Suniti Chaudhary (Ghose) (1917-1994)

Suniti Chaudhary, destined to play an extraordinary role in the freedom-struggle,

was born on 22nd May, 1917, in Ibrahimpur village of Tripura district, in East
Bengal, in an ordinary Hindu middle-class family. Her father Umacharan Chaudhary
was in Government service. Her mother was Surasundari Chaudhary, a quiet, pious
lady who left a deep sustaining influence of the stormy career of Suniti. When she
was a tiny girl in school, her two elder brothers in the college were already in
the vortex of revolutionary movement. Suniti, a rather precocious child, was
silently imbued with the political atmosphere at home and in the district. The
stories of the exploits of Ullaskar Dutta, a veteran revolutionary then living in
Comilla, impresses her young mind considerably. She was recruited to the JUGANTAR
party by one of her classmates, Prafullanalini Brahma. A student conference held at
that time in Comilla gave a flip to the activities of his young batch girl
students. Suniti was the captain of a Volunteer Corps of girls students. Her
majestic bearing and the way of giving commands easily drew attention of many,
specially of the revolutionaries leaders of her district. She was picked up for
training in the play of dagger and sick and also in rifle-shooting in secret in the
hills nearby. Soon after she along with Santi Ghose , her classmate was choose for
a direct action. So long women revolutionaries worked in the background. Now it was
decided that they should also come to the fore. One day (on 14th December 1931) the
two girls approached the District Magistrate of Comilla, Mr. CGB Stevens, in his
bungalow with a petition for permission for a swimming club. When face to face with
him, they fired at the Magistrate.

The first bullet from Suniti?s revolver shot him dead. In the midst of panic and
confusion that followed, the two girls were apprehended and mercilessly beaten.
Their unusual claim, serenity and cheerfulness seen all through their under trial
days in the prison and in the court, struck one and all with wonder. All the time
they sang and laughed. They expected to die martyr?s death. But in view of their
tender age (only 14) they were given the sentence of life-imprisonment. Though a
bit disappointed, they took the judgment cheerfully and bravely and entered the
portals of the prision house, singing aloud Poet Nazural?s famous song ? ? OH BREAK
DOWN THOSE IRON BARS! BURN AWAY ALL THESE PRISION HOUSES!?

After seven years, she got an early release with undaunted spirit. She again faced
life full of struggle awaiting her in outside world. She resumed her studies and
took the M.B.B.S. degree. In 1947 she married Pradyot Kumar Ghose. With an only
daughter she died in 1994. Her heart was always bleeds at the sufferings of
millions of her dear countrymen, and ill-at-ease for not being able to do all that
she wants to do for them??..

Shanti Ghosh (Das) (1916-1989)

Swami Vivakananda once exhorted Indian youths, ?Don?t forget from your very birth
you are destined to be sacrificed at the altar of the Motherland.? Who knew this
message of the Swamiji was one day to find an amazing fulfillment in one of his
close relations of his sister?s grand daughter, Shanti Ghosh. Shanti even in her
early teens felt herself marked for a life dedicated to the cause of her country?s
freedom. Shanti was born in Calcutta on 22 November 1916. Her father Devendernath
Ghosh , who originally came from Barisal district, was a Professor in Comilla
College. Her patriotic fervour influnced Santi in her very early age. In her
autograph book Bimalpraiva Devi, a well known revolutionary , once wrote, ? BE LIKE
THE SANTI OF BANKIM?S ANANDMATH? and Netaji Subash Chandra wrote, ? TO PRESERVE THE
HONOUR OF WOMENHOOD , TAKE UP ARMS YOURSELVES, YE MOTHERS? all these blessings gave
added inspiration to the young girl who was preparing herself for the mission that
she felt awaited her. When she was a student of Faizunnesa Girl?s School, she came
in contact with the JUGANTAR party through her classmate Prafullanalini Brahma and
undertook various kinds of training necessary for the revolutionary worker.
Soon one day came to her the great call to dedicate her young life at the altar of
the motherland. And unhesitatingly, smilingly and bravely she respond to it. On
14th December 1931 , she along with classmate Suniti shot-dead Stevens the District
Magistrate of Comilla. This heroic action of the two young girls thrilled the
country from one end to the other. Under the gaze of wonder, admiration and
affection of millions of her countrymen, Santi along with Suniti went behind the
prision bars with a sentence of Life-transportation bidding adieu to a life of
ease, comfort and worldly success that could have been hers for the mere asking.
Her worthy mother, Sailabala Ghosh wrote to her in prison, ?DARLING THE GOD OF
PRAHLAD HAS PUT ON SHACKELS ON YOUR TENDER YOUNG HANDS. AND IT IS HE WHO WILL
PROTECT YOU AND RETURN YOU BACK TO MY BOSOM.?

In prison Santi was separated from her comrade Suniti and kept solitary
confinement. For some time, it was too much for an exuberant girl of fifteen. In
1937 , along with many political prisoners, she got an eary release. After release
she resumed her studies and in 1942 married Chittaranjan Das, an Ex-revolutionary
worker of Chittagong. She was a member of the West Bengal Legislative Council and
of the Legislative Assembly for a long period (1952-1968). Her autobiographical
book ?ARUNBANHI? won great appreciation from many. She died on 28th March 1989 her
only successor grandson CHANDER DAS (working in Vodafone at Kolkatta) & Daughter in
Law now living in Kolkatta??..