**Executive Summary**
On 6 July 2026, the Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Government of West Bengal, organized a series of commemorative events in Kolkata for the 125th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee. The program, part of a two-year nationwide commemoration launched in 2025, included a virtual address by the Prime Minister and the foundation stone laying for a 125-foot statue. Key activities focused on honoring Dr. Mookerjee's legacy through exhibitions, cultural tributes, and statewide educational initiatives.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Major Commemorative Events**
* **Milan Mela Main Programme:** Hosted a special exhibition featuring rare photographs, archival documents, and personal artifacts tracing Dr. Mookerjee’s life and reforms.
* **Eco Park Foundation Ceremony:** Union Minister Amit Shah performed the Bhoomi Pujan and plaque unveiling for a proposed 125-foot statue of Dr. Mookerjee.
* **Ancestral Home Visit:** Dignitaries visited Dr. Mookerjee’s residence in Bhowanipore to offer floral tributes and interact with family members.
* **Virtual Address:** Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi delivered a tribute highlighting Dr. Mookerjee’s role in preserving national integrity.
**Cultural and Multimedia Tributes**
* **Musical Performance:** A production titled "Sur, Sanskriti evam Rashtra," directed by Padma Shri Tarun Bhattacharya and featuring 57 artists, celebrated ideals of cultural nationalism.
* **Film and Technology:** The event included the screening of a short film on Dr. Mookerjee’s life and the launch of a 3D visualization video for the upcoming statue.
* **Traditional Arts:** The program commenced with a welcome by 115 artists performing traditional folk forms of West Bengal.
**Statewide Outreach**
* **Geographical Coverage:** Commemorative initiatives were conducted across all districts of West Bengal, including 47 subdivisions, 341 blocks, and 120 municipalities.
* **Academic Engagement:** Educational institutions organized seminars, lectures, and essay competitions to familiarize students with Dr. Mookerjee's contributions.
**Impact Analysis**
**Students and Educational Institutions**
**Impact**
Students gained access to historical narratives and archival materials through dedicated exhibitions and academic competitions.
**Action Required**
Participate in organized lectures, seminars, and essay competitions; visit the Milan Mela exhibition to study the life and vision of Dr. Mookerjee.
**Government of West Bengal and Local Administrative Bodies**
**Impact**
Collaborated with the Union Ministry to execute a massive statewide celebration involving multiple municipal corporations and blocks.
**Action Required**
Facilitate and oversee the local commemorative programmes and ensures the outreach of events across all 341 blocks and 120 municipalities.
**General Public of West Bengal**
**Impact**
Provided with opportunities to engage with the state's cultural heritage and witness the launch of a new landmark (the 125-foot statue) at Eco Park.
**Action Required**
Attend public exhibitions and local commemorative events to pay homage to Dr. Mookerjee’s legacy.
**Ministry of Culture (Union Government)**
**Impact**
Reinforced its commitment to a two-year nationwide commemoration of "Bharat Kesari" Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee to inspire future generations.
**Action Required**
Coordinate with state authorities and the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) to manage ongoing anniversary activities and the construction of the commemorative statue.
Key Entities Referenced
125th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee: A two-year nationwide official commemoration initiative to honor the legacy of the visionary statesman and nationalist leader.
Ministry of Culture: The primary central ministry responsible for organizing and overseeing the nationwide commemorative events and celebrations.
West Bengal (Kolkata): The central location for the primary commemorative programs, including events at Milan Mela Prangan, Eco Park, and Bhowanipore.
Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT): The coordinating body for the 'Sur, Sanskriti evam Rashtra' musical tribute featured during the commemorative functions.
Ministry of Culture
Ministry of Culture celebrates 125th Birth
Anniversary of Bharat Kesari Dr. Syama Prasad
Mookerjee in collaboration with Government of
West Bengal
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses the event
virtually
Chief Guest Shri Amit Shah visits Eco Park for Bhoomi pujan
and plaque unveiling for 125 ft. statue of Dr. Syama Prasad
along with Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Shri
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Chief Minister, West Bengal
Shri Suvendhu Adhikari
Dignitaries Visit the Ancestral Home of Dr. Syama Prasad
Mookerjee at Bhowanipore, Meet Family Members
Thousands attend the main programme at Milan Mela,
Kolkata paying homage to the life and legacy of Dr. Syama
Prasad Mookerjee
Posted On: 08 JUL 2026 6:33PM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Culture, in association with the Government of West Bengal, organized a special
commemorative programme on 6th July 2026 at Milan Mela Prangan, Kolkata, as part of the two-year
official commemoration of the 125th Birth Anniversary of Bharat Kesari Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee.
Union Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation Shri Amit Shah graced the programme as the Chief
Guest. The event was also attended by Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh
Shekhawat, Chief Minister of West Bengal Shri Suvendu Adhikari, Chief Secretary, Government of West
Bengal, Shri Manoj Agarwal, Shri Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, and other distinguished
dignitaries.
The Ministry of Culture had announced a two-year nationwide commemoration of the 125th birth
anniversary of Bharat Kesari Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee in 2025 to honour the enduring legacy of the
visionary statesman, educationist, parliamentarian and nationalist leader whose contributions significantly
shaped India’s political, cultural, educational and industrial landscape.The programmes on 6th July were held across 3 key venues covering different facets of the
commemorative functions organized by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the Govt. of West
Bengal.
