The Union Cabinet recently approved the renaming of Kolkata Port as Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port. The announcement was initially made during the 150th anniversary celebration of the trust. This article delves into the significance of the port, its history, governance, and the legacy of the esteemed Syama Prasad Mookerjee.
Kolkata Port: India’s Oldest Operating Port
Established by the British East India Company, the Kolkata Port holds the distinction of being the oldest functioning port in the country. Unique in its design and structure, the Kolkata Port is the only Major Port situated along a river in India. Its navigational channel earned recognition for being one of the lengthiest in the globe.
A Gateway to Eastern India
Kolkata Port serves as a crucial point of trade and commerce for the expansive hinterland that encompasses all of Eastern India, including regions like Bihar and Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, the port also facilitates trade for the two Himalayan kingdoms devoid of any coastal access – Nepal and Bhutan. Thus, it is a significant link connecting these landlocked regions with other parts of the world.
Governance of The Kolkata Port
Managed autonomously by the Kolkata Port Trust, the port operates under the Ministry of Shipping. Its administration is governed by the Major Port Trusts Act of 1963.
Remembering Syama Prasad Mookerjee (1901-1953)
Born into a Bengali family, Syama Prasad Mookerjee led a life of commitment and dedication to public service. He was a prominent figure in the Hindu Mahasabha and held ministerial positions within the Bengal government in 1937.
Mookerjee was an active member of the Constituent Assembly and later became a part of the first Lok Sabha. He came on board as a minister in Nehru’s first cabinet post-independence but exited in 1950 owing to differences over relations with Pakistan.
As a strong opposition to India’s policy of granting autonomy to Jammu & Kashmir, Mookerjee was arrested during the Jana Sangh’s protest against this stance. Unfortunately, he passed away while in detention.
He is credited as the founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, which eventually evolved into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that we know today.
This Union Cabinet’s decision to rename Kolkata Port as Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port is a tribute to Mookerjee’s significant contributions to Indian politics and governance.
