In news- September 26th marked the birth anniversary of social reformer Ishwar Chandra Bandyopadhyay.
About Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar-
- He was born in Birsingha village in Hooghly district of Bengal on September 26, 1820.
- He had a qualification in Sanskrit Grammar, literature, dialectics, Vedanta, smriti, and astronomy.
- He got himself enrolled in the Sanskrit College in Calcutta and passed out in 1841.
- He was given the honorific title “Vidyasagar” (“Ocean of Knowledge” from Sanskrit) after his incredible performance in undergraduate studies of Sanskrit and philosophy in the Sanskrit College in Calcutta.
- People also referred to him as ‘Daya-r Sagar’ in recognition of his benevolence.
- In 1851, he became the principal at Sanskrit College, where he had earlier served earlier stints as assistant secretary and literature professor.
- He introduced monthly exams instead of annual ones, supervised schools, and changed the syllabus.
- He brought the study of English, Western Science, and Mathematics into the syllabus.
- He was a prominent campaigner for Hindu widow remarriage.
- Lord Dalhousie personally finalised the bill and the Hindu Widows’ Remarriage Act, 1856 was passed.
- He contributed to the removal of social justice, upliftment of women, and advocating against polygamy.
- He opened schools for girls and brought significant reforms in the education sector.
- He is known as the ‘father of Bengali prose’.
- His book ‘Borno Porichay’, which means introduction to the alphabet, is a popular primer in Bengal to this date.
- He translated William Shakespeare’s plays to Bengali.
- His other works involved Betaal Panchavinsati, Banglar Itihaas, Jivancharita, Shakuntala, Mahabharata, Seetar Vanavas, Bhrantivilaas, Oti Alpa Hoilo, Aabaar Oti Alpa Hoilo, Brajavilaas and Ratnopariksha.
Source: India Today
