Madhusudan_Das

VII
MR. MADHUSUDAN DAS :
A STUDY IN ENTREPRENEURIAL PERSONALITY
SURENDRA NATH JENA
The self-centred, active individual is a disruptive force and there
are periods in the rhythm of history when the cake of custom
must be broken, when that disruptive, innovating energy is
socially advantageous and must be given freer opportunity. But
the social or group motive is even then latently powerful, while
for normally longer periods of the rhythm the motive of social
stability and order enjoys the more marked social approval. It
then becomes active in building and defending social institutions
and in seeking security for its members. Edwin F. Gay. 1
The 'entrepreneur' as visualized becomes a concept much
too broad and general. He turns out to be an extremely elusive
entity, at times difficult to find, or not to be found at all. and
frequently so subservient to other entities and ideas that he does
not warrant the search. Primary orientation in economic life is
commonly non-economic. Causation is extremely complex and
as a result, very serious difficulties arise from divorcing the
entrepreneur from the institutional setting and 'psychological
atmosphere' with which he has been most commonly identified.
Concentration on entrepreneurial functions or 'tasks' tends to a
neglect of change initiated by non-entrepreneurial forms and
such change is very common in economic history. The act of
innovation, per se, is very often less significant historically than
the structure and motivational aspects of those situations in which
the innovational act takes place. W.T. Easterbrook. :
Haifa century history of Orissa from 1881 to 1931. is epitomised
in the biography of Late Mr. Madhusudan Das, the immortal son of modern
Orissa. True, he lived for four score and more (28.4.1848 to 4.2.1934)
years, but he settled down at Cuttack as a lawyer in 1881 and the waning
of his glory was conspicuous in his insolvency in 1927. During that span
of fifty years Mr. Das dedicated himself for the political, social, economic
and cultural growth of Orissa. He was admired and emulated by the young,
respected and regarded by the old. adored by the poor and appreciated by
his equals. It is for posterity to say of his success as a statesman, as a