Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Bengal to teach Syama Prasad Mukherjee in syllabus from 2027
Leaders in West Bengal have decided to teach students about a man named Syama Prasad Mukherjee.
He was an important leader in India's history.
The Chief Minister announced this plan on Thursday.
Students from primary school all the way to university will learn about him from 2027.
He was the first Education Minister of independent India.
The government also plans to build a huge 125-foot statue of him in a park in Kolkata.
They will also turn his old family home in Jirat into a library and museum.
Special books will be published about his life.
People will be able to share their ideas on a website.
The plan is part of a year-long celebration to remember his contributions.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that Syama Prasad Mukherjee's life and contributions will be added to school and university syllabi from the next academic year, 2027.
A high-level state committee approved projects including a 125-foot statue and museum at Kolkata's Eco Park, with formal inauguration targeted for July 6, 2027.
The government will renovate Mukherjee's ancestral property at Jirat in Hooghly, building a modern library named after Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee and a museum on 30 decimals of land.
Commemorative books will be published, including a manuscript prepared with the initiative of former governor Tathagata Roy and support from a Ramakrishna Mission institution, plus a Bengali and English booklet.
An Information and Cultural Affairs Department digital portal will invite suggestions from citizens, researchers and historians, with 15 to 30 days to submit input as part of the year-long initiative.
- Who
- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and a high-level state government committee, including ministers, legislators, senior bureaucrats, union government department representatives and former governor Tathagata Roy.
- What
- Syama Prasad Mukherjee's life and contributions will be added to the school and university curriculum, alongside projects for a 125-foot statue and museum at Eco Park, renovation of his ancestral home in Jirat, and publication of commemorative books.
- When
- Announced on Thursday, with curriculum changes from the next academic year (2027) and the statue's formal inauguration targeted for July 6, 2027.
- Where
- West Bengal, including Kolkata's Eco Park and Mukherjee's ancestral property at Jirat in Hooghly.
- Why
- To highlight Mukherjee's nationalist ideology, patriotism, and role in the freedom movement, the establishment of West Bengal, India's Kashmir policy and independent India's development, and to inspire the younger generation.
- Announced by
- Suvendu Adhikari, Chief Minister of West Bengal
- Curriculum change
- From primary level to universities, starting next academic year (2027)
- Commemoration projects
- 125-foot statue and museum at Kolkata's Eco Park (inauguration targeted July 6, 2027)
- Jirat heritage project
- Modern library named after Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee and museum on 30 decimals of land
- Mukherjee's historical role
- Independent India's first Industry and Education Minister
- Publications
- Two special books, a manuscript backed by a Ramakrishna Mission institution, and a bilingual Bengali-English booklet
- Public consultation
- Digital portal inviting suggestions from citizens, researchers, historians and organisations, open for 15-30 days