Janmadwishatabarshe Vidyasagar by Dwijendra Bhowmick [Hardcover]

Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar: A Timeless Reformer

Be it education or social reform, wherever Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar took a step forward, he was met with resistance—not just from the so-called progressive British rulers, but also from the educated middle class and scholarly elites of his own country. Instead of supporting his efforts, they often stood as obstacles.

As Rabindranath Tagore once remarked:
"That is why Vidyasagar was unique in Bengal. It seemed as though he had no compatriot or companion here. Due to the absence of an equal collaborator in this country, he endured a lifelong exile."

With time, many of Vidyasagar’s contributions have earned their place in history. However, Barnaparichay, the primer through which millions of children began their education, is no longer widely used in primary schools. Yet, the sheer magnitude of reforms he achieved almost single-handedly remains unparalleled in the Indian subcontinent.

In today’s socio-political landscape—where inhumanity and divisive politics based on religion and caste threaten the very essence of humanity—Vidyasagar’s ideals are more relevant than ever. He was a man who never placed individual identity above social responsibility. His understanding of history was undeniable and remains a guiding force in times of crisis.

This book features writings by Swapan Chakrabarti, Semanti Ghosh, Shubhendu Sarkar, Kanai Lal Ray, Abir Kar, Bhabaniprasad Mukhopadhyay, Gopa Dutta Bhaumik, Oindrila Maiti Surai, Anirban Ray, Sourin Bhattacharya, Ashish Lahiri, Sanjay Mukhopadhyay, Ramanuj Mukhopadhyay, Gautam Basumallik, and Ashish Pathak.

Edited by: Dwijendra Bhaumik.
Includes translated essays by: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and Hermann Brockhaus.