Personalities from the literature arena are highly delighted after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced an allocation of Rs 1.82 crore for the renovation of the birthplace of literary legend Sarat Chandra Chatterjee at Debanandapur village near Bandel. Her assurance that the state government will commence work soon has also brought cheer.
Paying tribute to the famous novelist on his birth anniversary, the Chief Minister said that once the renovation of his historic birthplace is completed, Debanandpur village in the Chinsurah sub-division of Hooghly district will be another attraction on the tourism map of the state. The village is 2 km from Bandel railway junction, and 53 km by road from Kolkata.
Sarat Chatterjee was born on 15 September, 1876. He spent his childhood and adolescence in this village. A major part of his educational life was spent here. Many of the novels he wrote later, like Devdas, Parinita, Griha Daha, Datta and Srikanth were inspired by this village.
CM Mamata Banerjee recently posted a heartwarming message on X, paying tribute to the renowned author on his birth anniversary. “In his various novels and other writings, he portrayed the joys and sorrows, love and separations, social injustices, and traditions of Bengali life with such simplicity and skill that it is rare even in world literature.
“His works such as Pather Dabi, Datta, Grihadaha, Devdas, and countless others have enriched the Bengali language and culture, making him eternal. Indian literature and cinema remain forever indebted to him.
“I am proud that our state government has undertaken and has completed proper restoration of this legendary figure’s residence in Deulti on the banks of the Rupnarayan in Howrah. And now his birthplace in Devanandapur, Hooghly, will be repaired and spruced up.
“In Deulti, we have beautifully restored his heritage house. Now, countless people visit to see it. For their convenience, arrangements for roads, lighting, drinking water, and everything else have been made. Additionally, we are establishing a ‘Sarat Chandra Memorial Park and Information Center’ there. For the restoration of his birthplace in Devanandapur, Hooghly, we have allocated 1 crore 82 lakh rupees, and work will commence soon. In a short time, Devanandapur will also rise further on the state’s tourism map.”
The Chief Minister emphasised that the renovation of Chatterjee’s birthplace and residence will not only promote tourism but also help preserve the cultural heritage of West Bengal.
Partha Chatterjee, a teacher of Balagarh College, who is also a regional history researcher has urged the setting up of a Sarat Chandra Gobesona Kendra (research centre).