Kamal Basu

Kamal Basu (1919–2013) was a Bengali Indian politician who had served as a mayor of Calcutta, India between 1985 and 1990.[1]

Early life and education

Born to a progressive family, that included his grandfather, barrister Bhupendra Nath Bose, a former president of the Indian National Congress, he had studied economics at the Scottish Church College, and eventually earned a masters degree in political science from the University of Calcutta, where he subsequently studied law.[2][3] He had joined a solicitor firm BN Basu & Co after passing law.

Career in politics and social life

At an early age, he joined the Communist Party of India and became a Member of Parliament for the Lok Sabha, from West Bengal's Diamond Harbour in the South 24 Parganas district in 1952.[1] In 1964, when CPI split up, he joined the Communist Party of India (Marxist). He was associated with the CPI(M) for over four decades.[2]

Later life

He became Calcutta's mayor in 1985. He was also actively associated with the establishment of Salt Lake Stadium, as a founder secretary of the society for sports and stadium.[2] He used to make on-the-spot supervisions during its construction.[3] He was also a patron of the Mohan Bagan club.[2]

During the Sino-Indian War of 1962, he fought a legal battle on behalf of his Communist Party of India comrades who had been detained by the Government of India, on suspected loyalties.[3]

He efforts were instrumental in saving the Shobhabazar Rajbari, often described as the native Town Hall, from destruction.[3]

Death

He died in a private nursing home on January 21, 2013.[2]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Former Kolkata mayor Kamal Basu dead". Indo Asian News Service. yahoo.com, 21 January 2013. Retrieved 2013-01-26.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Former Kolkata mayor Kamal Basu passes away". Times News Network (indiatimes.com, 22 January 2013). 22 January 2013. Retrieved 2013-01-26.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Saviour of rajbati". The Telegraph (Calcutta, India: telegraphindia.com, 29 August 2010). 29 August 2010. Retrieved 2013-01-26.

Further reading