to extend to them such code of conduct or lapses in further measures of relief as are fulfilling the two-fold tasks of any necessary. I am visiting the flood administration - firstly prompt affected areas very shortly. response to the people's needs and Allow me to conclude on a redress of their grievances and personal note. During my last 18 speedy implementation of months in Tripura, which has developmental schemes. Secondly, traditional links with Bengal, I have fearless discharge of the functions of had some opportunity to familiarize law and order without committing myself with the events here. In excesses and by making a special Agartala, I lived in the house where effort to secure the confidence and Tagore composed some ;of his co-operation of the people in works. I belong to a generation restoring peace and stability. which was brought up to recognize Increasing employment, laying Bengal's leading role in laying the the basis for a Welfare State, foundations for India's future. resurgence of the economy and a Incidentally, I also have a personal renaissance of West Bengal's tie on account of the fact that half a glorious past in responding to the century ago, in 1919, my wife's grave crisis facing this State and the father, as Collector of Bankura was nation as a whole, cannot be brought decorated for meritorious service about in an atmosphere of fear, fighting the famine in that district. panic, violence and indiscipline. My wife, in fact, was born in Above all the co-operation of the

45 Bankura. We, therefore, cherish this far. My pocket money was just four opportunity to serve the people of annas or twenty-five paise a week, this State and play our part with you but with it I could have my fill from in dealing with the enormous the tuck shop. The British Empire problems before us. was still in the noon-tide of its glory, though eminent Indians, whose * * * names are household words now, had already begun to unfurl the

banner of freedom. I still remember Speech delivered by Shri A.L. Armistice day of 1918. Our Dias, Governor of West Bengal, on Principal having lined us up, gave the occasion of the Annual Sports each boy a Union Jack, which we, and Speech Day of the St. Paul's little Indians, vigorously waved School, Darjeeling, on 11th October whilst lustily singing "Rule Britania, 1972 Britania Rule the waves". What a transformation of I thank you for the warm that scene we now witness! In the welcome you have extended to us. last half century the changes have It is always a pleasure to escape been breath-taking. The most from my stuffy office room whether momentous, for us, was the at Raj Bhavan or Writers' Buildings achievement of Independence after and to share for a while the lively much struggle and sacrifice. and refreshing atmosphere of a Remember that you boys studying in school. Stepping across your portals this school have been born free. my mind flashed back over fifty There have been, over the last fifty years to my own school days. Trite, years, many wars in the world and in though it may sound, those were our own country. In the most recent indeed the best years of my life. conflict, India's involvement arose Looking back I recall how different from a commitment to uphold truth, the scene then was. The motor car freedom and justice. Spectacular was as much a subject of curiosity as advances in science and technology a space vehicle is today. Parents have given man power over nature and teachers were regarded with awe and material resources undreamt of and respect. The cane was the by our ancestors. We have explored school master's favourite instrument the outer fringes of space and, for enforcing discipline and I have perhaps, in the not too distant future, painful memories of punishment on some of you may very well take a that part of my anatomy most ride to the Moon. The computer associated with such attentions. Life today is becoming as common as the then was simple and a rupee went abacus was in my childhood. It can

46 deal with vast quantities of perhaps, in its history, has humanity information at lightning speed and been faced with so many baffling put this processed data at the problems relating to peace and war, disposal of administrators, managers power and authority, the pollution of and Governments. the environment, the control and use What has brought about this of knowledge for the greatest good sudden and revolutionary change? of the greatest number in the human Human life goes back a million family. years but it was only 10,000 years Recently a group of about fifty ago that Neolithic man discovered scientists, economists, educators and the art of grinding stone to give it an businessmen, known as the Club of edge, with which to fell a tree or kill Rome, tried to envisage what the a wild goat. In a sense this was the world would be in the year 2000 and birth of technology. Civilization the picture which emerged was dawned 5,000 years ago and man alarming. Man is heading, they said, acquired increasing dominance over towards disaster. By the year 2000 - his environment. The pace of less than 29 years hence - the world change only began to quicken with may have 7 billion people, twice as the beginnings of the Industrial many as now. To feed, clothe and Revolution nearly 200 years ago. endow them with the barest material But in the last 25 years the advances necessities would result in a rapid in science and technology have been exhaustion of the earth's resources. fantastic. The real difference Moreover, the environment would between the earlier ages and our be so polluted that the world would present one, is man's control over no longer be a livable planet. Of inanimate power - harnessing the course, this somber and gloomy wind, the power of steam, electricity forecast has been challenged by and most recently, nuclear energy. other scientists, but it certainly This breakthrough has made man the makes us pause and think. conqueror of nature, and has enabled Perhaps the most depressing him to generate almost unlimited feature of the world today is the material resources. spectre of . Barbara Ward, And yet to what extent has this the noted economist, who wrote helped to improve the quality of "The Rich and the Poor Nations" life? Has it contributed to man's real and a recent book on the happiness? As Arnold Toynbee has Environment, has highlighted the said "Man's conquest of nature has cruel contrasts in the world today been brilliant but the misuse of his between the developed and victory has been tragic". Never, prosperous countries and the poor

47 and developing nations. Even must, each in his own little way, within a particular country there are respond to the Prime Minister's glaring disparities between the rich mission to eradicate poverty. Garibi and the poor. We are, therefore, Hatao must not be an empty slogan. faced with the heart-breaking You have been imbued at St. Paul's paradox that whilst science on the with a strong sense of social one hand has enabled man to obligation, you have been trained in generate untold wealth, he has yet to leadership and initiative, in discover how to share it equitably standards of honour, conduct and between the people of the world. manners. I have learnt with Let us turn our attention for a gratification that St. Paul's boys moment to our own country. have been given every Though democracy has been firmly encouragement in social welfare rooted and the country has made activities which teach you to put tremendous strides in the last 25 service before self. years yet half our people still When you go out into the world, continue to live below the poverty remember that the future of the line. And it is poverty not only of nation is its youth. It will be a tough the body but also of the mind and world but also a world of challenge spirit. Millions of children still do and opportunity. No textbooks, not have a square meal, or any class room lectures, parents or schooling whatsoever; others get teachers, however good, can do little beyond a rudimentary more than equip you to educate education. Only an infinitesimal yourself for the practical world percentage of children in this outside the four walls of your class country can afford a complete and room. You are lucky to be living at many-faceted education, such as you a turning point in the history of the enjoy at St. Paul's. Glancing human race. You will not be able to through your school chronicle I see seize this great opportunity unless that apart from academic studies you you face it with the zest of youth, in have a wide range of activities from a spirit of idealism, generosity of athletics, music and dramatics to heart and compassion. Try not to be hobby classes, mountaineering and impatient of the failures of past horticulture. Privileges carry with generations. Gandhiji rightly said them responsibilities. This that feelings of hostility, bitterness realization of your good fortune and illusion lead nowhere. Young should make you deeply conscious and old must join hands in a spirit of of the role you are expected to play tolerance to make life better. A in the future, particularly for the single generation cannot create a under-privileged in our society. We paradise overnight, but every little

