Members Bioprofile                               

MAHATA, SHRI DEBENDRA NATH, B.Sc., B.A., (Cong.) West Bengal-Purulia—1971, Son of late Shri Ramjiban Mahata; b. at Vill. and P.O. Ichag, P.S. Jhalda, Distt. Purulia, March 1, 1918; ed. at Ichag Primary School, Jhalda Middle School, Manbhum Victoria Institution, Purulia, St. Columbus’s College, Hazaribagh, Bangabasi and Vidyasagar Colleges Calcutta, Calcutta University and Ranchi University (completed B.L. part I); m. Smt. Bhabarani Debi, 1945; 5 s. and 3 d.; Agriculturist and practising Homoeopathy; Member, A.I.C.C.; Ex-President; D.C.C., Manbhum and General Secretary, D.C.C., Purulia; at present President, D.C.C., Purulia; Member, Bihar Legislative Assembly, 1950-56; Parliamentary Secretary to the Chief Minister of Bihar in Political and Appointment Department, 1952-56; Member, West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 1956-1966 and 1969-70; Member, (i) State Forest Advisory Board, Bihar, (ii) State Backward Classes Advisory Board, Bihar, (hi) District Education Planning Committee, Manbhum, Bihar, (iv) Bihar University Senate, 1954-56; (v) District Development Board, 1953-56, (vi) J.K. College Purulia from 1953-54 to 1970, (vii) Tata College, Chaiba, 1955, (viii) Medical Board for Bankura, 1963-65, (ix) Purulia Government Girls School, 1955-57, (x) Purulia Polytechnic since 1965, (xi) Durgi S.P. Technical Junior Training School, 1969 (xii) Purulia Hospital Advisory Board, 1965-66, (xiii) West Bengal I.N.T.U.C, 1959-60, (xiv) State Community Development Board West Bengal, 1963-66; and (xv) State Fishery Advisory Board, West Bengal, 1962-66; President, (i) Muri Aluminium Workers’ Union, 1962-63,(ii) South Eastern Railwaymen’s Congress, Anora, 1960-61, (iii) Primary Teachers’ Association, Purulia since 1966; and (iv) Gorachand Granthagor, Ichag; Chairman, Purulia Zila Parishad in October, 1964; Founder and Headmaster, Jargo High School; President, Jargo High School; Secretary and Headmaster, Ichag; Jr. Basic School; Secretary, Ichag Girls School; Chairman of Appointment and Transport Committee, Purulia School Board, 1965-67; Member, Advisory School Board, Purulia, 1970-71; Editor “Jana Awhan” fortnightly; Member, P.A.C., 1971.

Social activities.—Worked for the uplift of the backward classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes specially in Chotanagpur; introduced co-education in rural areas by recommending girls primary schools in villages; worked for the political awakening of the rural folk; tried for stipends for students belonging to backward classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for higher education; helped in establishing high and middle schools in rural areas; trying hard for irrigation and agricultural facilities in drought areas; giving free medical aid (Homoeopathic medicines) to the poor.

Hobbies.—Mountaineering, travel and gardening.

Favourite pastime and recreation.—Music and games.

Special interests.—Promoting education in rural areas and making efforts to improve the irrigation, and agricultural system in the drought affected areas.

Sports and Clubs.—”Lathi” play; organiser of Youth and Kishore Clubs.

Permanent address.—Village and P.O. Ichag P.S. Jhalda, District Purulia.