MoHI Pays Tribute to Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee on 125th Birth Anniversary

The Ministry of Heavy Industries commemorated the 125th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, a towering figure in India’s history, with a Special Lecture Session held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The event served as a tribute to the enduring legacy of a statesman whose contributions continue to influence India’s industrial and national development.

The commemorative event was graced by Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Steel, as the Chief Guest, with Shri Kamran Rizvi, Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries, serving as Guest of Honour. Also in attendance were senior officers from the Ministry, Chairpersons and Managing Directors of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), leaders from autonomous bodies, and representatives from key industry associations and councils affiliated with the Ministry.

Honouring a Visionary Nation Builder

The programme opened with the screening of a short documentary film that offered a powerful and evocative portrayal of Dr. Mookerjee’s life and ideals. The film, featuring archival footage and narrative storytelling, chronicled his evolution from a brilliant scholar to an influential member of the Constituent Assembly, and later, as India’s first Union Minister for Industry and Supply.

The tribute underscored his early advocacy for self-reliance, industrial autonomy, and a unified national identity, values that continue to guide India’s policy frameworks even today.

Ministerial Reflections: A Legacy of Courage and Nationalism

In his keynote address, Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma praised Dr. Mookerjee as a fearless parliamentarian, educationist, and nationalist whose ideas were far ahead of his time.

“Dr. Mookerjee’s belief in ‘One Nation, One Constitution’ remains a cornerstone of India’s democratic ethos,” said the Minister. “As a member of the Constituent Assembly and the first Industry Minister, he played a pivotal role in shaping post-independence India’s industrial future.”

Shri Varma highlighted how Dr. Mookerjee’s foundational work laid the basis for the creation of public sector enterprises and industrial policy frameworks that would drive India’s economic self-sufficiency in the decades that followed.

Secretary’s Address: Vision for Industrial Self-Reliance

Delivering the opening remarks, Shri Kamran Rizvi echoed similar sentiments, focusing on Dr. Mookerjee’s strategic foresight in promoting indigenous industrial growth.

“Dr. Mookerjee’s emphasis on establishing a strong and self-reliant industrial base resonates with our current national mission of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’,” Shri Rizvi remarked. “His legacy inspires us to pursue sustainable and inclusive industrial development.”

Scholarly Insights: Dr. Mookerjee’s Intellectual and Nationalist Pursuits

The session featured an address by Shri Binay Kumar Singh, Director of the Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation, who delivered an insightful lecture on the multifaceted contributions of Dr. Mookerjee to Indian politics, education, and economic planning.

Shri Singh delved into Mookerjee’s early academic brilliance—being the youngest Vice Chancellor of the University of Calcutta—his tenure in Parliament, and his ideological standpoints, particularly his advocacy for national unity, cultural integrity, and democratic federalism.

“Dr. Mookerjee’s life was marked by an unyielding commitment to national integration and selfless service,” he noted. “His thoughts remain deeply relevant as we navigate the complexities of a modern industrial economy and the challenge of national cohesion.”

Symbolic and Strategic Commemoration

The event did more than honor a historical figure—it served as a platform to reinvigorate contemporary discourse on India’s industrial and developmental strategies, viewed through the lens of Dr. Mookerjee’s philosophy.

His belief in strong institutions, moral leadership, and a nationally integrated industrial framework remains a guiding principle for the Ministry of Heavy Industries as it continues to drive growth in sectors such as defense manufacturing, clean energy, mobility, and capital goods.

The gathering concluded with renewed calls for drawing inspiration from Dr. Mookerjee’s courage, intellectual depth, and dedication to national development, particularly among young professionals, industry leaders, and civil servants committed to building a modern India.