48 step in the right direction is worthwhile. Mr. President, Dr. Bose, Ladies A little while ago we witnessed a and Gentlemen, moving commemoration service. It is indeed a privilege to This was a time for reflection and inaugurate this 35th Session of the remembrance of all those, teachers Indian History Congress and to and students alike, who have address so distinguished an contributed towards building the assembly of scholars. I am happy splendid traditions of St. Paul's. The that this Congress is being held after staff consists today of men and 19 years in this intellectually alive women who are giving the best and historic city. Since the last one- years of their lives in dedicated and-three quarters of a century, service to this institution. On this Calcutta has always had a many occasion, I would particularly like to faceted cultural life - one aspect of mention Mr. Gibbs, your Rector, which has been to reflect the who, after 9 years, may shortly be traditions of radical and progressive leaving you. From all accounts he social reform in an all-India context. has left his mark on this school and Its own past - controversial, often has worked with a sense of mission provocative of many new trends in and a deep involvement in the ideals Indian culture and rich in cultural which make education relevant to memories - has always stood for one the contemporary world. He has our ideal at least, that of secularism, of a best wishes for his future career. I catholic acceptance of the diversity congratulate all the prize winners on of its population and tolerance of the their success in the class room and ideologies that make up the fabric of on the playing field. To those who our national heritage. I have no have not won prizes I would only doubt that the Indian History say, that in life what matters most is Congress too stands for the not so much getting to the top as maintenance of similar traditions. trying to get there. I wish all of you Purely as a citizen of India, as a good luck and happy holidays. beneficiary of the results of your * * * studies, may I place before you some questions which may be within Speech delivered by Shri A.L. they purview of your deliberations. Dias, Governor of West Bengal, at I wonder if historians when they the Inauguration of 35th Session of gather together stop a while and the Indian History Congress in the consider why is it that they are Campus on the professionally engaged in studying 22nd December, 1974 the past? Is it merely for the

49 esoteric pleasure of remembering indeed, is one of the biggest long forgotten happenings, or problems the historians has to face because the like to argue about the up to, perhaps his biggest problem - significance of what has happened - to separate chance effects, noise as happenings which may not be the physicist calls it, from repeated again? I wonder if systematic trends. I often suspect historians are only concerned with that some of my historical thinking about the past without any colleagues make the mistake of consideration of its relationship to thinking it necessary to know what will happen in the context of everything about everything …… no the constraints established by that serious attempt has been made to past? Or do historians look at separate what is random from what history in terms not of facts alone or is systematic. Serious arguments of accounts about isolated about signal and noise hardly ever happenings but in terms of arise in physics ….. (The historian) relationship between similar or is not quite sure what is important consequential happenings, thus and what is trivial, so everything has endeavouring to identify trends, to go in". happenings in their sequence Professor Toynbee's answer to amounting, as some philosophers this challenge is : say, almost to regularities? If they " I suppose in both physical do, do you consider whether these science and in the study of human trends or semi-regularities in history affairs the test of the difference have any effect in terms of the between what is chance and what is future? Do the principles of law - regularity is one's conception causation enter into your of the structure of non-human nature deliberations? and the structure of human nature. I have just completed reading a There must be some common fascinating little book titled element of regularity in human "Toynbee on Toynbee" which is a nature as well as in physical nature. record of a series of conversations I think the difference is one of between Professor Arnold Toynbee degree. and Mr. G.R. Urban also a historian The objective accident of death on the nature of history. In this and the subjective difficulty of book there is a passage quoted from predicting what in the long run is the astronomer Sir Fred Hoyle's of going to seem significant to people Men and Galaxies which reads : make it extremely difficult for "Chance effects occur in science, historians to distinguish signal from and in all human activities. This is

50 noise. Hoyle is quite right, and I in different regions, in short their can't see a solution to this problem". everyday conditions of existence. It appears to me that history can Such studies have been conceived become an uninteresting subject by historians in terms of certain indeed - no more than a trends, which lead them to come to chronological progression, a broad analytical conclusions about chronicle of recorded facts - if it is the course and current of Indian not related to certain broad History. The books and articles of groupings of the segments of the scholars such as , past and has no bearing at all on the Jawaharlal Nehru, K.M. Panikkar, understanding of our situation in the C.S. Sardesai, Neelkanta Sastri, present or on the path to progress in Surendranath Sen, S.S. Sarma, Irfan the future. A learned British Habib or Romila Thapar have historian, Vincent Smith in his different facets and interpretations to account of Akbar, the Great Mogul offer on Indian history; they are all quoted the saying of a British informed with the dynamics of historian that the people of India evolution and transformation in our have no history, apart from kingly past, dynamics based on the life of doings, since the life of the common the people, as well as that of the people of the , the middle State. It is such enquiry into the past class and the learned groups has had which brings alive to the average no change during the last 20 citizen the reasons and the specific centuries and more. This was character of the maintenance of the commonly believed by many unity in diversity that is Indian traditional historians - that there was national life. Such an approach to nothing to be learned from the record of the past in India, except history cannot but fail to illuminate pleasant stories. the path along which our country will travel in the future. History can This gathering knows very well have no relevance if it is not related that such a belief is not correct. to the present and to the future. I am Since Indian Independence, there reminded of the words of an eminent has accelerated a movement for historian, E.H. Carr that history : studying the life of ;the people of this land, in terms of their labour, "is a continuous process of their culture, their handicrafts and interaction between the historian and industry, their religion, their social his fact, an unending dialogue structure, their payment of rent and between the present and past.. a revenue from the villages, the dialogue between the events of the patterns of authority, law and order past and progressively emerging future ends… To enable man to

