Dr. Pratap Chandra Chunder political profile

CHUNDER, DR. PRATAP CHANDRA, B.A. (Hons.), M.A., LL.B., D. Phil., Janata, (West Bengal—Calcutta North East—1977):  s. of late Shri Nirmal Chandra Chunder; b. at Calcutta, September 1, 1919; ed. at Hindu School, presidency College, University College of Law and Calcutta University; m. Smt. Leena Chunder (nee Roy Chowdhury), December 3, 1940; 4 s.; Solicitor, High Court, Calcutta; Advocate, Supreme Court of India; Lecturer, Calcutta, Burdwan and Jadavpur Universities; previously associated with the Indian National Congress till 1969 and the Congress (O) 1969—77; President, West Bengal Congress Committee 1967—69 and West Bengal Congress Committee (O) 1969—77, Member, Working Committee, Indian National Congress (O), Member, Senate of the University of Calcutta, 1961—67 and Executive Council of Rabindra Bharati University, 1962—68; Honorary Citizen of New Orleans; Member, West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 1962—67 and 1967-68; Chairman, Public Accounts Committee, West Bengal, 1965—68; Minister, Finance, Judicial and Legislative Departments, West Bengal, 1968; Minister of Education, Social Welfare and Culture since March, 1977.

Favourite pastime and recreation:  Travelling; Reading and Painting.

Special interests:  Social and Cultural activities.

Accomplishments in letters, art and science:  Fellow of the Asiatic Society (F.A.S.); awarded best playwright prize by the University of Calcutta, 1965; participated in dramatic performances on the stage and All-India Radio, Calcutta Station; several dramas produced on the stage and the Radio; one has been filmed and another is under production.

Publications:  Kautilya on Love and Morals (English), Sons of Mystery (English), Job Charnocker Bibi, Srinkhalita, Lebedeffer Rangini (Bengali historical novels), Pahari Sandhya, Swapna Bhangha (Bengali Social Novels), Sahartali, Amlamadhur Prajapati, Ajab Desh (Bengali Dramas); various other novels, essays, short stories and articles published in journals and periodicals.

Sports and clubs:  Member, (i) Calcutta, University Institute, (ii) Santi Institute and (iii) All Bengal Physical Culture Association.

Travels abroad:  Thailand, Hong Kong, Peoples’ Republic of China, U.S.A., U.S.S.R., Switzerland, England, Eire, Holland and several other European countries.

Permanent address:  23, Nirmal Chunder Street, Calcutta.