Haripada Mondal

Haripada Mondal (Bengali: শ্রী হরিপদ মন্ডল; 14 November 1925 – 13 June 2021) was a Bengali Indian educationist, reformist and philanthropist. He was an academic, writer, intellectual and humanitarian. He was a man of progressive views, and a scholar whose contribution to the Bengali literature is substantial. He was awarded the "2019 Vidyasagar Puraskar" on the 200th birthday of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, 26 September 2019, by the council of Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, West Bengal, India, for his knowledge and contributions to the Bengali literature. He was the Head Master of Midnapore Collegiate School, Midnapore, West Bengal, for 26 years (1966–1992), and as Secretary for 13.5 years. He founded Jahanabad Santosh Smriti Shikshamandir (জাহানাবাদ সন্তোষ স্মৃতি শিক্ষামন্দির), Midnapore, in 1967, and co-founded Midnapore Collegiate Girls' High School and Midnapore Collegiate Primary School in 1969.. He was Assistant Secretary of the Educationists' Association for the establishment of the Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, West Bengal. The Sanskrit word "Vidya" means knowledge and "Sagar" means Ocean. So, "Vidya Sagar" means "Ocean of Knowledge". 
=== Early life and family ===
Haripada Mondal was born on 14 November 1925 in the village of Jahanabad in the East Midnapore district of West Bengal. Sivaprasad Mondal (শিবপ্রসাদ মন্ডল) was his father and Neerada Debi (নীরদা মন্ডল) was his mother. As was the tradition, he was married at the age of about twenty-five to Aloka Bhowmik. Swarnakamal (স্বর্নকমল; eldest son) and Ratnakamal (রত্নকমল) are his two sons and Sumita (সুমিতা; youngest) is his only daughter. Haripada came from a poor family and was brought up in Midnapore, where he did most of his studies. Because of the economic hardship, he spent his childhood amidst scarcity of basic resources.
==== Education ====
Haripada focused his determination in his studies in literature. He received his primary education from Jahanabad Primary School (1933–38), secondary education from Ajoya Middle English School (1939–40), and his higher secondary education from Kalagechia Jagadish Vidyapith (1941–45), formerly a National School. He received his college education from Seth Anandram Jaipuria College (1945–46), Calcutta, and from Contai Prabhat Kumar College (1946–1950), Midnapore (1945–46), and the University of Calcutta. 
He received an M.A. (English) degree in 1964, B.Ed. degree in 1953 from David Hare Training College (1952–1953), the University of Calcutta and Sahitya Bharati-Visva Bharati (equivalent to M.A. degree in Bengali) from Lok-Siksha Samsad of Santiniketan in 1955. In 1957, he received Career Master's training from the Bureau of Psychological and educational Research, Calcutta.
==== Teaching career ====
Haripada Mondal served as the Headmaster of Midnapore Collegiate School, Midnapore, West Bengal, for 26 years (1966–1992), and as Secretary for 13.5 years. Midnapore Collegiate School is one of the oldest schools in Bengal. Brahmo Samaj leader Rishi Rajnarayan Basu, an Indian writer and intellectual of the Bengal Renaissance, was headmaster there (1851–1868), and Khudiram Bose, a martyr of the Indian Independence Movement, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, and Manik Bandopadhyay were amongst the notable alumni. Before becoming headmaster of Midnapore Collegiate School, he was headmaster of Panskura Bradley Birt High School (1965–1966) and of Deriachak Sri Arobindo Vidyamath (Higher Secondary School) (1958–1964), Panskura, Midnapore. He was assistant headmaster in Mechada Gopalganj P.N. Banibhawan (1957–1958), East Midnapore. He was a teacher in Taltala High School, Kolkata (1956–1957), Ajoya Annada Vidyamandir, East Midnapore (1951–1956), Rajaramchak Sikshaniketan (Higher Secondary School), Nandigram, East Minapore, and Deriachak Sri Aurobinda Vidyamath (1958–1964) He also served as teacher in Asthichak Surendra Jogendra Vidyapith (High School), Egra, East Midnapore.
He served as the President of Midnapore District Head Masters' Association, Bangiya Sahitya Parishat, Midnapore branch, Vidyasagar Smaran Samity, Midnapore, and as the Vice President of Rajnarayan Basu Smriti Raksha Samity, District Schools Sports Association, Midnapore, and Mdnapore Art College and Silpi Chakra. He was the editor of a monthly magazine Mahua for two years. He took over the position of Assistant Secretary of Educationists’ Association formed by the renowned Professor Dr. Anil Kumar Gain(Gayen) for the establishment of the Vidyasagar University, Midnapore.
