Statue of Radhanath Sikdar installed in Chandannagar

Kolkata: A statue of Radhanath Sikdar, the scientist who had measured the height of Mount Everest, has been installed at Chandannagar.

The half-bust statue of Sikdar has ben installed opposite the Chandannagar Municipal Corporation and behind the Sacred Heart Church. The statue has been installed thanks to the initiative and financial assistance of Meera Roy.

Sikdar, a follower of Derozio, was a brilliant student of Hindu College. He was equally famous for social service. He played a leading role in passing of the Widow Remarriage Act, prohibition of child marriage and polygamy. His role to spread women education has been remembered and acknowledged.

He is considered to be one of the pioneers of science education in India. To spread education of women, he brought out a magazine titled Masik Patrika with Pyarichand Mitra.

Radhanath spent the last days of his life in Chandannagar at his uncle's house in Godalpara. He was suffering from leukoderma which was then considered to be 'White Leprosy'. He stayed in Chandannagar for 13 years until his death.

The road where his uncle's house was situated was renamed as Radhanath Sikdar Road by the Chandannagar Municipal Corporation on February 14, 1948. However, his friends and relatives left him and he died unwept and unsung for.

The people of Chandannagar welcomed the initiative to install a half bust statue of Sikdar.