Sachindra Mohan Nandi, a soldier who struggled for India's freedom movement, was born on 1 October 1904, in Tepa village, Rangpur district, East Bengal. His parents' names were Jatindramohan Nandi and Hemangini Nandi, and his ancestral home was in Pabna town. He received his primary education in Pabna before relocating to Nabadwip, presently known as Nadia. At the Hindu school in Nabadwip, he pursued his education, and in 1920, he earned star marks in four subjects, along with letters, when he passed his matriculation examination from the school. Sachindra was then awarded a monthly scholarship of Rs. 25 and admitted to ISC at Bangavasi College in Calcutta.
Upon Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das's invitation, Sachindra Mohan Nandi joined the Swarajya Party in 1921 and served as Deshbandhu's private secretary for two years. Due to his active involvement in the freedom movement, the British Government terminated his monthly government scholarship of 25 rupees. Consequently, Sachindra returned to Pabna and took the ISC examination in 1922 from Pabna College. He secured the third position in Calcutta University. After that, he enrolled in Presidency College to pursue Honors in Chemistry and passed his B. Sc examination in 1924 with a Duff Scholarship.
In 1929, he took an active part in the Anushilan Samiti, a revolutionary organization that incited the British authorities. As a result of his involvement, he was apprehended and imprisoned by the British for two years. His intense patriotism and his burning desire to liberate his country were primarily instilled in him by his mother, who was an active participant in the freedom movement. Sachindra Mohan Nandi was profoundly inspired by Gandhiji's ideals and practised spinning the charkha (spinning wheel) at home, along with his mother.
He was tasked with translating Gandhiji's speeches into Bengali whenever the leader visited Bengal. During the August movement in 1942, he was arrested by the police in Madaripur, Nadia. He was eventually released in 1945 and returned to his hometown of Nabadwip. Despite devoting most of his time to the freedom struggle, he remained in contact with several revolutionaries in Nadia. Upon his return to Nabadwip, he established two Swadeshi schools, one for boys and another for girls, called "Saraswat Mandir." Throughout his life, he aimed to instil a sense of civic duty in his students and taught them how to serve their country and its people.
Following the country's independence on 15 August 1947, a multitude of people with scattered roots arrived in Nabadwip, bearing the pain of partition. He and his colleagues responded by opening a langarkhana, or community kitchen, reflecting his lifelong commitment to serving the people. Later, he dedicated himself to instilling this ideal in his students. In recognition of his contributions, Sachin Babu was awarded a Tamra Patra by Mrs. Indira Gandhi on the 25th anniversary of Independence in 1972. Sadly, this great fighter passed away on 25 October 1978.
Bust of Sachindra Mohan Nandi, Nadia
Tamra Patra awarded to Sachindra Mohan Nandi by the Government of India in 1972
Source: Mun Biswas, DRP, CCRT