===== Honors and contribution to literature =====
Haripada Mondal received several awards. The Council of Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, West Bengal, honored him with "2019 Vidyasagar Puraskar" on the 200th birthday of Pundit Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar, 26 September 2019, for his knowledge in literature and contribution to the Bengali literature. On 10 December 2010, "The Mukta Alo", an organization for literary and social advancement of Behala, Kolkata honored him with the "Dr. Jadunath Mukherjee Social Service Smriti Puraskar". On 28 January 1994 and 1999, the Honorable Governor of West Bengal, Shri Raghunath Rao Reddy honored him, in a colorful fashion at Haldia along with Freedom fighters (Swatantra Sainiks), in recognition of his humble career. On 21 January 1999, the Governor of West Bengal, Shri A.R. Kidwai, honored him at the Haldia Utsab (হলদিয়া উৎসব). On 16 September 1998, Amitava Ghosh, the Honorable Director of the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur), Midnapore, honored him as one of the five active participators of National Movement and Sufferers in a special ceremony for the Martyrs Day where he delivered a speech in English on the subject of his participation in the freedom movement in Midnapore. On 5 September 1999, the Central Lions Club of Midnapore honored him for his social and educational works in the district of Midnapore. On 11 December 1994, the D.S.S.A. of Midnapore honored him with life-long distinction as one of the nine pioneers of the Games and Sports Organization for School boys and Girls. On 17 April 1998, the Hemchandra Kanungo Smriti Raksha Samity of Radhanagar, Midnapore, honored him as a prolific writer and social worker.
As a scholar and academician, Haripada's contribution to Bengali literature was substantial. After doing extensive research to maintain authenticity he authored and edited books on and biographies of Rajnarayan Basu, Acharya Brajendra Nath Seal, Tribeni Sangame, Rabindranath Tagore, Brajendra Nath Seal, Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis (ত্রিবেণী সঙ্গমে - রবীন্দ্রনাথ ঠাকুর (১৮৬১-১৯৪১), ব্রজেন্দ্রনাথ শীল (১৮৬৪-১৯৩৮), প্রশান্তচন্দ্র মহলানবিশ (১৮৯৩-১৯৭২) (স্মৃতি-অর্ঘ্য)), Bhagabati Debi (বিদ্যাসাগর - জননী ভগবতী দেবী) and Swami Amalananda (স্বামী অমলানন্দ). His other literary works are: Chhotoder Sri Aurobindo (ছোটদের শ্রীঅরবিন্দ), Sri Aurobindo, Sister Nivedita, Bhagini Nivedita (ভগিনী নিবেদিতা), Medinipurey Gandhiji (মেদিনীপুরে গান্ধীজি), Medinipurey Jananayak Subhas Chandra (Subhas Chandra Bose; মেদিনীপুরে জননায়ক সুভাষচন্দ্র), Medinipurey Rabindranath (Rabindranath Tagore; মেদিনীপুরে রবীন্দ্রনাথ), Medinipur and Bankimchandra (মেদিনীপুর ও বঙ্কিমচন্দ্র), Samsar Jibone Sarada Ramkrishna (Ramakrishna Sarada Devi, সংসার জীবনে সারদা রামকৃষ্ণ), Saheed Khudiram Bose (শহীদ ক্ষুদিরাম), Saheed Khudiram Bose Kanai O Satyen (শহীদ ক্ষুদিরাম, কানাই ও সত্যেন), Suptibhanga (Bengai Poems; সুপ্তিভঙ্গ - কবিতা), Peddie, Douglas O Burge – Nidhan Kahini (পেডি ডগলাস ও বার্জ নিধনের কাহিনী), Swami Amalananda (Souvenir edited in Bengali), Vivekananda Speaks (Swami Vivekananda), A short History of Midnapore Collegiate School (মেদিনীপুর কলেজিয়েট স্কুলের ইতিকথা), A Short History of Midnapore College & Contai P.K. College, Sikshabrati Girish Chandra (Girish Chandra Ghosh) (শিক্ষাব্রতী গিরিশচন্দ্র), Our Education - Brajendra Nath Seal, Aamader Shiksha O Samaj (Rajnarayan) (আমাদের শিক্ষা ও সমাজ - রাজনারায়ন বসু , Premabatar Sri Chaitanya (Chaitanya Mahaprabhu) (প্রেমাবতার শ্রীচৈতন্য). His lengthy writing career and his many published works have enriched the depth of Bengali literature.
==== Invitations to lecture ====
Haripada Mondal was invited to deliver following lectures:
# On 13 March 2014, in commemoration of 150th birthday of Acharya Brajendra Nath Seal, the Indian Statistical Institute, Baranagar, Kolkata, invited him to deliver a lecture on "Bengali people|Bengali philosopher Brajendra Nath Seal, Biswakobi Rabindranath Tagore and the father of modern statistics Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis: their inheritance".