51 understand the society of the past historians have a lot to learn from and to increase the mastery over the physical scientists, because society of the present is the dual scientists are extremely honest about function of history". the truth. They are ready ruthlessly Surely, the historians assembled to scrap their most cherished here can, through their deliberations hypothesis if one single piece of at this and future meetings, tell us evidence makes a hypothesis what are the elements of strength in untentable. It's a point of honour our national life, on which we can with scientists. Now, a fortiori, build for the future. historian ought to have this sense of At the same time it is important honour : we ought always to be that the historian realizes that in the ready to think again, to discard the study of human affairs the question most cherished systems or selections of selecting what is significant and of facts or attitudes toward so-called what in the future may prove facts if further research calls for significant is most important. changes - not only because of the Ideally the historian should attempt discovery or manufacture of new a disinterested study of the past but facts, but because of further we know how difficult this task is. I reflection about existing so-called am tempted to quote Arnold facts too". Toynbee again. He says : Before I conclude I would like to “It's the criterion of objectivity say a word about Jadavpur we are trying to find. As far as an University. Jadavpur itself has a historian is guided by disinterested rich heritage, which goes back to the curiosity, he is probably on safe days of the National Council of Education at the beginning of this ground, but then the curiosity itself century, when through munificence is subjective, because we aren't of a group of patrons of learning and omnivorously curious about technology, such as Subodh Chandra everything. Any study of human Basu Mallick and Brajendrakishore affairs is bound to be selective.” A Roychaudhuri, and through the hard fact in history is not really work of patriotic scholars such as something concrete, like a brick or a Sakharam Ganesh Deuskar, Benoy stone, that you can pick up and Kumar Sarkar, Radhakumud handle; a fact is man-made in a Mukherjee and many others, a sense - it is the result of a selection nucleus was built up for developing from the raw material. Even a brick a patriotic tradition in the diffusion is a selection from the world's clay. technology and vocational This is our difficulty. I think here education. The history of this

52 endeavour itself and the many moved this Scottish watch-maker of vicissitudes through which the idea Calcutta at the height of his business of national education has had to go, career to court a life of sacrifice is in itself a subject worthy of dedicated to the improvement of the historical study, if historians wish to intellectual and moral condition of a contribute in a social context to the subject people. Largely because of planning and recycling of education incessant warfare, political unrest, today. In such a context, I am sure and the consequent insecurity of life that the scholars of Jadavpur will and property, the state of education have much to offer to their guests, in in the country at the beginning of the the next few days. 19th century was stagnant and I wish the deliberations of totally unsatisfactory. Society was this Congress all success and hope in the grip of a narrow orthodoxy that they will be carried out in a and irrational beliefs and practices calm, objective and rational had choked the vitalizing currents of atmosphere. I am sure that other enquiry and pursuit of knowledge. scholarly institutions in Calcutta It was at this critical juncture that have extended their cordial welcome David Hare made a correct estimate to delegates from different parts of of the educational needs of the the land. May our guests in this city Indian people. His discussions with have a happy and fruitful time in this Raja Rammohon Roy and other season of good cheer. progressive leaders led to the * * * onviction that while the prevalent condition of vernacular education must be improved by the supply of Speech delivered by Shri A.L. better text books and in other ways, Dias, Governor of West Bengal at the benefits of the liberalising forces the Inauguration of the David Hare of Western education must be Bicentenary of Birth Celebration at brought within the reach of the the Presidency College Auditorium people by introducing English on 14th February, 1976. education among them. The lead It is indeed a privilege for me to which David Hare and Raja be associated with this evening's Rammohon Roy and a few other celebration of the bi-centenary of notable citizens of Calcutta took in David Hare's birth. We are establishing College is assembled here to pay our homage well-known. to a man who was a true pioneer in It is to David Hare's efforts every sense of the term. primarily that the change in the We cannot but be amazed at the pattern of traditional education philanthropic urge and zeal which

53 which opened Bengal to the who dominated the intellectual life influence of rationalism and modern of the nation. science must be traced. Whilst We remember David Hare today many notable Indians of the time felt not only as the greatest friend and the urge to combat social evils it was benefactor of the Hindu College David Hare who went a step ahead which was the first English College and suggested that ignorance, in the whole country but also for his superstition and prejudice could best close association with the School be overcome through modern since named after him and with the education. Hare felt that lasting Calcutta Medical College. Hare's benefits from the battle against association with the Calcutta School social ills could be achieved only Book Society and the Calcutta through the process of education. School Society must also be The revolution in thought and recalled. His was a full life and his ideas brought about by the efforts of interests were varied. His activities David Hare and his associates was encompassed the Agricultural and the precursor of the Bengal Horticultural Society and the Asiatic Renaissance which placed Bengal in Society. He also played an its position of pre-eminence in the important role in bringing about country. The Public Committee of improvements in the condition of Instruction in one of its reports indentured labour emigrating to appreciated "the valuable work" places such as Mauritius. The life of done by the Hindu College and said David Hare symbolizes the human that it has "surpassed expectation, qualities that go into the process of ……a command of the English true education. Education is not just language and a familiarity with its teaching and learning within the four literature and science have been walls of the class room. David Hare acquired to an extent rarely equaled was himself not a highly educated by any school in Europe….. The man in the formal sense; yet he was moral effect has been equally one of the principal architects of remarkable ……Another generation modern education in the country. will probably witness a very During his daily round of the material alteration in the notions and institutions with which he was feelings of the educated classes associated he paid attention to all ……" How prophetic these words those matters which distinguish true were, for it is this generation, it may education from mere learning. He be recalled which produced men like was completely at home in the Vivekananda, Tagore, Shri community of students and visited Aurobindo and the galaxy of leaders them at their homes in sickness and in distress.