VENUE 1 – MILAN MELA
MAIN PROGRAMME
A special exhibition dedicated to the life and legacy of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee was showcased at
Milan Mela Prangan which was the venue for the main programme. Through rare photographs, archival
documents, personal artefacts and immersive multimedia displays, the exhibition traced his personal
journey, ideological vision, educational reforms, and his pivotal role in strengthening India’s democratic
institutions and industrial development.
The exhibition was kept open for an additional day to ensure the general public, especially students, could
experience the historical narrative. Sanat Roy Chowdhury Institution for Girls, A.I.W.C Buniyadi
Vidyapith Girl's High School, Surah Kanya High School, Beleghata Deshbandhu High school were some
of schools from which students came to immerse themselves in the historical narrative presented in the
exhibition.The exhibition was also showcased through a series of local programmes organized across the districts and
blocks of West Bengal as part of the statewide commemoration of the 125th Birth Anniversary of Dr.
Syama Prasad Mookerjee. The commemorative initiatives witnessed extensive participation and outreach,
reflecting the widespread public engagement with the occasion. Programmes were conducted across all
districts of the state, covering 47 subdivisions, 341 blocks, 7 municipal corporations, and 120
municipalities.
In addition, educational institutions across West Bengal actively organized lectures, exhibitions, seminars,
essay competitions, cultural programmes, and other commemorative activities to familiarize students and
the wider community with the life, vision, and contributions of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee. The
extensive geographical coverage and active involvement of local administrative bodies, educational
institutions, and citizens ensured that the celebrations reached every corner of the state, making the
commemoration both inclusive and impactful.
The commemorative programme at Milan Mela Prangan began with a grand welcome by 115 artists
reflecting the rich diversity of traditional folk forms of West Bengal.It also featured the mass singing of Vande Mataram, followed by a grand musical tribute to Dr. Syama
Prasad titled "Sur, Sanskriti evam Rashtra" coordinated by the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training
(CCRT). The production featured 57 accomplished artists representing diverse streams of Indian classical,
folk and traditional music, reflecting India's rich cultural heritage and spirit of unity. Conceived as a
musical narrative, the programme celebrated Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee's enduring ideals of cultural
nationalism, national integration, education and civilizational values. The musical ensemble was directed
by Padma Shri Tarun Bhattacharya.A special highlight of the programme was when Shri Amit Shah felicitated Shri Makhanlal Sarkar a
contemporary of Dr Syama Prasad who had worked closely with him and was present at the time of his
arrest in Jammu and Kashmir. His presence in this programme added more meaning to the
commemorative efforts of the Ministry of Culture.
Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi paid rich tributes to Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his 125th birth
anniversary via a virtual address. Highlighting the profound historical significance of the day for the entire
nation and specifically for West Bengal, he led the gathering in paying heartfelt homage to one of its most
illustrious sons. He painted a vivid picture of a devoted patriot whose entire existence was dedicated to
preserving the nation’s core integrity. “Today the land of the country is reverently remembering a
visionary dedicated to the integrity of India,” observed Shri Modi.
Link to full speech - https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/news_updates/pm-addresses-125th-janma-jayanti-of-d
r-syama-prasad-mookerjee/
The programme also witnessed screening of a short film depicting the life and contributions of Dr. Syama
Prasad Mookerjee. The programme also witnessed the launch of the Concept Model and 3D Visualization
Announcement Video of the 125-foot statue of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee by the Chief Guest.
VENUE 2 – ECO PARK
BHOOMI PUJAN AND PLAQUE UNVEILING FOR
125 FT. STATUE OF DR SYAMA PRASAD MOOKERJEEEarlier in the day the dignitaries visited Eco Park to perform the Bhoomi Poojan and lay the foundation
stone for the proposed 125-foot statue of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, a landmark initiative to honour Dr.
Syama Prasad’s enduring contribution to the nation during this commemoration. A large gathering of
people were witness to this historic moment at Eco Park, Kolkata.
VENUE 3 – BHOWANIPORE
FLORAL TRIBUTE AT ANCESTRAL HOME OF DR SYAMA PRASADThe second stop for the dignitaries was at Bhawanipore, Kolkata where floral tributes were offered by the
Hon’ble Chief Guest Shri Amit Shah and other dignitaries at the residence of Dr. Syama Prasad
Mookerjee. Here the team also interacted with the family members of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee.
The two-year nationwide commemoration reflects the Government of India’s commitment to preserving
and promoting the enduring legacy of one of the country’s foremost nation-builders, inspiring present and
future generations through his ideals of nationalism, public service, and unwavering dedication to India’s
unity and progress.
Links to speeches -
1. Address by Shri Amit Shah -https://x.com/AmitShah/status/2074121043527319866
2. Address by Shri Suvendhu Adhikari –
https://www.youtube.com/live/g4k_qfRMTvE?si=7uRyypwbEt2J1Ze-
3. Address by Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat-
https://www.youtube.com/live/MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
***
M Annadurai
(Release ID: 2282548) Visitor Counter : 356
Read this release in: Urdu , ही , Tamil