Madhusudan_Das

His Life and Achievements: 63
He was however keenly interested in the latter and in particular, in
the education of girls, as shown by the way in which he educated
Miss Das with a view to her taking up work in that cause. It is one
of the ironies of fate that his industrial enterprises failed, in spite
of the beautiful workmanship of which Oriya workmen are capable.
But education in Orissa has made great strides, and I know how glad
Mr. Das was to see the steady progress of the Ravenshaw College
and the Ravenshaw Girl's School, to mention only two of the
institutions in which he took a special interest.
Orissa lost with Mr. Madhusudan Das an outstanding
personality. Weak in body, he was strong in faith and determination,
and, though he was an indefatigable worker, he never lost his sense
of humour. Who is going to take up his mantle in the new Orissa ?
• • •
(9)
MARVELLOUS AND SAINTLY MAN
HENRY W. NEVINSON
I came to Orissa in the autumn of 1907 in answer to a heartrending
appeal from Mr. Madhusudan Das, a highly educated man,
though belonging to the ancient and separate Oriya race, which
understands no human though but its own, and whose script looks
like a wire-netting of circular hoops. He called himself a Christian
also, though his faith was founded rather upon Christ than upon
Roman Catholic. Anglican or Nonconformist doctrines. For it was
founded simply upon Christ's one prayer, "Father forgive them, for
they know not what they do". "The man who could utter that prayer
while dying under torture was divine," he often said to me. " the
Moment I heard that prayer I recognised the truth, and I have never
doubted it since."
His unlimited generosity and a passionate sympathy with his
own people had gained for himself some of sanctity's privileges during
his own lifetime. I have seen a man suffering from a frightful running
sore entreat him for the loan of the eighth part of a penny that he
might touch the sore with it and be healed. Another cause with a