The 22nd session of the Indian Science Congress was held in Calcutta during the first week of January 1935. A large number of original papers were contributed to the Botany Section by botanists of Bengal and the delegates from different parts evinced keen interest in the discussions that followed the reading of each paper, during the congress session. After the close of the latter Prof. A.K. Ghosh of the Diocesan College. Calcutta and Prof. S. N. Banerjee of the Ripon College Calcutta, happily conceived the founding of a Society of the Bengal botanists. But as the mofussil delegates had already 101 for their respective places they approached some of the Calcutta botanists and after much discussion it was thought desirable to ascertain the option. of all persons, teachers and others, interested in Botany and in allied subjects, such as Agriculture, Forestry etc, before launching into this laudable venture. With a view to this the following were appointed as committeemembers ofthe organization –

  • Prof. G. P. Majumdar (Presidency College, Calcutta)
  • Prof. I. Banerji, M.Sc. (University College of Science)
  • Dr. Syed Hedayetullah Ph.D. (University College of Science).
  • Prof A. K. Ghosh, IN 1.15c. (Diocesan College, Calcutta).
  • Prot. S. N. Banerji M.Sc. (Ripon, College).
  • Mr. P. K. Bose (Science, College).

The Committee of organisation thus formed spent much time in studying the problems of’ organisation and sent out the following circular letter (Appendix-A) in January to as many botanists as could be located in Bengal and also to some outside Bengal. The response to this invitation was very prompt, hearty and encouraging. Nearly 45 of them expressed their willingness to become members of the Society on its inauguration by paying a subscription of Rs. 10/- per month; and others, however, suggested by paying a subscription (varying from Rs. 5/- to Rs. 7/- ) and the rest either did not respond to our circular letter or declined to become members of the society.

In April last the organisation thought it fit, to call a meeting of the Calcutta botanists to discuss the possibility of the formation of the proposed Society, on the data thus collected and the meeting was held on 25 thApril 1935 under the presidency of Prof. S.P. Agharkar, Head of the Department of Botany, C.U. at the Botany theatre of the Presidency College, Calcutta. At this meeting the report of the organizers which contained an account of the work so far done by the committee was submitted. The meeting was largely attended by the Calcutta botanists notably by the lady teachers who took an active part in the discussion that followed. After much discussion it was unanimously agreed that the moment has come for the founding of a Society of Bengal botanists and a sub-committee was formed to draft rules and regulations for which certain directions were also given to the sub-committee. In the meeting the following resolutions were finally adopted –

  • That the name of the Society should be Botanical Society of Bengal
  • That it shall never be started as a branch of any parent body.
  • That under the present financial position, the Society should not have a journal of its own.
The Following sub committee was then appointed to draft rules and regulations of the Society-
  • Dr. S, P. Agharkar, Chairman (Calcutta University)
  • Prof. G. P. Majumdar (Presidency College, Calcutta).
  • Mr. I. Banerji (Calcutta University)
  • Prof. S. N. Banerjee (Ripon College).
  • Prof. M. L. Charkavarty (Bangabasi College)
  • Dr. P. K. Sen Gupta (Calcutta University).
  • Prot. A. K. Ghosh, Secretary (Diocesan College).