Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J. P. Nadda on Tuesday unveiled The Collected Speeches of Bengal Tiger Asutosh Mookerjee, a publication by the Delhi Legislative Assembly, to mark the 162nd birth anniversary of renowned educationist and jurist Ashutosh Mookerjee.
Addressing the event at the Delhi Legislative Assembly, Nadda said India’s aspiration to become a global knowledge leader must be rooted in the vision of institution-builders like Dr Ashutosh Mookerjee. He described the compilation of 32 legislative speeches as a valuable repository of constitutional values, reasoned debate, academic freedom and nationalism.
Drawing an analogy, Nadda said that just as a mobile phone requires daily recharging, public life also needs constant intellectual renewal. He said Dr Mookerjee’s speeches continue to “recharge” minds with constitutional ideals and urged lawmakers and young people to study the volume. He also said many of Dr Mookerjee’s educational ideas resonate with the objectives of the National Education Policy, particularly its emphasis on Indian languages, value-based education and decolonising the education system.
Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta described Dr Mookerjee as an architect of India’s intellectual renaissance and said his life reflected scholarship, integrity and national service. He highlighted Dr Mookerjee’s role in defending university autonomy, supporting scholars such as C. V. Raman and Meghnad Saha, and standing by Subhas Chandra Bose during crucial moments.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the lives of great personalities must continue to inspire future generations. She linked Dr Mookerjee’s educational philosophy with the National Education Policy, saying its focus on Indian languages and value-based learning reflected principles he had advocated decades ago.
Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood said the publication revives the intellectual legacy of one of India’s greatest institution-builders at a time when India is strengthening value-based education. Deputy Speaker Mohan Singh Bisht said legislatures have a responsibility to preserve not only constitutional records but also the ideas that shaped India’s democratic evolution.
The event was attended by Union Minister of State Harsh Malhotra, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh, Members of Parliament, MLAs, academicians and scholars. The programme also featured documentaries on the Delhi Legislative Assembly and the newly released publication.
The End
