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Chhote Saheb: An Era Comes to an End
By Sunny Singh
June 10, 2008 |
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After
the glorious years of Bihar's first legendary
leadership pair; Bihar Kesari Sri Babu & Bihar
Vibhuti Anugrah Babu, the one statesman who not
only stood tall among his contemporaries but has
had the unique distinction of being state's
first "King Maker"; an image later conferred to
Shri Lalu Prasad Yadav. He was none other than
charismatic leader and former Bihar CM Late
Satyendra Narayan Sinha; affectionately known
throughout the country and state as "Chhote
Saheb". His unimpeachable integrity and massive
public spirit glorified his sixty long years of
political and social career.
In fact, it was for only the third time in the
entire history of Patna High Court that it held
a full bench reference headed by Chief Justice
and closed as a mark of respect for the demise
of a former non-practicing lawyer Chhote Saheb;
the first two instances were the death of former
lawyers Rajendra Prasad and Anugrah Narayan
Sinha.
It was also exceptional that not only the
Nation's executive head, the PM Dr. Manmohan
Singh; who hails from Congress but also occupant
of Country's Second highest constitutional post;
the then Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat,
a man from the BJP too publicly expressed his
respect for Chhote Saheb's larger than life
image.
Satyendra Narayan Sinha was born in an
aristocratic political family in Poiwan (then
Gaya district), Bihar. His father was reverend
leader Bihar Bibhuti Dr. Anugrah Narayan Sinha,
who worked under Dr. Rajendra Prasad in the
Gandhian Satyagraha movement in Bihar and also
served as the first Finance Minister of the
Bihar state.
Brought up in a political environment, S. N.
Sinha completed his Bachelor's degree from
Allahabad University and earned a degree in law
from Lucknow University. He practiced law at the
Patna High Court, but left his job to join the
Indian Independence movement.
S. N. Sinha was a prominent educationist, and
served as the Education Minister of Bihar in the
government headed by Chief Minister Pandit
Binodanand Jha from 1961-1962 & 1962-1963 and
again for the third consecutive term in the
cabinet of K. B. Sahay from 1963-1967.He also a
held a range of portfolios including Local Self
Government and Agriculture.
He is credited with streamlining the entire
education system of the Bihar state. As the
state education minister, he played an
instrumental role in the establishment of
globally recognised Magadh University in Bodh
Gaya, in the year 1962.
He played the role of a de facto Chief Minister
during the period 1961-67 under the Governments
headed by K. B. Sahay and Pandit Binodanand Jha.
He also played the role of "King Maker" in the
installations of Governments headed by Satish
Prasad Singh, B.P. Mandal, Sardar Harihar Singh,
Bhola Paswan Shastri and Ram Sundar Das in later
years.
He was known for his extraordinary
administrative skills and the simplicity and
integrity by which he was able to connect and
inspire the masses easily. In the historical
1977 movement, he was made the President of
Bihar state Janata Party. He and Karpoori Thakur
worked together with brilliance to motivate the
people, specially the youth and the student
movement was a grand success in Bihar. It was
the time when because of his efforts, youth got
ample attention and representation in political
affairs and its tremendous potential was
properly utilised.
Satyendra Narayan Sinha's political
encouragement to the youths led to the emergence
of young leaders like Current Union Ministers
Lalu Prasad Yadav, Ram Vilas Paswan, Bihar CM
Nitish Kumar and State Minister Narendra Singh.
There was a massive apprehension whether the new
generation was competent and capable of handling
the constitutional methodology but the Janata
Party won all the fifty-four Lok Sabha seats in
1977 general elections under the inspiration of
Great Jay Prakash Narayan in leadership of
Satyendra Babu and rose to power in Bihar too.
As the Chief Minister of Bihar, S. N. Sinha also
held the portfolio of Education for the fourth
term in his later years 1989-1990.He
conceptualised the Indira Gandhi Planetarium cum
Science Centre in Patna. Under his capacity as
chief minister, he also endeavoured to get a
NTPC super thermal power plant established in
Bihar and upon his tireless initiatives the then
Union Government approved the project; however
it could not see the light of the day due to
political apathy. Fortunately finally the
present Government has taken constructive
measures and the grand project is on its way.
Chhote saheb breathed his last on 4th September
2006; it seemed almost entire State thronged his
residence. From the top bureaucratic
establishment to the current leadership which
was groomed under his tutelage; to the Common
Man who associated itself with this great
statesman, lakhs made a bee line at his
residence. It was extraordinary considering he
was not in active politics since last 16-17
years; yet his eminence and stature brought
people so closer to him when he made his
transition.
S. N. Sinha wrote his autobiography Meri Yadein:
Meri Bhoolein, which incorporates the
experiences and perceptions of a leader of his
eminence and stature and contains rare anecdotes
that can be relevant for a research scholar on
Bihar.
His life and ideals are an inspiration for the
state and the young generation to follow.
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Comments: |
Whatever one may say about the
honesty, integrity and
administrative/political skills of
Chhote Saheb, one should not forget
that under his patronage the Magadh
University virtually became a Rajput
University- a caste to which Chhote
Saheb belonged. - Satya - June
11, 2008
Dear Satya sir
In the past numerous institutes and
many universities have been
established on the caste basis in
Bihar.
In fact Pd. Jawahar Lal Nehru's
encouragement to fellow Brahmins is
well exemplified; he appointed
Brahmin CMs in many prominent
states; G V Pant in UP, R C Shukla
in MP and many more. Ironically his
contribution for the country can
never ever be questioned.
I humbly respect your appreciation
for the Great Chhote Saheb; a
statesman of his stature and
eminence is impossible to find these
days. Bihar is blessed to have him.
Unfortunately, I regret and strongly
oppose your baseless comment; had
Satyendra Babu patronised Rajput
leadership in the university; he
would have named the Magadh
University, the one he founded
himself, after his Legendary father
Bihar Vibhuti Anugrah Narayan Sinha.
Chhote Saheb was a leader of the
masses and lived for the welfare and
development of Bihar. No one can
ever forget his invaluable
contribution to the state.
Tell me; did not Sri Babu openly
favoured Bhumihars? He did and in
the infamous "sathi land scam" in
1950s; Sardar Vallab Bhai Patel
openly reprimanded him; in fact
Mahatma Gandhi asked him to vacate
CMs chair and advised Anugrah Babu
to take over.
How can you say that "forget his
integrity, administrative skills,
honesty?
Our nation and state is deprived of
such leaders who possess these
qualities.
Magadh University is an
institutional establishment; Chhote
Saheb's eminence is much above that.
Before sharing your views; please
make sure that the person we are
talking about does not belong to a
particular ideology or caste; he
belongs to all of us! - Er.
Somesh Verma, USA - June 14, 2008
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Discussion on this topic is now
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