54 In the intellectual and cultural A Minute mosaic of modern India the far- by reaching influence of western The Governor Dias education is easily seen. David Hare on represented an influence which was alien but not unacceptable to India. The Shrubbery Grounds, Assimilation rather than conflict and Darjeeling rejection has been the essence of the Indian tradition. On his part David It might be of some future Hare belonged to the ruling race but interest to record a brief note he did not come to India to rule. regarding the Shrubbery Grounds There was no tinge of racial and the plan for its development as a superiority or condescension in his public park. This parcel of land attitude to Indians. His vision and admeasuring a little over 2 acres catholicity of outlook can best be situated on the west of the Durbar illustrated by the fact that when he Hall and forming the rear portion of started his school he placed as much the Raj Bhavan Estate has been emphasis on the proper teaching of offered by me to the State Bengali as he did on English. He Government (vide my letter dated did not accept the dogma of religion 19th April 1976 to the Chief but lived the life of a true Christian Minister and his reply D.O. No. 235 which endeared him to the people of - CM dated 21st April 1976 this city who showered on him their gratefully accepting the offer). love and affection in many ways. The Raj Bhavan Estate or And today a grateful nation pays rather what remains of it is situated deep homage to him for his selfless on the Birch Hill area. Over the service in the cause of education. years land and buildings of the Before concluding I would like Estate have been given either for the to take this opportunity to announce use of the State Government or the a grant of Rs. 5,000/- from the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute Governor's Benevolent Fund for the or the Zoological Park. The present purpose of instituting a special Raj Bhavan is situated on the site on medal or scholarship in which there was a house occupied commemoration of the bicentenary by the Lieut.-Governors when they of the birth of David Hare. The visited Darjeeling. The house and details in respect of the scholarship surrounding Birch Hill areas were or medal may be worked out by the acquired from the Maharaja of Celebration Committee headed by Cooch Behar for the official our Chief Justice. residence of the Lieut.-Governor in

55 the time of Sir Ashley Eden (1877- western boundary which could 79). The portion of the Birch Hill serve as an additional entry or on which the original house stood exit point. It is only these two was known as "The Shrubbery" and roads which should be kept open this probably explains why the open for the public. Members of the flat land to the rear of the estate public will not be allowed to came to be known as the Shrubbery approach the Shrubbery Grounds Ground. It is doubtful if there ever by the road which passes through was a shrubbery in this part of the the Raj Bhavan Estate and leads estate; the grounds must, for long, to the Durbar Hall. have been used for games or (b) I have roughly demarcated pitching tents. It commands a the eastern boundary between the magnificent view of the Shrubbery Grounds and the Raj Kanchenjunga Range and the Bhavan Estate, but the valleys below and when developed demarcation will be finalized in should be a great tourist attraction. October 1976. A vegetative screen should be erected so as to In offering this land to the State Government I have stipulated shield the Durbar Hall from the view of those visiting the that it should be utilized as a public Shrubbery Grounds. park to be developed by the Parks and Gardens Wing of the Forests (c) The present little hill feature Department and that the lay-out and situated towards the eastern the main features for landscaping boundary not only offers vantage should receive my approval. During scenic viewpoints but lends itself my recent stay in Darjeeling (May- to terrace gardening, rock June 1976) I visited the Shrubbery gardening and the cultivation of a Grounds on several occasions with a variety of ferns, flowering shrubs, view to determine the lay-out of the succulents etc. on all sides of this public park and its main features. I hill feature. also had discussions with the On the summit of this hill feature, officials of the Parks and Gardens there is a wooden structure Wing of that Department. presently occupied by the In my view the public park Security Staff when the Governor should be developed on lines which is in residence. This structure are briefly set out below :- should be demolished and a well- designed glass house constructed. (a) There is already a separate road leading to the Shrubbery This glass house should contain a representative collection of Grounds and another approach - a orchids, cacti, flowering and narrow pathway - on the south-

56 ornamental plants and shrubs and stairway on the hill feature should Bonzoi or miniature trees. The be continued so as to provide a latter has been a hobby of mine way down to the bottom of the for some years. My private sunken garden. collection is in the Raj Bhavan, (f) I have approved the Darjeeling glass house. I shall be following features of the tentative happy to donate a part of this lay-out plan prepared by the collection of mine for the Parks and Gardens Wing : Shrubbery Ground glass house. (i) The scheme of pathways in (d) The upper portion of the hill the park. The feasibility of feature facing the west should be having crazy pavement on the converted into a three-tiered pathways may be explored. terrace garden on which (ii) A low terraced feature flowering shrubs and seasonal stretching almost the entire length flowers should be cultivated. The of the southern boundary of the lower portion which gradually Shrubbery Grounds on the inner slopes and merges with the flat side of the fence. On the terraced ground should be converted into a portion there should be flowering rock garden. Between the rock shrubs and seasonal flowers. On and the sunken garden there may the outer side of the fence I have be a small run off channel to suggested a number of medium divert water flowing down the sized flowering trees or bushes, slope. such as, Deutzia Corymbosa, (e) At the base of this rock Echeveria Glauca etc. garden I have suggested that there (iii) The construction of a should be a sunken water garden cantilevered log look-out cabin on similar to the one which exists to the northern boundary the west of the Raj Bhavan Guest immediately overlooking the House. The sides of the sunken Richmond Hill. The servants' garden should be terraced; there quarters of the latter are an would be a small circular pool in eyesore and must have a the center through which rain vegetative screen and eventually a water should be siphoned through row of tall trees. It would be underground pipes to the hill desirable to cover the roofs of the sides. I have suggested to the servants' quarters with climbers. Director, Parks and Gardens, (iv) Soil conservation works what the shape of the sunken must be undertaken on the garden should be as well as its northern and southern slopes. other features. The present stone The northern slopes should be

57 planted with rhododendron, staff in the Richmond Hill magnolia and other low and property. medium height trees; the southern (i) Apart from the hill feature slopes should have flowering and the sunken garden the other shrubs, lilies etc. features of the park will be well- (g) The footpath from the manicured lawns, small rockeries, northern boundary leads to two beds of seasonal flowers and a points from which an excellent central feature of rows of flower view of the snows and the valley beds, either circular or oval in can be obtained. Both these shape, so located as to balance the 'viewpoints' should be developed. hill feature and the sunken At the first viewpoint there is garden. space only to provide a few (j) In due course picnic spots benches but on the flat circular can be developed on the northern ground a little lower down slopes. another Look-out Log Cabin may (k) Benches should be provided be provided. To the east of this only on the periphery of the log-cabin there is sufficient land northern and western boundaries on which provision may be made of the grounds. The placement for a Tea Room and public and design of these benches may conveniences. be submitted for approval. (h) The vegetable garden (l) I approve of the Parks and presently used by Raj Bhavan Gardens Wing's suggestion of will naturally have to be constructing a medium-sized sacrificed for the public park. aviary to house Himalayan birds The present servants' quarters species. I suggest this aviary existing on the site may also have should be located on the low to be demolished unless the ground lying to the south-west structure can be so camouflaged corner overlooking 'Rivers Hill', as to blend with the surroundings the residence of the Deputy or to be converted for some other Commissioner. purpose. The quarters for the With my permission the Parks staff of the Parks and Gardens and Gardens Wing have already Wing will have to be provided started work on the site and are elsewhere. It may be possible to presently working on the hill feature make available - at least which it should be possible to temporarily - the quarters develop fairly quickly. Work has presently occupied by Raj Bhavan also started on the sunken garden and I hope it will be possible to

