R. P. Paranjpe

Sir [http://info.worldbank.org/etools/library/latestversion.asp?241504 SAI PARANJPYE, INDIAN FILMMAKER] library, worldbank.] Raghunath Purushottam Paranjpye (Paranjpe) (16 February 1876 – 6 May 1966) was the first Indian to achieve the coveted title of Senior Wrangler at St John's College, University of Cambridge, in 1899.

After a three-year fellowship at St John's College during 1899-1902, "R. P." became a professor of mathematics at Fergusson College, Pune in Maharashtra, India. Later, he became the college's principal, and stayed in that position for the next twenty years [cite web
url=http://www.terramedia.co.uk/Chronomedia/years/1901.htm
title=Chronomedia: 1901 - December 7
accessdate=2007-07-14] . Subsequently, he consecutively became the Vice-Chancellor of Bombay University and Lucknow University [ [http://www.education.nic.in/cd50years/g/12/3H/123H0501.htm First Meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Education] 19-20, December, 1935.] .

In the three years (1944-1947) preceding India's independence from the British Raj, the British government had appointed R. P. India's High Commissioner to Australia [http://www.asha-foundation.org/women/women/sai_paranjpe.php Sai Paranjpye at ASHA] ] .

In 1907, R. P. had become the first librarian of the Indian Mathematical Society at Fergusson College [Newsletter 17 Indian Mathematical Society http://www.geocities.com/indianmathsociety/newsletter17.htm] . He was the founder of the Indian Rationalist Association in Chennai (then Madras) in 1949 [ [http://www.rationalistinternational.net/archive/en/rationalist_1999/21.htm BULLETIN-21 ] ] [Rationalist International] Bulletin 21,21 October 1999] , and remained its President for many years [ [http://indianrationalists.blogspot.com/2006/05/introduction-to-indian-rationalist.html An Introduction to Indian Rationalist Association] website, May 27, 2006.] . One of the earliest Indian documentary film makers, H. S. Bhatavdekar, had made silent documentary films, "Return of Wrangler Paranjpye" (1902) and "Delhi Durbar of Lord Curzon" (1903), featuring R. P. ["Filming the Gods: Religion and Indian Cinema", Rachel Dwyer, Routledge, 2006. pp 14, ISBN 0415314259.] [imdb title|id=0156019|title=Sr. Wrangler Mr. R.P. Paranjpe] [ [http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/indiancinema/?browse=language&start=SilentFilms Indian Cinema Database] SilentFilms. ] [ [http://www.miffindia.in/archives/4th%20festival.htm Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF)] Foreword, 4th Mumbai International Film Festival, 1996.] .

In the days of the British Raj, there was some criticism that R. P. had often appeared on the side of British authorities at a time of nationalist ferment in India.

Family

R. P. Paranjpe's birth place was Murdi near Dapoli in coastal Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra.In 1991, the Government of India awarded R. P.'s daughter Shakuntala Paranjpye a Padma Bhushan title in recognition of her work in the field of family planning. She was also a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha in the 1960s [ [http://rajyasabha.gov.in/publ/golden_jubi/nominated%20.htm NOMINATED MEMBERS OF RAJYA SABHA] ] .

In 2006, the Government of India awarded R. P.'s granddaughter Sai Paranjpye a Padma Bhushan title in recognition of her artistic talents. She is a film director and a scriptwriter.

Bibliography

* "Dhondu Keshav Karve: A Sketch", Poona, Arya Bhushan Press, 1915.
* "Gopal Krishna Gokhale", The Aryabhushan Press, 1918.
* "The Crux of the Indian Problem". Watts, 1931.
* "The National Liberal Federation, Presidential address". Allahabad, 1939. Vithal Hari Barve, 1939.
* "84 Not Out"( Autobiography), National Book Trust, New Delhi, 1961.
* "Rationalism In Practice: The Kamala Lectures", Kessinger Publishing, LLC, 2006. ISBN 1428644466.

References

* R.P. Paranjpye, "84 Not Out", National Book Trust, New Delhi, 1961. Autobiography.

External links

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