New Delhi:
The Department of Posts, Government of India, released a special commemorative postage stamp on Wednesday to celebrate the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee. He was one of India's leading nationalist leaders, educators, and political thinkers. The stamp was unveiled at a ceremony at Siri Fort Auditorium in the national capital.
The Ministry of Culture organized the event, which included Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh, among other dignitaries. Col. Akhilesh Kumar Pandey, Chief Postmaster General of Delhi Circle, presented the first stamp album.
The program featured cultural performances like patriotic instrumental music, a theatrical piece by the National School of Drama, and a short documentary about Dr. Mookerjee's life and legacy. An exhibition showcased his contributions to education, industry, national integration, and constitutional development.
Designed by Smt. Nenu Gupta, the stamp honors Mookerjee’s lasting legacy as the founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the ideological predecessor of today’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). A prominent academic and statesman, Mookerjee became the youngest Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calcutta at 33 and served as India’s first Minister for Industry and Supply in independent India's cabinet under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
In his keynote address, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat called Mookerjee “a patriot who stood for India's unity and integrity.” Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted Mookerjee's role in the constitutional integration of Jammu and Kashmir and his lifelong commitment to inclusive development based on Indian values.
A specially designed First Day Cover and an informative brochure were also released as part of the philatelic set. These items, along with the commemorative stamp, are available at Philatelic Bureaus across India and online through www.epostoffice.gov.in.
Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee was born in 1901 in Kolkata. His legacy still impacts India's political and educational landscape. His birth anniversary on July 6 is observed every year to honor his contributions to the nation’s progress and unity.