58 complete this work in the course of A Minute the next 2 or 3 months. The work by on the southern fence also should be The Governor Dias completed before October. on Meanwhile I shall expect the Parks and Gardens Wing to finalise the The Shrubbery Grounds, Darjeeling plan and design for landscaping in (2nd Note) accordance with the suggestions made in his note and the discussions During my stay in Darjeeling I with the Director. This plan may be visited the Shrubbery Grounds and submitted for my approval as soon was delighted over the progress as possible. Work may start on made in implementing the plan different parts of the ground. It is broadly outlined in my note date essential that plans and estimates for June 18, 1976. The Special Officer the glass house on the hill feature, of Parks and Gardens Wing, Shri the two look-out log cabins, the tea Guha Neogi, and his staff deserve to house and public conveniences, the be commended for having done so aviary as well as for other items of much in so short a time. The work should be finalised without Shrubbery Grounds have already delay and submitted for my approval assumed a new look and the Chief after scrutiny by the Forests Minister after visiting the grounds Department. It would be good if on 3rd November said, in a letter to planting of shrubs, preparation of me, "This is going to be the best flower beds, the central circular or spot in Darjeeling". oval flower garden, the planting of I had made the following further flower, shrubs etc. on the sunken suggestions to the Special Officer, garden could be completed by the Parks and Gardens Wing :- end of September so that a formal opening of the public park could take place by the end of October or (1) The rock garden around the early November. hill feature is coming up very well. I hope that the work on the sunken garden will be completed June 18, 1976. in a couple of months time so as Sd/- A.L. Dias to enable the terraces to be Governor of West Bengal. planted with flowers to bloom during the next summer. I have suggested that the pipe to siphon off water that will inevitably collect in the sunken garden,

59 especially during the rains, should projection would have dwarf be laid via the shortest route to walls of rough hewn stones and the north-eastern boundary. the upper portion would be of (2) The attempt to raise flower glass and rough hewn log beds along the long southern supports. The resultant saving in border has not been very cost would be quite considerable. successful owing to the (4) For the summer and winter overhanging trees. I have, seasons we should have along the therefore, suggested that in this northern boundary mixed or border we should concentrate on herbaceous flower beds of the planting flowering and other different seasonal flowers of tall, shrubs with a 1 ft. to 1½ ft. medium and dwarf heights similar scalloped border bed in which to the mixed borders in the Raj dwarf varieties of seasonal Bhavan garden. flowers may be planted. There (5) The terraces on the hill are also certain seasonal flowers, feature should also follow the e.g. salvia, cinearia etc. which do same pattern of a mixed border of well in the shade and, therefore, different seasonal flowers. can be interspersed with the (6) I think some more varieties shrubs. of fast growing creepers may be (3) The proposal to demolish planted along the fence erected to the existing wooden structure on shield the Richmond Hill the hill feature and to put up a servants' quarters. new glass house at a cost of Rs. (7) The glass house when it 50,000/- needs to be reconsidered. eventually materialized should I have carefully examined the house different varieties of existing wooden structure which flowering plants, cacti, bonsoi is in excellent condition and is etc. as in the case of the glass spacious enough for the purpose houses in the Lloyd Botanic in view. All that is necessary is Garden or the Raj Bhavan. We to replace some portions of the should also plant some varieties wooden panels in the frontage of low growing flowering trees at and on the sides by glass; the places where they do not obscure front portion of the roof may also the view, e.g., Lucula, Acer be of glass. I have also suggested Japanica (there is one outside the that a small extension may be Governor's office room in Raj erected in front of the existing Bhavan) etc. I presume that a wooden structure. This sufficient number of

60 rhododendrons have been planted Farewell Broadcast on the northern slopes. By (8) The plans for the two 'look Governor A.L. Dias out' enclosures seem appropriate except that we should give both It has been a great privilege to these structures the log cabin serve the State and the people of effect by using rough hewn logs West Bengal for over six years. On wherever possible. the eve of my departure I would like (9) It is important that this park to convey to the people of West should have sufficient supply of Bengal my sincere wishes for their water especially during summer happiness and prosperity. months. Otherwise all the effort When, in 1971, I came here as to beautify the grounds will be Governor I must confess I did so rendered infructuous. The with some trepidation, for this State Special Officer should make - then under President's Rule - was suitable arrangements in faced with serious challenges, some consultation with the Deputy of them of an unprecedented nature. Commissioner, the Public Health I recall particularly, the situation Engineering and the Municipal caused by the influx of millions of authorities. people from across the border and by the urgent need to provide them with temporary refuge. The 16th November 1976. spontaneous help and goodwill of Sd/- A.L. Dias the people and the magnificent Governor of West Bengal. response of the administration enabled Government to meet this and many other problems, which threatened this State. The unstinted cooperation extended by all sections of the people during those critical months will remain one of my

treasured memories.

My experience in this State has

convinced me that the progress of the country is inextricably bound with proper attention being paid to the problems of West Bengal and of the Eastern Region generally. There has not always been adequate

61 appreciation of the successive and so much a part of the daily life of the heavy burdens which the people of people of the State has made our West Bengal have had to shoulder stay here a most rewarding since the Forties. experience. In order to have first I have utilized every opportunity hand acquaintance with the to focus attention on certain matters, problems of the countryside, I have affecting the welfare of the State, travelled far and wide in the State which seemed to me of the utmost and, during my tours, I have always importance. These are the been touched by the cordiality and promotion of intensive agriculture, friendliness of the people whom I the optimum utilization of ground met. To the Press, I owe a special water resources, a system of well word of thanks for their cooperation maintained and up-to-date land and understanding. records, balanced regional Even though I shall no longer be an development, including the hill active participant, I shall watch with areas, through growth centers like keen interest, your progress towards Siliguri, Haldia and Kalyani, a a better and richer life. As we bid public distribution system covering you farewell, my wife and I would the minimum essential needs of the like to take this opportunity to thank people, and an atmosphere in you for the warmth and affection educational institutions conducive to shown to us. We leave the State study and research. I have no doubt with heavy hearts cherishing happy that, with the lead taken by the State memories of our stay here and our Government and the support of the many friends and well wishers. Central Government, West Bengal will achieve rapid progress in all these fields in the coming years. May I say here that among West Bengal's greatest assets is an enlightened awareness of emerging political and social trends and an exemplary harmony among all sections of the community irrespective of caste and creed. As I leave, my thoughts turn to the personal plane. One could not have hoped for a more favourable milieu in which to work and live. The rich cultural heritage which is

