Phanindra Nath Ghosh emerged as a shining luminary among India's freedom fighters. Born on 20 March 1918, in Serampore within the Hooghly district of West Bengal, he was the son of Charuchandra Ghosh. During his student years, he came into contact with dedicated freedom fighters from the Hooghly district such as Jatindra Nath Lahiri, Amarendra Nath Chattopadhyay, and Panchu Gopal Bhaduri. Joining the Yugantar revolutionary party alongside J.N. Lahiri, he became an active member of the "Gupt Samity" in Serampore, motivating the youth to embrace physical fitness, exercise, shooting, and self-defence.
His leadership steered the revolutionary movement across the Hooghly district. However, his activities attracted the attention of the British police, resulting in his arrest and subsequent imprisonment in Hooghly jail. Following his release, he briefly went underground in Arambag before resuming revolutionary activities in Serampore.
When the Quit India movement ignited across India in 1942, he played a pivotal role. Deeply committed to Gandhiji's philosophy, he actively participated in protests, processions, strikes, and boycotts within the Hooghly district. On 18 December 1942, while leading an anti-British procession, he was apprehended by the police and incarcerated in Alipore Central jail, where he endured severe torture. Released in April 1944, he continued his anti-British endeavours.
Post India's independence, J.N. Lahiri, a renowned revolutionary, established the Swadeshi enterprise "Serampore Belting Works Pvt Ltd" in Serampore. He enthusiastically participated in this venture, rejecting a government job offer to contribute to the Swadeshi movement. Recognizing his immense contribution as a freedom fighter who fiercely battled for India's liberation from British colonialism, the Government of India honoured him with a Copper Plate in 1972.
Phanindra Nath Ghosh passed away in 1992.
Tamra Patra was awarded by the Government of India in 1972
Source: Sangita Bhattacharya, Contributor for CCRT