1947 (Smriti-Bismriti)

Author: Krishna Basu
Genre: Netaji and Netaji-related Topics
Cover : Hardcover
ISBN: 9788172153571
Pages: 74
Weight: 155 grams

In this memoir, Krishna Basu, a prominent figure of the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose family, reflects on the turbulent times leading up to and following India's independence and partition in 1947. Through fragmented memories, the book provides an insightful glimpse into the societal changes in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s, particularly the intense moment of India's independence and the partition. The narrative touches on historical events such as wars, famine, riots, and the partition, seen through the eyes of a young Bengali woman living through those extraordinary times.

The book emphasizes the author's personal observations from that period, detailing how events sometimes become clouded by their intensity, yet Krishna Basu proves that she was able to see through them. The vivid portrayal in these pages highlights her valuable insights during one of the most significant phases in Indian history.

Biography of Krishna Basu:
Krishna Basu, born on December 26, 1930, in Dhaka, was a multifaceted personality in Bengal and India's political and intellectual landscape. Her father, Charuchandra Chowdhury, was a respected scholar, and her mother, Chayadevi Chowdhurani, was a significant figure in her own right. She married the renowned freedom fighter and pediatrician Shishir Kumar Basu in December 1955.

She completed her postgraduate degree in English Literature from Calcutta University and taught at South City College, Kolkata, for 40 years, also serving as the principal for eight years. Later, she became a respected Member of Parliament for three terms from the Jadavpur constituency. Krishna Basu was an important political figure in Bengal, widely respected throughout India. She was the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs from 1999 to 2004.

After her marriage, she was deeply involved with the Netaji Research Bureau, established at Netaji Bhavan in Kolkata. Following her husband's death in 2000, she continued her work with the Bureau, becoming its Chairperson and overseeing its activities. She was also the President of the Institute of Child Health, Kolkata, where her husband had worked as the Director. Krishna Basu's sons, Sugato Basu and Sumantro Basu, are both notable figures.

She passed away on February 22, 2020, in Kolkata.