Shanti Ghosh (Das) (1916-1989) Swami Vivakananda once exhorted Indian youths, “Don’t forget from your very birth you are destined to be sacrificed at the altar of the Motherland.” Who knew this message of the Swamiji was one day to find an amazing fulfillment in one of his close relations of his sister’s grand daughter, Shanti Ghosh. Shanti even in her early teens felt herself marked for a life dedicated to the cause of her country’s freedom. Shanti was born in Calcutta on 22 November 1916. Her father Devendernath Ghosh , who originally came from Barisal district, was a Professor in Comilla College. Her patriotic fervour influnced Santi in her very early age. In her autograph book Bimalpraiva Devi, a well known revolutionary , once wrote, “ BE LIKE THE SANTI OF BANKIM’S ANANDMATH” and Netaji Subash Chandra wrote, “ TO PRESERVE THE HONOUR OF WOMENHOOD , TAKE UP ARMS YOURSELVES, YE MOTHERS” all these blessings gave added inspiration to the young girl who was preparing herself for the mission that she felt awaited her. When she was a student of Faizunnesa Girl’s School, she came in contact with the JUGANTAR party through her classmate Prafullanalini Brahma and undertook various kinds of training necessary for the revolutionary worker. Soon one day came to her the great call to dedicate her young life at the altar of the motherland. And unhesitatingly, smilingly and bravely she respond to it. On 14th December 1931 , she along with classmate Suniti shot-dead Stevens the District Magistrate of Comilla. This heroic action of the two young girls thrilled the country from one end to the other. Under the gaze of wonder, admiration and affection of millions of her countrymen, Santi along with Suniti went behind the prision bars with a sentence of Life-transportation bidding adieu to a life of ease, comfort and worldly success that could have been hers for the mere asking. Her worthy mother, Sailabala Ghosh wrote to her in prison, “DARLING THE GOD OF PRAHLAD HAS PUT ON SHACKELS ON YOUR TENDER YOUNG HANDS. AND IT IS HE WHO WILL PROTECT YOU AND RETURN YOU BACK TO MY BOSOM.” In prison Santi was separated from her comrade Suniti and kept solitary confinement. For some time, it was too much for an exuberant girl of fifteen. In 1937 , along with many political prisoners, she got an eary release. After release she resumed her studies and in 1942 married Chittaranjan Das, an Ex-revolutionary worker of Chittagong. She was a member of the West Bengal Legislative Council and of the Legislative Assembly for a long period (1952-1968). Her autobiographical book “ARUNBANHI” won great appreciation from many. She died on 28th March 1989 her only successor grandson CHANDER DAS (working in Vodafone at Kolkatta) & Daughter in Law now living in Kolkatta……..
Posted on: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 16:07:13 +0000
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