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Padma Shri Dr Surendra Nath Ghosh, a man duly credited for being the longest serving Editor of the Pioneer was no stranger to Lucknow, and nor was Lucknow to him. He was born on 20th May, 1904. A journalist par excellence, Dr Ghosh was one among those who was behind the making of Modern Day Lucknow.
‘Ghosh Sahib’ as he was fondly known as in journalistic circles and other wise, was one who was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour on April 10, 1969.
He was also given a Doctorate by Rohilkhand University. A man awarded the Doctor of Letters Honour, he had started his journey as a journalist at the Pioneer on August 1, 1927 as an apprentice. Working hard he learnt the ropes and went on to become the First Indian to become the Editor of “The Pioneer” newspaper, after Desmond Young. He continued till 1972 as Editor after which he was associated with the paper in capacity, as the Advisor. He got a place in the Limca Book of Records for his long association with the Paper.
Several senior journalists have had the good fortune of having worked and learnt under him. In a special feature compiled by the Pioneer to commemorate 146 years of the paper in 2011, his contribution to the paper has been acknowledged. The paper reads, “Among the galaxy of Indian editors one name stands out – that of SN Ghosh. Popularly known as ‘Ghosh Sahib’, he steered the paper to its new identity and became the longest-serving editor of any newspaper.”
He passed away at the age of 91 on August 9, 1995. The advances of the Pioneer under his direction, was a well noted fact not only in India but the world over. The Milli’s Gazette describes him as one who took over as Editor at the dawn of freedom.
The Milli’s Gazette also adds, in person he was a tall, fair, handsome man with British upper class tastes in dress, food and other essentials. Dr SN Ghosh was one who edited “ The Pioneer ” through the fiftees to the late seventies.
He was one of the foremost journalists of his time. SN Ghosh was one among those journalists who was known for his intellectual attainment and was respected for his integrity.
Between16 June to 22 June, 1959, he was a part of a delegation accompanying then President of India, Rajendra Prasad. The President was on a visit to Sri Lanka then Ceylon. Among the places visited were (Colombo, Plonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Kandy and Jaffna).
The Online Library and Museum of Harry. S. Truman still has records of the visit of SN Ghosh on May 3, 1951. Truman was the 33rd president of the United States of America. ‘ SNG’, another name that he was quite often referred to, for the family too was a person who would always be there. He was married to Bibha Ghosh and is survived by two of his sons Shankar Ghosh and Anil Kumar Ghosh. Family members remember him as one who not only aged gracefully, but was also someone who refused to accept that he was old.
The family still recalls, how even while in his 90s and weak and ailing from ill health, he would call his driver Rauf to take out his car, as he wished to go to office.
As several generations of the family continued to serve in the field of journalism, he passed on a mantra to his near and dear ones that “J is S “. This meant Journalism is Speed. He always pushed for clear, quick and factually correct copy.
His granddaughter, Nandita Bose, who is a teacher by profession recalls Ghosh in a different way. She says, he was one who would teach his grandchildren that life had a purpose. She says, “Dada always said, one must live life in a manner that the day he leaves for his heavenly abode, he sees some change done in society.”
SNG always looked upto every class of society and treated them equally. With journalism at the back of his hand, he was one who was a master orator and story teller. Chhanda Ghosh, his daughter- in- law says, he would be great fun to be around. Chhanda, a septuagenarian herself says, Ghosh was always one who would talk not only with elders and intellectuals with great elan, but also narrate stories to children with great ease.
Chhanda Ghosh, is not only a person who listens to classical music, but also has a strong base of Indian classical. A Visharad from Bhatkhande University herself she recalls, Ghosh to be a man who himself ensured that she get enrolled in the University, as she had expressed a desire to learn, the art form. Having trained under doyens like Dijendro Nath Sanyal, she said, Ghosh always helped everyone to get the best exposure in the field of choice.
How rooted and connected he was can be seen from the fact that when he left this world not just the senior most but even the poorest turned up at his door to pay their last respects. Honestly I write this, but I still somewhere feel I could have also grasped certain qualities from him had I been around as a grown up. I spent time with him at times when I was very small.
Struggle was one thing that Ghosh never gave up and that did payoff later in the day.
Coming from a family which was simple and pretty rooted, Ghosh did start work and he would do reporting assignments on a cycle. As a student he was dedicated to his studies.
While he completed his education in the Anglo Boys College in Allahabad, he went on to pursue his higher education in the Allahabad University.
At times when people want fast cars and bikes, and talk of increased mobility, his life can truly be called a life extraordinary. He did have his own house built which he named “Manasi”.
Today both Bibha Rani Ghosh and Surendra Nath Ghosh are no more, but their legacy is very much alive. Manasi, a symbol of the love of the two still stands firm on solid ground, though slightly done up. If Ghosh was great, even the house he fondly built has given shade to several generations. Every 20th May, the family remembers this man who meant so much for them as it is his birthday.
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