Sir Ganesh Dutt, one of the leading Educationist of India in pre-Independence era was remembered today in Bihar on his Birth Anniversary. Several Minister of Government of Bihar offered homage to the visionary at a ceremony held at Sri Krishna Memorial Hall Patna.
His contribution to the development of Education System in Bihar was immense and he did much to improve education and health services in the state of Bihar and Orissa before the independence of India from Britain.
Dutt made generous donations from his earnings and personal property for the development of educational institutions, such as the radium institute in Patna Medical College, Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital, Ayurvedic College and schools for the blind and deaf
Sir Ganesh Dutt donated his house Krishna Kunj to Patna University to start the Patna University Institute of Psychological Research and Service, one of the oldest psychological service centres in Eastern India in 1945.
Sir Ganesh Dutt was the Minister of Local Self Government in the Province of Bihar and Orissa. He became minister on the 27th of March, 1923 and five years later in June, 1928, he was knighted by the King Emperor, in recognition of his ability as an administrator and his service to the country.
Dutt saved nearly three-quarters of his salary each month for 14 years to give it to various charities to benefit orphans, widows, and schools in the state.
He gave Rs. 1 lakh to Patna University on November 30, 1931, and a further Rs. 2 lakhs on May 27, 1933. With this endowment the Patna University Sir Ganesh Dutt Singh’s Trust Fund was created, funding loan scholarships for higher studies in industry, agriculture, science, medicine, engineering, etc. Dutt required that, all else being equal, preference was to be given to the untouchable castes and backward castes over the forward castes. Patna University awarded him the degree of Doctor Honouris Causa in 1933.