Nitish Chandra Laharry

Nitish Chandra Laharry (1892–1964) was an Indian lawyer, social worker and film producer from Kolkata. He was the first person of Asian origin to be elected as the president of Rotary International and was the producer of the first motion picture of Bengal, Bilat Ferat. It was during his presidency that Rotary International started its Youth wing, Interact Club. The Government of India awarded him the third highest civilian honour of the Padma Bhushan, in 1963, for his contributions to society.

Early life and education Nithish Chandra Laharry was born in 1892 in Kolkata, in the undivided Bengal of British India to a school teacher as one of his three sons. His early schooling was in Kolkata, after which he studied at the St. Xavier's College and at the Scottish Church College, from where he obtained his graduate and master's degrees in English literature. Later he also secured a degree in law from the University of Calcutta, winning the J. M. Tagore Medal for Law for academic excellence. During his college days, he was involved in literary activities and was the editor of a literary magazine which had Rabindranath Tagore, the Nobel Prize winner, as one of its contributors. He founded a studio and produced a motion picture about the Bengali diaspora in England, the first motion picture produced in Bengal, Bilat Ferat. An economic depression prompted him to switch to film distribution, and it was during this time he married Bindubala. His business travels took him to Mumbai in 1935, but he continued his association with Rotary International by becoming a member of the Bombay chapter, and, on his return to Kolkata (then Calcutta) in 1939, he rejoined RC Calcutta and became its president in 1944. The Bengal famine of 1943 had already set in by that time and the organization, under his leadership, set up food canteens and free medical camps for the people affected by the famine. He also served as the vice chairman of the Armed Forces Entertainment during World War II and, after the war, managed disbursement centres for the Government of India.

Death He died on 21 July 1964, survived by his two daughters; his wife had preceded him in death.

Filmography 1921 : Bilat Ferat