62 BOOKS IN GOVERNOR A.L. DIAS' COLLECTION RAJ BHAVAN LIBRARY, KOLKATA - A LIST –

Philosophy, Religion Bhattacharya, Birendra Kumar Aurobindo, Sri Logic, value and reality / by Light to Superlight Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya ; (Unpublished letters of Sri foreword by Sarvepalli Aurobindo) / with explanatory Radhakrishnan. - Calcutta : notes by Arun Chandra Dutta., - University of Calcutta, 1961. 5 - Calcutta : Prabortak p.l., 285 p.; 25 cm. Publishers, 1972. 231p.: ports.; 22 cm. Has "Presented with best Wormholes, loose binding. compliments to H.E. Shri A.L. Dias Governor of West Bengal, Has "this book on Mahaguru B.K. Bhattacharya 21.6.74" on Shree Aurobindo is offered as a flyleaf. token of our love and regard to Mr. A.L. Dias, Governor of West Bengal by Arun Chanddra Dutt, President, Prabartak 160 Bha Sangha" on flyleaf. Cobb, Stanwood Security for a failing world. - 808.6 Aur : Baha'i. Publishing Trust, 1971. xviii, 202p.; 18 cm. Bergin, Robert Indian edition 1971. This apocalyptic age : a 297.89 Cob commentary on prophecies relating to these times … and Hooshmand Fathea'zam their portents. -- Calcutta : Ptg. The new garden. -- 5th ed. -- at East India Printing New Delhi : Baha'i Publishing House,1970. 146 p.; 17.5 cm. Trust, 1971. 4p.l., 171 p.: port.; Paperback binding weak 18 cm.

Has "Joan Dias" written on 211 Fat flyleaf. Le Joly, E. 228 Ber Remain in my love : meditations on the gospel of St. John. - 2nd edition. -

63 : Sant Paul Publication, 1973. Nathmal, Muni 352p.; 18.5 cm. Gravitation of morality / Muni Nathmal; tr. By N.Sahai. - Has " Presented to Mr. Churu ( Rajasthan): Adarsh A.L. Dias Governor of West Sahitya Sangh, 1969. 4 p.l., 107 Bengal and Mrs. Dias by the p.; 18.5 cm. author in respectful homage E. Le Joly dated English version of 'Naitikta ka 24.11.74" written in blue ink on Gurutvakarshan'. flyleaf. Wormholes. 170 Nat 242 Jol Navajata Shri Aurobindo. - New Delhi : Lesser, R.H. National Book Trust, 1972. xiii, The fridge of His garment. - 127 p.: ill., plates, ports.; 18 cm. Ajmer : St. Ansetm's Press, [ Paperback jacket brittle.

1974]. Iv, 132 p.; 17.5 cm. Book bears " To H.E. Sri A.L. Paperback binding weak Dia's with best wishes by Has "To dear Mrs. Dias with a Navajata dated 8.7.72. pleasure that you may do more than touch the fringe of his garment, R.H. Lesser" (no date) 922,94 Nav on flyleaf. 231.2 The proclamation of Baha'u'llah Les to the kings and leaders of the world. - Haifa : Baha'i World Muktananda Paramahansa, Swami Centre, 1967. xiv, 127 p.; 21 Chitshakti vilas : the play of cm. consciousness. -- Ganeshpuri : Shree Gurudev Ashram, 1976. 297.89 Bah xxiii, 268 p.: front., plates,ports.;21.5 cm. Ranganathanada, Swami The pilgrim looks at the World. Has Governor Dias' signature in -- Bombay : Bharati Vidya red ink on inside cover, 1976 Bhavan, , 1974. - v. ; 22 cm. (no date, month) Library has : v.1

153.7 Par Has "Presented by the author" written by A.L. Dias in his own

64 hand (red ink) written on inside "A.L. Dias, Raj Bhavan, cover with the date 12.2.1975. Calcutta" written on flyleaf.

204 Ran, vol.1 153.7 Sat-2 Speaking among friends the Sandeha nivarini: dialogues with history and faith of the Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba / Dawoodi Bohra. - Bombay : ed. By N. Kasturi.. - 5th edition. Dawoodi Bohra Friendship -- Bombay : Rattan Lal Trustee, Guild, 1965. 1 p.l., 30[2] p.: Sri Sathya Sai Education plates, ports.; 24 cm. Foundation, 1970. 2 p.l., 141 p.; Wormholes 18 cm. Has Governor Dias' signature in Book bears "Joan Dias" on red ink on inside cover. flyleaf 297.88 Dbf , Svami 291.2 Kas Bhagavati sutra ; tr. with English

and notes based on the Sarkar, Jagdish Narain commentary of Abhayadeva Islam in Bengal (Thirteenth to Suri by K.C. Lalwani. -- nineteenth century). - Calcutta : Calcutta : Jain Bhavan, 1973. - Ratna Prakashan, 1972. viii, 92 v.; 22 cm. p.; 22.5 cm. Library has : vol. 1. Wormholes, pages acidified and brittle Wormholes spine Has a poetic inscription in three Has "With kindest regards to Sri colours - green, magenta and A.L. Dias, J.N. Sarkar, 8.1.73" red signed by "K.C. Lalwani, by author written on flyleaf. April 15, 1973" and "May be kept in Raj Bhavan Library," 297.7 Sar-2 written by Governor Dias in red ink in 1974. Satprem Sri Aurobindo or the adventure 294.482 of consciousness / Satprem ; tr. Lal from the French by Tehmi. - : Sri Aurobindo Syedna Taher Saifuddin, Dr. Society, 1970. 335 p. ; ill., A Philosophical discourse ; with plates, ports.; 21.5 cm. a commentary by Y. Wormholes Najmuddin. - Bombay : Al-

