The Great Son of Malda
A.B.A. Ghani Khan
Choudhury
Abu Barkat Ataur Ghani Khan Choudhury — popularly and respectfully addressed as "Barkatda" — a political leader, visionary, and devoted public servant who transformed the landscape of Malda.
His Life & Legacy
A Visionary Leader
A great son of Malda, A.B.A. Ghani Khan Choudhury (Abu Barkat Ataur Ghani Khan Choudhury), popularly and respectfully addressed as "Barkatda" by persons of all age groups, was born on 1st November 1927.
He was first elected as a member of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly in 1957. In 1971 he took oath as Minister in the Cabinet of Ajoy Mukherjee. Thereafter in 1972 he again took oath as Minister-in-Charge, Power and Irrigation, Government of West Bengal.
He intently devoted himself to make feasible plans for the homogeneous development of all in general and that of economically distressed people of Malda in particular. Malda was economically and educationally backward district inhabited with people mainly depending on agriculture. The unendurable curse of flood and erosion of rivers were the causes of the misfortune of the people.
He promised to save Malda from such all-devouring natural calamities and fulfilled his commitments by encircling Malda with banks to keep back the flood water. Agricultural fields were covered with services of electrical power and irrigation facilities with the installation of R.L.I., deep tube wells etc. under different schemes.
Political Timeline
Born on 1st November in Malda, West Bengal
Elected as Member of West Bengal Legislative Assembly
Took oath as Minister in the Cabinet of Ajoy Mukherjee
Minister-in-Charge, Power & Irrigation, Govt. of West Bengal
Elected as Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha)
Union Minister — Railways, Coal, Irrigation, Power & Programme Implementation
Passed away on 14th April — immortal in the hearts of Malda's people
His Remarkable Work
Contributions to Malda & India
Flood Protection
Encircled Malda with embankments to protect from devastating floods and river erosion that plagued the region for decades.
Power & Irrigation
Brought electricity and irrigation facilities to villages through R.L.I., deep tube wells and various development schemes.
Rural Banking
Set up Rural and Nationalised banks in villages to save poor farmers from money lenders. Established Samsi Regulated Market with cold storage.
Education
Recognition and upgradation of schools and madrasahs. Established St. Xavier's School and two Central Schools in Malda.
Healthcare
Established Primary Health Centres and health facilities across different blocks and Gram Panchayat areas.
Roads & Bridges
Constructed metallic roads across remote areas and bridges at Kagmari, Narhatta, Alal, Sodullapur, Uttar Lakshmipur over rivers.
Railway Legacy
Kolkata Metro Rail, Kolkata Circular Rail, Malda Railway Division, and Railway Over Bridge at Rathbari are his railway contributions.
Power Projects
NTPC Farakka and Chhukha Hydel Power's distribution center at Lakshmipur stand as testimony to his vision.
Urban Development
Modernized English Bazar Municipality with Netaji Market, Chittaranjan Market, traffic signals and decorative fountains.
Beyond Malda
National & International Impact
Central Government
He was the first political personality from West Bengal being honored with Minister-in-Charge, Department of Railways, Government of India. In Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi's Cabinet successively he was Minister-in-Charge of Railways, Coal, Irrigation, Power, and Programme Implementation. He earned a vast reputation and fame all over the country and abroad.
United Nations
As a member of the Indian Delegation Team to the United Nations Office (UNO), this great leader asked the world to remember the bloodshed of Indian Soldiers and sacrifice of the people of India in the struggle for Independent Bangladesh.
People's Leader
As a Minister of State Government and Central Government, Ghani Khan provided thousands of unemployed youths with jobs in Government and Semi-Government institutions without considering their political and other identities. He contributed a lot for those dealing with sericulture and mango — two main products of Malda — and made aware of its uses, necessities, and demands abroad.
"A.B.A. Ghani Khan Choudhury was a friend, philosopher, guide and guardian of the people of Malda and his life is a source of inspiration to all. Political but in the true sense a Public leader, this Great Son of Malda is immortal in the hearts of its people and will be remembered forever."