Shantisudha Ghosh

Shantidi was an epitome of beauty, grace and erudition. Her large, expressive eyes were windows to her pure soul and she had a charming personality. But talent and success never had any impact on her humility and simplicity.

Sm Ghosh was born in the year 1907 in a village called Alokananda, in Barisal district of Bangladesh. Her father Shri Khetranath Ghosh, a contemporary of Shri Ashwini Kumar Dutta (the veteran educationist and philanthropist), was a professor in Brajamohan College in Barisal. Her Mother Sm Annada Sundari was also a learned woman. Shantidi had a pleasant memory of her birthplace which was located in the lap of nature.

As a child, Shantisudha studied in a missionary school. She was meritorious throughout and after receiving a scholarship, she joined Brahmo Balika Bidyalaya in Calcutta. But due to her failing health, she returned to Barisal and got admitted to Sadar Balika Bidyalaya. She completed her Matriculation from this school in the year 1924, securing the 6th position. Shantidi completed her Intermediate of Arts followed by Graduation with flying colours. She stayed with her brother and sister in law in Calcutta while pursuing her course from Presidency College and received a scholarship once again.

In 1928, she participated in the Congress Convention held in Calcutta and was inspired by Subhash Chandra Bose. In 1929, the freedom movement related to the bomb case of Botukeshwar Dutta, the Lahore Conspiracy Case and Jatin Das's fast unto death had a strong impact on Shantisudha. In 1930, the Chittagong Armoury Raid took place, when Shantidi was preparing for her post graduation examinations. She secured the second position in MA and then got actively involved in the freedom movement.

Sm Ghosh joined Sadar Balika Bidyalaya as a teacher temporarily in 1931. She involved her students in study circles, seminars, physical education and organised a committee called "Shaktibahini". The activities of the committee caught the attention of the British police, consequently, its name had to be changed to "Mahilabahini". At this point of time, Shantidi was the Principal of Saraswat Balika Bidyalaya. She also started contributing articles for the journal "Jayashree".

In the year 1932, Shantisudha joined Victoria Institute in Calcutta, as a teacher of Mathematics. She came in contact with several freedom fighters and got involved in the movement more actively. She formed another committee with students and tried to merge this with the one in Barisal in order to create a larger organisation that would function more effectively.

While working in Victoria Institute, she got involved in a fraud case related to Grindlays Bank and was put behind bars for a month. Later she was proved innocent but immediately after her acquittal, she was arrested once again as per the 'Bengal Amended Criminal Law'. This time she was kept in confinement in her ancestral house at Barisal and she utilised the time in writing a novel.

Shantidi's health started deteriorating due to which she took permission to spend a year in Puri. She then got the opportunity to join B.M.College as a professor in Barisal and was relieved from her confinement. Soon after, she became the Commissioner of Barisal Municipal Corporation.

In the year 1938, Shantisudha was introduced to the great revolutionary Satindra Sen in Calcutta. Her heart filled with respect and she was truly inspired by this eminent freedom fighter. With his help, Shantidi got the opportunity to meet Gandhiji when the latter visited Dhaka in 1940. She got involved in the Quit India Movement in 1942 and was jailed again.

During the famine in Bengal in 1943, Sm Ghosh dedicated herself completely to relief work, helping the poverty stricken people. She created "Mahila Shilpabhawan" for women which was a permanent organisation dedicated to weaving.

Shantidi got permission from the government to re-join her college in 1944 in Barisal. After India's independence, she stayed there and continued teaching and writing articles. Soon, East Bengal witnessed unrest when thousands of Hindus started migrating to West Bengal. Satin Sen remained in East Bengal to help the needy and deprived people.

In 1949, Shantisudha lost her father. This was followed by severe riots in 1950 which she faced for five nights continuously at Alokananda. She penned down the incident which was published as "Pancharatri". Satin Sen stood up for the Hindu minorities, he was arrested and later released, thereafter.

Meanwhile, Shantidi's mother fell sick. She was taken to Calcutta for treatment when Sm Ghosh received an offer from Asansol College for the post of Principal. She accepted the offer and returned to Barisal. A month later, her mother passed away. In August 1950, she joined the college in Asansol and continued there for some time followed by a stint in Hooghly Mahila College. In eighteen years of her tenure as Principal, she earned the respect and love from innumerable students.

In Calcutta, Satin Sen's followers had created "Satindra Palli" near Garia, an enclave of freedom fighters, in his memory. After her retirement from Hooghly College, Shantisudha Ghose decided to spend her retired life in this beautiful place amidst lush greenery. She was someone who never expressed her grievances or difficulties to anyone and was always against publicity.

This true patriot and eminent freedom fighter left her body in the year 1992 at the age of 85. Before leaving the world, she proved that she had great respect for Sri Aurobindo. On the auspicious day of August 15, 1989, Shantidi came to Lakshmi's House and formally made an offering of the property of Satindra Palli to Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. She had worked for women empowerment throughout her life and therefore, took this decision after ensuring that activities related to women empowerment would be carried out in Satindra Palli. Honouring her wish, Saris, gamchhas and napkins were made and supplied to Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry, from this establishment's own weaving machine.