Page:The Modern Review (July-December 1925).pdf/114

100 in the country’s cause received the news of his unexpected death as a stunning blow was only natural; for even those who could not be included in any of the above categories were shocked when they heard that he was no more.

But none of us should give way to a mood of despondency. The nation which under God’s providence has produced some eminent leaders is certainly capable of producing more. And even ordinary men can render signal service to the country if inspired by single-minded devotion to its cause.

Our fields of work may be different and our methods, too, may differ. But may all of us be devoted to the country’s cause as the Deshbandhu was, and may the patriot and the lover of man in the Deshbandhu’s personality live for ever in the lives and spirits of his countrymen.

An appeal for funds for an All-Bengal Das Memorial has been issued under the signature of prominent men of all parties, and no party. It is proposed that the memorial should take the form of a hospital for women, irrespective of caste or creed and an institution for the training of nurses, both to be located in the Deshbandhu’s mansion at Russa Road. The amount required is ten lakhs of rupees—certainly not an extravagant sum for such a purpose. Sir Rajendranath Mukherjee of No. 7. Harington Street, Calcutta, has patriotically accepted the office of Treasurer. We strongly support the appeal and hope there will be a quick and more than adequate response,

As the objects of the proposed institutions are entirely non-political, nothing stands in the way of Government servants and Europeans contributing to its funds.

A special cable to the Statesman announced some time ago that the Birkenhead-Reading conversations have resulted in the following considered decisions: