The ancestral home of the world-renowned scientist, chemist, and educationist Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy (PC Roy), located in Raruli village, Paikgachha upazila, Khulna, has fallen into severe disrepair, prompting urgent calls from locals and visitors for its immediate modernization and renovation.
The birthplace building, where PC Roy was born on August 2, 1861, is described as a "pile of ruins," abandoned, dilapidated, and on the verge of destruction. The structure is suffering from cracked and tattered walls, a risky roof, and dilapidated inner sections, including the inner mahal, pillars, doors, and windows.
While the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) noted that the birthplace is under the supervision of the Archaeology Department, the caretaker, Tapan Kumar Dutta, confirmed that only the Sadar Mahal has been renovated to some extent, and a large budget is required for effective restoration.
Significance of Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy’s monumental contributions were highlighted: He was an immortal figure in world science and industrial history, known for his work as a chemist and educationist. He was the founder of Bengal Chemicals and the inventor of Mercury (I) Nitrate. He established the country's first industrial institution, making a groundbreaking contribution to domestic industrialization. Locals, academics, and visitors are united in demanding the immediate preservation and renovation of the structure, citing it as a matter of national pride.
Lecturer Md. Momin Uddin of Paikgachha Government College emphasized that PC Roy is a source of great pride and that his birthplace must be showcased to the world. Local Amit Debnath suggested that converting the preserved monument into a tourist center would tremendously boost the economy and tourism potential of Paikgachha.
Visitor Riyad Mahmud expressed disappointment over the abandoned and risky condition of the house, noting its potential as a tourist attraction if renovated. Freedom Fighter F.M. Aziar Rahman stressed that preserving the memory of such a great man, who possessed extraordinary human qualities, is a public duty. The Paikgachha Upazila Nirbahi Officer, Mahera Nazneen, acknowledged that many tourists visit the site on their way to the Sundarbans and agreed that modernization would positively impact the local economy.
Locals are appealing to the government and relevant ministries to take immediate and effective measures, fearing that the loss of this historical memory would be a significant loss for the entire country.
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