# On 20 March 2014, the "Department of Philosophy of the Life World" of Vidyasagar University invited him to deliver a lecture on "Acharya Brajendra Nath Seal: the Man and Philosopher".
# On 23 March 2015, in commemoration of 150th birthday of Acharya Brajendra Nath Seal, The Asiatic Society invited him to deliver a lecture on "Acharya Brajendra Nath Seal (1864-1938) and Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941)".
# On 25 August 2008, the cabinet minister of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India) invited him as an author of the biography of Khudiram Bose and the headmaster of Midnapore Collegiate School, to the Shastri Bhawan in New Delhi to deliver lecture on "The Alma Mater of Saheed Khudiram Bose".
====== Social reforms and influences ======
While at high school, Haripada Mondal joined the Quit India Movement (1942) of the Indian National Congress, to bring India to Independence by the guidance of Sm. Abha Maiti, Pravas Giri, Amulya Ratan Bhowmik, Rabindra Nath Maity, Nikunja Behari Maity and Sripatipada Pakhira. He has always been an ardent advocate of women's education. His views are against the oppression that the society inflicts on women. His compassion helped many to improve the quality of life. He has been remembered for his contributions to Bengali literature and towards the removal of social injustice and the empowerment of women. He founded Jahanabad Santosh Smriti Shikshamandir (জাহানাবাদ সন্তোষ স্মৃতি শিক্ষামন্দির), Midnapore, in 1967 and co-founded Midnapore Collegiate Girls' High School in 1969, and Midnapore Collegiate Primary School in the same year. His interest in revolutionizing education eventually led him to take the position of Assistant Secretary of the Educationists’ Association formed by the noted Indian mathematician and statistician, a Fellow of the Royal Statistical Society and the head of the Department of Mathematics at the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur), Anil Kumar Gain, the founder of Vidyasagar University.
He was inspired by the philosophies of the great poet Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna, and he integrated some of their ideas into his philosophical vision. He also had the good luck of having spiritual blessings from holy persons like Swami Anandananda of R.K. Mission, Swami Vedananda and Vijnanananda of Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Swami Visokananda of Ramakrishna Mission, the president of the Belur Math and Mission, Srimat Swami Ranganathananda, the Vice President of R.K. Math and Mission, Srimat Swami Yatiswarananda Maharaj, Amalendu Basu (Calcutta University), Latika Ghosh (Niece of Sri Aurobindo), Sushila Mondal (Principal), Swami Pranjnanda of RamaKrishna Vedanta Math, Kolkata.
During his school and college life, he was blessed to have ideal teachers like Upendranath Baul (1883-1947), Girish Chandra Maity, Siddeswar Sahoo (afterward Swami Amalananda of RamaKrishna Mission), Santosh Kumar Era, Prasanna Kumar Pakhira, Bhuban Chandra Panda and Kunja Behari Jana.
Swami Mumukshananda (popularly known as Ranjan Maharaj; early name was Chittaranjan Das) a governing body member of of Ramakrishna Math and a trustee of Ramakrishna Mission, Chittranjan Maity (1926-2013), Professor, Poet and writer of Asutosh College, Kolkata, and Dr. Prabodh Kumar Bhowmik (1926-2003), an Anthropologist, writer and founder of Bidisha, Midnapore, Pitambar Das, the recipient of National Teacher Award, the legendary ex-Headmaster of Banamalichatta High School, Nani Gopa Maiti, Santosh Kumar Jana, Adhar Chandra Das (his classmate), Jadupati Karan, and Harihar Maity were among his most prominent best friends.
====== Personality of Haripada Mondal ======
Haripada Mondal had a soft heart for the plight of others.. He offered his help to colleagues, friends or students in distress. He spent some of his salary to pay for the expenses of poor students. He demonstrated simplicity all through his life. He lived a simple life, with only the necessities that he needed. He liked to wear clothes made out of khadi (Indian homespun cotton cloth). He believed in his own principles. He preferred to overcome obstacles that came his way with love and peace.
====== Death of Haripada Mondal ======
Haripada Mondal spent his time in two of his residences, one in Burge Town and the other in Kamarara, West Midnapore. On 29 May 2021, he was diagnosed positive for COVID-19. On 31 May 2021, he was admitted to the Calcutta National Medical College (also known as Calcutta National Medical College and Chittaranjan Hospital, Kolkata) for treatment. On 13 June 2021, he died, leaving behind his wife, Aloka Mondal, a COVID-19 survivor, his son Swarnakamal Mondal and his daughter Sumita Mandal. Unfortunately, before his death, his younger son, Ratnakamal Mondal died of a heart blockage on 4 June 2021 whilst in critical condition in the intensive care unit.
 
Category:1925 births
Category:2021 deaths 
Category:Educators from West Bengal
Category:Indian reformers 
Category:Indian philanthropists