Sunday, February 12, 2012

Visitors in Saniniketan & Oten episode in Calcutta


In this year several national and international visitors came to Santiniketan. On 14th July the Egyptian poet Wedth El Boustany came to Santiniketan . In the month of Sept came a Professor from Gurukul School of Hardwar to see the functioning of Santiniketan. two persons came from Tanjore. After the Puja vacation, the Principal, Mr.Warren  of London Missionary College and many important persons from different parts from within and outside India  came to visit Santiniketan.One Professor from Gurukul School of Hardwar came to visit Asram and wanted to inspect the works for for days. Lawrence and Young from Delhi College, Pro.Thomson of hazaribagh College , a teacher Macdonald from Scotland, Mrs Sanard of exterior religious propagandist, religious head of Budha Maha Sangha Purnanandaswami, and Mr.Marshal from America..
      Due to the First World War, the end of 1915 and the beginning of 1916 became more significant in national and international politics. This changed situation induced drastic changes to educational system in India. A few English people wanted to stand in the way of progress in the education planned to implemented by Sir Ashutosh Mukhopadhyay. In the meeting of the Senate of Calcutta University, Dr. E.R.Watson  wanted to implement an enquiry committee for increase of percentage of pass in the Matriculation and B.A. examination. It is to be noted that the insinuation is to the Bengali examiners. The Prof. of History at that time in Presidency College was Prof. E.F,Oaten. He  always looked upon Indian culture and civilsation and expressed it to the students of Presidency College which was disliked by the students.They protested it and lodged a written complain to the Pricipal. But that did not yield desired result. Oneday they manhandled Prof. Oaten in the corridor. Subhas Chandra Bose was the then leader of the student. He was called for the explanation . Subhas Chandra was repentant of the behavior of the students but did not beg pardon unequivocally. H was rusticated and his name was struck off from the roles. In an essay "Chatra Shasan" written by Rabindranath justified the action of the students though he was not in favor of misconduct of the students to their teachers.