65 Jamea-Tus-Saifiyah, 1965. - v.; Bengal Club (1827 - 1927) / by 24 cm. H.R. Panckridge. Pub. in 1927. Library has : vol.1 Wormholes Wormholes Extensive underlining in penciland ink. Has "May be kept in Raj Bhavan Library, A.L. Dias, 367.954 Pan 1974 written by Governor Dias Bhattacharya, Bimal Kumar. in red ink on flyleaf. Has Insanity and criminal law / B.K Governor Dias' signature in red Bhattacharya. - 2nd edition. -- ink on inside cover. Calcutta : Eastern Law House, 140 Sai 1964. xxiv, 134 p.; 19 cm. Wormholes Has " Presented with best Tridandiswami Sri Srimat Vilas regards of the author to H.E. Shi Tirtha Goswami Maharaj A.L. Dias" written on flyleaf Sri Chaitanya's concept of with the author's signature. theistic Vedanta. - Madras : Sree Gaudiya Math, 1964. x, 192 p.; 22 cm. 364.34 Bha 181.48 Gos Tulsi, Acharya Chakraborty, Raghubir My religion : its center and Human Rights and the United circumference / by Acharya Nations. - New Delhi : Tulsi; tr. by N. Sahal. - Churu Progressive Publishers, 1958. (Rajasthan) : Adarsh Sahitya 218 p.; 22 cm. Sangh, 1969. 3 p.l., 142p.; 18 Has Governor Dias' signature in cm. red ink on inside cover with the English version of 'Mera year 1976 (no date, month). dharma : Kendra aur paridhi' - t.p. 323.4 Cha Wormholes. Chattopadhyaya, Debiprasad 202 Tul Individuals and societies : a Social Sciences methodological inquiry. - 2nd The Bengal Club (1827 - 1970). - ed. - Calcutta : Scientific Book Calcutta : Printed at the Agency, 1975. x, 281 p.; 22.5 Statesman Press,1970. 122 p.: cm. plates; 27 cm. Includes the 301.018 Cha article " A short history of the

66 Renaissance, nationalism and Colmcille, Mother Mary social changes in modern India. First the blade : history of the -- Calcutta : Bookland Pvt. Ltd., I.B.V.M. (Loreto) in India, 1841 1973. 4 p.l., 166 p.; 21.5 cm. -1962. - Calcutta : Firma K.L. Has Governor Dias's signature Mukhopadhyay, 1968. vii, 333 in red ink on inside cover, with p. : front., map, ports.; 22 cm. the year 1972 (no date, month)

Frontispiece of Rev. Mother M. Delphine Hart, IBVM 1st 301.240954 Dat Superior, India, 1841. Wormholes and loosened Eastern Shipping Corporation Ltd. Has "A.L. Dias" written on T.S. Dufferin (1927-1952) - flyleaf. training ship. - Bombay : Silver Jubilee Celebration Committee, 373.209 Col -1 [1952]. 3 p.l., 105 [2] p.: ill., Dasgupta, S. plates, ports; 25 cm. Fundamentals of incentives and Wormholes incentive wage systems for Has "A.L. Dias, Raj Bhavan, industrial units. -- Calcutta : Calcutta" written on flyleaf. N.M. Roychoudhury, 1972. xvi, 156 [2] p.: ill.; 25 cm. 359.54 Duf Wormholes Ghosh, S.K. Has "Presented to A.L. Dias The Interpol : International Criminal Police Organisation. - Governor of West Bengal" Calcutta : Pub. by the4 author written on first page in red for Law Research Institute, ballpoint ink, signature illegible. 1976. 136p.; 22.5 cm. Wormholes Has a label affixed on flyleaf 331.28 Das 'To Sri A.L. Dias, Governor, West Bengal with the best compliments of the author, S.K. Ghosh, 20.7.76. Dutta, Kalikinkar Acc. No. 4944

67 Mukherjee, Haridas Sri Aurobindo and the new West Bengal - an analytical thought in Indian politics : study sponsored by the Bengal being a study in the ideas of Chamber of Commerce & , based on the Industry, Calcutta. - New Delhi rare writings of Sri Aurobindo : Oxford & IBH Publishing Co., in the daily Bande Mataram 1971. xi, 208 p.: ill., fold. maps, during the year 1906-1908 / plates; 24 cm. Haridas Mukherjee, Uma Water stain Mukherjee. - Calcutta : Firma KLM, 1964. xlviii, 393 p.; 22 Has "Presented to Sri A.L. Dias cm. with warm respect, Raghubir, 8.1.75" written on flyleaf. Wormholes

Has "To Shri A.L. Dias, Governor of West Bengal, with 330.954142 Bcc-1 best regards Uma Mukherjee Literature Dr., Haridas Mukherjee Mukherjee, Dr. Ramaranjan 10.11.75" on flyleaf. Imagery in poetry : an Indian approach. -- Calcutta : Sanskrit 320.11 Muk Pustak Bhandar, 1972. 3 p.l., viii, 168 p.;22.5 cm. Rotary Club, Calcutta Fifty Golden Years; The Rotary Has "To Sri A.L. Dias with Club of Calcutta,1970. 66 p.: profound regards Ramaranjan front., plates; 24 cm. Mukherjee 16.12.72" on flyleaf. Wormholes Acc No.4943 808.1 Muk Sri Aurobindo Travel The foundations of Indian Carvalho, S.A. The Bandel Church and culture. - Pondicherry : Sri Hooghly : a historical study of Aurobindo Ashram, 1968. 3 p.l., the foundation of Hooghly in 421 p.; 22.5 cm. 1579 by the Portuguese Pedro Tavares, its golden days as the Has 'A.L. Dias" written on flyleaf. greastest port in the Mogul 301.2 Empire, its destruction by the Aur

68 Emperor Shah Jahan, and the 1943. miracle of our Lady of Bandel. - Krishnagar : St. Joseph's Press, 922.97 Gib [1972]. 4 p.l., 159 p. ill., maps; 18 cm. Gopalan, A.K. In the cause of the people : 275 Car -1 reminiscences. - Bombay : Orient Longman, 1973. 2 p.l., Rangoon : guide book. - 299 p. : plates; 22 cm. Rangoon : Directorate of Information, "To His Excellency Shri A.L. [1969]. Dias, Governor of West Bengal 222p. : ill., plates (some col).; with compliments of Orient 18.5 cm Fold. map at end. Longman Ltd" - R.N. Das dated Paperback jacket damaged. 4 February, 1973.

915.91 Ran 923.254 Gop

Egon Ronay's Dunlop guide 1973 Kasturi, N. to The life of Bhagavan Sri Sathya hotels, restaurants, inns in Great Sai Baba. - 2nd ed. - Bombay : Britain and Ireland. - London: Ratan Lal, Trustee, Sri Satya EgonRonay Organisation in Sai Education Foundation, association with Hutchinson 1971. 2 p.l., v, 236 p.: map, Pub. Group, 1973. 730p.: ill.;21 ports, plate; 18 cm. cm.

