Gangajalghati, a remote block of Bankura district, once served as the epicenter of the Swadeshi movement in the region. Famous leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Rabindranath Tagore, and Kazi Nazrul Islam all visited this area, drawn by one man: Sri Gobinda Prasad Singha.
Born in 1889 in Kanemara village (later named Govindadham), Sri Gobinda Prasad Babu was inspired by the ideals of Swami Vivekananda. He was both a spiritual visionary and a staunch patriot.
Govinda Babu served as the headmaster of Gangajalghati School, transforming it into a national school without government aid. The curriculum included patriotic and spiritual teachings like the Gita and Swamiji’s works.
In 1924, he founded the Amarkanan Ashram in memory of Amarnath Chattopadhyay. Kazi Nazrul Islam composed the "Amarkanan Music" here, which remains the prayer of the Deshbandhu School.
During the 1932 Civil Disobedience Movement, Govinda Prasad Babu led a massive agitation in Bankura. The British arrested him, and the ashram was confiscated before being returned later.
After independence, he stepped away from politics. He passed away on 17 December 1954. Though largely unrecognized in mainstream history, his contributions shaped a golden chapter of Bankura's legacy.
More details: Gobinda Prasad Singha Blog