Has "Joan Dias" written on American Edition editorially flyleaf. revised in collaboration with N. 728.502 Er Kasturi by Charles Penn and others. Biography Has "Presented to Joan Dias"

written on flyleaf. Gibran, Kahlil The prophet. - London : 922.94 Kas William

Heinemann, 1939. 4 p.l.,118 p.: Kasturi, N. front., plates ; 20 cm. Sathyam Sivan . -- "Wishing you the very best " - Prasanthi Nilayam, Anantapur Nazim dated 13 November,

69 Dist. (A.P.) : Sanathana Sarathi "To Mrs. Joan Dias with Office, 1968- 1972. - v. : plates, compliments - Jamuna Nag ports; 19 cm. dated 17 February, 1973." Library has : Part I ( 1926 - 1960 ) : The life of Bhagawan 923.6 Nag Sri Sathya Sai Baba. 7th ed. Rash Behari Basu : his struggle for 1968. - Part III. Pub. in 1972. India's independence / editor- Has "Presented to Joan Dias" in- written on flyleaf. Chief; editor Sabitri Prasanna Chatterjee. - Calcutta : Biplabi 922.94 Kas / SSS Mahanayak Rash Behari Basu Smarak Samity, 1963. xxxx, Larsson, Flora 596 p.: facsims., plates, ports.; My best men are women. - 22 cm. London : Hodder & Stoughton , 1974. 187 p.; 22cm. 923.254 Cha / RB Wormholes "Presented to Mrs. Dias by Brig. Tagore, Saumyendranath Bevan of the Salvation Army"- Raja Rammohan Roy. - New flyleaf. Delhi : Sahitya Akademi,1966.

63 p.: 22 cm. 920.7 Lar Murphet, Howard Wormholes Sai Baba - man of miracles. - 923.654 Tag Madras : Macmillan Co. of Tapasyananda, Swami India Ltd., 1971. 208 [3] p.; 18 Sri Sarada Devi : the Holy cm. Mother Has "Joan Dias" written on (Her life and conversation) / life flyleaf. bySwami Tapasyananda; conversations tr. By Swami 922.94 Mur Nikhilananda. - Mylapore, Nag, Jamuna Madras: Sri Ramakrishna India's great social reformer : Math, 1969. viii, 463 p. : Raja plates; 21 cm. Rammohun Roy. - New Delhi : Book bears the signature of Sterling Pub., 1972. 3 p.l., 167 Shri A.L. Dias on back of cover. p.: front., facsim., 21.5 cm. 922.94 Sat

70 : profiles and Mukherjee, B. N. tributes / edited by K.N. Raina The Paradas : a study in their and K.V.Gopala Ratnam. - coinage and history. - Calcutta : [] : Tej Bahadur Pilgrim Publishers,1972. [xiv], Sapru Commemoration Volume 149 p.: map, plates; 21.5 cm. Committee,1971. xxviii[ii], Wormholes 280 p. : plates; 24 cm. Has Governor Dias' signature in Presented to Shri A.L. Dias old ink on inside cover and "To from R.C. Agarwal. The book Honourable Sri A.L. Dias with bears the signature of Shri A.L. the best of regards B.N. Dias. Mukherjee, 7.4.72" written on flyleaf. 923.4 Rai History 332.46 Muk

Choudhuri, Aswini Kumar Sinha, Brojo Kishore Sibi King Vessantara ; his The Pilgrim of Noakhali ( A country and cultural heritage. - souvenir album of Gandhiji's Calcutta : the author, 1974.vii, Peace Mission in Noakhali) / 136 [7] p.: maps, plates; 24.5 photographs and story by Braja cm. Kishore Sinha. - Calcutta : the Photographer, 1948. 2 p.l., 11 p. Has "With author's best : 34 plates; 19.5 x 25 cm. compliments presented to Shri A.L. Dias, Governor of W. Has "To H.E. Mrs A.L. Dias Bengal, A.K. Choudhuri with compliments from B.K. 27.1.75" on flyleaf. Sinha (the author) 32 Asutosh Mukherjee Road , Calcutta 700020" on flyleaf. 901.90954 Cho 779 Sin Sur, A.K. Hofman, David History and culture of Bengal / The renewal of civilization. - Dr. A.K. Sur; with a foreword London : George Ronald, 1960. by Dr. Kalidas Nag. -- Calcutta : 126 p.; 16 cm. the Author, 1972. 231 p. : front, Pages acidified plates; 22 cm. The book bears the signature of 297. 87 Hof A.L. Dias on flyleaf.

71 Lancelot Dias and Shrimati Joan Dias with the best compliments 901.90954142 Sur and regards of the author dated 15 July, 1976" - flyleaf. West Bengal Governor (1971-1977 : A.L. Dias) Minute of the Acc No. B266 Governor of West Bengal on the Mukhopadhyay, Uma Shrubbery grounds, Darjeeling Bharater sadhinata andolane and the Shrubbery Darjeeling '' patrikar dan ba inauguration by Shri A.L. Dias, sriaurobindo o bamlaye Governor of West Bengal on biplobbad / Uma 5th June, 1977. - (Darjeeling : Mukhopadhyay and Haridas Printed at the Govt. Press, Mukhopadhyay.-Kolkata : 1977). 1 p.l., (9) p.; 24 cm. Firma K.L. Mukhopadhyay, 1972. viii, 202 p.: ports; 22 cm. Acc. No. 5162 "To Shri A.L. Dias, Governor of West Bengal Governor (1971-1977 West Bengal, with best regards" : A.L. Dias) Speeches & - Uma Mukherjee and Haridas broadcasts from August 21 to Mukherjee - flyleaf. October 30, 1977.—Calcutta : West Bengal Government Press, Acc. No. B267 1977-78. 7 vol. ; 22 cm.

001.542 Dias/S

Bengali

Coomar, Madan Mohan Bharat-markin baniyyer pathikrit : Ramdulal De (1752- 1825).; bhumika by Ramesh Chandra Majumder. - Calcutta : Bangiya Sahitya Parisad, 1976. xi, 96 [1] p.: ill., plates (some col.) genealogical table, 21.5 cm. Brittle and wormholes "Presented to our beloved Governor Shri Anthony

72 Setting and layout by Ashim Ghatak, Subir Kumar Mondal,Tapan Mukherjee and Tuhin Mukherjee. Printed by the staff of the Raj Bhavan Press, Kolkata.

73